Multiplayer performance...

[hank]

I have an oberservation about MP lag on servers. This is not a criticism of any particular server.

Last night I was on a server playing mulitiplayer combat missions (not PvP). One other player was in Talison w/me doing a 2 WP mission and the lag was so bad, you could not focus on one Red to attack. One second you think you have a Red in your crosshairs, the next he's off to the edge of the screen (or worse). This has happened to me on both the most popular servers on several occassions.

Here's the observation: Many years ago I played Mechwarrior online extensively. This was around the 1999's or 2000's if I reacall correctly. Only occassionally did we get bad lag. It did occur but most of the time on most of the many servers available you could have 4 - 8 Mechs on a map and everything ran smooth. I played so much online I gave myself carpal tunnel.

With all the better technology, faster processers, high speed data transfer, why is there such a problem with lag today?

I figure its most likely due to individual pilot connection speed and FPS rates (I know I could be wrong on that - please educate). But 10 years ago all those tech factors were far below what we have today.

I have a new fairly powerful system and without pulling the detailed specs on the graphics engine, I have a Radion HD 6700 (~150 bucks when I purchased) running on an i5 processor with lots of RAM, and everything runs smooth as glass in MP when I'm not in a system with other pilots. I don't think its my system (tell me I'm wrong). I also tend to have better pings and FPSs than most.

I don't enjoy flying combat missions with others because of the bad lag that seems to always happen. I'll leave and go to other systems. Everything improves then. Is that jumpy, laggy performance normal?

disclaimer: I have not played MP with any other game like EVE for example. The only two other games I've played MP is the old Mechwarrior I mentioned and Steelbeasts. No problems there. So maybe this is normal. I wouldn't know.

[49rTbird]

It could be the servers connection not yours that may be the problem. It could also be the distance between you and the server. Some times there is a "dropped Packet" in my case anyway that makes it look like I missed a in game update but that seems to fix it self.

[Marvin]

Vice is constantly tweaking the MP engine to minimize lag while, at the same time, maintaining accuracy in "hit criteria" during PvP. Due to the way the Evoverse works (rotating planets), synchronization of all the elements in a single sector, when more than one player is in that sector, adds to the possibility of lag. If you find lag but still want to do co-op contracts with other players, try moving to a sector where you have a trade station (for the contracts) but no planet. It might help.

[hank]

Thanks gentlemen.

.... and ahha!!... you gave me an idea.

Have a nice day

PS: I did not realize I started a new thread. Thought I tagged on to another remotely related existing thread. Oh well. ... matters not

[Edited on 2-3-2013 by hank]