Modern gaming has come a long way with the arrival of online and multiplayer games. The conventional single player systems and consoles have now evolved with multiplayer capabilities. This enables players from across the world to play a game together. With the arrival of advanced multiplayer games, a high speed internet connection has become essential for online gaming.

Moreover, the gaming consoles and equipment like Xbox series X and PlayStation 5 are designed to work on high speed internet connections. In case of slow internet connections or devices with slow processors, a lag or latency is normal. 

What is latency?

Latency is a technical term for time lag in a game. Also, called as ping, latency 

is the lag or delay that you experience while playing a game on any device. Let us understand how latency works.

Your gaming device or PC sends data to the gaming server via the internet. Your device or PC also receives back data from the server. The time it takes for the data to go to the game server can come back to the device is known as latency. The total time taken by data packets to travel also depends on where the game server is located in the world. 

What causes Latency?

Latency while gaming or streaming videos depends on a variety of factors, and your internet speed is one of them. In addition to the internet speed, latency is also affected by the network hardware, location of the router and remote server. During the transfer, data packets don’t take a direct route from source to destination. 

They pass through various points while passing through a route. The longer the route it travels, the more the number of points it needs to pass through. So, the distance between your gaming device and the game server matters a lot, causing the delay or latency in games. Also, the location of your router from your device affects the strength of the signal, affecting latency. 

Mastering the Game: Navigating the World of Latency

Latency in gaming is a variable beast, never consistent across different games or servers. Picture this: in one game on a specific server, your latency dances around a nimble 50ms, but hop onto another game, and suddenly you’re waltzing at 100ms.

The Distance Factor

Hold on, what’s the deal with latency? It’s the time data takes to travel, and guess what? It’s a jet-setter – the farther it travels, the longer it takes to reach its destination. In simpler terms, more distance equals more patience required.

High vs. Low Latency

Ever heard of “ping”? That’s the tech lingo for latency, and it’s the nemesis of gamers everywhere. High latency? Cue the eye-roll; it’s the lag that makes gaming a less-than-blissful experience. On the flip side, low latency means less lag and a smoother gameplay ride.

The Ping Matters

When you’re on that ping-checking spree, aim for the sweet spot – anywhere from 40 to 60 milliseconds (ms) or lower is the gold standard. Anything over 100 ms? Brace yourself for noticeable lag. Essentially, the closer your latency is to 0 ms, the quicker the devices chat with each other. Speed, we like.

Close Background Websites and Programs

Bandwidth-heavy websites and ongoing downloads can significantly impact your ping rate and latency. Close unnecessary programs, like Netflix and YouTube, to enhance gaming performance. Additionally, reducing the number of connected devices and putting others on Airplane Mode can free up bandwidth and reduce latency.

Ethernet Connection for Stable Speed

In a shared Wi-Fi environment, connecting your device to the router via an Ethernet cable can reduce the ping significantly. This is especially useful when multiple household members are using the internet simultaneously. So, use a wired modem instead of a Wi-Fi router to get more speed and improved latency while using the internet.

Play on a Local Server

Choosing a gaming server in your country or region reduces latency while gaming or streaming videos. The closer the server to your device, the better the connection. Opting for local servers ensures a more responsive and enjoyable gaming experience. A VPN can help you connect to a local server, which in turn reduces latency to minimum. 

But the question arises, which VPN type is best for gaming? Reputable VPNs have servers across the world. So, you need to choose a VPN server in the same country where your game server is located. Platforms like vpnhunt.com guide you to connect to a server in your chosen location. Once you connect to a local gaming server using a VPN, you get high speed and almost no latency while playing your favorite games. 

Restart the Wi-Fi Router

Over time, routers can become strained, affecting internet performance. So, if you don’t want to use a wired Ethernet modem, simply restarting your router can refresh your connection and improve latency. For specific router models, like Linksys for Gigaclear customers, check the provided guidelines for a quick and effective restart.

Replace Your Router

Old routers may impact connection strength and reliability. If your router is too outdated, consider upgrading to a gaming-optimized router with features like Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize your console’s internet traffic for an enhanced gaming experience.

Upgrade Your Broadband Plan

Upgrading your broadband package can be a straightforward solution to reduce lag and increase internet speed. If your current provider has inconsistent signals, explore other options for a more reliable connection. Don’t let your location be a hindrance to your online activities; choose ultrafast broadband for a seamless experience.

Whether you’re gaming, shopping online, or streaming your favorite TV shows, a well-optimized internet connection ensures you stay connected and enjoy your online activities hassle-free.

Summing Up

Multiplayer games are the need of every player who plays online games. High ping and latency are common that causes lags to devastate your gaming experience. All the tips mentioned above help you to minimize latency and enjoy hassle-free games. Using a VPN helps a lot and offers you high speed gaming experience without any lag. So, follow these tips, connect with your friends or players from across the world.