Every Brawl Stars player knows the excitement of a new update. This is especially the case when there are new characters and features involved. However, most players have noticed that just after an update (especially a major one), servers feel extra slow.
Understanding the root causes behind these issues can help manage your expectations, minimize frustration, and improve your overall gaming experience. With that in mind, here’s exactly what happens behind the scenes and why servers might feel slower than usual.
Bugs and glitches introduced by updates
Every update brings new code into the mix, and with new code comes the potential for new problems. Even though the developers test updates extensively, some issues only become apparent when the update goes live. These unexpected glitches can mess with the server’s stability, leading to slower response times.
Keep in mind that some of these changes also leave servers exposed to new threats. This is why proper server antivirus protection is more important during these updates than at any other time.
Not every new feature is perfectly optimized right out of the gate. Sometimes, these additions can be resource-heavy or interact poorly with existing systems, bogging down the servers. This lack of optimization can result in lag, stuttering, or other issues that make the game feel sluggish after an update.
It’s not uncommon for old bugs to reappear after an update, especially if they’re related to parts of the game that were changed. These bugs can create new server-side demands as the game tries to cope with the reintroduced issues, which can, in turn, slow down overall performance and frustrate players.
When bugs and glitches arise, they often put extra pressure on the servers as they try to manage these new problems. This increased load can strain the system, leading to slower performance across the board. Even minor bugs can have a ripple effect, impacting how smoothly the game runs for everyone.
Server overload from increased traffic
When a new update drops, players flood the servers to check out the latest content. This sudden rush can overwhelm the system, as everyone wants to be the first to experience the changes. After all, with each change, everything from builds to tier lists changes. With so many players logging in at once, the servers can struggle to keep up, leading to noticeable slowdowns.
The moment an update is live, thousands, if not millions, of players try to log in simultaneously. This spike in logins can bottleneck the server’s capacity, making it harder for everyone to connect smoothly. As a result, you might experience longer load times or even be unable to get into the game.
Brawl Stars’ servers are built to handle a lot, but they’re not invincible. When updates roll out, the server infrastructure is pushed to its limits. Even if it usually runs smoothly, the extra load from updates can stretch resources thin, causing lag and other performance issues that affect gameplay.
With the surge in activity after an update, connection issues are almost inevitable. These hiccups can make the game feel slower than usual, whether it’s longer matchmaking times or lag during matches. These temporary issues often resolve once the initial wave of activity dies down, but they can be frustrating in the meantime.
Higher data processing demands
With each update, new features and content are added to the game, often requiring more data to be processed. Sure, sometimes old data gets deleted or rewritten, but sometimes, things are just added to the game. It’s not like new characters, skins, or game modes make all the old ones obsolete. These will increase the amount of information the servers need to handle, leading to slower processing speeds and longer load times.
Updates often introduce new background processes that the servers need to run continuously. These can include things like tracking player stats, managing new in-game events, or handling more complex matchmaking algorithms. While these processes are essential, they can also slow down server performance, making the game feel less responsive.
As Brawl Stars evolves, so do the algorithms that power it. These algorithms become more complex with each update, handling everything from player matchmaking to in-game mechanics. While this complexity adds depth to the game, it also demands more from the servers, which can lead to slower performance, especially right after an update.
The combination of new data, background processes, and complex algorithms puts significant strain on server resources. Even with optimizations, the servers have to work harder to keep up with the game’s demands after each update. The strain can manifest as slower load times, lag, or even server crashes in extreme cases.
Server maintenance and adjustments
After an update goes live, the developers often need to make additional tweaks to ensure everything runs smoothly. These adjustments, while necessary, can put extra pressure on the servers. During this period of fine-tuning, players might experience slower performance as the servers are being continuously adjusted and optimized.
When bugs or glitches are discovered after an update, live fixes are often deployed to address them. While these fixes help resolve problems quickly, they can also temporarily slow down the servers as they’re implemented. This can result in brief periods where the game feels slower, even as issues are being fixed.
After an update, the server load may need to be rebalanced to handle the new demands effectively. This process can involve redistributing resources or adjusting how data is processed, which can cause temporary slowdowns. While necessary for long-term stability, these adjustments can make the game feel less responsive immediately after an update.
Sometimes, updates require brief periods of server downtime or reduced capacity. Even if this downtime is minimal, it can affect the server’s response time as it gets back up to full speed. Players might notice slower matchmaking or delayed in-game actions during this recovery phase, contributing to the perception of slower servers.
Impact of anti-cheat and security measures
After an update, there’s often a heightened focus on security to prevent cheating or exploits. This means the servers are running more frequent and thorough checks, which can slow things down. While these security measures are crucial, they can also make the game feel slower, as the servers take extra time to ensure everything is safe and fair.
With each update, new vulnerabilities might be introduced, leading to an increase in server-side monitoring for cheats. This constant vigilance, while necessary, can take up server resources, leading to slower performance. Players might experience more lag or delays as the servers work overtime to keep the game fair and secure.
A significant portion of server resources is dedicated to running anti-cheat tools, especially after an update when the new cheats might be developed. These tools, while essential, can divert resources away from other aspects of the game, leading to slower overall performance and longer wait times during matches.
As the servers run more security checks to prevent cheating, response times can slow down. These checks are vital for maintaining the integrity of the game, but they can also lead to delays in matchmaking or in-game actions. This is particularly noticeable right after an update when security protocols are most stringent.
Slow servers after an update are nothing out of the ordinary
While it’s always frustrating when an online game lags (or any game, for that matter), it’s important that you remember that these issues are often temporary. Server overload, new bugs, increased data processing, and enhanced security measures will all play a role in these slowdowns. By understanding the complexities involved, you’ll be able to appreciate the changes without feeling like you’re being cheated out of a valuable gaming experience.