General Workarounds for Performance Issues

p00tx · July 2018

Since the issues we're dealing with on Xbox have become the new norm, I'm going to try to compile a catalogue of workarounds for players who may find themselves unable to access certain portions of the game or are unable to play because of the issues.

Chat

Issue: Chat drops channels when switching from one to the other, or after forming a group. Also known as "disappearing chats"

Workaround:

Before switching to a new chat channel, remember to always test the switch on an unused chat channel first. Once you can switch to one without it disappearing, then it is generally safe to try the desired channel. This is not foolproof however, as the desired channel may still inexplicably drop, and the only solution is to restart the game.
-Note: In the event that a restart is necessary, you must fully quit the game, all the way to the Xbox dashboard. Reverting to character select will not effectively reset your chats.

Issue: When switching from Xbox chat to in-game chat, no one can hear you speaking in game chat.

Workaround:

Don't use XBox chat. Failing that, since most players do like to enjoy other games, you must perform a hard reset of your XBox to fix the issue. This is, to this date, the only solution to this issue. To perform a hard Reset, with the XBox turned on, hold your finger over the power button on the console for about 3-4 seconds, until the machine powers down. Then, start up as normal.

Game Performance

Issue: Game stutters and blinks, some graphics do not load properly.

Workaround:

I have not extensively tested this in any focused fashion, but I have noticed far fewer performance issues after turning off the game sounds (sucks to miss out on the beautiful new music that dropped with Summerset, but it can't be helped right now). Also, try not to do overland activities like mounted sprinting with active armour effects, like the floaty-ball effects on Worms, Sanctuary, or Ebon (I just set my outfit to active, rather than displaying my armor). Turn off Nameplates and any extra graphics that may tax the servers.

Issue: Hard Freezes, whether in PvP or PvE. Your entire screen becomes a beautiful, overpriced desktop image, featuring you doing something weird or about to rush headlong into battle. Don't worry though. No one else sees you doing anything weird. Your character is actually just standing there now, with fisticuffs brandished, looking daft and not fighting, along with about 15 other people in the immediate vicinity.

Workaround:

Don't zerg (PvP). If you see a large group of players moving in one direction, do not follow them. The map is large and filled with opportunity. That way lies death. If you can't resist the siren call of the zerg, you will inevitably freeze. There is no way around it. If you find yourself frozen, the only option is to restart your game back to the Xbox dashboard. On the bright side, if you perform the relog quickly enough, you may find yourself still alive when you get back, assuming you did it before the opposition's cleanup crews come out to kill the frozen players. If you do make it back alive however, do keep in mind you stand an inordinately large chance of being frozen again within 3-5 seconds of loading back in. In that case, release your frustration with a primal scream, call your Xbox a host of names in whichever language seems fitting, and relog. Again.
-Note 1.1: By performing the aforementioned graphics and sound reduction in the previous issue, I have noticed a small decrease in freezing. Very, very small though, so it's negligible.
-Note 1.2: I do not do enough serious endgame PvE to be aware of the freezing issues in that area but I know it's happening there too, so if you have experience in that arena, please do let me know what you've found and I'll add it.

Issue: Neverending load Screens. Yes, they're still happening, both after a normal activity which prompts the usual load screen, and also randomly for no reason.

Workaround:

Trade Spamming. I don't know why it works, but 9/10 times, it does. Have someone walk up to your stuck character and access your social menu, then choose "trade", over and over, until your load screen ceases. you can also try using the "Duel" function as I've known that to work as well. If you're in a group, you can also have someone do a "ready check" and that actually works 100% of the time.

Dungeons

Issue: Stuck in a Delve/Dungeon and can't leave. I have not experienced this myself, but a guildmate dealt with this yesterday and I have heard others mention it was happening to them.

Workaround:

This was only tested once with the guildmate that I mentioned, but we had him join a group and travel to one of us using the group menu function, and it got him out of there. He had been previously unable to travel to another player until he joined the group.

For all other issues, I have not found a solution yet and will add to this should anyone have further input. Just remember to regularly clear your cache/persistent storage on your Xbox, especially after a new patch or update, and try not to scream too loudly at your screen as you may experience throat injuries or unhealthy spikes in blood pressure.

Acrolas · July 2018

Consult your physician if your general workaround lasts more than four hours.