Playing video games with people from different continents?

[Iv000]

My best friend lives in the US and I'm in Europe.

While it's fun chatting with him for hours, I'd like to play some games as well. We're both gamers, he's on a console and I'm on a PC. We tried TF2 on the PC just to see if it's working, we played for about an hour on an empty server in the UK, with almost no lag, my ping was about 60 (?) while his was 100. But that was on an empty server. Has anyone any experience with this? Any games you can recommend to try out that should work like that?

 

Now, I can buy a 360 if need be. But I want to make sure that I'll be able to play without lag on servers from different continents. So, is it possible to do that? Anyone has any experience with it? I'm asking because I'm an absolute newbie when it comes to consoles, I never played one online.

 

Here's an internet speedtest:

 

http://www.speedtest.net/result/2010916974.png

 

I know, my internet is very bad. But it's expensive here and sadly I cannot afford faster internet right now. :(

 

And if that doesn't work, can anyone recommend stuff to do with a close friend who is far away? (Already buying an Ipod touch to talk to him more often, maybe a smartphone later on too. We're also planning on creating mods for Skyrim together. And I'm visiting him next summer and a few more times later on) I'll move to America in 6 years, and I'd like to stay in touch with him as often and as much as I can until I move out.

[Illiad86]

Your lag mostly comes from that terrible upload speed you have. I have the same download speed as you but I have 1MB upload. Could you test your speed with a server on speed test that's a lot closer to you? .25Mb/s seems crazy slow for upload.

 

Upload plays a major role in sending the servers your information. As far as the Xbox, I believe it automatically connects you to the nearest server...but don't take my word on that, I've only played on 360 a few times.

 

What kind of games do you both like? I can suggest a few that I think is pretty fun playing with a few people.

 

Yeah, if you get a smartphone, a fun game to play together is Words With Friends or Draw Something :)

Edited June 15, 2012 by Illiad86

[Iv000]

Your lag mostly comes from that terrible upload speed you have. I have the same download speed as you but I have 1MB upload. Could you test your speed with a server on speed test that's a lot closer to you? .25Mb/s seems crazy slow for upload.

 

Upload plays a major role in sending the servers your information. As far as the Xbox, I believe it automatically connects you to the nearest server...but don't take my word on that, I've only played on 360 a few times.

 

What kind of games do you both like? I can suggest a few that I think is pretty fun playing with a few people.

 

Yeah, if you get a smartphone, a fun game to play together is Words With Friends or Draw Something :)

Yeah, I guessed it was the upload speed.

Tried it with a server from a city that's just a few km from here. The upload speed is almost the same, .26Mb/s

Problem is, I can't find an offer from my ISP's that has good upload speeds at a normal price. I'll try to search a bit and see if I can find a reasonable offer.

 

Well, he told me that it's possible to play on different continents in games like BF3 and Soul Calibur V. Playing BF3 with him sounds awesome, I would do everything for that.

 

We both like all kinds of games. RPG's and FPS's mostly, but every genre is fine.

 

Yes, I think that getting a smartphone or Ipod will really give us more options to communicate. I'll get one soon.

 

Thanks for the reply. :)

[Werne]

Yeah, I guessed it was the upload speed.

Tried it with a server from a city that's just a few km from here. The upload speed is almost the same, .26Mb/s

Iskon's upload speed is limited to 0.5 max (you can thank HT for that), you can't go over it no matter which package you get. It's designed to be used for watching TV only, that's why you have high download speed and slow upload. It's very ineffective when it comes to playing online. I suggest switching to another operator after your contract expires, unless you took a package with TV, then it's a problem.

 

Problem is, I can't find an offer from my ISP's that has good upload speeds at a normal price. I'll try to search a bit and see if I can find a reasonable offer.

You can get cheap and fast internet connection, I find mine pretty good for playing online. I use Optima CARNet (my brother is still in school so it's cheaper when I register it to him), 50 kn a month (70 kn without CARNET). It's pretty cheap and pretty good. You can get faster connections for more money but I personally find this good enough.

 

My speed on the same server:

 

http://www.speedtest.net/result/2011767640.png

And Zagreb server:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/2011790775.png

 

There are only three games I play online, Unreal Tournament 1, Soldier of Fortune 1 and Call of Duty - United Offensive and my connection works just fine for them. Most guys I play with live in USA and I get almost no lag so I'd say it's good.

[Iv000]

It's just an internet+telephone package, and I think that it will expire soon. I'll change providers as soon as I possibly can.

 

I'm in school as well, I didn't know CARnet was actually that good. I heard only bad things about it. I guess I was wrong.

Also, only 50Kn?! Oh god, we've been paying 170Kn per month :facepalm: We're definitely changing providers.

 

Thank you very much Werne, I appreciate it. Have a kudos. :happy:

[K00L]

I want Verizon FiOS, I live in the US and its not even provided in my state. I looked at the speeds they provide :O And I would be saving a ton of money if I got their TV, Internet, and phone deal. I currently have Embarq and DirectTV. DirecTV is nice, Embarq sucks, my phones sound static-y a lot, internet connection usually sucks (its supposed to be 10mb DL and 1mb UL and I usually have a ping of about, on good days, 60 plus or minus a little) below 5mb DL and NEVER 1mb UL (usually close to Iv000's). I never knew that games depended on UL speed. That's probably why I can never get things to work very online.

Edit: Also Embarq's highest internet supposedly gets 40 on DL.

Edit Edit: Its not Embarq anymore I forgot, its Centurylink, which is apparently the best internet I can get in my area. That's what happens when you live in the country I suppose.

Edited June 19, 2012 by K00L