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Q: Can I play video games with Viasat internet?
A:It depends on the game and your internet speed. With any satellite internet, you will experience a split-second delay with live-action first person shooter (FPS) games, also known as “fast-twitch” gaming. However, most mobile apps, PC games, role playing games (RPG) and turn-based games perform much better. Many customers end up choosing Viasat’s unlimited data plans for gaming since rural options are typically limited. And game downloads & software updates take a lot of data, which gets expensive with cellular internet.
You can also tether your game console to a cell phone while live-action gaming and use your Viasat internet for any gaming downloads & updates.
Q: What kind of games can I play with Viasat’s internet service?
A: Most Facebook games, children’s online games, mobile game apps, online board games, strategy turn-based games, massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming & massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) — like Final Fantasy, The Elder Scrolls, World of Warcraft, etc. — should work just fine on Viasat’s satellite network. Whereas, the performance of some live-action video games can be poor, and some first person shooter (FPS) games may not work at all.
As a general rule, most online multiplayer live-action “twitch” games will experience a split-second lag with Viasat internet, while turn-based multiplayer or single-player games with fewer online elements perform much better. The average latency per customer feedback is 630ms (millisecond).
Q: Can I play live-action video games like Halo or Call of Duty?
A: Some multiplayer live-action shooter games like Battlefield, Call of Duty, Counter Strike, DOOM, Fortnite, Halo, etc. will experience a split-second delay with Viasat internet, due to latency. If “first-person shooter gaming” or “twitch gameplay” is the primary reason for your internet service and you have DSL 3 Mbps or faster available, then that would be the recommended option for live-action gamers who live in rural areas. However, if DSL is not available or you are primarily looking for high-speed internet service with occasional live-action twitch gameplay, many gamers chose Viasat internet for their larger game data downloads and software updates because of Viasat’s unlimited data plans and faster speeds.
Q: Is there any way to reduce latency?
A: To reduce internet latency and help improve lag delays you can try the following fixes:
- Use an ethernet “wired” connection for your gaming console, not your wireless “WiFi” network.
- When gaming, pause any scheduled downloads or software updates and close down any streaming programs that use your internet connection, like Netflix or Pandora.
- Before you begin, reset your Viasat router by unplugging the power cord, wait at least two minutes, then plug it back in.
- Connect to the game servers closest to your local area. For example, if you live in the Midwest, try looking for a server located in Chicago.
NOTE: Software updates and downloadable content counts toward your monthly data allowance usage.
Q: I don’t see my question listed. What should I do?
A: If you have a question or issue not already addressed, we are here to help. You can Chat with us online (see the lower right-hand corner of your screen below), email us at viasat@getruralinternet.com or use our handy online email form and we will get back to you with an answer or solution to help make your Viasat internet experience the best possible! Better yet, just call and ask us at 1-844-4GETNET (1-844-443-8638) TODAY!
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