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Many have asked, โIs gaming on satellite internet a viable option?โ As an experienced gamer and a professional in the field, I can confidently say, yes, it is possible, but there are certain considerations that need to be kept in mind.
TL;DR: Gaming on satellite internet is definitely achievable, though it might present some challenges such as higher latency. However, with careful selection of games and a strong understanding of your internetโs limitations, you can have an enjoyable gaming experience.
Scroll down to get a detailed answer
Table of Contents
Understanding Satellite Internet for Gaming
Satellite internet works by bouncing signals between your home satellite dish, a satellite in space, and an internet service providerโs (ISP) hub.
This mode of operation inherently introduces a slight delay called latency, which is the time it takes for data to travel between its source and destination. For casual web browsing and streaming, this latency is barely noticeable. However, for online gaming, especially in fast-paced genres like first-person shooters or fighting games, this could potentially impact your experience.
Dealing with Latency Issues
Latency is the major challenge in gaming on satellite internet. Satellite internet often has a latency of 600-800 milliseconds, compared to the average 20-30 milliseconds on a wired connection.
This could make or break your experience in real-time, competitive games where reaction time is crucial. However, itโs worth considering that not all games require a low-latency connection.
Turn-based strategy games, slower-paced RPGs, or single-player games with online features are perfectly playable on satellite internet.
Best Online Games Slower Internet Speeds
Now the fun part, is which games will work with unreliable satellite internet connection. But its important to remember that a stable connection with low latency and packet loss is also essential for an optimal gaming experience.
Furthermore, these figures represent a minimum requirement and for better performance, a faster connection is often necessary.
| Game | Genre | Minimum Internet Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| World of Warcraft | MMORPG | 0.5 |
| League of Legends | MOBA | 0.5 |
| Dota 2 | MOBA | 0.5 |
| Minecraft | Sandbox, Survival | 0.5 |
| Overwatch | FPS | 0.7 |
| Hearthstone | CCG | 0.5 |
| Fortnite | Battle Royale, Survival | 0.6 |
| PUBG | Battle Royale | 0.7 |
| Apex Legends | Battle Royale | 1 |
| Call of Duty: Warzone | Battle Royale | 4 |
| CS:GO | FPS | 0.5 |
| Valorant | FPS | 1 |
| Roblox | Platform | 1 |
| Among Us | Party, Strategy | 0.5 |
| Rocket League | Sports, Racing | 2 |
| Rainbow Six Siege | FPS | 1 |
| GTA Online | Action-Adventure | 0.5 |
| Elder Scrolls Online | MMORPG | 1 |
| Final Fantasy XIV | MMORPG | 1 |
| EVE Online | MMORPG | 0.5 |
| Star Wars: The Old Republic | MMORPG | 1 |
| Destiny 2 | FPS, MMORPG | 1 |
| Path of Exile | ARPG | 0.5 |
| Warframe | Third-person shooter, Action | 1 |
| Runescape | MMORPG | 0.5 |
| Team Fortress 2 | FPS | 0.5 |
Optimizing Your Gaming Experience on Satellite Internet
Even with its limitations, there are ways to optimize your gaming experience on satellite internet.
Here are some of my recommendations:
- Choose the Right Games: As mentioned, not all games demand low latency. Focus on those that are less reliant on split-second timing.
- Consider Off-Peak Hours: Many satellite ISPs offer a โfree zoneโ during the early morning hours where data doesnโt count against your limit. This could also mean less network congestion and lower latency.
- Use Ethernet Instead of Wi-Fi: A direct connection via an Ethernet cable could improve your connection stability and slightly reduce latency.
- Limit Other Internet Activities: Streaming video or downloading large files can eat into your bandwidth. For a smoother gaming session, try to limit these activities.
- In-Game Settings: Letโs not forget that optimizing your in-game settings can also make a significant difference. Lowering settings like graphics quality and render distance can reduce the strain on your internet connection, improving gameplay. Games often have a multitude of settings that you can tweak to find the right balance between visual quality and performance.
- Communication is Key: Playing multiplayer games often means communicating with teammates. Voice chat can eat into your data allowance and increase latency. Consider using text chat when possible, or if voice chat is crucial, try to keep your messages brief and to the point.
A useful suggestion would be to keep a regular check on your internet performance.
You could use online speed test tools to keep track of your internet speed and latency.
A Future Perspective
As we look ahead, itโs crucial to note that the landscape of satellite internet is changing. Projects like SpaceXโs Starlink are working to decrease latency and increase speeds by launching low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
These LEO satellites are much closer to the earth than traditional geostationary satellites, which reduces the distance data needs to travel, potentially offering a better experience for gaming in the future.
Gaming with Starlink
As an experienced gamer, I can affirm that the introduction of Starlink, with its planned constellation of LEO satellites, has the potential to revolutionize gaming on satellite internet. Beta users have reported latencies around 30-50 milliseconds, which is a significant improvement over traditional satellite internet.
However, keep in mind that Starlink is still in its early stages, and availability is limited.
Gaming on Other Satellite Internet Services
While Starlink might be grabbing the headlines, other satellite internet providers shouldnโt be overlooked.
HughesNet, for example, offers service plans that cater to different gaming needs. While its latency may not be as low as Starlinkโs, the Gen5 service plans come with a โVideo Data Saverโ feature that adjusts data rates for streaming, freeing up bandwidth for gaming.
Similarly, Viasatโs internet plans offer unlimited data, meaning you wonโt have to worry about exhausting your data limits during those long gaming sessions.
Keep in mind, though, that โunlimitedโ doesnโt mean unrestricted โ after a certain data threshold, your speeds may be prioritized lower during network congestion.
Alternatives to Satellite Internet for Gaming
If you live in a rural area where the only internet option is satellite, you might feel limited in your gaming possibilities. However, there are alternatives like cellular internet or fixed wireless internet.
Both offer lower latency than satellite internet, but their availability might be limited, and data plans could be more expensive.
Conclusion
To sum it up, while satellite internet isnโt the ideal choice for all types of online gaming, it is still possible to enjoy many games with some adjustments and expectations in check. As technology progresses, we can only hope that the issues of latency and data caps become less of a concern in the future.
FAQ
Does satellite internet work for gaming?
Yes, satellite internet can work for gaming. However, the high latency associated with satellite internet can impact gameplay, particularly in real-time, fast-paced games.
Can you get low latency with satellite internet?
Satellite internet inherently has higher latency due to the distance the signal has to travel. While you can take steps to minimize it, satellite internet will generally not provide as low latency as terrestrial broadband.
Is VSAT internet good for gaming?
VSAT internet, a type of satellite internet, can be used for gaming. However, like all satellite internet, it suffers from high latency, which can impact certain types of games.
Is satellite internet good for streaming?
Satellite internet can handle streaming quite well, provided you have a plan with sufficient data allowance. For high-definition streaming, a stable connection and a plan with a higher data cap would be beneficial.
