When preparing your multiplayer game built in Unreal Engine 5 for release, ensuring smooth, responsive network performance is essential. Here, we’ll explore the best settings for your DefaultEngine.ini and DefaultGame.ini files to maximize performance, reduce lag, and provide your players with a polished online experience.
Why Optimize Your Multiplayer Settings?
Multiplayer games depend heavily on network performance. Poor settings can cause lag spikes, rubber-banding, and jittery player movement. Properly configured settings ensure players experience crisp and seamless gameplay, improving overall game quality and player retention.
Recommended DefaultEngine.ini Settings
Copy and paste these optimized settings into your DefaultEngine.ini:
Breakdown of Key Settings
NetServerMaxTickRate=60: Ensures updates between the client and server happen frequently enough for fluid gameplay, critical for fast-paced games.
MaxClientRate & MaxInternetClientRate=200000: Balances responsiveness and bandwidth usage, ensuring smooth performance even on modest internet connections.
- ConfiguredInternetSpeed & ConfiguredLanSpeed=20000: Realistic values that match common broadband speeds, optimizing network performance for a broad player base.
Recommended DefaultGame.ini Console Variables for Smoothness
Insert these into your DefaultGame.ini to fine-tune the client-side smoothing:
Explanation of Console Variables
p.NetEnableSmoothing=1 & p.NetSmoothingMode=1: Activates linear smoothing, providing predictable and stable interpolation of player movement.
net.InterpTime=0.1: Slightly aggressive smoothing to minimize lag without introducing noticeable “snap” corrections.
net.MaxSmoothUpdateDistance & net.MaxSmoothUpdateDistanceSquared: These matched values control interpolation distances, preventing sudden movement snaps that can occur from network inconsistencies.
Benefits of Using These Settings
Reduced Lag & Rubber-Banding: Players experience smoother gameplay with fewer noticeable corrections from the server.
Optimized Bandwidth: Efficiently manages network usage, ensuring the game remains responsive without unnecessary bandwidth overhead.
Improved Player Experience: Enhanced responsiveness and stability lead to better reviews, higher player retention, and increased satisfaction.
Conclusion
Implementing these carefully tested Unreal Engine 5 network settings into your multiplayer project helps guarantee the smooth, high-quality gameplay that players expect from modern online games. By optimizing these configurations, you’ll set your multiplayer game up for success upon its Steam release and beyond.