When you think about gaming, what comes to mind? Fast-paced action? Incredible graphics? Exciting multiplayer matches? Whatever it is that makes gaming so much fun for you, one thing is for sure: you don’t want your Internet connection to get in the way. Unfortunately, some types of Internet connections can be a hindrance to your gaming experience. In this article, we’ll take a look at satellite Internet and answer the question: is satellite Internet good or bad for gaming?
Table of Contents
Can You Play Games With Satellite Internet?
The short answer is yes, you can play video games with satellite internet. However, there are some important caveats to keep in mind. Satellite internet is notoriously unreliable and high latency makes it unsuitable for competitive gaming. If you’re a casual gamer, however, satellite internet might be a decent option for you.
What Is Latency
Latency is the time it takes for a signal to travel from your computer to the game server and back again. [2] It’s measured in milliseconds, and even a small amount of latency can have a big impact on your gaming experience. Satellite internet typically has much higher latency than other types of internet, which can make gaming frustrating or even impossible.
If you’re planning on using satellite internet for gaming, be sure to check the latency before you commit to anything. You can usually find this information on the provider’s website.
Satellite Internet Latency Comparison
There are four main types of internet connection: DSL, cable, fiber, and satellite. [1]
Cable and fiber are both much better choices for gaming, with latencies of around 30 milliseconds or less. If you have the choice between those two options, go with fiber if you can afford it. It’s slightly faster than cable and a lot more future-proof.
- DSL: 300 ms
- Cable: 30 ms
- Fiber: 30 ms
- Satellite: 600 ms
As you can see, satellite is the clear loser when it comes to latency. If you’re serious about gaming, you should avoid satellite internet at all costs.
How to Reduce Latency on Satellite Internet
There are a few things you can do to reduce latency on satellite internet. First, make sure you have the latest firmware installed on your modem and router. You can usually find this information on the manufacturer’s website.
Second, try connecting to the game server through a virtual private network (VPN). This will create a direct connection between your computer and the server, which can help reduce latency. Not all VPNs will work with satellite internet, so be sure to do your research before you commit to anything.
Third, consider using a gaming console instead of a PC. Consoles typically have better built-in networking hardware and software that’s optimized for gaming. If you have the choice between playing on a PC or a console, go with the console.
Fourth, try to find a satellite internet provider that offers low-latency service. This is usually more expensive than regular satellite internet, but it’s worth it if you’re serious about gaming.
Finally, be patient and keep trying. Satellite internet is notoriously unreliable, so you might not be able to fix all of your latency issues.
How do Download Speeds Affect Gaming with Satellite Internet?
Your download speed is the amount of data that your computer can receive from the game server. This is important for gaming because it determines how quickly you can load textures, models, and other game data.
A slow download speed will make games look low-resolution and choppy, and it can also lead to lag.
What’s a Good Internet Speed for Gaming?
- DSL: 25 Mbps
- Cable: 50 Mbps
- Fiber: 50 Mbps
- Satellite: 25 Mbps
As you can see, satellite internet doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for gaming. If you want to play online games, you should look into other options like DSL, cable, or fiber. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find an internet provider that can give you the speed and reliability you need to enjoy your favorite games.
How can you improve your satellite Internet Speed?
There are a few options available to you if you want to improve your satellite internet speed. One option is to upgrade your plan to a higher speed tier. This will usually cost more money, but it might be worth it if you’re serious about gaming.
Another option is to switch to a different type of internet connection. If you can’t get the latency low enough to play comfortably, you might have to switch to a different type of internet connection.
How do Satellite Internet Data Caps Affect Gaming?
Satellite internet often has data caps, which limit the amount of data you can use in a month. This is important for gaming because some games can use a lot of data. For example, if you’re playing an online game with high-resolution graphics, you might use up your data allowance very quickly.
If you’re on a satellite internet plan with a data cap, you’ll need to be careful about how much you play. You might have to limit yourself to only playing for a few hours each week or upgrade to a higher-priced plan with more data.
Data caps are one of the most frustrating limitations of satellite internet, and they can make gaming almost impossible if you’re not careful. If you want to game on satellite internet, you’ll need to be aware of your data usage and plan accordingly.
How Much Data Do You Need for Gaming?
The minimum amount of data you need for gaming is about 500 kbps (0.50 Mbps). satellite internet speeds, on the other hand, can be as low as 12 Mbps. So unless you’re playing very old or small indie games, satellite isn’t going to cut it. And if you are someone who likes to game in HD or even ultra HD, you’ll need at least 25 Mbps for a single player and 50+ for multiple players.
Satellite Internet also has high latency which means there’s a noticeable delay between when you press a button and when the action occurs on screen. For most people, this won’t be an issue but for gamers who rely on split-second timing, it can be disastrous.
So if you’re looking for the best possible gaming experience, satellite internet is not the way to go. However, if you live in a rural area and don’t have any other options, there are ways to make it work.
What’s the Best Satellite Internet Provider for Gaming?
The answer to this question really depends on your specific location and needs. In general, we recommend Viasat for gamers who need reliability and high speeds, while HughesNet is a good option for those who need unlimited data. [4] However, there are a few other providers worth considering as well.
Here’s a quick overview of the best satellite internet providers for gaming:
- Viasat: Best speeds and reliability
- HughesNet: Best unlimited data plan
- Exede: A good option if you live in a rural area
- Dish Network: A good option if you live in an urban area
- WildBlue: Another good option if you live in a rural area
As you can see, there are a few different providers that offer satellite internet for gaming. Each one has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to do your research before making a decision.
If you’re looking for the best speeds and reliability, Viasat is the way to go. However, if you need unlimited data, HughesNet is the better option. And if you live in a rural area, Exede or WildBlue may be your best bet.
Which Video Games Can I Play with Satellite Internet?
The most important factor in choosing a video game to play with satellite internet is the amount of data that the game uses. Games that require large amounts of data, such as first-person shooters or MMOs, are not well suited for satellite internet. The latency and jitter that are inherent in satellite connections can make these types of games unplayable.
Instead, look for games that are less demanding on your connection.
Best Games for Satellite Internet
Here are a few of the best games for satellite internet:
- League of Legends
- Dota 2
- Hearthstone
- Rocket League
- World of Warcraft (WoW)
Worst Games for Satellite Internet
These are some of the worst games for satellite internet:
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Fortnite
- Apex Legends
- PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
As you can see, the best games for satellite internet tend to be those that are less demanding on your connection. If you’re looking for a new game to play and you have satellite internet, it’s a good idea to check out some of these options.
Which Gaming Consoles Work Best with Satellite Internet?
If you’re a console gamer, you’ll be happy to know that all the major consoles – Xbox One, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch – work with satellite internet. [5]
The main thing to keep in mind with satellite internet and gaming consoles is that you’ll need to have a good connection to be able to play most games. If your connection is too slow or if there’s too much latency, you’ll likely experience lag and other issues. Because of this, we recommend that you connect your console directly to your modem with an Ethernet cable. This will give you the best possible connection and help ensure that you can play your games without any problems.
Best Console Games for Satellite Internet
While all games will work with satellite internet, some are better suited for it than others. Games that require quick reflexes or have a lot of fast-paced action may not be the best choice if you’re worried about lag. However, there are still plenty of great games that you can play without any issues.
Some of our favorites include:
- The Witcher III: Wild Hunt
- Red Dead Redemption II
- God of War
- Horizon Zero Dawn
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
These are just a few examples – there are tons of great games out there that will work perfectly fine with satellite internet. So, if you’re worried about your connection, don’t be. Just be sure to pick the right games and you’ll be good to go.
FAQ
Is Viasat good enough for gaming?
The short answer is: it depends. If you’re a competitive gamer, or someone who relies on having a fast and stable connection for gaming, then Viasat is probably not the best option for you. However, if you’re more casual about your gaming habits, or you live in an area where other forms of internet aren’t available, then Viasat can be a decent option. There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering using Viasat for gaming. First, the latency (or ping) on Viasat can be quite high, which can make certain types of games unplayable. Second, the data caps on Viasat plans can be quite low, so if you’re someone who likes to download a lot of games or updates, you might quickly find yourself exceeding your data limit.Overall, Viasat is not the best option for gaming, but it can be a decent option if you’re more casual about your gaming habits or if you live in an area where other forms of internet aren’t available. If you’re considering using Viasat for gaming, keep in mind the potential issues with latency and data caps.
Is Viasat good for streaming?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated. On the one hand, Viasat offers unlimited data plans that are perfect for streaming. However, the company’s speeds are often too slow to support HD streaming. Additionally, Viasat’s latency is often too high for gaming or other real-time applications.To sum it up, Viasat is not the best option for streaming. However, if you are willing to put up with lower quality video or can find a plan with high enough speeds, it can work.
What internet is ideal for gaming?
The best internet for gaming is a low-latency, high-speed connection with little to no data caps. Unfortunately, satellite internet doesn’t offer any of those things. Satellite internet has long been the bane of online gamers. The lag created by the speed and latency of satellite connections has been the source of many a heated argument and lost match. Satellite internet is also notoriously expensive. The high price tag is due to the fact that satellite companies have to build and maintain their own infrastructure, which is very costly. And because of the way satellite internet works, there’s always the potential for service interruptions due to weather or other factors beyond the company’s control. All of that being said, satellite internet has come a long way in recent years. The technology has gotten better and the price has come down somewhat. If you live in a rural area and don’t have access to any other type of high-speed internet, then satellite might be your only option. But if you have the choice, there are much better options out there for gaming. DSL, cable, and fiber are all much better choices for gaming than satellite. So if you’re a serious gamer, satellite internet is probably not the best option for you.
Why is my game lagging but my internet is fine?
One potential reason your video game might be lagging, even though your internet connection is fine, is high latency from satellite internet. Latency refers to the amount of time it takes for a signal to travel from your device to the satellite and back again. This can cause major issues when gaming online. Even if you have a fast internet connection, satellite internet’s high latency can make things feel slow.
Another reason why satellite internet can be bad for gaming is because of the way that data is sent back and forth. Satellite internet uses what’s called “asymmetrical” data transfer, which means that it takes longer to send data than it does to receive it. This can cause problems when you’re trying to do things like download a game or stream video, because the data has to travel a longer distance.
How do gamers get the internet in rural areas?
In rural areas, the primary way to get high-speed internet is through a satellite connection. Satellite Internet involves beaming an Internet signal from space, down to a small dish on your property.
How many Mbps is a GB?
To answer the question, we need to know how much data is in a GB. Most people use 1024 MB in a gigabyte, but technically, it’s 1000 MB. So, if you want to be precise, one gigabyte of data is 1000 megabytes. Now that we know that, we can answer the original question. How many megabits are in a gigabyte? There are eight megabits in a megabyte, so there are 8000 megabits in a gigabyte. That means that satellite internet speeds of 25 Mbps download and three Mbps upload are more than enough to handle gaming and other activities that require a lot of data.
Is 1000 Mbps fast for gaming?
The short answer is that yes, 1000 Mbps is fast for gaming. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using satellite internet for gaming. First, the ping rate will be higher than if you were using a cable or fiber connection. This means that there will be a slight delay between when you hit a button and when the action happens on screen. Second, you’ll need to be aware of data caps. Satellite internet plans typically have lower data caps than other types of internet, so you’ll need to be careful about how much you’re downloading and streaming.Overall, satellite internet can be a good option for gaming if you’re in a rural area or if you have a limited budget. Just be aware of the potential drawbacks and plan accordingly.
Can you get 1000 Mbps over WiFi?
The answer is yes and no. If you’re close enough to the router, you can get very fast speeds over WiFi. But if you’re too far away, your speed will suffer. That’s why it’s important to have a good router with a strong signal. But even with a good router, there are still limits to what WiFi can do. If you want to get the most out of your gaming, you’re going to need a wired connection.
How much data does gaming use monthly?
The average person who plays video games uses about 102 GB of data per month, according to a report by the NPD Group. This number will only continue to go up as more people get into gaming and as games get more graphically demanding.
Can you run out of unlimited data?
The answer to this question is a bit complicated. First of all, it depends on your service provider. Some providers will give you unlimited data, but throttle your speeds after you reach a certain amount. Others have tiered plans where you get a certain amount of high-speed data and then slower speeds for the rest of the month. Secondly, it depends on how you use your data. If you are constantly downloading and streaming games, then you will probably use up more data than someone who only uses their internet for email and browsing the web. That being said, if you are careful about how you use your data, it is possible to avoid running out of data with an unlimited plan.
Useful Video: Gaming on Satellite Internet – Hughes Net Rant
Conclusions
Overall, satellite internet is a perfectly viable option for gaming. While it’s not ideal, it will work in most situations. Just be sure to have a backup plan in case of bad weather or other issues that could affect your connection. And, if you’re worried about lag, just be sure to pick the right games. With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy your favorite console games without any problems. Thanks for reading!
References:
- https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/gaming-on-satellite-internet/
- https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/latency
- https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/gaming-on-satellite-internet/
- https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/gaming-on-satellite-internet/
- https://updater.com/guides/satellite-internet-for-gaming