Reduce lag, what can you do to help

Artanis · Post by **Artanis** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 11:18 am

I thought this would be a good time to make a thread available with ways players can help reduce the lag on NS.

From what I understand if there is an area with a lot of loot left all over it will increase the workload on the server since it has to track and monitor each drop. One thing I am not sure of is if you pick up part of the loot, say the gold and gems but leave armor or other heavy items, will having a loot pile with fewer items help at all. I know when I play a wizard I can barely carry my own gear much less any extra and even if I don’t need money anymore I will always check every loot pile and at least take the gold and any very light items.

So my suggestion, loot as much as possible, I have run through areas and seem a lot of bags left on the ground and upon inspection just find something like 1 corkscrew. Especially if it is light items put them in containers and sell when you can. Perhaps the devs can make indestructible trash containers in each area (no idea if this is a lot of work) that way even if something is too heavy players can just carry them a short distance and dispose of them.

Any other suggestion, please post below and if I made any mistakes feel free to correct me.

Smatchy-mo · Post by **Smatchy-mo** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 1:45 pm

I once played on a server that had a script that destroyed everything on the ground every hour or half hour or something like that...

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 4:36 pm

The NS4 clean-up script (usually) executes every time someone leaves an area. Since you need to leave an area to have it respawn, areas get swept clean quite often. Bags can't build up as it's only possible to have a single spawning's worth on the ground at any given time.

Artanis · Post by **Artanis** » Tue Jul 20, 2004 4:51 pm

Then if I enter an area that there are no other PC and loot is on the ground this is a bug or problem with the script not firing correctly? I am guessing that this would be related to the times when an area would stop spawning. If that is the case and an area gets wiped when the last person leaves then my suggestion above would be purely up to peoples discretion since any extra loot will be gone moments after the area is empty.

Besides this point, I enjoy this world and if there was a way to help improve server stability i would like to hear it. If someone more knowledgeable then me would give their suggestions. It may be a minor thing that everyone can do while IG that makes a difference... then again I may be way off but figured it was worth asking.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:10 am

Artanis wrote:Then if I enter an area that there are no other PC and loot is on the ground this is a bug or problem with the script not firing correctly? I am guessing that this would be related to the times when an area would stop spawning. If that is the case and an area gets wiped when the last person leaves then my suggestion above would be purely up to peoples discretion since any extra loot will be gone moments after the area is empty.

Yep, that's exactly what is happening. When a character dies and respawns to a bind point on another server, the monster spawning & loot clean-up scripts stop working.

BTW - was able to confirm this last night by killing someone on server 1 who didn't want to hoof it back to Avendell. They map we did this on stopped spawning & clearing for the rest of the evening.

LadyCheron · Post by **LadyCheron** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 7:50 am

One clarification - loot IN BAGS or other containers will despawn (assuming the script is working). Individual items dropped on the ground are not subject to the despawn scripts, and the server database has to remember them all. So if you don't want that heavy suit of armour, leave it in the bag or chest, don't pick it up and drop it separately.

On the topic of what can be done to reduce load on the server -- don't shout. Each shout has to be delivered to every player on that server. According to Lokey, when the number of players gets high, shout can seriously affect server performance. If someone shouts a question, reply in tell mode.

Artanis · Post by **Artanis** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 11:00 am

Thanks for the update. On a server where shouts are constant it makes sense why there is some performance loss. On loot, many times I have run out of room in inventory and containers (on my fighter) if there is loot on the ground can i take any excess items and put them in loot bags so they will be erased when that area resets?

I know it seems I am pressing this but I think just a couple minor changes in the way we play can increase the stability of the server and reduce lag, making it more enjoyable for everyone (and find bugs

).

Throst54 · Post by **Throst54** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:57 pm

this really does sound like an NS# thread.... where is TGPO w/ his like 3 page commentary on how to reduce lag and what does/doesnt create lag!? hehehe

JesterOI · Post by **JesterOI** » Wed Jul 21, 2004 2:18 pm

Yeh, I would be very interested in that 3 page commentary, could you post it please TGPO?

AndrewCarr · Post by **AndrewCarr** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 3:11 am

Don't use spells with constant vfx

Besides that, brynsaar(http://www.brynsaar.com i believe) removes the vfx for most spells that are buffs, which i'd think would help a lot. Not sure if it'd require a hak though.