The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has given the gaming industry more profit than it could ever imagine. People of all age groups equally enjoy gaming; it never gets old no matter how old you get.
The main thing that makes your online gaming experience seamless is your internet connection. Whether you’re trying to win your Battle Royal in “Call of Duty” or scoring a goal in “Rocket League,” a reliable internet connection makes a huge difference.
If you want speedy internet, you must first know what speed you require for a perfect gaming experience. So, what internet speed is required for online gaming? To be precise, most of the video game manufacturers recommend you have a minimum of 3 Mbps of download speed. This is a measure of just how much data moves in a second from the internet to your device.
Furthermore, you need to have at least 0.5Mbps to 1 Mbps of upload speed.
We can all agree on the fact that we’re living in a hyper-connected world, hence, the number of devices connected to your internet network will inevitably cause an impact on your gaming experience.
In other words, choosing a higher internet speed will allow you to transmit more data, which will offer a greater leeway so that other networks’ connections won’t impact your overall gaming experience.
Gamers are always on the lookout for better packages with more speed and data. Luckily for you, we’re here to help you trudge through the basics of the internet and connectivity.
Let’s dig in!
How Fast Should My Internet Speed Be For Gaming?
The Federal Communication Commission also recommends you to have 3 Mbps to 4 Mbps of download speed for a good gaming experience.
To be more specific, 3 Mbps is ideal for basic gaming consoles, whereas 4 Mbps is better for multiplayer games. We understand that these speeds aren’t that high.
However, be mindful that these internet speed recommendations are for one person only. It also doesn’t include all other activities and devices that may be utilizing your internet’s bandwidth.
You’ll definitely need a better internet speed for updates and downloading newer games.
Let’s say if it’s just one or two people using your internet, or perhaps you don’t have that many devices using your bandwidth, you should have a 25 Mbps to 50 Mbps internet plan for gaming purposes. This speed can cover both your gaming needs and various online activities. All in all, most internet service providers offer good internet speeds that is enough for a superb gaming experience. AT&T Internet Service is one of these internet providers that offer enticing plans at prices that are hard to ignore.
Ping Rate and Latency
While there’s no doubt that internet speeds are vital for a good online gaming experience overall, most internet service providers do indeed provide internet speed that allows you to play most games.
Disruptive and/or slow gameplay is often due to high latency. This is also referred to as “ping rate,” “ping,” or “lag”. Latency generally refers to the amount of time it takes for a data packet to travel from your device to the internet and back.
Latency is also affected by the physical distance between individual internet connections and servers as well as the traffic on that specific network. Online live gaming requires you to have a fast response time, latency usually affects that more as compared to other online activities.
Basically, the higher your latency rate, the longer the signals coming from your gaming system will take to reach its server. Hence, if you and your opponent both push the attack button around the same time, signals coming from the individual with lower latency will each the game server first and they will gain the upper hand in the battle.
Does Data Cap Affect Your Gaming Experience
It’s more common than you think for internet plans to come with some form of data caps. The data cap is the limit you’re allowed to consume. If by any chance, you exceed the limit, you’ll usually have to pay extra for your internet or simply bear with throttled internet speeds.
It’s extremely important for you to bear in mind that updating and downloading games take up a good amount of data. If you’re planning on buying the PS5, your updates can be as large as 500 MB.
Furthermore, updating and downloading multiplayer games will also impact your data usage. Whenever you are about to reach the limits set on your data cap, your internet service provider will inform you either via email or text so that you don’t exceed your limits without being aware of it.
If you consistently cross your data cap every month perhaps it’s high time to upgrade to a much better data plan or even a new internet service provider. It could be a hassle but it’s better than paying extra each month.
Fiber Optic Internet
We’re sure you’ve heard of fiber optic internet as the fastest internet option in the world. It’s of course much faster than DSL; in fact, it surpasses all the latest options such as cable. However, it’s not readily available in the entire United States and just a quarter of the population has access to it.
However, fiber optic is the best type of internet connection you can get. The speed is unmatched and can reach as high as 1 Gbps. Hence, it’ll tackle any concerns you may have for your online gaming experience. It can be a tad bit expensive and its installation could be a hassle, but it’s worth it!
In Conclusion
Now that you’re aware of what internet speed you need for a good online gaming experience, we hope you’ll be able to understand the reason behind the lag in your games and how to rectify it in the future.
Have fun gaming!
Baldwin Jackson is a successful digital marketer with expertise in search engine optimization and content marketing. The perfect balance of his analytical ability and creative thinking is what sets him apart from other practitioners in the digital marketing realm. He has helped a lot of small and medium-sized businesses in crafting their digital marketing strategies that are not only cost-effective but delivers results as well.
Baldwin is also a proud father of two kids and a Sports enthusiast. When he is not working, you will find him watching ESPN and the NFL network. He has been able to get an amazing package on his favorite channels from Buytvinternetphone.com.