Any idea what is causing in-game lag?

Happens only from time to time, usually game is running fine on my side. Normal ping, my case, is 60-90 ms.
Every now and then, however, it starts to go over 150-300, with records of up to 4.9k ms (that's about 5 whole seconds being stuck).

In the past, it happened that my char died from lag, a few times (unfriendly neighbours ); luckily I play softcore, so the loss was 5% or 20% (-2.5% loss on the spot, when body was recovered and another 2.5% to regain the lost xp; you get the drift for 20).

Now, the question is: what is causing in-game lag? And the subsequent question, ofc: can it be controlled / contained / fixed quickly, or even prevented somehow?
Questions go to those who do know the answers or have inside knowledge that can help.

You are all players of the game and know how annoying it is. Awaiting your opinions.

 

I have a few questions that may give me more information about your problem.

1. Does this happen playing other online games?
2. Do you use cable or wireless connection? (if wiereless, is your comp far away from modem? or full coverage?
3. Time since you made a complete virus scan from a competent antivirus company?
4. Do you have other stuff open that requires broadband when playing d2? specially download programs, even if nothing is downloading.

 

Hey Hammer,

Quick answers:
1. No, D2 is the only online game I play.
2. Cable, used to play on laptop some months ago, but WiFi signal was full -this wasn't the source of the problem.
3. The Win7 install on my desktop is fresh (~3 months) and I've been very careful about what I installed, websites I visit a.s.o. Besides, the lag I experience is only noticeable at times during a normal day (no pattern identified, though).
4. Plain No.

Apart from the answers to your questions, I am positive that the lag is server-side. Tested connections to official Europe bnet, using BnetEditor, and normal ping in that case is even lower, averaging around 40 ms, which - I would say - rules out a possible ISP issue as well.
My question was directed for you (admin fellows) to investigate whether there are server-side issues that may cause lag, that you guys could identify and do something about. I am sure I'm not the only one with a lag issue (I repeat, ONLY occasional), and have raised it to see whether something can be done about it.

 

Well the thing is. My normal ping is usually similar to yours. Ans it also spykes sometimes, but my spykes are 200-300ms not 1k+. I can still move my character aeround, maybe 1 second not responding.

On the other hand I do not know if everyone has this issue since HC would be full of lagg corpses and forum of lagg threads.

 

Ok, well I do play Hardcore all the time with a standard ping of 160-280 with spikes that can cause the odd heart flutter at times. (When I played Path of Exile HC I had almost the same pings)

We have a WiFi network (My Speed Test at it's best) at home with 5 computers and 4 smartphones all accessing the network so I do have to be constantly aware of my networks status. Often shouting "Who's watching You Tube?" But generally the family is considerate and will only Download TV series/ Steam Updates when I'm not actually in game.

However I have noticed lag - NOW Wait before I go there - Far too many people scream "Lag killed me" when in reality 95% of the time it is the lack of FHR and blatant panic, that kills a character (As an Alpha tester for Path of Exile, we explored this in depth.)

Ok right Lag. I do not have any information or access to this servers specifications etc. But I have noticed like Spinx the occasional spikey connection that I would swear was coming from "Server side". Mostly it also occurs during peak times when there are tons of people online. I just adjust my game play accordingly during those times.

There was one occasion where I was all up in Gix's neck convinced that the problem was server side until I discovered that the problem was an African one.

All in all I am happy with what we get for free.

Sorry Spinx - i just re-read my post and it's not really helpful other than supporting some of what you've said.

PS. For Interest sake I just did a Speed Test connecting To Iasi in Romania and another one For Londen UK Interesting results.

 

@Coldet Thanks, mate. I usually adjust my gameplay as well, in such circumstances. And I do play my ("goddamn" ) lightsorc with the 86% FHR BP, but this didn't help much when being around souls / blood lords / succubae, with occasional fana ++ being amp'ed, during a 1-4 seconds "blackout".
Did an Internet Speed Test too, my figures are 9.75 / 2.00 Mbps down / up speed, so I reckon this would rule out the possibility of a connection issue.

What I was trying to do, with this thread, is raise an issue that is real, I believe, to all players, truly annoying, and see if you, guys, with access to more info than regular players, can get to the root cause of it and find a working solution.

Don't take this as "bitching", I'm perfectly pleased as well with this free playhood; this is why I've been around for many months ongoing. But, again, if something can be done, with not much effort, to improve things, why not?