Latency Sensitivity

• Qualitative assertion: Low latency and jitter are desirable for real-time, interactive games

• Quantitative assessments: Are rare, yet useful to ISPs and game hosting companies

  • What is the latency radius within which I'll find my primary population of players?
  • Correlate observed player activity with network conditions

• Specific context: Quake III Arena, a networked, multiplayer 'first person shooter' (FPS) game

  • Fast-paced, seemed likely to be sensitive to network conditions
  • Players are aware of 'ping' times during game
  • I liked it at the time