Is Viasat Good for Gaming?
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Gaming in digital form has been popular ever since Pac-Man first hit arcades and Atari created Pong. But over the past decade, online gaming has exploded to new heights and attracted a huge fandom.
With so many people playing and watching games online, a fast and reliable internet connection is a must for a good gaming experience. But how well does satellite internet like Viasat work for gaming?
If you’re far away from a city, Viasat may be your fastest option for internet access. Let’s explore what types of games are best for a satellite internet connection, and how to get the best performance when you’re an online gamer.
What Makes a Good Gaming Internet Connection?
Three main technical factors determine how well an internet connection will perform for online gaming:
- Speed and Bandwidth – Fast download and upload speeds enable smooth gaming.
- Low Latency/Jitter – Latency is the delay between inputting a command and seeing it happen on-screen. Jitter is a variation in latency. For smooth, responsive play, online real-time multiplayer games require low consistent latency below 100ms. But many other games do not require those split-second reactions.
- Reliability – Getting unexpectedly disconnected or having service downtime during a gaming session ruins the experience. Gamers need a stable connection.
Satellite Internet and Gaming
Satellite internet works by transmitting data between your location and a satellite orbiting high above the earth. This means data has to travel about 88,000 miles, in total. Why does this distance cause issues for some types of gaming?
- Latency – The large distances involved mean latency for satellite internet is higher, around 600ms. This can cause lag, freezing, and delays in real-time multiplayer games. But many online games do not require real-time reactions, so those games are not sensitive to latency.
- Jitter – Satellite connections have more variation in latency as weather and other factors affect the signal. Stable low latency is important for competitive online gaming. But latency is not noticeable in single-player or turn-taking games.
- Data Caps – Many satellite plans have data allowances which can limit gaming. Large game downloads and updates can use up monthly data quickly. You’ll need to monitor your data usage and schedule your updates with care.
Satellite internet offers fast speeds and reliable connectivity even in remote areas not served by cable. With some adjustments, satellite internet can support enjoyable online gaming.
What to Look for in a Gaming Internet Service
When researching internet providers suitable for gaming, pay attention to:
- Speed Tiers – Faster download and upload speeds enable smooth gaming performance. Multi-gigabit plans are ideal, but those speeds are not yet available in many rural areas. Your next best bet in many remote locations will be satellite internet.
- Data Caps – Though online gaming uses less data than video streaming, some game downloads are very large. Downloading during off-peak hours can help if you don’t have unlimited data.
- Latency Guarantees – Some providers optimize connections specifically for the low latency needed for competitive online multiplayer gaming. This technology may not be available to many gamers in remote areas, but satellite internet can provide a wide range of gaming activities that don’t depend on low latency.
- Reliability Claims – Look for providers promising high reliability with little downtime. This is essential for a good gaming experience.
Analyzing Viasat’s Gaming Performance
Viasat is a leading satellite internet provider bringing high-speed internet to rural areas. How does Viasat stack up for gaming?
Speed and Bandwidth
Viasat offers download speeds up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps on their fastest plans. These speeds allow smooth online gameplay for many games. The generous bandwidth prevents slowdowns when others are surfing the web.
Latency and Jitter
As a satellite internet service, Viasat has higher latency (around 600ms) compared to cable below 100ms. This higher latency causes lag, freezing, and stuttering in real-time multiplayer games that require split-second reactions. Jitter also varies more over satellite connections. So, in general, choose games that do not require real-time reactions.
Stability and Reliability
Viasat provides outstanding network reliability with 99.9% uptime. Their satellites provide wide coverage even in remote areas. This allows stable, uninterrupted gaming.
Best Games to Play On Viasat Satellite Internet
While extremely fast-paced competitive multiplayer games might not be ideal, Viasat can still provide an enjoyable online gaming experience.
Single-Player Games
Single-player games like Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and Spiderman have engrossing stories and detailed worlds to explore. These put minimal strain on your connection, running smoothly even over satellite internet. Turn off auto-updates to avoid large downloads eating your data.
Turn-Based Multiplayer Games
Turn-based games allow you to take turns against an opponent without needing split-second reactions. Popular examples include Words with Friends, Draw Something, Hero Wars, Clash Royale, and simulation games like Civilization 6. These work well with higher latency internet connections.
Party Games and Puzzles
Fun, social games that can be played with friends and family also perform well over Viasat. Games like Jeopardy!, Trivia Crack, UNO, and Jackbox Party Pack are perfect for game nights.
Casino-Style Games
Classic table and card games with simple gameplay and graphics work well over satellite internet connections. Your data usage will be low, and you can play with multiple players given that the games are turn-taking games. Latency will not affect these kinds of games.
Optimizing Viasat Satellite Internet for Gaming
To maximize your gaming experience over Viasat satellite internet, follow these tips:
- Connect your gaming device directly to the modem with an ethernet cable for the fastest, most reliable connection.
- Limit other internet activities when gaming to preserve bandwidth. Streaming video while you play games will cause congestion on the network.
- Schedule game and app updates to download overnight during off-peak hours when the network is less congested.
- Disable auto-updates and only manually update when necessary to control data usage.
- Close bandwidth-hungry programs and browser tabs when starting a gaming session.
- If possible, choose wired controllers over wireless to reduce controller lag.
- If you’re using a console like an Xbox or PlayStation, consider getting hard copies of the game instead of downloading. Having a hard copy will save you a lot of data over a download.
Successful Gaming With Viasat
Overall, there’s good news for users in rural areas without access to cable or fiber connections. You can still have plenty of fun with online gaming using your Viasat satellite internet connection! Just choose your games with care and follow our tips. By conserving data usage and maximizing your speed, you can enjoy many types of games with your online gaming friends.
FAQs: Viasat for Gaming
Is Viasat good for all types of video games?
Viasat may not be ideal for all types of video games. Games that require very low latency like competitive, online multiplayer games may struggle with Viasat’s higher latency. But Viasat can work well for less latency-sensitive games such as single-player games.
Can weather conditions affect Viasat’s gaming performance?
Yes, weather conditions can affect Viasat’s gaming performance. The satellite signal can be weakened by heavy rain, snow, or storms. Gaming during clear weather will provide the best experience.
Can I use Viasat for competitive real-time gaming?
Viasat is generally not recommended for real-time online multiplayer gaming due to its higher latency. The lag will put you at a disadvantage compared to players with faster connections. Casual online gaming is fine, but real-time competitive gaming is better suited to low latency connections.
Does Viasat have data caps?
Viasat offers unlimited Standard Data with its plans. Viasat does not have hard data caps but does have monthly allowances for High-Speed Data. Monthly allowances for High-Speed Data are much more generous than from some other satellite providers. But you’ll need to monitor your data usage carefully for gaming and streaming.
Is there an alternative to Viasat in remote areas?
For rural areas without cable or fiber, Viasat is likely to be your strongest option for fast, reliable satellite internet. Viasat offers higher speeds than its chief competitor, HughesNet. Satellite still remains one of the few internet options for remote locations. Fortunately, Viasat technology has improved greatly over the past ten years, and continues to advance with new satellite launches in 2023.
