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Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
13 years ago
Approved

Joining multiplayer very slow...

I started playing Mass effect 3 Multiplayer three days ago. Unfortunately I have to wait a very long time to join a game... Usually it takes about 10 minutes or more! Anyone experiencing the same problem? How can this be solved?!?

4 Replies

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    13 years ago
    Approved

    10 minutes is excessive, and it will usually timeout before then.

    I have experienced many slow downs and I believe it is related to Matchmaking, and my ping times to Host PC's.

    Often, you will actually "Show Up" in the lobby or game, before you ever get control.  It is possible for the other players in the Lobby to vote kick you before you get to see them, which leads to interesting circumstances.

    The solution, would be to reduce Ping times to the server.

    How much bandwidth do you have to the internet?

    Who is your ISP?

    How are you connected?

    Are other devices on your network causing interference?

    Wired is faster than wireless, more bandwidth is generally better though games tend to not use much.  Some ISP's and systems are more overburdened in your area than others.  If your network is saturated, you may want to enable QoS to give Mass Effect 3 packets higher priority than filesharing or downloads, or netflix, or....  It is also possible that you have too many devices on your network and your Router is overburdened, in which case an upgrade may be necessary.

    The short term solution is to hit Host Game instead, see if anybody shows up, start playing if it's short and see how many drop in during the match.

    Another metric:  Do you have the same issue when joining a friends game?

    Also, how is your cennection in the games once they begin?

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    13 years ago
    Approved

    There's also a potential server issue on the end you are trying to connect to, or may be undergoing some minor maintenance, both of which are outside the ability for you [ie: the consumer] to actively tackle, if it is that, then unfortunately patience is the only solution, but in leu of knowing that for sure, the message above features some rather useful information.. even if its a bit greek to me [by that I mean I'm not very savvy when it comes to these kind of internet issues, I can use the term 'gobledegook' if people prefer]. :D

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    13 years ago
    Approved

    So I've been checking how much time I need to find a game today.

    1: 2 min

    2: 9 min

    3: 3 min

    4: 10 min

    There is no timeout, I just got that screen with "connecting" at upper left corner, and "looking for game" in the center

    My ISP is Alice with 16Mbps, and I hadn't any problem with online games untill yet. Actually, when I'm in a a game I don;t have lag, just the search for a game is so long. Also, I have nothing else using my bandwidth. Will try to switch off my phone, but I don't think it can be this.

    During the game I don't have any problem, also between games. Only when I search for a game. Also, when I want to go in the shop I have to wait some seconds as well, also when I start multiplayer from the main menu.
    .

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    13 years ago
    Approved

    2 questions still unanswered:  (I'm also unfamiliar with Alice, which maybe be a good thing, or it could be a bad thing)

    How are you connected?  (WiFi -> Router -> 16 Mbps Cable Modem, 1 Gbps network card -> 1 Gbps switch -> 1 Gbps Router -> 16 Mbps DSL Modem)

     Do you have the same issue when joining a friends game?

    I recommend talking to an  EA Game Advisor

    After you know the answer to those two questions and ask about "Periodic Long Matchmaking sessions".  I'm not sure I have it phrased right.  Periodic, because your 2 and 3 minute ones are about expected....  9 and 10 are outside the typical amounts.

    Matchmaking is the term they use when trying to find a game in session, or join a lobby.

    Also important, when talking to the EA Game Advisor, is what settings you have used, Unknown/Unknown/Gold ?  And the time of the day.

    I'm sure some settings and times of the day are busier than others.  I have no idea when those would be, as this is a global game, and gamers themselves tend to play at all hours.  But they may have those metrics, or even know typical matchmaking times...

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