Meta Quest's lying down mode is a game changer for me
My Quest 3 finally received the lying down mode. Here's why I love this feature and what problems it can cause.
The lying down mode was introduced to Quest 2 and Quest Pro with Quest update v63. With Quest update 64, the feature made it to Quest 3 with a slight delay. It can be enabled under Settings > Experimental Features if it has already been rolled out to your Quest.
You can then lie down and use the Meta button to calibrate VR and some MR content along a vertical axis and enjoy it while lying down. Previously, this was only possible while sitting or standing, unless the apps were built from the ground up to allow you to play in any position.
A big win for Quest's accessibility
I have tried a number of VR and MR games with the lying mode. The feature delivers what it promises and is incredibly useful to me for a specific reason.
I had a herniated disc last year, which still makes it difficult for me to sit or stand for long periods of time. Lying down allows me to use many games and apps for much longer. For people with this or any other condition that makes sitting and standing difficult, the lying mode is a gift from heaven.
It's not a solution for all types of apps, but it doesn't have to be. For mixed reality apps that require movement in physical space, lying down doesn't help, and I still like to play motion-intensive titles standing up when I can. But if it makes VR a little easier for me and others, then it was absolutely worth implementing.
Be careful with artificial locomotion
The fact that it took Meta so many years to implement such a mode must have had more than just technical reasons.
When I tried more intense VR games like Arizona Sunshine 2 and Dungeons of Eternity, I felt a little queasy. Apparently, my vestibular system has to get used to moving upright through a world while lying down. It felt like I was wearing a VR headset for the first time again and trying out artificial locomotion. I'm curious to see if this feeling will subside over time, as I'm usually not prone to motion sickness.
This phenomenon is probably one of the reasons why the lying down mode is still an experimental feature that Quest users have to try and get used to. Meta writes that the lying down mode is intended for low intensity experiences that do not require a lot of movement. Once again, the basic rule of VR consumption is that you should only enjoy content that your stomach can handle. Be it sitting, standing or, more recently, lying down.
What experiences have you had with the lying down mode? Let us know in the comments section.
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