Is Satellite Internet Good For Gaming?

gaming dish

No longer do we need an internet connection solely for browsing the internet. As the internet of things continues to grow, and technology continues to improve we all find ourselves an increasing number of devices connected to WiFi and an increasing number of reasons for using the internet. One of the most popular reasons people want high-speed internet in 2017 is for video games! Knowing that, it makes sense that one of the most common questions we see associated with satellite internet is “can I play games with it?”. In short, yes!

The long answer is a bit more complicated. Yes, you can play many online video games with no problems using satellite internet, however not all video games are suited to satellite internet services. That’s because of latency. Satellite internet connections can deliver download speeds of 10-20 Mbps, plenty of speed for most online games. However, because the data has to go from your satellite dish, up to a geostationary satellite and back (a distance of about 36,000 kilometers) you end up with a high latency. Latency from a satellite internet connection tends to be between 500-800 milliseconds. That’s fine for some games, but not for all.

So what kind of games work well with satellite internet?

gaming wind

Strategy Games

Strategy games and role-playing games tend to be the best. Strategy games are often turn-based games, which negates the issue of latency, which plagues every satellite internet connection. However, real-time strategy games will suffer from latency issues and aren’t a great option for those with a satellite internet connection.

Role-Playing Games

Role-playing games are another great options for gamers utilizing a satellite-internet connection. Most role-playing games are designed to be played a bit more slowly, so a little latency issues shouldn’t really affect your experience.

What kind of games won’t work?

Shooters

Shooters are the prime example of games that will not work on a satellite internet connection. Their fast-paced nature and split-second decisions make latency incredibly important. In fact, shooter’s really shouldn’t be played online unless you have a latency of less than 100 milliseconds.

Sports

Sports games also don’t do well with satellite internet, again because of their need for split-second decision making. Much like shooters, sports games really should not be played online unless you have a latency of less than 100 milliseconds.

Yes, you can use satellite internet for gaming depending on the type of game you’re trying to play. However, it is important to remember that satellite internet tends to have a higher amount of latency, which can have a substantial effect on your online-gaming experience. Take the time to do your research before investing.