Typically, multiplayer games run on a client-host technology whereby a person both plays and hosts the game. Even though this setup is simple, it leads to insufferable performance issues, such as slow loading, lag, crashes, lost saved data, and even dropped games. For a stable and enjoyable gaming experience, a dedicated server would suffice.
This article discusses the benefits and capabilities of games-specific dedicated servers, how they enable players to tailor and control their gaming experience.
Dedicated Game Servers
Dedicated gaming servers host online video games to benefit their clients and provide a reliable and stable connection. In comparison to other hosting solutions, dedicated game servers are considerably more powerful. There is always enough computing power on the server to run smoothly whatever game you’re playing.
The Benefits of Dedicated Gaming Servers
Every multiplayer online game has a host and clients:
- Host: Syncs game data among all players and sends data to the server.
- Clients: A player who is not hosting the game.
It is usually the player with the lowest latency in online games who becomes the host. Besides running the local version of the game on the computer or console, the host player additionally keeps all client computers or consoles in sync. A host’s services include handling:
- Players’ locations in the game
- The activity of all the players
- All player interactions
- The load-out of each character
- The direction they are all facing
- Physical interactions between players
Scores and rules.
The bigger the number of players that log in and play the game, the more memory, bandwidth, and processing power required by the host machine. The game will suffer from lag, bugs, and crashes if the host computer or internet connection is slow.
Hosts are not included in dedicated server setups. Each player connects to a server that has much higher computing power than any regular PC or console. If the admin so wishes, he or she may:
Ensure fluid gameplay by installing custom scripts, setting up tools, and optimizing game settings on the server.
Control the number of players, so they don’t eat up system resources.
Set game rules (characters, rounds, maps, win conditions, weapons, equipment, etc.).
By eliminating local host low latency, dedicated servers make ideal hubs for competitive gaming.
The Workings of a Dedicated Gaming Server
An online gaming server manages various aspects of a game, such as keeping the fun in sync for all players. It manages:
- The location of a player
- Player’s activity
- The rules and score of the game
- Arms and weapons load-outs
Although the server does not use any graphics card, it has several processing units (CPUs) and memory, informing client machines what to render and what time to render it. Devices on the client side are responsible for sound, graphics, and game controls.
With such a setup, gaming workloads are handled efficiently. There is no lag, crash, or glitch in games run on a dedicated windows server. You won’t have to worry about hardware costs, monitoring, security, or overheating with a dedicated server in a professional data center. Additionally, high bandwidth increases gameplay speed.
Why Dedicated Gaming Servers Are Better
Lag-Free Performance
With a dedicated gaming server, you’ll get top-of-the-line hardware and a very reliable Internet connection. Your gaming experience will be seamless.
Reliable Infrastructure
In addition to 24/7 server monitoring, dedicated machines have backup generators, so they are always available even when the local grid misbehaves.
Additionally, dedicated gaming servers have robust immunity to overheating. They have real-time cooling systems to ensure the infrastructure can handle the workload, regardless of how much activity a game has.
Better Customization
Game administrators can select optimal hardware requirements, such as CPU speed, RAM size, and bandwidth rates, for a smooth slide gaming experience. Additionally, administrators are free to define game rules and can modify goals and maps and personalize characters’ stats and traits as they see fit.
Typical game hosting does not allow this kind of freedom. A server’s administrator can also decide who can access the server. The public can use the server, or it can be used as a private playground. Administrators can also ban players from entry if they experience high pings or violate the rules.
Ability to Handle High Traffic Demand
Dedicated servers can accommodate dozens of players without compromising performance. To prevent the game from getting crowded, an administrator may set a limit on how many players can play.
