As in, your physical position when you power up your gaming station and get ready to rumble.
I have a PC (laptop), rather than any dedicated platforms. Usually it’s on a desk, hooked to an oversize monitor. When I’m playing a strategy type game that requires the keyboard (like Civ), I’m seated like a normal human in the rolling office-style chair. But when I’m playing an arcade-style game (like a racer), I’m leaned back in the chair, my feet up on the desk on either side of the computer. I’ll usually wear slippers so the hard surface and edges of the desk don’t gouge my feet and ankles, and I’ll put my tasty beverage within easy reach on the corner of the desk off to the left.
What’s your arrangement? Does it make a difference if you’re gaming on PC or on a console? (I know a guy with an XBox who stretches out on the floor, on his stomach, head toward the screen and craned up to look at it, the controller in front of him. I have no idea how he does it; my neck hurts just to look at him.)
Console gaming - I’m usually tucked into bed and propped up on pillows with snacks on the night stand.
PC gaming - Sometimes I’m in the normal sitting like a person position if there is a fair amount of typing/keyboard control required. If not then I’m leaned back in the chair with my feet up on the coffee table
Well, up until the freaking cat pissed into my laptop, I did EQ on my laptop on a specially build desk that sat on my bed, sort of like a giant breakfast in bed tray. mrAru built it for me, top angled just right, extra wide so I could sit with my legs crossed indian style, or propped up against the headboard - faithful cup of coffee and thermal cup of ice water at my side=)
If I needed to 2box a second character in, I moved the laptop to a butlers table by my desk so I could access both of them easily. If I was in my guide character, I still played on my laptop, but had my desktop going with the P&P, ICQ and the guide website up to use as reference. Saved flipping screens=)
Now, until I can afford to get another laptop, I just use my desk computer, though I am thinking of resurrecting my old compaq to set up next to it to run the P&P, ICQ and webpage so I don’t have to flip screens. Pity it is too gimp to play EQ on=\
When I became obsessed with multiplayer Rogue Spear I got into the whole ergonomics of excellence in FPS’s. Relaxed neutral shoulder, stability of the elbow, and placement of the mouse pad within the most functional range of motion of the forearm and wrist. Aiding all that was good posture, though when I was in the zone I tended to be slung back. Probably more of a sign of relaxation than accuracy promoting posture.
PC: In the big ol’ office chair, soft drinks and snacks at the 9:00 position, stereo remote at the 3:00 position. Game on!
XBox- on the couch, elbows on knees, leaning in toward the TV, right arm and leg easily maneuverable to deliver slaps and kicks to my unsuspecting Halo opponents, whether as a preemptive aim-disruptor should I notice them targeting me (shut up- everyone is a screen-looker), or as retribution for offing me.
PC: used to be sloucher, but now I have to sit up straight because of chronic back problems. Office chair, PC and Mac on (one for gaming, one for surfing or playing DVDs, because I’m a freak). Usually a cat on top of the monitor.
PS2: lounging on the couch or on a bean bag depending on how important small details are to the game. One cat on the cable box, another on my lap.
XBOX: similar to the PS2, but the controller cords are shorter, so I have to scoot the couch up a few feet.
PS2: Laying sideways across the loveseat (closest thing to the tv) pillow under legs and head and (very very important) cord between my legs. If not, it feels like I’m fighting gravity trying to pull it down to the floor ever so slightly. Beverage du jour on top of loveseat leaning against the wall, foodstuff of choice on floor, even with hip.
I played games in that position once upon a time…back when the standard console was the Odyssey 2 and the Atari 2600 was an unlikely rumor. Of course, that was before we evolved vertebrae, so it was OK.
PC: I sit perched on the edge of one of my hard dining set chairs (my office chair just doesn’t feel right for gaming, for some reason), with my right hand on the mouse and my left hand angled across the keyboard so that I can reach all my hotkeys with just finger movements. I tend to lean forward so that my head is directly between my speakers, so that I can get better directionality on sounds (this is important because my favorite games are the Thief series).
Console: Sitting cross-legged on the floor with my back against the front of the couch or the guest bed, depending on whether I’m playing the PS2 or the Gamecube. I don’t know why I don’t sit on the couch. It’s like the office chair, I guess–it’s too comfortable, or some daft thing like that.
My nephew usually plays console games while sprawled on a bean bag, often upside down relative to the screen, with the controller behind his head.
Built my own chair for EQ to help with the endless hours needed to play the game. Sits up high and allows me to slouch if needed. The armrests are higher and I have a mousepad built onto the end of them. Underneath them, I hooked some small speakers. They are also recessed somewhat so I can put the keyboard on my lap and have room to move it around. Then I got really lazy and built a table that extends out of the side of the chair for maps and such.
This chair started out as a way to help my lower back. It just kinda got out of control.
My whole room is a gamer room. I usually sit straight in my chair (office chair with wheels) with my cordless mouse and (new) lighted keyboard within easy reach. My mini-fridge is next to my PC stocked with nourishing fluids (coke, nestea and chocolate milk ).
My 19" monitor is 6" off my table so it’s well over my head sitting down. I have to look a little upwards to see it and I have my 5.1 surround sound situated 180 degrees around me (I’ve learned that sound can be a great advantage in many FPS games).
I also have my window AC (with remote) ready to blast me with cold air. I sometimes sweat when I play (well, I sweat at room temp, I’m just naturally sweaty). If I’m playing a flying game my Sidewinder Pro is on my lap on a book.
I do this too. I’m an incredibly restless person and I find it’s the position I’m most comfortable in when I play console games, though it probably isn’t that great on the comfort stakes. As for PC games, the angle I make leaning forward with my chair correlates to how much I’m into the game. I hunch over a lot when I play FPS’s.
PC - same as if I were doing something for work. Only noticable difference is the oil can of Fosters next to the monitor. No, I never spill.
Console - Black reclining chair, feet propped up, controller in lap, tv 10 feet away. Remote controls and Fosters oil can sitting on table next to me. Need to find another position, because after only a year I’m getting Nintendonitis.
