Does lag go away or gett better for unlimited members versus bas
 

My game lags often especially in battles, so I am wondering whether this will improve if I upgrade my account? I am currently in the seven day free fullscreen trial mode.

Much of the lag can be in the users end. Make sure you run POTC Online after a "clean boot" - do not open any other applications. You should also check your system tray for programs running in the background that are not necessary and are taking up resources.

There are several things you should be doing every couple of days such as clearing out all system cache/temp files by running disk cleanup (under accessories/system tools) and running disk defragmenter weekly. Ccleaner and defraggler (both are free) are excellent alternatives. You should also check and remove any spyware/malware by using either spybot search and destroy or SUPER Anti Spyware (both are free).

How much physical RAM your PC has, the CPU speed and the Video RAM will all have a huge impact on game performance. The faster the CPU and the more RAM, the better the performance.

There are plenty of good XP tweak sites on the Internet but I caution you not to do anything you are unsure of. Worst case you should be able to run a system restore to get back to your original configuration. I would recommend backing any crucial data prior to making changes. Even though you may have an awesome PC, there will still be some lag on the server end which you will have no control over. Switching servers can help with that most times.

*Also keep in mind...this is at your own risk... :) *

JUst search for some of the aboved mentioned and you should find some good info on how to do it.

You shouldn't notice a difference in lag between the full screen preview and unlimited access. If by ship battles you mean privateering, then it is almost impossible to avoid all of the lag. You may be able to reduce it though depending on your computer.

Akamystic made a great list for you to try. Try everything he suggested.

I have a few additions for you. In the Potco launcher try changing the directx and opengl settings. I have found that there is usually one setting that will reduce the lag a little in the game, but it is different for each computer. Also, play around with the in game graphic settings. Try both higher and lower settings. If you have a really good computer, higher graphics settings may reduce lag (it works for me, if I put graphics settings on low, my frame rate drops). It will probably take some trial ad error to find the perfect settings for your computer.

Hopefully our suggestions will hope you out.

I find alot of people trying to run high end games on low end computers, but if you have atleast a gig of RAM, and a processor that was made in the last 2 years; you should be able to tweak the graphics and lower them to get the game to play in a fairly stable condition. In addition to the good responses others have offered.... Some of the first things I ask a person who is experiencing a great deal of lag are:

- What kind of internet connection do you have?

No matter how fantastic of a system you have, if you are on dial up, the game is probably never going to be any better. If you dont have dial up and are on a DSL, Cable, or some sort of Antenna connection search for a speed test site and check your speeds. If you are on a wireless connection, you might try playing with a direct connection to you modem to cut some lag.

- What all are you doing while POTCO is running?

If you have movies/music/etc on download while playing the game, running some sort of instant messenger, or any thing else....shut it down. Doing to much at once is generally going to cause some sort of game lag.

Now, to answer your question if unlimited access will cut out some lag? I have found that the game seems to not load up as fast when you are on the (Basic Access) non-full screen view. This may just be me, but I think you can load the game up some what faster in the unlimited full screen view. This is just as far as the initial entry into a server goes, otherwise though I notice no real difference.

Larence Tuppington
:SkullBullet1:

Well, someday when technology is advanced enough lag won't exist. That's what we're hoping anyways.

I'm on a high end computer. My vista has 4GB of memory but I still have lag. It can be bad on full servers but it's not as bad as it was on my older computer.

If you have a really good computer then most of the lag will be on Disney's side, server lag. We all have to deal with lag, unless you're one of those people with an 8GB computer.

Lag won't go away by upgrading your account. It all depends on what computer you have and how bad the lag is on Disney's side. Don't expect a decrease in lag if you upgrade.

The more going on in the game the more I experience lag, as in PVP sailing. Going to a quieter server cuts down dramatically on the lag (though obviously may make it harder to find someone to PVP against).

Hmm The post I made got edited for some reason that was odd... Any how, I supplied a legit speed test site, but I am sure you can find one in a search engine any how.

Linking off-site locations with unknown potential issues is unapproved :) As you mention above though, Leon can locate several sites of his own choosing by doing a simple search :)

I still think the issue is the Video Card - Once you have CPU and Memory resolved, then Video Card Power is everything... espcially in this game because of the drawing it has to do (its not fancy, but POTCO code is not the most efficent program at graphics).

If your at anything less than 256MB Video Card, then Lag is a given - between 256 and 512MB it will be spoty - 512MB and up you still have issues in big crowds but most time its ok, and when I get my 1GB card - I'll let ya know ;)

I may be sliding a bit off topic here but I really wanted to know something.

How can I play on a playstation console with seven other people online and have no laf what-so-ever but there's so much lag on POCTO?

I can play hours and hours on end online and have no lag at all but if I play for just an hour on POCTO I can start freezing up. What makes it so there is no lag online on my console but there is on POCTO?

Applications written for consoles works a bit differently as its usually optimized to run on the target console.

Computer applications on the other hand, cannot be truly optimized to this degree as they target an infantismal combination of hardware components, and softwares.

Additionally, the game and graphics engines used will vary from one product to another which will add even further variance.

They in reality are not comparable, as although the root internal equipment/function is similar, all playstations have the same components, all computers do not.

Oh, I see. Thanks for tell me but one more question.(maybe)

Do you, from your knowledge, think that all computers will one day have the same components and be, theoretically speaking, perfect?

Just thinking, a lag free gameplay experience on the computer would be great.

I know this question wasn't directed towards me, but there will never be a "perfect" computer IMO. New hardware/software/general technology will always come with raised standards and expectations. With more and better technology constantly being developed, I don't think there will ever be a time when we can deem a computer "perfect."

Another way of looking at it.... ( I know it wasnt directed towards me either, but just trying to help out)

Your Playstation..X-Box etc are all technically "computers" sort of. But they are all designed the same. Now, a bit easier way of explaining things, say you are playing games with friends on your consoles connected to each other... One friend has a Playstation, another an X-Box, another an early 90's NES, and another an Atari.... That is kind of what we having going on in POTCO. There are people with probably 10-15 year old computers attempting to play the game, then people with medicore systems, then people with $5 grand systems that are the best you can get all connected together. All of them have different settings, different components, with the consoles connected together they're all the same, they interact with each other the same there is no difference to worry about there. Maybe this helped put things in a better picture, maybe it just cluttered things up even worse lol....

The question was answered pretty well by the previous two posters I think.

I would only add to what Commodore said in that.. as long as all systems playing the game are NOT the same, there will be issues.

To use part of his example.. 1 player has an old slow computer, another has a new cutting edge system. Since the game is basically a community of players. Those with systems that are slow to respond, keep the server waiting for data/responses, will actually drag down those with the new cutting edge systems. Its not always the system either, could be two new cutting edge systems, one with a laggy internet connection, the other with a blistering fast T1. The player on the T1's system is still having to wait for responses from the player on the laggy connection.

Kind of like saying.. your only as strong.. as your weakest link.
Slower less efficient systems will effect others around them regardless of how good the others around them computers are.

They do today - they are called Game Consoles :D

Competition, Innovation, Development and many other areas would come to a halt in a free market if suddenly you said "all makers will only use X chips with Y components" :)

This is where Game Consoles have been taking over the "Game World" - their consistant use of the same parts and configuration allow developers to make games easier with very few bugs or glitches. Computers have been losing this battle for years now - yet the one area they still hold onto is Online Worlds (because until recently - Consoles could not do this, they were just like non-networked computers).