With the rise of video games such as Minecraft came game servers, which are computers that host multiplayer video games. You can play with other players in real-time worldwide on a server.
Hosts like Minecraft servers are located in different countries, depending on who runs them. When choosing from a website that lists them, you will see the flag of the country where the server is located. But why is server location important? Here are ways in which ping affects your gameplay.
Latency in interactions
Latency, the ping, affects the delay between your action in a game and the response in the game server. When playing a game like Minecraft, ping will affect your latency, with high ping slowing your game. A higher ping means the data travels between your computer and the server longer. To minimize this, you should choose a closer server. You can tell such servers by reading reviews of other players within your location and then using the information to browse the servers’ list.
Block placement
In games like Minecraft, you will encounter gameplay that involves placing blocks in the game world. It is a fundamental part of the game, enabling you to create structure, build your world, and modify the gameplay environment. However, ping affects the process. When placing the blocks, your actions are communicated to the server, where communication is a must for the placement to be permanent. In high ping, there will be a delay causing placement in the wrong location or no placement.
Movement speed
You must move in the gameplay environment to explore different locations and navigate the terrain. In games like Minecraft, the movements include walking, running, flying, jumping, and flying. Your ping will affect the movement speed due to lag that freezes the gameplay. In addition, high ping may cause inconsistencies in movement, making it hard to control your movement, which can affect gameplay like parkour.
Reaction time
Video games like Minecraft involve fast-paced scenarios like combat, mini-games, and parkour. Your reaction time during this gameplay determines the outcome of the game. Furthermore, your reaction time will affect your gaming partner if you are in a multiplayer scenario. Unfortunately, ping affects it with high ping slowing reaction time. This will make reacting difficult, leading to mistakes and missed opportunities.
Competitive gameplay
Minecraft has competitive gameplay like PvP and speed running,in which you can participate in tournaments with cashprizes to be won. Playing in such competitive gameplays improves your skills, offer a challenge, can be rewarding, and provide social interaction opportunity. However, since ping affects the gameplay, playing competitive games in Minecraft serversin high ping areas sets you up for failure. The location will slow your gameplay affecting the competition result.
Playing video games like Minecraft is fun. However, you must choose a game service near you to enjoy the game. Doing so is essential because ping affects the gameplay. When choosing a server from a list on a website providing them, you should check the exact geographical location by reading about it from other users or inquiring from the host.
