1. Photosensitive epileptic seizures
A very small percentage of people may suffer an epileptic seizure when exposed to certain light patterns, flashes or flickering images, including in video games. This can happen to people who have never had symptoms and have never been diagnosed with epilepsy.
Stop playing immediately and consult a doctor if you experience dizziness, altered vision, eye or facial twitching, tremors, disorientation, confusion, loss of consciousness or convulsions.
If you or anyone in your family has a history of epilepsy or seizures, consult a doctor before playing.
2. Steps to reduce the risk
- Play in a well-lit room, never in the dark.
- Sit as far from the screen as its size allows.
- Use a smaller screen if you have the option.
- Do not play when tired or short of sleep.
- Take a ten to fifteen minute break for every hour of play.
3. Eye strain and posture
Long sessions can cause eye strain, headaches and discomfort in the neck, shoulders, wrists and hands. Persistent cases may lead to repetitive strain injuries.
Set the screen at eye level, keep your back supported and your forearms horizontal, and look at a distant point every twenty minutes. If pain, tingling or numbness appears in your hands or arms, stop playing and consult a healthcare professional.
4. Motion sickness
Camera movement can cause dizziness, nausea or disorientation in sensitive people. If that happens, reduce camera sway and effects in the settings, lower the field of view, play shorter sessions, and stop as soon as you feel unwell.
5. Volume and hearing
Listening at high volume through headphones for long periods can permanently damage your hearing. Set the volume at a level where you can still hear what is happening around you.
6. Healthy play and minors
Ashram is a persistent online game, designed to make you want to come back. That calls for some discipline: set a time limit before you start, keep your meal and sleep schedules, and put your obligations and your life away from the screen first.
The World Health Organization recognises gaming disorder as a health condition. If playing is displacing your rest, studies, work or relationships, or if you have tried to cut down without succeeding, seek professional help.
We recommend parental supervision for minors: help choose the amount of play time, keep an eye on who they interact with in the community, and talk about the content they see.
7. No medical value
This warning is informational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. If you experience any symptoms, consult your doctor.
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