Skip to main content

Survey: Gamers frustrated by slow download speeds

Most still prefer to download games over buying physical copies.



Key Facts
  • A third (33%) of all gamers are routinely frustrated by slow download speeds with 58% of “expert level” gamers experiencing frustration
  • 63% of gamers now prefer to download their games when as recently as 2018, 66% said they preferred physical copies
  • It takes about 44 minutes to download the latest “top” console or PC game
The situation for gamers has almost become a meme: You’ve finally found two hours of time to play a new game you’ve been excited to try – but you’re confronted by a 100GB-plus download that will take at least two hours to complete. According to a recent survey of almost 5,000 gamers, we now prefer to download our games but are quite frustrated by slow download speeds and high latency. And for elite and aspiring professional gamers, it’s particularly frustrating.

Pain points: Slow speeds, large game file sizes

For those of you who grew up in the 1990’s/2000’s gaming world, the idea that a single game might be 120GB of data and that that game has to be downloaded from your home internet connection, would stun you. But that is the technical reality of the gaming world these days.

Expert gamers are particularly upset about large download sizes, according to the most recent survey from Limelight.

Though internet speeds have been improving across the U.S., it still takes about 44 minutes to download the latest big game title in 2020. And as most gamers know, monster-sized downloads can also be interrupted or slowed down by other household members streaming video simultaneously.

Digital editions vs. physical copies

Just four years ago, a 2016 survey of UK gamers found that 77% of folks preferred physical games. As recently as 2018, another survey found a supermajority (66%) of console gamers preferred physical games to digital.

That dynamic appears to have changed. According to a 2019 recent survey of 4,500 gamers from around the world, who game at least once per week, 63% of gamers now prefer to download games rather than buy a physical copy.

There are plenty of gamers who love the feel, collectability, and reliability of a physical game. But these days, almost all games have switched to a “digital-first” strategy. Even gaming laptops often do not have a CD drive while Sony’s newest PlayStation 5 boasts a Digital Edition, without the ability to play physical discs at all.
Global internet speeds increase

As internet infrastructure improves around the world, speeds have also been getting faster according to Ookla’s Global Speed Index. Luckily, game file sizes have stayed somewhat flat in recent years. Over the long term, we’ll have to see how large those 2025 virtual reality games are.

Many gaming platforms are experimenting with “streaming gaming” models where all data and processing is done within the cloud, so a large download size would never be required. If this is the future of gaming, along with the promise of 5G, a strong, stable internet connection will be more important than ever.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Telus introduces two new Wi-Fi solutions

  Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi Plus work together to create a responsive experience Telus has launched two new Wi-Fi solutions for its customers in Western Canada. The first is Wi-Fi 6. It offers tri-band technology and the fastest home internet speed in Western Canada, the company says. It provides fast speeds even if multiple devices are connected. Wi-Fi Plus is the second offering. According to the company’s website, this is a monthly add-on to Wi-Fi 6 for those looking to ensure their Wi-Fi connection works in all corners of their home. It cost $10 a month. Company technicians install the services and determine the number of access points needed for the best experience. A combination of the two creates “an unmatched home Wi-Fi experience that is only offered by Telus,” the company says. “We all know what it feels like to have that one spot in our home where the Wi-Fi connection just isn’t as strong, and the frustration that can cause ourselves and our families,” Zainul Mawji, preside...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Position Router Antennas

  Most people think about router features like speed, power, and Wi-Fi protocols, but the antenna position matters, too. Here’s how to position router antennas for the best performance. How Should Wi-Fi Antennas Be Positioned? When positioning router antennas, there is a simple method and a complex one. The approach to each is a little different. The Simple Method for Positioning Router Antennas The simple method follows a pattern that works in most situations. It works best if you want good performance but don’t care about getting the best performance. If your Wi-Fi router has feet, set the router on them and not on its side. If the router has feet on more than one side, you can choose either position. Kittichai Boonpong/ Getty Images Locate your router’s antennas. If you can’t find any external antennas, your router has only internal ones. Pea San Ratn Dilk/ Getty Images If you want coverage for only one floor, position some vertically and some horizontally. Vladimir Nenov/ Getty...
Post a Comment
Read more

Solved: Arris Modem Won’t Connect To The Internet (8 Fixes)

  What to do when your Arris modem won’t connect to the Internet?  Rebooting an Arris modem is usually enough to resolve any issue with connecting to the Internet. Unplug your modem from the power source, wait for 1-2 minutes, plug it back in. However, if rebooting doesn’t solve the problem, you should check the cables for damage or reset to factory settings.  Keep reading to learn why your Arris modem isn’t connecting and what steps to take so you reboot and/or reset the modem properly to fix any connection problems.  Check out the list of the best streaming devices   on Amazon now!  Why Is My Arris Modem Not Connecting To The Internet? There are a few reasons why your Arris modem might have problems connecting to the Internet: A problem with the modem:  Sometimes, hardware can impact the modem’s ability to connect. Damage to the cables:  Wiring wears out over time, so if your cables are a few years old, they might have damage. Small animals...
Post a Comment
Read more