Not way back, I purchased a VR headset in anticipation of the then-upcoming Resident Evil 4 port. (I’ve an issue, I do know.) Since then, I’ve performed a great quantity of VR. Or relatively, I used to be till it obtained so rattling sizzling out that now I’d relatively do something however put a sizzling, sweaty VR headset on my face or sit close to a big PC or console pumping out heat air.
Replace: 6/23/2025: This story was initially revealed on August 2, 2021. It was later up to date in July 2022 to include European heatwaves and different information. It has been up to date once more so as to add details about heatwaves in Alaska and NYC.
Previous summers noticed report temperatures throughout the US, even in locations which have traditionally averted such outrageous warmth. And these heatwaves proceed to hammer hundreds of thousands of oldsters, resulting in fatalities. In 2022, Europe is struggling via the worst heatwave in historical past, setting new and harmful temperature data. The recent climate in 2022 was so dangerous that Google and different firms are struggling to maintain servers on-line as they fail because of the intense warmth. In the meantime, Valve and Nintendo warned of us that the Steam Deck and Swap won’t work correctly in these excessive situations. And now in 2025, elements of Alaska had been put underneath a warmth advisory warning for the primary time in historical past. New York Metropolis is setting warmth data, too, with some colleges closing because of the lethal excessive temperatures. On June 23, NYC was put underneath an “Excessive Warmth Warning,” the very best warmth advisory stage.
All of that is nearly actually a symptom of the continued results of worldwide warming, which is throwing our whole planet into weather-related chaos and destruction. To place it one other means: Shit is dangerous.
I say all this to make it clear that the unimaginable warmth we’re seeing proper now’s critical and is hurting and killing individuals. Clearly, the truth that I or others can’t play video video games comfortably may be very far down on the checklist of issues brought on by international warming. However it’s nonetheless annoying, and speaking to others who’re experiencing this warmth, it’s clear I’m not alone.
I reside in Kansas, the place now we have fortunately been capable of keep away from among the larger temperatures seen elsewhere in locations like Seattle, NYC, and the UK. Even nonetheless, on this warmth, I can’t play VR video games comfortably, given how sweaty and uncomfortable the headset rapidly turns into. Once you think about that many good VR video games ask you to face, transfer round and use movement controls, the prospect turns into even much less interesting. It’s a straightforward approach to overheat throughout hotter days like these. It’s a disgrace as a result of I do like enjoying VR video games like Beat Saber; I simply can’t do it whereas temperatures hover round or over 100.
It’s not simply VR that feels uncomfortable to play throughout these abnormally blistering instances. Extra graphically spectacular video games on my PC trigger further warmth to construct up in my tiny house workplace. Consoles additionally spit out a stunning quantity of sizzling air while you play video games that push the {hardware}. The Xbox Collection X, specifically, may be very efficient at expelling burning sizzling air at a fast price. This is superb for the console, after all. But it surely additionally implies that I’ve a mini-jet engine cooking me alive. Not less than it’s quiet whereas I soften.
I spoke to some mates who’re experiencing related points. A few of them are avoiding sure video games on particular platforms proper now as a result of it’s too rattling sizzling, and since operating your AC all day is dear and dangerous for the atmosphere. I personally attempt to restrict how usually I run our condo’s AC system, and if I can avoid wasting cash and electrical energy by skipping some periods of Marvel Rivals, that looks like a great trade-off.
And certain, as these of us on that once-popular present usually mentioned “Winter is coming.” Nicely, first fall, then winter. The purpose is: Cooler and colder days are usually not too distant. However as these excessive shifts in climate and local weather change into extra frequent and extra excessive yearly, I anticipate the summer time months to change into a fair worse time to make use of electronics that produce tons of warmth.
After all, as issues worsen, having the ability to play video games comfortably will in all probability change into certainly one of my decrease priorities behind issues like discovering water, staying cool, and combating off roving bandits searching down any sources they will discover. Nonetheless, I’ll miss enjoying video video games.
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