Evolve’s great big pre-launch beta has kicked off on the Xbox One. While we anxiously wait for our downloads to complete so we can get in on the beta this weekend, reports coming in have been mixed. Those playing close to the game’s servers are mostly having a pretty good time, while those a little further seem to be having more than a few connection issues, matchmaking problems and long waits to get in to lobbies. This sort of thing doesn’t usually bode well for local players. Usually, it means that we have to deal with lag compensation, high latencies to servers and as a result, a diminished experience. Here’s some good news.
While the current beta code doesn’t provision for the sort of peer-to-peer networking we’ve dealt with as console players for ages now, the final game will indeed allow players to host their own games. That means that provided your host has a decent line, you’ll be able to play local games, with local players and have them run like butter.
“Evolve will have peer to peer at launch but this feature is disabled in the Beta while we’re testing the servers,” a 2K rep told us.
It means you shouldn’t be too disheartened if you’ve managed to bypass the geographical restriction to secure access to the current beta (or the impending PC and PS4 technical tests) and have a sub-par experience because your connection to the servers isn’t as good as it ought to be. Unlike games like Gears of War, any host advantages shouldn’t make too much of a difference. While it’s not as elegant or effective a solution as having locally hosted dedicated servers, it does mean that the game will function properly for most of us – which is better than it not appearing on shelves at all.
As for the other big connectivity option? Yes, we’re trying to find out from 2K if the game will support LAN play. It’s a game that would be perfectly suited to the environment, so it’s something I certainly hope happens.
Last Updated: January 16, 2015
HairyEwok
January 16, 2015 at 07:39
Makes sense. It wouldn’t be a server technical and stress test if everybody went and made their own mini server for friends to join.
Gavin Mannion
January 16, 2015 at 07:53
I think servers would generally better if you are close enough to one so the top half of the planet would likely prefer servers..
I’m just happy they have thought about us down south this time.
Hammersteyn
January 16, 2015 at 07:48
We so desperately need to have our internet overhauled. Right after they’re done with Eskom. Right?
HairyEwok
January 16, 2015 at 08:03
And that would be when then? By the time most of us are retired and eating food from a straw.
Hammersteyn
January 16, 2015 at 08:15
Those are the best foods
Jonah Cash
January 16, 2015 at 08:37
We don’t even have money for Eskom, let alone Telkom!! But yeah read an article yesterday that they are planning on selling Government owned things to give Eskom R20bn… What is the chance that they sell Telkom? That is the only way that we might get closer to the first world!!
Admiral Chief
January 16, 2015 at 07:55
AWESOME
Admiral Chief
January 16, 2015 at 07:56
Dude, if this game had LAN, it will be a moerse milestone in gaming!
CAMAAAAAN GUYS MAKE IT SO!!!! BE “THAT” COMPANY!!!
HairyEwok
January 16, 2015 at 08:06
The whole of South Africa would support THAT company for sure, and other countries would follow up with either highly priced internet and/or low quality internet. I can just image when a US kid loads the game and sees this LAN option. He would go crazy not knowing what it is.
RinceThis
January 16, 2015 at 08:16
Ah, you already got there 🙂
Kensei Seraph
January 16, 2015 at 08:43
I can just imagine going to a 20 person LAN and seeing everyone breaking into groups of 5 just to play this.
It would (will dammit!) be glorious.
Admiral Chief
January 16, 2015 at 08:44
Awwww jissss, let it be so!!!
RinceThis
January 16, 2015 at 08:16
LAN it dammit!
Jonah Cash
January 16, 2015 at 08:33
How is it that Destiny works in SA? All the games so far that are online can’t work here but Destiny is mostly good!! So is it better code, or just luck?
Kensei Seraph
January 16, 2015 at 08:38
I was wondering the same thing about PS2.
My connection is BAD (in red upper-case letters) and I still get no discernible lag so why is it that other games are unplayable.
Admiral Chief
January 16, 2015 at 08:45
IKR, what server are you playing?
Kensei Seraph
January 16, 2015 at 08:47
Weirdly enough I have a Cobalt Vanu and Cobalt Red (I forget the name).
I’ll be joining you on NC this weekend though.
So far Medic is my favourite class since I have a perfect excuse to hide behind everyone and I’m not very accurate at long range sniping.
Admiral Chief
January 16, 2015 at 08:50
I’m extremely deadly as the infiltrator.
I’m on each faction
TheAdmiralChief (NC)
TheAdmiralChiefT (TR)
TheAdmiralChiefV (VS)
These days I only play NC
Jonah Cash
January 16, 2015 at 08:52
I really hope someone can tell me!! I also have an iffy line in PvP in Destiny but it does still work!!
Mossel
January 16, 2015 at 08:42
Downloading the Beta as we speak!
Admiral Chief
January 16, 2015 at 08:47
Same here, how far are you?
Mossel
January 16, 2015 at 11:16
Just checked…like 2% haha!