ZOS, Massive Spike in Ping/LAG in Recent Days - What Gives?

FadeShade

It seems that earlier and maybe off-peak on pcna it was maybe ok but, as time wore on, it just got slower. Then the lag spikes started. I gave up but watched a friend's slideshow of Fang lair random dungeon. He said same thing: earlier ok, but as more players logged in performance got really bad.

It's just not playable.

Enervating Slideshow Online.

silky_soft

Just did a BG after not doing them for a few days. Fossilise, dead. Take flight, freeze in place, most HP gone.

Run around corner. Guy goes through wall on my screen, (I know on his I'm still otherside), Dead.

Go to healing someone, thier HP bar flicks up then down, then dead. Billed the skill but got no heal off.

Back to open PvE where is doesnt matter to lag so much.

Rkindaleft

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSOER1kAeSc

Rockgrove last night. In the second part of the clip the rubberbanding is so bad you can literally see the behemoth phasing in and out of existence, the ghosts glitching their way back to their previous locations and the curses freezing in place, my character also can't cast any skills. Trials are borderline unplayable and it’s close to impossible to get any form of progression done without severe issues.

Most of the group was suffering from regular rubberbanding over several seconds and we had like 7-8 DCs in a 2 hour raid slot.

Theist_VII

I can’t believe this thread is at 67 pages.

All of that dialogue and there’s still no game plan for a fix to this problem plaguing a huge portion of the playerbase.

Tandor

Although it doesn't affect me, I unhesitatingly support the view that this issue has been going on for far too long and it seriously needs an urgent update, one that is far more detailed than anything said before. I totally respect @ZOS_Kevin and appreciate he can only report what he's told to report, but either @ZOS_RichLambert or @ZOS_MattFiror needs to come onto this thread and take control of the situation.

LadyGP

Tandor wrote: »

Although it doesn't affect me, I unhesitatingly support the view that this issue has been going on for far too long and it seriously needs an urgent update, one that is far more detailed than anything said before. I totally respect @ZOS_Kevin and appreciate he can only report what he's told to report, but either @ZOS_RichLambert or @ZOS_MattFiror needs to come onto this thread and take control of the situation.

Not going to happen. IF so - it would have happened a long time ago.

DinoZavr

2020 was the official "Year Of Performance". i expect the next one not earlier than 2030.

menedhyn

Decided to return here temporarily to add my own experiences, for what it's worth. PC EU - latency spikes most evenings when I usually play, rubber banding, occasional audio loss, disconnects from server and an inability to complete basic game actions. For example, this evening I couldn't loot barrels, pick flowers or interact with NPCs. Indeed, for the past two months all I have done is gentle, slow-paced overland questing stuff for my new character. Have tried a couple of very early or late morning sessions when it's less populated, including today at 4am-5:30am or thereabouts (not pre-planned) and didn't observe any latency or performance issues.

Other: I don't use add-ons, have a 300Mb fibre internet connection, ethernet connected, and didn't have any noticeable performance issues until about 2 months ago. Latency usually sat between 40-55 before this for most PvE activity, now anything from about 450-700 frequent peaks with regular 999+ pings. Not sure if any other info would help?

I have to say that the lack of engagement from the senior dev folks in this thread is rather disappointing.

manukartofanu

Theist_VII wrote: »

I can’t believe this thread is at 67 pages.

All of that dialogue and there’s still no game plan for a fix to this problem plaguing a huge portion of the playerbase.

Maybe it's not huge, so why bother?

manukartofanu

menedhyn wrote: »

Decided to return here temporarily to add my own experiences, for what it's worth. PC EU - latency spikes most evenings when I usually play, rubber banding, occasional audio loss, disconnects from server and an inability to complete basic game actions. For example, this evening I couldn't loot barrels, pick flowers or interact with NPCs. Indeed, for the past two months all I have done is gentle, slow-paced overland questing stuff for my new character. Have tried a couple of very early or late morning sessions when it's less populated, including today at 4am-5:30am or thereabouts (not pre-planned) and didn't observe any latency or performance issues.

Other: I don't use add-ons, have a 300Mb fibre internet connection, ethernet connected, and didn't have any noticeable performance issues until about 2 months ago. Latency usually sat between 40-55 before this for most PvE activity, now anything from about 450-700 frequent peaks with regular 999+ pings. Not sure if any other info would help?

I have to say that the lack of engagement from the senior dev folks in this thread is rather disappointing.

The solution has been known for a long time – play with a VPN. It doesn’t always help, but often does. This problem is far older than two months, or even six. I'm surprised that some long-time players still have hopes for fixes.

LadyGP

Is ZoS taking this issue seriously?

Renato90085

glad today i only 800ping and lag 30 min

thedocbwarren

Continuous crashes, 6 today. Randomly during minimal gameplay.

LadyGP

Sounds like there has been ZERO improvement in performance since this thread started.

One could argue it's only gotten worse. @ZOS_Kevin

KaironBlackbard

They took down the Xbox EU server from 8:00 AM CT to 4:00 PM CT yesterday. Could have been down earlier than that but I didn't check till 8. I'd like to know what exactly they did and why it was down so long.

LadyGP

KaironBlackbard wrote: »

They took down the Xbox EU server from 8:00 AM CT to 4:00 PM CT yesterday. Could have been down earlier than that but I didn't check till 8. I'd like to know what exactly they did and why it was down so long.

Good point. @ZOS_Kevin can you confirm if that update had anything to do with possible network improvements?

EnerG

My game is a lagging sideshow on bare minimum settings, and used to run 144fps on those same settings, so I don't think my pc has suddenly dropped in efficiency within the span of a few patches

Just_Attivi

Oh, I started a new job in a datacenter and I missed a most grand occasion!

HAPPY FIVE MONTHS, Thread-goers!

This issue first became widespread to PVE on may 7th, and has been pretty much on going since then! Personally havent even tried to log in since .... thursday last week? fact check that if you care enough, I dont.

BUT! at 5 months old, the server should:

-Social and emotional development
Can make good eye contact, feel secure when held or talked to, and laugh when tickled. They might also recognize familiar faces and identify strangers.(our server is definitely making great eye contact for months now! so ahead of the curve! i know ive been meeting the gaze of a 'lost lobby connection' screen for seemingly days at a time!)
-Language skills
Can make consonant sounds, such as “goo,” “bah-bah” or “ma-ma,” and babble continuously. They might also repeat something over and over again, like blowing a raspberry. (that last part is so common from our baby ESO server too cute)
-Cognitive skills
Can recognize cause and effect, imitate actions and responses, and respond to their name. (our little server-werver isnt quite here yet... we keep calling its name, but it seems to ignore us, but HEY! we all develop at our own pace!)

...
I make jokes at this because its the only way this game still brings me joy.

Destai

Logged into Ps-na, went shopping for some motifs and in multiple cities, I was seeing the guild traders rubberbanding.

Logged off.

NotNi.ya

sanitys edge is completely unplayable and there is so many bugs, roll backs, and rubber banding, heals are not targeting correctly and need to be looked at asap. I cant keep working for something on a game that isn't being fixed! I have been in the end game raiding community since MOL came out. I have never ever seen the game in such a poor state before. raiding right now is absolutely impossible. something needs to be done and fast! there is absolutely no reason for trials to be in this state EVER!

@ZOS_Kevin please please please help us! we are playing and paying for a broken service that does not work as intended. nothing is consistent, nothing works, lag and bugs have taken over a game that has such potential!

@ZOS_MattFiror please can you say something. give us some insight and please dont give us the usual "we hear you"

this is so frustrating!!

Servadei

Could the chat AI that's monitoring all our chats be making it worse?

Ren_TheRedFox

I have to admit that PC NA is the laggiest and buggiest server I've played on lately (I also play on PC EU and the PTS and pretty much no lag and spikes on EU and next to none on the PTS). I have a suspicion what this is due to (at least the spikes and FPS drops). We're still playing a game running on an ancient engine that certainly isn't capable of handling all sets/skills simultaneously... random 70 fps drops in Trials when people start using scribe skills or even in Summerset in Alinor from 144 to 32 fps for no reason ... The ping ... don't even get me started on that ... 500 ping whenever I load into a BG ... I know it's normal to have a ping of 160-250 when playing from abroad, but 3 years ago I had a solid ping of 175 ... Is it because of the population?
Probably not ... rather the lack of server stability and the fact that we still haven't gotten an engine upgrade ... I know it would cost a lot (money, but also work) to do so, but let's face it ... we all invest so much money in this game that they would 100% surely have the money for it ... we get event after event lately that not only burns people out, but also makes a lot of money ... so yeah, ZOS, can you finally upgrade the engine and servers so people can actually enjoy their favorite game/MMO, or is this just a way to get people to quit for other goals?

LadyGP

Servadei wrote: »

Could the chat AI that's monitoring all our chats be making it worse?

This has been brought up a few times, along with scribing, and a few things.

Truth be told these issues were going on well before those were introduced.

AngryPenguin

Ren_TheRedFox wrote: »

I have to admit that PC NA is the laggiest and buggiest server I've played on lately (I also play on PC EU and the PTS and pretty much no lag and spikes on EU and next to none on the PTS). I have a suspicion what this is due to (at least the spikes and FPS drops). We're still playing a game running on an ancient engine that certainly isn't capable of handling all sets/skills simultaneously... random 70 fps drops in Trials when people start using scribe skills or even in Summerset in Alinor from 144 to 32 fps for no reason ... The ping ... don't even get me started on that ... 500 ping whenever I load into a BG ... I know it's normal to have a ping of 160-250 when playing from abroad, but 3 years ago I had a solid ping of 175 ... Is it because of the population?
Probably not ... rather the lack of server stability and the fact that we still haven't gotten an engine upgrade ... I know it would cost a lot (money, but also work) to do so, but let's face it ... we all invest so much money in this game that they would 100% surely have the money for it ... we get event after event lately that not only burns people out, but also makes a lot of money ... so yeah, ZOS, can you finally upgrade the engine and servers so people can actually enjoy their favorite game/MMO, or is this just a way to get people to quit for other goals?

So much this ^^^

Excellent post! ZOS should have started rebuilding ESO on a new engine at least 6 years ago so it could be going live this holiday season, but this seems highly unlikely given the management decisions we have endured over the years.

LadyGP

AngryPenguin wrote: »

Ren_TheRedFox wrote: »

I have to admit that PC NA is the laggiest and buggiest server I've played on lately (I also play on PC EU and the PTS and pretty much no lag and spikes on EU and next to none on the PTS). I have a suspicion what this is due to (at least the spikes and FPS drops). We're still playing a game running on an ancient engine that certainly isn't capable of handling all sets/skills simultaneously... random 70 fps drops in Trials when people start using scribe skills or even in Summerset in Alinor from 144 to 32 fps for no reason ... The ping ... don't even get me started on that ... 500 ping whenever I load into a BG ... I know it's normal to have a ping of 160-250 when playing from abroad, but 3 years ago I had a solid ping of 175 ... Is it because of the population?
Probably not ... rather the lack of server stability and the fact that we still haven't gotten an engine upgrade ... I know it would cost a lot (money, but also work) to do so, but let's face it ... we all invest so much money in this game that they would 100% surely have the money for it ... we get event after event lately that not only burns people out, but also makes a lot of money ... so yeah, ZOS, can you finally upgrade the engine and servers so people can actually enjoy their favorite game/MMO, or is this just a way to get people to quit for other goals?

So much this ^^^

Excellent post! ZOS should have started rebuilding ESO on a new engine at least 6 years ago so it could be going live this holiday season, but this seems highly unlikely given the management decisions we have endured over the years.

Management, more often than not, would rather build mounds of technical debt than address the underlying problem.

We are way past the point of being able to unwind this debt.

Seravi

No response IS the response. Face it, this is not going to be fixed.

Ren_TheRedFox

@LadyGP the sad thing is that we have so many events lately and many new players that they could manage to change it budget wise ... that's the sad part ... they have the money to "implement" new skills and features to the game but not enough money to upgrade such an essential thing for the game as the engine? sounds a bit weird doesn't it?

NotNi.ya

Seravi wrote: »

No response IS the response. Face it, this is not going to be fixed.

then they start to haemorrhage money, there is only so much people can take before they just start uninstalling. personally im close. after last nights mini melt down over sanitys edge, im still angry and frustrated. i logged in to send some pots to a friend and logged straight back out, for years ive done the same thing, log in, do writs, check guild trader, see that undaunted dailies are then either pvp or do some trials. today, i couldnt stand being on for more than 2 minutes.

i just cant keep hoping for fixes. its not gonna happen. the game is essentially a sinking ship at this point.

twev

Ren_TheRedFox wrote: »

@LadyGP the sad thing is that we have so many events lately and many new players that they could manage to change it budget wise ... that's the sad part ... they have the money to "implement" new skills and features to the game but not enough money to upgrade such an essential thing for the game as the engine? sounds a bit weird doesn't it?

The money (profits) made in the past have long since been dispersed to investors and paid out as bonus', festivals and transportation/lodging, and the like.
The same is currently happening with the current income.

I'm pretty sure that a new engine for the game was never, and isn't going to be, in any new budgets going forward.

It's most likely cheaper to start a whole, clean, new, I.P. than invest that kind of capital into an older game that is dragging 10 years worth of public relations baggage and doubt that exists at present.
It makes more sense to the front office to introduce a new I.P. as totally fresh, rather than an older I.P. that is something 'recycled/renewed' that would have to be compatible with all the current data bases for existing inventory items and all of the character skills and XP, while extending it to all of the licenses ever sold in the past but no longer played.

That doesn't even scratch the surface of developing a new game engine that ... what(?), has to include that ability for all of the older game consoles and PC rigs that have been in existence that meet the minimum specs since the start of the game in 2014, too?

TaSheen

twev wrote: »

Ren_TheRedFox wrote: »

@LadyGP the sad thing is that we have so many events lately and many new players that they could manage to change it budget wise ... that's the sad part ... they have the money to "implement" new skills and features to the game but not enough money to upgrade such an essential thing for the game as the engine? sounds a bit weird doesn't it?

The money (profits) made in the past have long since been dispersed to investors and paid out as bonus', festivals and transportation/lodging, and the like.
The same is currently happening with the current income.

I'm pretty sure that a new engine for the game was never, and isn't going to be, in any new budgets going forward.

It's most likely cheaper to start a whole, clean, new, I.P. than invest that kind of capital into an older game that is dragging 10 years worth of public relations baggage and doubt that exists at present.
It makes more sense to the front office to introduce a new I.P. as totally fresh, rather than an older I.P. that is something 'recycled/renewed' that would have to be compatible with all the current data bases for existing inventory items and all of the character skills and XP, while extending it to all of the licenses ever sold in the past but no longer played.

That doesn't even scratch the surface of developing a new game engine that ... what(?), has to include that ability for all of the older game consoles and PC rigs that have been in existence that meet the minimum specs since the start of the game in 2014, too?

Yeah. That's my thoughts exactly. I just couldn't phrase it that succinctly.