Why is so much done client side?

kitsinni
kitsinni
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Most games I have played the majority of changes are done server side. Why is so much done on the client end in ESO? It is very strange to have to download an update for small changes. Downloading 9 GB updates is also not normal. Doesn't this just make it much easier for the hackers?
  • e.jeffriesb14_ESO
    I'm constantly surprised by the size of client patches, yes. Surely they aren't modifying 25% of the game data with each patch.
  • WyndStryke
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    kitsinni wrote: »
    ... Downloading 9 GB updates is also not normal. ...

    Didn't this patch include a lot of stuff for the new VR dungeon?

  • Samadhi
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    kitsinni wrote: »
    ... Downloading 9 GB updates is also not normal. ...

    But on ESO it is.

    ESO: Not even once.
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  • kitsinni
    kitsinni
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    WyndStryke wrote: »
    kitsinni wrote: »
    ... Downloading 9 GB updates is also not normal. ...

    Didn't this patch include a lot of stuff for the new VR dungeon?

    Well new monsters in an existing dungeon. When I made this post I was refering to the download for today's update, something I wouldn't think needs a download. Even if the dungeon didn't already exist it is kind of crazy that Craglorn update that added an entire new area was half the size.
  • yodased
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    To answer your question: yes 100%. Having most of the checks client side allow every 'hack' you see in the game.

    Allowing the server to think you are doing something fine, but in reality you are moving at 10x speed or changing your z-axis (flying) is all done client side.

    Basically you use a 3rd party program to search for unknown variables being passed to the server. You then add +x to those variables dynamically and the server says "ok thanks mr client, I will now up your stamina to 100000000 because you gave me to konami code"

    Tl;dr really weigh the fun you have in game vs the business practices you are supporting.
  • UPrime
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    It really depends how their patcher works. If they download a whole internal file just because a single bit changed, then you'll get big downloads. That doesn't necessarily mean they do more or less on client side vs server side.
    Edited by UPrime on June 30, 2014 6:30PM
  • yodased
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    There are significantly more processes happening client side than server side. This is the reason there are so many legitimate hacks and exploits in the game.

    There is no singular explanation viable enough to refute that statement.
    Tl;dr really weigh the fun you have in game vs the business practices you are supporting.
  • WyndStryke
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    kitsinni wrote: »
    ... When I made this post I was refering to the download for today's update, something I wouldn't think needs a download. ...

    Today's update (1.2.4) was really quick for me, I think something like 60mb - basically it was done by the time I came back to the computer, perhaps a couple of minutes. 1.2.3 last week was big (40 minutes or something like that).

  • badmojo
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    I downloaded today's patch while reading this thread. I think you missed last weeks or something.
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  • frwinters_ESO
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    wait are you telling me im coming home from work to a 9gb patch? So im basically gonna spend all night downloading this and not play? HOOORAY!!!!
  • zgrssd
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    The usual patch size is below 100 MiB. And has been since launch.

    Only during initial download, end of beta and content updates (like the one we just had) do they even reach the GiB area.

    Also they logically wait with changes to Audio Files (like the german speaking guardians in Daggerfall) till the next content update. Because those files are always big.

    If you are are running with both clients (NA+EU) you can also half your download file by copying the right files and running a repair scan:
    http://www.esoui.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1874
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  • NerfEverything
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    Because if more things were done server side, we wouldn't have teleporting bots, or invincibility & unlimited hp/magika hacks in PvP....
  • Auric_ESO
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    Because if more things were done server side, we wouldn't have teleporting bots, or invincibility & unlimited hp/magika hacks in PvP....

    Different kind of server side was meant by the op. They are talking about size of downloads on a big content patch. Like replacing entire files when some code snippets are all that changed.
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  • twev
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    wait are you telling me im coming home from work to a 9gb patch? So im basically gonna spend all night downloading this and not play? HOOORAY!!!!

    http://gifb.in/ZKsV

    (Someday I hope to figure out how to add links, successfully, two posts in a row.)
    Edited by twev on June 30, 2014 9:16PM
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  • NerfEverything
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    Auric_ESO wrote: »
    Because if more things were done server side, we wouldn't have teleporting bots, or invincibility & unlimited hp/magika hacks in PvP....

    Different kind of server side was meant by the op. They are talking about size of downloads on a big content patch. Like replacing entire files when some code snippets are all that changed.

    Well all games store stuff like textures and sounds on the client side, so that part of the question is meaningless.

    The code is compiled, so changing anything usually means replacing the whole file. Having all that functionality on the client-side is the problem.

    Some launchers are actually patchers, so they can update the files without re-downloading the whole file. The ESO launcher doesn't even handle simultaneous connections (hence the horrible download speeds). And that functionality would be much easier to add and much more helpful to players than having a true "patcher".
  • Arora
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    They do so much client side because they encourage and want people to make Add-ons that is why we get huge updates
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  • Audigy
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    kitsinni wrote: »
    Most games I have played the majority of changes are done server side. Why is so much done on the client end in ESO? It is very strange to have to download an update for small changes. Downloading 9 GB updates is also not normal. Doesn't this just make it much easier for the hackers?

    Other MMO´s have equally big patches, you just don't notice them as it all happens in the background.

    One of the last Major WOW patches was 5 GB in total.
  • discosoc
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    Let's say they release a patch that changes 30 things spread over maybe 20 DAT files. Since average DAT file sizes seem to be around 250MB, that alone could mean a 5GB patch download. If they need to change 500 things, but only spread over 5 DAT files, then the download size would closer to 1GB, even though more stuff was updated.

    My point is, a large patch doesn't mean they have an inefficient system. It doesn't mean the client side is handling all the data checks.
  • WyndStryke
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    ... The ESO launcher doesn't even handle simultaneous connections (hence the horrible download speeds). ...

    I get roughly 1.7 MB/s, which is pretty much the max connection speed on this line. Can't say I've ever seen bad download speeds from ESO.

    What are you seeing? It sounds like your ISP might be throttling your connection.


  • yodased
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    I get 26mb/sec on download every time
    Tl;dr really weigh the fun you have in game vs the business practices you are supporting.
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