Grand Theft Auto VI players in Britain are being urged to keep moving during marathon gaming sessions, with research suggesting many could spend more than 40 hours glued to their consoles in the game's first week.
Mobility specialists fear that millions of players could cause themselves health damage by sitting for extended periods while playing the upcoming action title on Xbox and PlayStation. The game, the first in the series in 13 years, is expected to break sales records when it launches globally on Thursday.
Some players across Britain are taking days off work to stay indoors and game for hours, with the main storyline alone reportedly taking 80 hours to complete.
Survey Highlights Long Gaming Sessions
A survey by mobility specialists Muick Sandy found that 24% of players plan to spend more than 40 hours playing GTA VI during the game's first week. The firm has urged people to avoid staying in the same position for long periods and to build regular movement into their sessions to prevent aches, stiffness, and pains.
The company also reported that Google searches for “pain from gaming” have risen by 372% over the last 12 months.
Expert Tips for Comfortable Gaming
Ben Kenny, Director and Mobility Chair Specialist at Muick, shared five tips to help gamers avoid body stress when the game launches. He said: “With a release as anticipated as GTA VI, it’s understandable that some people will want to spend hours playing, particularly during that first weekend.
“If you’re planning a marathon session, build regular movement breaks into it from the start to help avoid any pains and aches.
“Get up between missions, walk around the room, grab some water or simply spend a few minutes away from the screen before sitting back down.
“Even while you’re playing, try not to remain completely fixed in one posture. Shift your position periodically and pay attention if you start feeling stiff or uncomfortable. Don’t ignore any pains or discomfort just to finish another mission.”
Five Ways to Stay Comfortable During a GTA 6 Gaming Session
Players are advised to use natural breaks as reminders to move. Loading screens, mission changes, food breaks, or trips to refill a drink are all opportunities to get out of the chair and move around. Building movement into natural pauses can be easier than relying on memory once immersed in the game.
Gamers should not wait until they feel uncomfortable. If stiffness or discomfort has already developed, they may have been sitting in the same position for too long. Making a conscious effort to change position regularly is recommended rather than waiting for the body to signal a problem.
Attention should also be paid to seating setup. A gaming chair does not need to be expensive, but it should allow the player to sit comfortably and feel supported. Avoiding perching on the edge of the seat or leaning forward towards the screen for long periods is advised.
Positioning the screen comfortably is another key tip. An awkwardly placed screen can encourage craning the neck, leaning forward, or twisting the body while playing. Setting up the screen so it can be seen comfortably from a normal sitting position helps prevent strain.
Finally, players are encouraged not to turn a day of gaming into a day without movement. For particularly long sessions, gaming should not be the only activity of the day. Going for a walk, leaving the house, or moving around between sessions can help break up long stretches of sitting.
