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Game Lag, FPS, Warp, Ping and What Causes These Internet Game Network Delays:
*Lag Ping Times Converted to Seconds
A Ping of 1000 = 1 full second
Ping of 500 = 1/2 second or .5 of a second
Ping of 250 = 1/4 second or .250 of a second
Ping of 125 = 1/8 second or .125 of a second
and so on...
It isn't much time considering, but in point to point multiplayer gaming, alot can happen in a second.
It's generally not the game's net code. The problem is people running non-dedicated servers, low bandwidth servers, or a dedicated server that
shares the same network as a person playing the game. If you see a (0) zero ping number on a player on a server, that means it's a non-dedicated
server and will naturally have alot of lag.
If there is no zero (0) ping players on the server, but a player has a connection of 20 or less, the player may be sharing a network connection with
the server - in that case it's just as bad as running a non-dedicated server.
*There are 3 main causes for lag with a game.
*Here they are starting from usually the 1st worse:
1. Host is running the server as a non-dedicated server.
2. Someone is running a dedicated server but using a computer on the same network for the internet connection - it's just as bad as non-dedicated
server, like above.
3. The server has low bandwidth or is not powerful enough to host a group.
*Summary Of Lag Issues:
1. If you find someone with a zero ping or if their ping Spikes, it's a Non-Dedicated server on and or a low bandwidth server.
2. If the average players ping is high and then the ping goes down (gets better) when people die, go to spectator mode, or leave the game, because
that means the server's available processing is under-powered for the given amount of players; i.e. the server should have its max-clients setting
much lower.
3. If there is no zero ping player on the server, but a player has a connection of 20 or less, that player is sharing the network connection with
the server - in that case it's just as bad as running the non-dedicated server.
*Low FPS While Playing Online:
An expert on networks chats about the differences between lag and fps: "Lag and FPS are two different things.."
Q; "Can't lag lead to low FPS? because on servers that have a lot of lag, FPS can be terrible.. but on super faster servers our FPS is great.. no
lag.. but people say lag can't cause low fps.. but it seems too."
A; "If you are lagged, your PC won't know what to render and so fps drop due to that."
Q; "So basically it goes slower to keep 'down' with the connection?"
A; He replies...
"more like it can't go any faster because it doesn't know what to draw next on screen. That's why capping your frame rate sometimes makes things
seem smoother online, your PC isn't asking the server for so many updates." Of course modern games interpolate a good deal, which means effectively
guessing where a player will be in the next frame view"
"If game companies would boosted the client's predictions for the next screen then games would get much smoother.. much less FPS drops.. and that
makes sense Unless the player moves in a Un-predicted direction and they "jump", showing up at the next server update screen"
"There is a slight stuttering effect in some places with certain conditions and that's usually a result of the client un-predicted rate of a change.
So there you have it."
"A bad server or connection will give you low FPS because it can't update your client/computer fast enough and it will render slower."
"Need Some Proof?, for them know it alls out there".
"Try a server (if you get a ping lower 120 or less on it) check out your FPS compared to other servers:
This is also the reason we need low-overhead Linux servers, so the server can devote itself purely to updating clients. Another problem is servers
allowing too many clients to max out the server's available bandwidth. Server administrations need to realize the limitations of their server and
lower the max clients. When the server has more clients than it can handle, it's much more difficult for the server to update each client and your
FPS drops significantly".
"While we are on the subject of lag, let me add some related info for 56k folks, DUN, Modems. When you get flamed or harassed online for lagging in
a game, Do not take it personally. A 56k connection can cause the servers communication stack to stutter and every user on the server will
experience it, Not just one or two. So, to make it short... One lagger will make the entire server step or stutter, not just the laggers machine."
"I know some 56k folks are getting booted or left out and even harassed in today's virtual reality games and it sucks. Well, you have people of all
kinds out here who think they are know it alls just because they are hosting the game. If you end up being a statistic in a case like this, remember
you are the smarter one now and do not try to convince them of that. Virtual Reality (multiplayer) bytes alot at the wrong time, that's just the way
it is out here. Maybe you can just send them a couple hundred copies of this info and it will sink in".
"If you own a 56k, Unless you have a very good 56k connection try to stick with a hosts that doesn't have a packed game room. Depending on the game,
play in groups with less than 10 people in them for best results".
"Ping is not the only variable which affects online gaming, So having a low ping to a server does not mean you will get good results or be right if
an argument arises. Keep this in mind where ever you go so it helps keep a fair judgment of anything can happen and it probably will. Equally
important is the bandwidth of both the server and its clients. In a typical game sim, a client should have approx. 10kbs downstream bandwidth for
every other client on the server, and 10kbs upstream to report the clients data to the server. ie; on a 10kbs line, 9 people should work perfectly.
A 36k modem can join a server with 3-4 players fairly well and 5 under rare ideal conditions. For a (server), the bandwidth requirements are even
much greater, approximately 10kbs upstream and downstream per client. That is twice the amount needed as we mentioned above".
*To The HOST of All Gaming Servers:
Before You Boot a Player or Kick Them Out for Lag or Ping, You Better Analyze the Situation Enough to be Sure. Booting a Player in the middle of
play somewhere is just Total BS and it is the fastest way to get someone angry, then Trouble will Usually Follow. As the Host of any game or online
situation, you are to be the responsible one. Though you may get angry from a player or visitor, it is best to take a second before you use that
magic key (boot) or give the irate answer. The best server host are understanding, calming, fair, mature and informative about their systems.
Confrontations are inevitable, but the way a host handles them will keep gamers coming or going.
Now Folks, Use this Information Wisely to Help People Learn. Prevent cheaters from your gaming and handle yourselves maturely. Help the host if
needed and...
MOST OF ALL, HAVE FUN! Enjoy Yourselves,
Hope to See You in the Game.
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