If you are involved in esports, you may have experienced or witnessed the term lag being used by players, commentators, or fans. But what does it mean, and how does it affect the gameplay and quality of different esports titles? In this article, we will explain the meaning of lag, its origin, and some examples of how it is used in esports.
What is lag in esports?
Lag is a term used in esports to describe the slowdown in game response due to high latency. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel between a source and a destination, such as between a player’s device and a game server. The higher the latency, the longer the delay in game response. The lower the latency, the faster the game response. Lag is a crucial factor in esports, as it can influence the performance, accuracy, or fairness of a game.
The term lag comes from the computer networking field, where it is used as a technical term for the delay in data transmission or processing. The term lag was popularized by the online gaming community, where it is used as a slang term for the negative effects of high latency on game performance or quality. The term lag soon became a common term in esports, and it is still widely used today.
How is lag measured and minimized in esports?
Lag is usually measured by the ping, which is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from a source to a destination and back again. Ping is usually expressed in milliseconds (ms), and it is often displayed in game interfaces or tools. For example, in League of Legends, the ping is shown in the top right corner of the screen, and it can be checked by pressing Ctrl+F. In general, the lower the ping, the better the game experience. The higher the ping, the worse the game experience.
Lag can be minimized by various methods, such as using a wired connection instead of a wireless one, closing other applications or programs that may consume bandwidth or resources, or choosing a game server that is closer to the player’s location. However, lag can also be caused by factors that are beyond the player’s control, such as the game’s design, optimization, or maintenance, or the internet service provider’s quality, reliability, or congestion. Therefore, lag can sometimes be unavoidable or unpredictable in esports.
While the term lag is applicable to any online game, it may have different impacts or implications depending on the game and the context. Here are some examples of how lag is used in different esports genres:
In First-Person Shooter (FPS) games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, or Overwatch, lag is used to describe the discrepancy or inconsistency between what the player sees on their screen and what actually happens in the game. In FPS games, lag is typically a disadvantage for the player, as it can affect their aim, reaction, or movement. Lag can also cause frustration or confusion for the player, as they may miss shots, die unexpectedly, or see enemies teleporting or rubber-banding. Some examples of lag effects or terms in FPS games are hit registration, peeker’s advantage, or lag compensation.
In Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or Heroes of the Storm, lag is used to describe the delay or interruption in the player’s commands or actions. In MOBA games, lag is typically a disadvantage for the player, as it can affect their timing, coordination, or execution. Lag can also cause annoyance or anger for the player, as they may fail to cast spells, miss skillshots, or lose teamfights. Some examples of lag effects or terms in MOBA games are input lag, packet loss, or disconnect.
In Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games, such as StarCraft, Age of Empires, or Warcraft, lag is used to describe the slowdown or freezing of the game or the system. In RTS games, lag is typically a disadvantage for the player, as it can affect their speed, efficiency, or multitasking. Lag can also cause stress or panic for the player, as they may fall behind in economy, production, or technology. Some examples of lag effects or terms in RTS games are frame rate, stuttering, or desync.
What are some examples of lag players or moments in esports?
To illustrate the concept of lag further, here are some examples of famous lag players or moments in esports:
In League of Legends, one of the most notorious lag players is Enrique “xPeke” Cedeño Martínez, who is widely regarded as one of the best mid laners of all time. xPeke is known for his incredible skill, creativity, and clutch ability. He is also known for his infamous backdoor play, where he managed to destroy the enemy nexus while dodging the enemy team’s attacks, despite having a high ping of over 200 ms. This lag play stunned the crowd and the commentators, and it helped his team, Fnatic, win the game and advance to the semifinals of the 2013 Intel Extreme Masters Katowice tournament.
In CS:GO, one of the most iconic lag moments is the olofboost, which occurred in the 2014 DreamHack Winter Major. In the quarterfinals, Fnatic was facing LDLC, and the game was very close and tense. In the 13th round, Fnatic’s Olof “olofmeister” Kajbjer Gustafsson decided to use a pixel boost, which allowed him to see and shoot the enemies from an unexpected angle, while being almost invisible to them. This lag exploit gave Fnatic a huge advantage and allowed them to win the round, the game, and eventually the tournament. However, this lag exploit also sparked a huge controversy and a backlash from the community, as it was considered as unfair and unsportsmanlike.
In StarCraft, one of the most controversial lag moments is the Life vs. Maru match, which occurred in the 2015 StarCraft II StarLeague Season 1. In the semifinals, Lee “Life” Seung Hyun was facing Cho “Maru” Seong Ju, and the game was very exciting and intense. In the fifth game, Life was about to win the game and the series, when Maru suddenly paused the game and claimed that he was experiencing lag. The game was then resumed after a long delay, and Maru managed to turn the game around and win the game and the series. This lag pause caused a lot of suspicion and criticism from the fans and the analysts, as it was seen as a deliberate or a dishonest attempt to disrupt Life’s momentum and concentration.
To Sum Up
The term lag is a term used in esports to describe the slowdown in game response due to high latency. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel between a source and a destination, such as between a player’s device and a game server. The higher the latency, the longer the delay in game response. The lower the latency, the faster the game response. Lag is a crucial factor in esports, as it can influence the performance, accuracy, or fairness of a game.
The term lag comes from the computer networking field, where it is used as a technical term for the delay in data transmission or processing. The term lag was popularized by the online gaming community, where it is used as a slang term for the negative effects of high latency on game performance or quality. The term lag soon became a common term in esports, and it is still widely used today.