Is Viasat Good for Gaming?

Gamers, unite! Have you ever been in the middle of a game, ready to claim victory, when suddenly, BOOM, the lag strikes and ruins your moment of glory? Well, you are not alone. People in rural areas have limited internet options that often come with the dreaded lag. If you’re a satellite internet user, you know the struggle all too well.

But what if there is a solution? So, hold on to your gaming controls because we’re about to explore the burning question on every gamer’s mind: Is Viasat good for gaming? Let’s explore and find out every detail about Viasat’s internet for gaming.

Viasat Satellite Internet for Gaming

As one of the best satellite internet providers, Viasat has been a top internet option for rural communities. But when it comes to gaming? Let’s be honest! Satellite internet can be a real bummer for gamers due to high latency rates and data caps. However, Viasat has been on a mission to revolutionize its service, and they have come a long way. 

While Viasat may not quite measure up to the lightning speeds and reliable performance of fiber-optic or cable internet, Viasat’s satellite internet has advanced to the point where it can easily handle various popular online games. Let’s dive in and see how well Viasat’s internet for gaming works in rural areas.

Viasat Internet Plans

Viasat is the ultimate choice for internet plans in America! With three distinct categories, Unlimited, Liberty, and Choice, Viasat has a delectable spread of affordable internet packages. However, the company mostly rolls out its Choice plans in most parts of the country, with starting prices ranging from $49.99 to $199.99.

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However, keep in mind, prices may increase after the initial 3-month period, but the service remains top-notch. With data caps ranging from 60 GB to 500 GB, there’s plenty of room to play and download your favorite games. So, whether you’re a casual gamer or a gaming addict, Viasat has a plan for you. All Viasat internet plans come with a 2-year contract.

Latency

Latency is a crucial factor in the gaming world as it refers to the delay between a player’s action and the reaction of the game server. As a satellite internet service, Viasat internet for gaming has higher latency rates than other internet options, which can be a challenge for gamers. For them, this can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Ideally, gamers aim for an internet plan with less than 30 milliseconds of latency for a seamless gaming experience. However, this rate can be a challenge with Viasat’s satellite technology, but it doesn’t mean you can’t play games with this service. While a low latency rate is ideal for gamers, you can still play many mobile games with relatively high latency. Viasat offers a reliable and fast internet connection, allowing casual gamers to enjoy their favorite games, albeit with some lag.

Moreover, the company continues to work towards improving its network and providing the best possible internet experience for its customers. Here is how Viasat’s latency compares with other internet providers.

Packet Loss

Packet loss in gaming is like losing a critical piece of the puzzle. Just as a missing puzzle piece can ruin the picture, lost packets can ruin the seamless flow of an online game. These lost packets represent valuable information that never reaches its intended destination, causing lag, stuttering, and even disconnections.

Unfortunately, high packet loss is a sad reality for many satellite internet services, including Viasat. The physical distance between the player and the server, and potential interference from weather conditions and other factors, can result in high packet loss and negatively impact the gaming experience.

Internet Speed

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the average speed for gaming is 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads. Hence, with speeds ranging from 12 Mbps to 150 Mbps, Viasat offers enough speed to support most gaming activities, including downloading new games and updates. This allows gamers to enjoy their favorite games without any lag or delay. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, Viasat’s internet speeds are more than enough to provide an immersive and seamless gaming experience.

Data Caps

Think of data caps as the speed limit on a high-speed race track. Just as a speed limit restricts the speed of a sports car, data caps limit the amount of data you can use each month and impact your gaming experience.

Satellite internet providers are known for enforcing data caps. Therefore, Viasat’s Choice plans come with data caps that range from 60 GB to 500 GB. This wide range of data is enough for many gaming activities, such as playing online games, streaming gameplay, and downloading game updates.

The final selection depends on your gaming preferences. While casual gamers can enjoy their favorite games with Viasat’s initial plans, heavy gamers cannot. So, if you’re a serious gamer who likes to download large game files, you may need to choose a plan with a higher data cap to ensure a seamless gaming experience.

So rev up your engines and get ready for some high-speed gaming with Viasat. With its range of data caps, you can enjoy your favorite games without worrying about hitting the data limit finish line.

Games that Function Smoothly with Viasat Internet

While Viasat may not be the first option for avid gamers, it still allows you to play certain games. Most casual games, including children’s online games, mobile games, online board games, strategy turn-based games, and role-playing games (RPGs), function smoothly on Viasat’s high-speed internet. However, the performance of some live-action video games may not be up to par, and some first-person shooter (FPS) games may not work at all.

Despite these limitations, Viasat still provides a solid platform for various online games. So whether you’re looking to pass the time with a quick game of Candy Crush or delve into a complex RPG, Viasat’s internet speeds are ready to support your gaming adventures. Here are some games you can play on this internet service.

While the games in the above table work smoothly with this service, here are a few titles that have performance issues. You can still play these games, but you’ll have to adjust some settings and buy a plan with a high data limit.

Games That Do Not Perform Well with Viasat Internet

Unfortunately, you cannot play every game on this service. While Viasat internet provides ample support for many mobile games, it is unsuitable for demanding titles. One of the main reasons for this is its high latency. Some fast-paced games, such as first-person shooters (FPS) and live-action video games, rely heavily on quick reaction times and real-time communication between players. With high latency, these games may suffer from lag, making it difficult to compete and enjoy the game.

Additionally, Viasat’s data caps can also impact the performance of some games. Large file sizes and intensive online gameplay can quickly consume your monthly data allowance, leading to slowed speeds or additional charges. As a result, enjoying games with frequent online updates can be a bit challenging.

So, if you’re a serious gamer looking to experience the latest and greatest games at their full potential, Viasat may not be the best option. However, for those who enjoy more casual games and don’t mind some limitations, Viasat’s high-speed internet can still provide a solid platform for your gaming adventures.

Helpful Tips for Gamers Using Viasat Internet

To make the most of your Viasat internet for gaming, incorporate these tips into your gaming routine. These steps will help you fully immerse yourself in your favorite games and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.

Play During Off-Peak Hours

Playing during off-peak hours, such as late at night or early in the morning, can help reduce lag and improve your gaming experience. During these times, there is typically less internet traffic, which means your gaming data will have a clearer path to reach the servers.

Connect Directly to Your Router

Whenever possible, use an Ethernet cable to connect your gaming PC to your network directly instead of Wi-Fi. This direct link will provide a more stable and fast connection for gaming.

Wisely Schedule Your Gaming Updates

Plan your game updates for off-peak times or when you’re not playing. This will help you save data and prevent your network from slowing down during gaming sessions.

Close other Programs or Apps

Close any other programs or browser tabs that you’re not actively using. This move will reduce lag and free up your internet bandwidth for gaming.

Pause or Cancel Downloads

It is necessary to pause or even cancel downloads in some cases before you start gaming for optimal performance. This ensures that the files won’t hog all your bandwidth and slow down your internet speed.

Final Verdict 

Gaming enthusiasts often avoid satellite internet due to its notorious high latency rates. But Viasat is often the only option for those residing in remote areas. While it may not be perfect for competitive gaming, it still enables a decent gaming experience for casual players. Viasat’s high-speed internet packages and advanced satellite technology supports various popular mobile games. 

Hence, Viasat internet for gaming is a solid choice for people in rural areas who cannot access other options, but it may not be ideal for those seeking seamless and lag-free gaming experiences.

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