Two publications - Pocket Gamer and GamesRadar - take a recent spot study in The Sun (or as some call it, Britain’s version of the Weekly World News) about the effects of playing the Nintendo 3DS. Before we get into the jokes, a recap of a recent study in The Sun conducted by Carol Cooper for an article entitled 'Nintendo 3DS Game for a Barf.' Using a 22-year-old subject named Lee Price, a 3DS, and instruments needed to regulate blood pressure and heart rate, The Sun slaps together a spot study on the perils of playing Nintendo's new hand-held.
The first measurement is taken before the "experiment" begins. The subject's readings are 120/70 and 66 bpm. The second measurement is taken after 30 minutes of play, and reads 127/72 and 66 bpm. The subject says he feels okay but has a slight headache. The third measurement is taken after an hour of play. His blood pressure is 130/74, with a 69 bpm. The doctor notes some "nystagmus," where a person's pupils move rapidly from left to right. After 90 minutes of play, the subject's readings are 135/80 and 82 bpm. For the fourth measurement, at 90 minutes, Lee is walking and playing at the same time. “If this was your resting rate I'd recommend you saw a GP about high blood pressure." the doctor told The Sun.
The measurement at two hours is taken while the subject is sitting in the passenger seat of a moving car and playing the 3DS. Playing the 3DS in these conditions makes Lee feel "nauseated," and his blood pressure reaches 140/84. "If this rate is sustained for a long period it could damage circulation," the doctor comments.
Because this little experiment was so outrageously ridiculous, PocketGamer and GamesRadar decided to mock it. PocketGamer recreates the experiment but instead of playing the 3DS their subject reads a copy of The Sun. Oddly enough they come up with similar pulse and heart-rate readings. GamesRadar takes a different tact, opting instead to openly mock the paper with some tough comedy.
Their point is that The Sun should avoid having anything to do with technology or gaming because they don't know what the hell they are talking about. It wouldn’t hurt to consult a doctor.. one that knows something.
Thanks to Andrew Eisen for the links.
Comments
Re: The Sun Runs 3DS Experiment, UK Games Press Mocks Them
Hey now, it's not fair to compare the Sun to the Weekly World News.
The Weekly World News is funny.
Re: The Sun Runs 3DS Experiment, UK Games Press Mocks Them
Come up with the statement first, then budge in the facts and studies afterwards. Classic!
Also GP: please put apostrophe marks around the word 'Experiment'.
Re: The Sun Runs 3DS Experiment, UK Games Press Mocks Them
Anyone tht takes the Sun serouise when it comes to gaming and health needs to do a double check on there own helth.
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Re: The Sun Runs 3DS Experiment, UK Games Press Mocks Them
Wait, people actually expect serious news and deliberation in the Sun? I always just read it for entertainment.
They do come up with some pretty hilarious headlines sometimes.
Re: The Sun Runs 3DS Experiment, UK Games Press Mocks Them
Is that what they're calling Page 3 these days?
Re: The Sun Runs 3DS Experiment, UK Games Press Mocks Them
"140/84. "If this rate is sustained for a long period it could damage circulation," the doctor comments."
hey now... that is my standard BP and i'm doing alright.. okay so its actually below my standard for the past 6 or so years. guess its why the military still pays me but won't give me my job back :/
and yes i am seeing a doctor.
perfect timing, or deliberate mockery i dunno but i saw this and had to link it.
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/significant.png
Re: The Sun Runs 3DS Experiment, UK Games Press Mocks Them
That's a hilarious method chosen to bebunk the study. Obviously it never crossed the person conducting this that the moving vehicle was the source of the problem and not the 3DS. On the other hand, maybe they set the conditions as such so it would yield favourable results or they thought that the majority of 3DS gamers will be playing from a moving vehicle. Either way, introducing additional factors that could very well cause discomfort was not a good move and PocketGamer just proved it very nicely.