Do you game in the dark or with a light on?

[Baron von Blitztank]

Desk lamp, which is at the other side of the room, facing the wall. The light reflects and gives a nice ambiance to the room. All peaceful and nice. Good for the eyes and night terrors.

Yeah, this is pretty much the exact same light setup I have for when I'm gaming or just doing anything at night where I need to see.
I turn off the lights sometimes but I tend to only do so for horror games or games which tend to have a movie-like experience such as Asura's Wrath or Uncharted.

 

[Darquenaut]

At work, I'm in a production studio with big fluorescent lights over my head most of the day, so at home, I've pretty much removed all of my house lights with either dim low-light bulbs and or colored lightbulbs. I dunno why, but gaming with all the lights out except a pair of red lights which makes my place feel like a photographer's darkroom is surprisingly relaxing.

 

[Dree]

I play with the lights on. It stops me from getting a head ache.

 

[Mikejames]

Lights on for me. However, for anything horror then I want to play in the dark

I kept aiming to do that when I first started Silent Hill, but I never lasted long, hahah..

 

[AyaReiko]

On.

I need to see which keys I'm pressing.

 

[Kinitawowi]

You haven't played Doom - particularly Doom 3 - until you've played it in the darkest room you can arrange.

Then it depends on the game. If it's light enough to be visible with the light on, then usually light on; however, the only light source in my room is a lamp right next to my TV, so if it's quite a dark game or sequence (e.g. right now, Bully during the night time stretches or in the caves or...) then I need the light off to make out what little contrast there is; otherwise the light glares and I can't see a thing.

 

[Happiness Assassin]

For my TV, lights off. I am further away, so I won't hurt my eyes.

For my computer, lights on. I am closer to the screen and can't spend much time staring at it in the dark.

 

[SgtMcgee23]

Interesting I never knew it was bad for your eyes, haha.

I don't even play video games during the day anymore, that's how much I hate playing with lights on.

So lights off for sure.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Usually I play with the lights on. It's easier on the eyes, I can see the keyboard better, etc.

But some games just feel better when played in the dark. Anytime I played XCOM enemy unknown when I wasn't in my room with all the lights off just felt weird. Being totally in the dark when playing that game really added to the immersion for me.

 

[DarkhoIlow]

The chandelier in my room hasn't worked in at least 5 years and since I'm not a handyman and I'd rather keep my funds for games instead, I chose not to fix it and play my games in the dark.

I've been doing it for over 5 years(playing with the lights off that is) and I think it might ruin my eye sight in the forseeable future.

PS: My care meter hasn't budged one bit after that statement.

 

[Polarity27]

With the lights on, with the exception of our odd Christmas Eve tradition of playing Truth & Reconciliation with the lights off but the tree lights on. Didn't put up a tree this year so we kept the lights on, and it just felt wrong!

 

[Sudden Thunder]

I like to have a light on behind me. That way I don't get glare of the t.v that washes out the colours, but also means I don't get sore eyes from playing in an unlit room.

 

[Nexxis]

I play games with the lights on. In dark or dim light, my eyes start to strain after a while and it becomes uncomfortable.

 

[sethisjimmy]

I prefer in the dark mostly, though I have windows in the room with my TV, so that can only work at night. I feel it creates immersion and makes the color pop.

Is there any truth to the rumor that watching a TV or monitor with the lights off is bad for your eyes? Googling it leads to several differing opinions, but no scientific evidence.

 

[Aedwynn]

I play with the light on, I need to be able to see the keyboard!

 

[Angie7F]

Lights on. Otherwise I get too concentrated on the game, and it freaks me out when it is a scary game.

For glare, we have anti-glare glasses from ZOFF and I use one for work (cuts off the blue rays from the computer screen) .
I dont know how effective it is for the tv, but I wear them just in case.

 

[The Wykydtron]

Seriously, I have never really thought about gaming with lights off, it never even crossed my mind. I need light to see, lights remain on when I game. Logic OP.


I do turn the lights off when I watch a Death Note marathon though, that anime spends about half it's runtime with two characters sitting in a dark room talking so it feels right. The first parts especially. I find most of my favourite scenes in anything are usually two people talking in some way or another.

 

[kommando367]

Fluorescent lights are almost always off, Though I still wouldn't call it dark because of all the lights coming off of my game systems.