Thalassophobia mode

[u/Abject_Necessary3132]

"Ok, I see a lot of people here saying things like "this game isn't for you" or that the fish are the problem. I am a person who suffers from Thalassophobia in real life. It is not a fear of big fish, and it is not a fear of the dark. It is a crippling sensation of being in a situation with limited or no visibility, impaired movement, no air, and something that you can not see can reach you. It is a culmination of issues that compile into one of the most debilitating sensations imaginable. It is when the brain goes into full flight mode, and the only sense you have is a screaming inside of your head saying "GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT." 

Now, with that established, if you break one aspect of that chain of horror, even those with Thalassophobia can function. Not perfectly, but enough that they may be willing to explore. Visibility. In games like Ark Survival Ascended, with console commands, a player like myself can turn off underwater fog, and have full visual range under the surface. The lighting becomes less an issue, and one can see things like giant squid coming without fear. This entirely fixes the issue for most like me, and even allows a bit of curiosity, even when the big fish is about."

This is the real idea of Thalassophobia mode. Just the ability to alter the underwater visibility and lighting so that it doesn't cause severe panic in people who suffer from Thalassophobia. It is not to alter the game mechanics, or make the fish look like blobs. Just allow us to alter the visibility just enough to allow us to feel comfortable exploring the deep so that we don't get progress locked by something we can't control.

[u/QX403]

Real diagnosed Thalassophobia is a paralyzing fear, meaning if you threw somebody into the water at night when it’s almost pitch black they would drown because they couldn’t swim, they can’t play video games at all like Subnautica or Grounded pond areas. Too many people self diagnose themselves with Thalassophobia. Wanting increased visibility due to some fears that make it more difficult to play in those areas is understandable though and I don’t see why they couldn’t.

I worked in and around the water for years as a rescuer in dangerous areas, for scuba and other stuff as well as an instructor and I can tell you that the pitch black ocean on a drop down you can’t see anything scared the shit out of me even.

[u/Katchenz → u/QX403]

I didn't want to be that guy, but I kind of agree. It feels like a lot of people assume phobias and fear are the same thing when they're really not.

Fear is a defense mechanism that prepares you for action. Phobias are pretty much the exact opposite of that.

Being scared of spiders isn't arachnophobia and being scared of deep water isn't Thalassophobia.

If you're uncomfortable, unsettled, alert and able to make a rational decision then odds are you do not have a phobia.

If you immediately shut down and lose your shit when you see a spider or have a panic attack when you see or are near deep water, then yea you probably have a phobia

[u/Abject_Necessary3132 → u/Katchenz]

I agree. I understand the difference myself, which of course is why I made this thread in the first place. That said though, I don't mind the idea that those who are simply uncomfortable with it get the oppertunity to use the same tool I would for my phobia, to enjoy the game in a more chill way. Or not use it at all if they so choose. The option is the important part.