The latest on game performance

[Cordovan]

From Severlin, Executive Producer, Dungeons & Dragons Online:

We have been hard at work gathering and analyzing data on DDO to track down these lag spikes that have been plaguing the game. Although we tracked it down to a memory handling issue, it took a bit to figure out what was gobbling up so much memory. We’ve identified an issue where one of these systems was using far more resources than intended. This caused the game to trigger what’s called “garbage collection”, a cleanup process that was unfortunately creating many of the lag spikes you’ve been experiencing.

We are hard at work on a new patch to alleviate these symptoms. Once we deal with this source of lag, we can begin to go through the smaller sources and address those as they are hiding behind this larger issue. Our goal is not only to fix the immediate problem but to improve overall stability going forward.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the fixes will be ready for this week.

I know it's been rough, but we’ll continue to keep you updated as we make progress. Thanks for you support during this time.

Sev

 

[Biggdaddy]

Thank you for posting that update here.

 

[Kyloz]

I have no problem waiting for the game to be fixed. The game is mostly playable during non-peak hours. However, I do not understand why there hasn't been significant compensation. Why do we not have a global xp buff on during these laggy times? It takes almost double the time to level because of the lag, so why do we not have bare minimum a 50% xp boost? It could even be 100%. Do so many people buy XP potions that it's so unprofitable to give us an XP boost while the game is freezing and lagging so much?

 

[Buddha5440]

First you fix the problem...Then you look into compensation. Doing it the other way is horrible practice.

 

[Arkat]

Thank you for posting that update here.

Severlin posted his update on Discord at 7:20 PM MDT, so about an hour and a half before it was posted here.

 

[Blerkington]

I have no problem waiting for the game to be fixed. The game is mostly playable during non-peak hours. However, I do not understand why there hasn't been significant compensation.

Stand by for a small, short-lived xp buff and voucher codes for hair dye and sonic resist potions.

 

[Kyloz]

First you fix the problem...Then you look into compensation. Doing it the other way is horrible practice.

We should have some compensation to help us get through the lag, to motivate us to keep playing. Then the larger compensation, like the code at the end. I would be a lot less upset about the lag if I thought "well, it may take a long time for me to complete quests due to lag, but at least I am getting extra XP to make up for the time wasted"

 

[wolfridr]

One would have to agree... Game has been unplayable at night since the server transfer we were forced to do. Will I get an extension on my ddo subscription? How about some free xp potions for all the time I am wasting. I've supported the game since litterally day 1, I do expect some serious compensation. Between the new expansion and ddo points.abd my vip subscription, I've done my part to support the company... I want to see you succeed. I love this game but I certainly haven't enjoyed it at all over the last month. I know that I am not the only one that feels like this...

 

[Roper]

Wow, thanks @Cordovan but ... nevermind. I've no interest in being perma-banned again.

It's ridiculous the Executive Producer cannot post here, themselves/their self.

So Discord is the go-to for news, now?

 

[Grimscore_Riffstorm]

So Discord is the go-to for news, now?

Discord is way faster than the forums.

 

[Roper]

Discord is way faster than the forums.

No it's not. It's an alternative.

 

[Blunt Hackett]

Thanks for keeping us updated. I hope it works well. Please consider another server or two. While the memory handling needs improvement, it has been abundantly clear that the game runs better below a certain population threshold.

 

[svenofnein]

How about you do your server maintenance starting around 4:30pm EST since the game isn't playable from then until later at night. Yes I am taking a very East Coast 'Merican slant on this.

 

[Grimscore_Riffstorm]

No it's not. It's an alternative.

It has a faster response time. It has a faster engagement rate. It has a faster resolution time. It has a faster notification speed. It has a higher content creation rate. It has higher user retention. It's an exponentially better alternative.

 

[Villefere]

Only took them a week to respond to the game breaking lag during the launch of an expansion, impressive. Everyone at SSG should give themselves a pat on the back.

 

[Balegdah]

Was a little communication that hard? Jeez. Ty Sev

 

[Svirfneblin]

Thank you Severlin.

Could we ask for an update from you once a week on the forums?

It *really* means a lot the customers. We're talking about it for the last hour here and are glad to hear from you!

 

[Stellsbelles]

As I said in the Pax West post, we not getting a fix at least not until next week or so. This makes it almost 2 weeks now that the issues have been horrible. I hope they extend VIP days at least for time lost. Don't get me wrong, I am glad they are at least responding finally, and giving a suedo update, even though they are pushing for the PAX event.

 

[Roper]

It has a faster response time. It has a faster engagement rate. It has a faster resolution time. It has a faster notification speed. It has a higher content creation rate. It has higher user retention. It's an exponentially better alternative.

Faster, as in: Real-time? The forums can do that too. I know it's *hard* to wait a minute.

DISAGREE it's "exponentially" better, considering this is Ground Zero. AKA, a Forum. Ya know, the thing all games have.

 

[Buddha5440]

Thank you Severlin.

Could we ask for an update from you once a week on the forums?

It *really* means a lot the customers. We're talking about it for the last hour here and are glad to hear from you!

What if there is nothing to update? How does coming here and saying 'we're working on it' weekly help?

They found something they believe is a major concern and are now working on fixing it and they let us know. Yes it was on Discord first but it is also here on the forums. I'd much rather they focus on the work needed to fix the lag than just constantly telling us they are working on it.