PowerWash Simulator (and PowerWash Simulator 2) Motion Sickness: Why It Happens & What Helps
PowerWash Simulator is a first-person cleaning game where the spray follows your view, so every sweep of the washer is also a sweep of the camera. FuturLab calls motion sickness a major barrier for a minority of players. The studio added a field of view slider, an always-on crosshair option and Aim Mode in response. The sequel, PowerWash Simulator 2, came out in October 2025. This page covers both flat-screen games. The VR edition has its own page.
PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch · first-person · Has comfort settings · Player-reported motion-sickness risk: commonly reported by motion-sensitive players.
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
Risk levels summarise what passengers and riders commonly report, not measured testing.
Key facts
- PowerWash Simulator (and PowerWash Simulator 2) runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
- The camera is first-person.
- Player reports place it in the moderate band for motion sickness.
- The game ships a full set of comfort settings.
- 3 specific settings are listed on this page, starting with Field of view.
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Why PowerWash Simulator (and PowerWash Simulator 2) can trigger motion sickness
In the original game, washing is tied to moving the camera. To clean a wall you pan your whole view across it, and to reach a high spot you tilt the view up. FuturLab says the link between washing and camera movement is part of the problem. It also says a field of view far from what your eyes expect can cause motion sickness, and that PC players are more exposed because they sit close to the screen. By default the crosshair fades while you spray, which removes the one fixed point on screen. Each of these has a fix in the game.
- Washing is tied to the camera: sweeping the spray over a surface sweeps your whole view
- A narrow default field of view, seen up close on a monitor
- A crosshair that fades while you spray, leaving no fixed point on screen
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Comfort settings in PowerWash Simulator (and PowerWash Simulator 2)
PowerWash Simulator (and PowerWash Simulator 2) ships a full set of comfort settings.
| Setting | Where | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Field of view | Options > General > Camera (the developer FAQ says the graphics options) | Raise it. The slider runs from 60 to 100, and FuturLab suggests setting it as high as you can |
| Show crosshair | Options > General > Show Crosshair | Set it to ON. The default hides the crosshair while you spray, and an always-on crosshair gives your eyes a fixed point |
| Aim Mode | In-game toggle: C on keyboard, up on the D-pad | Turn it on. Your washer moves without moving the camera, so your view stays still while you aim |
One guide explains these settings for every game: how field of view, motion blur, head bob and camera shake trigger motion sickness.
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What helps beyond the settings
- Lower your mouse sensitivity. FuturLab says it makes the washing motion less pronounced
- Sit further from the screen, or play in a smaller window, so the picture fills less of your view
- Ease into it with short sessions, and stop at the first queasy signal. Look at something still and far away until it passes
The fixes people reach for once they step away from the screen are covered separately, with the trials attached: the remedy verdicts.
Frequently asked questions
Does PowerWash Simulator have a motion sickness setting?
It has three comfort tools. A field of view slider runs from 60 to 100. The crosshair can be set to stay on at all times. Aim Mode is a toggle that moves the washer without moving the camera. FuturLab suggests the highest field of view you can tolerate and the always-on crosshair. The slider is under General > Camera on the community wiki. The developer FAQ describes it as part of the graphics options, so check the Graphics tab if you do not see it.
Why does PowerWash Simulator make me feel sick?
The washer is aimed with the same movement that turns the camera, so cleaning a surface swings your whole view around. Your eyes see that motion while your inner ear feels you sitting still, and that mismatch is what motion sickness is. A narrow field of view and a crosshair that disappears while you spray make it harder to judge the movement. Aim Mode, a wider field of view and an always-on crosshair each reduce one of those factors.
Does PowerWash Simulator 2 have the same settings?
PCGamingWiki lists a field of view slider from 60 to 100 in PowerWash Simulator 2, with a default of 80. FuturLab said an October 2025 demo update made a slight camera change that may help with motion sickness. Open the settings and check the Video and Controls tabs for the rest. Do not assume Aim Mode or the crosshair option carried over until you see them in the menu.
Other game motion-sickness guides
Sources & further reading
- https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1290000/view/4224936215383798355
- https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1290000/view/4971405952704809478
- https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1290000/view/4292505348825292192
- https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1290000/view/5631194088558742471
- https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1290000/view/4032392655111184853
- https://steamcommunity.com/app/1290000/discussions/0/4353365966426924959
- https://powerwashsimulator.wiki.gg/wiki/Options
- https://www.destructoid.com/powerwash-simulator-new-aim-mode-motion-sickness-birthday-update/
- https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/PowerWash_Simulator_2
- https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2968420/view/1813674388938240
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerWash_Simulator
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Based on publicly reported player experiences and each game's documented settings, as of October 2026. Settings menus change with updates, so check your version. Game names are trademarks of their respective owners; Dizzout is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Motion-sickness sensitivity varies by person, so this is informational, not a game review or a substitute for a doctor's advice.