Some gamers live in rural areas and they have limited choice when it comes to the internet. Such areas have the terrestrial infrastructure or the infrastructure is non-existent. When no other type of internet plan is available, satellite internet comes to the rescue. It’s not a bad option for fulfilling your gaming needs, you know!
Satellite internet isn’t suitable for every game genre but if you’re in a state/region where cable or DSL internet service isn’t available, you have no choice. Whatever satellite internet you choose, it’s imperative that they offer reliable support like Spectrum whenever there are Spectrum Internet Packages!
All of this must have made you wonder if satellite internet is good enough for online gaming. Here’s what you need to know.
Is Satellite Internet Not Enough for Online Gaming?
The good news is that you can get broadband-like speeds with satellite internet no matter where you are. As long as you’re within your satellite provider’s coverage area, you should be able to get fast speeds which is around 10 to 20 Mbps. For most video games, this speed is plenty.
The issue with gaming on satellite internet is latency. Latency is the amount of time it takes for data to travel from your satellite dish to a geostationary satellite and back. This is 36k km in distance.
A geostationary satellite can produce from 500 to 800 milliseconds of latency. It may not sound a lot but if you’re a hard-core gamer and you have to make split-second decisions, then it is A LOT! Even a half-second of delay could get your player killed.
Is It a Dealbreaker?
Nope! It is not entirely a deal-breaker if you play single-player games. However, when multiplayer is involved, things can get complicated.
What Games Are Perfect for Satellite Internet?
On satellite internet, certain games will function smoothly, while others may make you want to pull your hair out.
Offline games, turn-based games, and some RPGs will run best based on what data they need. Strategy games can work well on this type of internet since they run on a turn-based system and latency won’t be noticeable. But you won’t be able to play all of them.
To make things easier, let’s give you a breakdown of which video games you can play with satellite internet:
- League of Legends
- World of Warcraft
- Candy Crush
- Disintegration
- Civilization VI
- Star Trek Online
- Stardew Valley
- Elder Scrolls
- The Legend of Zelda
- Words with Friends 2
- Animal Crossing
What Games to Avoid on Satellite Internet?
Shooting games that require split-second decision-making and rapid movements shouldn’t be played on satellite internet. Call of Duty and Battlefield are examples of such games.
Likewise, sports games like FIFA 216 or racing games aren’t suitable for satellite internet. Here are other games that may not suitable for this type of internet connection.
- Fortnite
- Counter-Strike: GO
- Valiant
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
- ApexLegends
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds
- Overwatch
Game Consoles That Work Best with Satellite Internet
Well, almost all game consoles run about the same on this type of internet. Downloading games on Switch, Xbox, or PS on satellite internet however could be a problem since some games require so much data. It’s better to get a physical copy than to download the digital version.
You should be able to play online games on any device including Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC using your satellite internet just fine.
Tips to Reduce Latency on Satellite Internet
There are some ways to reduce gaming latency on your Satellite Internet. These tips should do the work:
Close All Extra Programs
Close all other programs while you’re gaming. This includes Netflix, Spotify, Youtuber, or any other program that could be eating away the bandwidth.
Connect to An Ethernet Cable
A wired connection is faster than a wireless connection. If you don’t want your gaming experience to slow down, just hook your console or PC with an ethernet cable.
Check And Update Router Firmware
It’s important to ensure that your router is using the current firmware. This should fix all bugs that might be slowing down your internet connection. If you are using an older router, maybe it is time to upgrade your equipment.
Pause Any Downloads in Progress
When you’re about to charge into a battle that could become nail-biting, it’s best to pause all downloads in progress. Once you have won the game, you can resume, of course.
Final Words
Satellite internet is not recommended for fast-paced, multiplayer online gaming. Because of the inherent delay of all satellite internet connections, shooter games will not work well either. However, some games, such as the ones named above, will work.
The good news is that with satellite internet, you can still play some games online. It’s only a matter of jumping through a few hoops.
