Some not quite so lovely gaming lumps?
Over the years, we at Atomic have probably played more than our fair share of PlayStation games, racking up hundreds of hours holding the ubiqitous black controller.
Just two days ago though, Swiss scientists claimed that a skin disorder they're dubbing "PlayStation palmar hidradentitis" is a direct result of too much gaming.
Supposedly when the controller is gripped too tightly for long periods of time, it may cause small callous-like lumps on the palms of the hand, but here's the kicker - these symptoms have only been shown in a single person.
Sony's spokesman pointedly said:
"We would not wish to belittle this research and we will study the findings with interest, but this is the first time we have ever heard of a complaint of this nature."
We at Atomic have certainly never felt a little lumpy after playing the console, but a 12 year old girl did during an intense gaming sesh, causing doctors to recommend that she take a break from the console every once in a while, and insisting she spend ten days away from it.
She did, and the lumps are all gone now. It seems that simple common sense with this gaming thing should be applied - don't play if your hands are hurting, and make sure you take a break every hour or so (which is the perfect timing to grab another beer).
Head over to Reuters to check out the story, and make sure you see a doctor if you get lumpy controller-shaped hands.
Issue: 133 | February, 2012