Lag

There are numerous places in the game where players lag because of numerous things. We’re going to help you identify signs that you or others are lagging and how to prevent it.

Types of Lag

There are and have always been two types of lag:

1. Processor
   1. Your computer’s lack of ability to process very complex instructions will cause a slowdown which has nothing to do with your internet connection.
2. Internet
   1. Your internet connection is taxed and your bandwidth is not sufficient for what you’re trying to do AND run DDO.

Combating Processor Lag

Processor lag is common in lower-end computers and can be combated by giving your computer less to do. The way the game engine is written will cause this particular game to struggle where other games excel. It’s not your computer for the most part.

• What’s your computer doing in the background? Turning off other programs (I usually leave a web browser running for puzzle solver help) in the background can make a world of difference. Don’t forget about everything in your system tray or notification area by the clock in the bottom right. Music can be pretty processor-intensive on older computers… try turning on a radio very low to give yourself some music if that’s your goal.
• Turning down your overall graphics quality is a good start. The game engine is very complex and requires an amazing amount of processing power to run, especially certain parts of the areas in the upper experience levels of the game. If you think your machine can handle the highest graphics presets, have at it. If you see things are sluggish, go down one stage and see how it looks then. I have a nehalem (very high end) processor, 16 gigs of RAM and a one gig graphics card and there are still parts of the game where my computer struggles. This is not a fault of the computer, the DDO software client handles graphics differently than most games and really strains your computer.
• The Subterraine has numerous graphical textures and other things that can really make a processor cry. Go into options, the Advanced Graphics. Uncheck the box labeled “Environment Stencil Shadows.”

Combating Internet Lag

Even though most of the lag you’ll experience in this game will be from your processor, you may have issue with your internet connection as well.

• Think of your internet connection as a straw in a cup of soda or pop. You have a lot of soda (data) for transfer (drinking). You’re limited by how thick the straw is (internet connection bandwidth) and how many other people/programs are using that straw (connection).
• Do you have programs that are downloading things? iTunes can download your podcasts in the background if it’s running. Running Adobe products? There’s an updater that loves to check for updates all the time. HP printer software does the same thing. Tons of little programs nickle and diming your internet connection can seem like one large program siphoning off your bandwidth. Shutting these down before you start playing can give you better performance. Torrents and similar are VERY bandwidth-intensive.
• Do you have WiFi set up? Even if it’s closed/secure, if anyone is using it, it’ll slow your connection down.
• Do you have roommates? Their internet habits, including the above bullet points, will affect your gameplay.

Thanks to Justin of Brotherhood of Redemption for the Subterraine fix.