Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: How Good is MultiPlayer with a 56K connection?
  • Subject: How Good is MultiPlayer with a 56K connection?
Subject: How Good is MultiPlayer with a 56K connection?
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

True confessions time: I am an Xbox owner. I've been told that a LAN connection is required to do the "Xbox Live;" but I have only 56K service. So-o-o-o, I've been thinking of buying the PC version and coming over to the dark side for multiplayer. My computer is not cutting edge; but only 2 years old, with 128MB RAM, 1.8GHz P4, and a good graphics card.

My question: With a nominal 56Kb/sec. connection (that sometimes deteriorates to as bad as 33K) and all the right tweaks to my PC, can I expect to have a decent Halo MP experience (lag not bad enough to consistently affect gameplay)?

Thanks for any help!

  • 07.08.2004 2:33 PM PDT

Not LAN - broadband.

I have latency problems with broadband. So 56K would be murder.

  • 07.08.2004 2:35 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Right, broadband. I was thinking "T1" when I wrote "LAN."

I've been told that extremely stinky performance can be had by selecting options that tell the host/server that you have a higher speed connection than you actually have; but that if you are truthful and only claim what you have (56K, in my case) then gameplay could be O.K., although grapics might not be as good. That is what I am wondering: If you set it up right, and you are playing on a dedicated server (or at least one that is not bandwidth overloaded), is it possible to avoid lag most of the time.

(And thank you for the data point, goweb.)

EDIT: By "tweaks" or "setting it up right," I mean: Getting the latest version or patch; getting an excellent video card or else turning off bumpmirrored surfaces, shadows, decals and specular; lowering sound quality/variety; and being truthful in your connection settings (don't claim broadband when you are connecting via modem).

[Edited on 7/8/2004 4:58:26 PM]

  • 07.08.2004 3:13 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

One of my clanmates has dialup, as long as he closes everything else before he plays, it's fine, he hosts more often than I do.

  • 07.08.2004 5:35 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO


Now let me explain if you are using dial up and you connect to a server full of people using Dsl you will cause EVERYONE to lag like there is no tomorrow! The server is only as fast as the slowest person. It happens all the time I will be playing perfectly fine with no lag then all of a sudden some smuck with a dial up connection logs in and everyone starts lagging cuase he is dragging them down with him.

Get Dsl then come play!

  • 07.09.2004 7:52 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Now let me explain if you are using dial up and you connect to a server full of people using Dsl you will cause EVERYONE to lag like there is no tomorrow! The server is only as fast as the slowest person. It happens all the time I will be playing perfectly fine with no lag then all of a sudden some smuck with a dial up connection logs in and everyone starts lagging cuase he is dragging them down with him.

Not the case! Maybe if that person says he has a T1 when he only has 56k then maybe he will slow everyone down. I have been playing with 56k for 7 months and have played with DSL players just fine! They had no problems! So 56k doesn't ALWAYS slow a broadbander down!

To the question... you can play fine on 56k! I have had the best luck on the Bungie severs. Try to avoid small maps with lots of players (wizard with 16 guys.)
You will notice lag once in a while, but I have played whole games with no lag at all (severe lag, everyone has SOME lag.) You will notice lag if you are near 10+ players at the same time, I notice lag when I am running right next to someone.

Find some servers that work well for you and have some fun fragging people! And when you can get broadband get it! You can find DSL for $30 or LESS these days... mine starts July 13th for $27 a month!

  • 07.09.2004 8:30 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Comments from the three of you typify the polarity I have seen as I research this topic. First we have the majority opinion:

Now let me explain if you are using dial up and you connect to a server full of people using Dsl you will cause EVERYONE to lag like there is no tomorrow! The server is only as fast as the slowest person. It happens all the time I will be playing perfectly fine with no lag then all of a sudden some smuck with a dial up connection logs in and everyone starts lagging cuase he is dragging them down with him.

Get Dsl then come play!


And we also have goweb talking about laggy games with a high speed connection, which I am guessing were caused by another person's modem (corroborating the quote above). I have seen many other similar explanations.

Then we have a smattering of folks who say things like:

One of my clanmates has dialup, as long as he closes everything else before he plays, it's fine, he hosts more often than I do.

So here we have someone on dial-up HOSTING a lagless game!!! If **ANYONE** has a computer which can host a lagless game on a 56K connection, it tells me that the bandwidth is not the problem (if a player's dialup really is running anywhere near 56K)! And I've seen several tutorials (some on this forum) for how to reduce lag. In addition, we have the Halo PC box that advertises that it is good for 56K, AND internet chatter that says that CE reduces lag even more.

What I am trying to find out (and I honestly don't know, yet; but am leaning towards paying my $30 to find out), is: Are laggy games inherently due to the low bandwidth connection (I highly suspect not); other local PC issues (like low end CPU or video card); (overworked) server issues; or is it that some dummy just doesn't know how to configure his connection -- or SAYS he has DSL, when in fact he has a modem?

I've read many complaints about lag. What I'd like to know is: Are there people out there that are having a fantastic LAGLESS good time in Halo PC or CE (you AND those you are playing with); and, if so, what (if anything) did you do special to achieve such Nirvana? Is it a dedicated server? Correct configuration of your connection? Good video card? Or are you just living with crummy gameplay AND ticking everyone else off, to boot? If you are using a modem to play Halo PC or CE, please speak up!

EDIT: Thanks Xraf! Your post came in while I was composing mine, and your email is exactly the kind I've been looking for. So, did you do anything special, or just load CE and start fragging away? And how good do your graphics look compared to single player campaign?

[Edited on 7/9/2004 9:22:48 AM]

  • 07.09.2004 9:08 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

(I play mostly PC not CE) I have a Geforce 5200FX (Or something close to that, why do I forget these things?!) so in the shortcut I have to add -useff so it forces the video quality lower.... if I don't I notice choppy play from that more than lag! I have to do this to play single player mode also. I do notice a difference in graphics quality but it doesn't take away from the fun of playing online! Just to get all the speed I can I turned down the sound quality just in case that would help (but it runs fine without changing that.)

There are times when lag is a problem (15% of the time maybe) but it is all worthwhile when you get a Kiltac! I want to taunt the other team with "you just got owned by a 56ker! Ha!" Doesn't happen that often so I got to enjoy it when it does!

  • 07.09.2004 9:48 AM PDT