How do online multiplayer games work so well despite so many differences in the systems behind each user (processing power, internet speed, display refresh rates)?
In: Technology
They work so well because there is, usually, a server behind them that streamlines the differences in players’ specs.
Display refresh rate doesn’t play any significant role usually. Frame rate on the other hand, sometimes can. Some games can, for instance, say a skill animation is 10 frames with the effect being applied at the last skill. For a player, whose device runs at 30fps, the whole thing takes 0.3s. one with 120fps – 0.085ish seconds. This can play a huge advantage in more competitive games.
It’s usually the server’s job to gather all the information, process it and send it back to all the players in a meaningful way.
Internet speed isn’t a massive bottleneck as the data the players’ device is sending is usually rather small, network ping is. That’s the time it takes for a packet of data, as in, ‘I’m moving here, casting this, using that item, and so on, to reach the server, or for the server data, again ‘player X cast this, enemy has Y health, etc, to reach the players.
Internet issues are by far the bigger hurdle in online games. You’ve definitely seen/experienced rubber-banding, lag, etc. Those are due to either the server not receiving the information at all or receiving it too late.
Tldr: there is a server on the other side that keeps track of everything and makes sure it’s a streamlined experience for all.
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