We are getting closer to our new servers.
https://i.imgur.com/m76G1xY.png
We're looking at tentatively March 31st for when the swap will take place. We'll post for sure when that's a bit more locked in, as there will be significant downtime (between 4 and 8 hours as long as it all goes smoothly.
I just want to take a moment to go over everything we have done in the last few weeks. We've been monitoring our systems, which create a little bit of lag, but we've been able to find areas where the game was bogged down. We've tweaked several major systems and introduced the invoker so that we could measure metrics on our spells, as this was one of the areas we tried to improve performance.
We increased efficiency in a number of areas that reduced strain (which resulted in lag) on the game. There are still areas needing improvement, but we're a long ways from what we were seeing in January and February. I realize that everyone has different experiences, but strictly talking about in-game lag, it's not happening as often as it was. There are a number of areas where lag will still occur. Rooms with many players, the command queue, movement, and the room window. Localized lag is a thing, like the front end crashing or freezing. There were also a number of ISP related issues this month that cropped up. We also had some server work going on (the Store, website, etc). We will continue to work on these areas where we can to improve the game for everyone.
As for the invoker, it was put out, unannounced, to see how it would go. This being out all the time is not a permanent feature. It will move toward a schedule when it comes around and possible only be around for special cases. It will not be anything behind the SimuCoin Store.
I'll post more across our platforms (and email) when we know more about our scheduled downtime.
Wyrom, PM
SIMU-WYROM
NAAMIT
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/23/2021 08:20 PM CDT
Thanks for the research and optimizations, Staff -- Especially the trash collection in OTF. It feels much less laggy this week than it has for many weeks (months!) prior.
Some lady softly says, "Naamit is over-rated."
You reply, speaking to the lady, "At least I have ratings."
Some lady softly says, "Naamit is over-rated."
You reply, speaking to the lady, "At least I have ratings."
SJOSEPH
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/23/2021 08:31 PM CDT
On a scale of 1 to 10 how bad will it be if someone trips and spills their coffee on one of those?
PETERSONP1
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/23/2021 08:58 PM CDT
<<As for the invoker, it was put out, unannounced, to see how it would go. This being out all the time is not a permanent feature. It will move toward a schedule when it comes around and possible only be around for special cases. It will not be anything behind the SimuCoin Store.
Thanks for all the updates and the improved gameplay experience. Perhaps I'm in the minority with this opinion, but I am disappointed to hear the invoker is going away, as I appreciate the convenience and availability. As someone whose schedule can be off from "regular hours", with limited time, syncing up with other players can be difficult.
Thanks for all the updates and the improved gameplay experience. Perhaps I'm in the minority with this opinion, but I am disappointed to hear the invoker is going away, as I appreciate the convenience and availability. As someone whose schedule can be off from "regular hours", with limited time, syncing up with other players can be difficult.
DIEHLS
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/23/2021 11:27 PM CDT
I would argue the case for more Inovkers in game. The invoker has been a great QOL feature for casual players and actually been fostering roleplay as people aren’t worried about their spells running out.
BURTNETTJ
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/24/2021 05:28 AM CDT
I'm down with all of this.
Thanks for the update, and all the fun.
Cheers.
Thanks for the update, and all the fun.
Cheers.
REEPHERZ
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/24/2021 06:37 AM CDT
I'm not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed when looking at the picture you posted, and not seeing a climate controlled room with rows and rows of server stacks, something that would rival the control center of a las vegas casino. but hey I guess hamsters need to work too.
seriously though,thanks for working so hard for us.
seriously though,thanks for working so hard for us.
LAWRONIUS
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/24/2021 01:51 PM CDT
Thank you for all the work done behind the scenes to help make the game more stable and to combat the issues of lag. It's been great seeing the player numbers continuing to go up and up, and I'm glad that the game systems are being optimized to help handle everything smoother. I know a lot of that work is invisible to the players, but it's really appreciated.
"I would argue the case for more Inovkers in game. The invoker has been a great QOL feature for casual players and actually been fostering roleplay as people aren’t worried about their spells running out. "
^^^ I 100% agree with all of this, it's an added convenience that makes the game more fun to play and role-play easier to do without constantly worrying about it negatively impacting the ability to hunt with the ticking clock mechanics of spell buffs. I can't speak for everyone, but my enjoyment in the game went up in all regards, knowing I had access to the invoker.
"I would argue the case for more Inovkers in game. The invoker has been a great QOL feature for casual players and actually been fostering roleplay as people aren’t worried about their spells running out. "
^^^ I 100% agree with all of this, it's an added convenience that makes the game more fun to play and role-play easier to do without constantly worrying about it negatively impacting the ability to hunt with the ticking clock mechanics of spell buffs. I can't speak for everyone, but my enjoyment in the game went up in all regards, knowing I had access to the invoker.
SIMU-WYROM
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/24/2021 01:55 PM CDT
>>I'm not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed when looking at the picture you posted, and not seeing a climate controlled room with rows and rows of server stacks, something that would rival the control center of a las vegas casino. but hey I guess hamsters need to work too.
The game is at a CoLo, so it's closer to that description! These are being built at Simu HQ!
Wyrom, PM
The game is at a CoLo, so it's closer to that description! These are being built at Simu HQ!
Wyrom, PM
BRIJADE
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/24/2021 07:10 PM CDT
I'd like to see the invoker around more, too, as well as relatives in other towns. Most of mine are in the EN, but I have a few little ones in the Landing. I never play them because it's so hard to find spells sometimes. Having the invoker there took away that concern, and I've actually logged them in more in the last couple of weeks than I had for a long time.
FIRENSIA
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/24/2021 08:02 PM CDT
In the distant past... I remember one major shutdown where there was a very complex apocalyptic scene that played out over 5 minutes or so. It was huge by comparison to anything I had ever seen. Apocalypse horsemen rode out like it was the end of the world, along with the usual warnings about the shutdown. I hope you have something equally amazing in store for us, in terms of game messaging. :D Although I'm sure there were at least 40,000 complaints from the OOG Naysayers. So maybe nevermind the apocalypse idea.
But if monster bunnies hop out from the shadows and eat the whole world, etc, it won't hurt my feelings.
::hop:: ::Hop:: ::HOP:: Beware the Wild Soliere. ::wiggles her cottonball costume tail::
from Soliere's player
who really enjoyed that apocalyptic shutdown
But if monster bunnies hop out from the shadows and eat the whole world, etc, it won't hurt my feelings.
::hop:: ::Hop:: ::HOP:: Beware the Wild Soliere. ::wiggles her cottonball costume tail::
from Soliere's player
who really enjoyed that apocalyptic shutdown
FIRENSIA
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/24/2021 08:31 PM CDT
Someone a moment ago said:
> I'd like to see the invoker around more, too, as well as relatives in other towns.
Ditto. Although I don't mind if it is limited to a particular schedule, as long as it is easy to know when.
In my dream game, several times a year, I would wake up and there would be a very in-my-face system message in my game window that
* SURPRISE * The sandman has spelled you up TO THE MAX. Enjoy. From Simutronics.
I can dream, right.
Soliere's player
1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep, 4 sheep, ... A Spellup Oasis ... ZZzzZZzzZzZzZzzzzz........
> I'd like to see the invoker around more, too, as well as relatives in other towns.
Ditto. Although I don't mind if it is limited to a particular schedule, as long as it is easy to know when.
In my dream game, several times a year, I would wake up and there would be a very in-my-face system message in my game window that
* SURPRISE * The sandman has spelled you up TO THE MAX. Enjoy. From Simutronics.
I can dream, right.
Soliere's player
1 sheep, 2 sheep, 3 sheep, 4 sheep, ... A Spellup Oasis ... ZZzzZZzzZzZzZzzzzz........
MITCH928
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/25/2021 09:57 AM CDT
I agree with this statement. The invoker has been an amazing addition to the game and I'm highly disappointed to see it gone. I find myself interacting with others more often in an RP fashion because I'm not worrying about my spells ticking away.
DIEHLS
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/25/2021 09:07 PM CDT
I'm glad that the Invoker is not gone altogether, but is on a schedule.
I know this is not a change that could be mad over night, but maybe until limiting it by a schedule limit the number of times a character could use the invoker. The thing about the invoker than was great was she worked on your schedule. Something to consider. She absolutely created a mechanical freedom to go roleplay.
I know this is not a change that could be mad over night, but maybe until limiting it by a schedule limit the number of times a character could use the invoker. The thing about the invoker than was great was she worked on your schedule. Something to consider. She absolutely created a mechanical freedom to go roleplay.
SIMU-WYROM
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/26/2021 12:18 AM CDT
Couple questions were brought up on our socials (Facebook and Discord) that I felt were better addressed here.
The servers aren't anything the in-game staff work on. No GameMasters work on these. I don't work on these. There are onsite staff members who work on all this. The IT guy is building them, and we have developers and engineers that oversee and support all of this. The servers are being built at Simu HQ, but they will be transported and swapped out in a colocation facility (CoLo) with our current boxes.
Questions come up, and we have a lot knowledgeable players and staff, but it's nothing in-game staff decided on or maintain.
The end of this month might not happen. Might be looking at April 5th now. I'll keep everyone updated. And once it's set more in stone, we'll get notifications out everywhere we can due to that downtime.
Wyrom, PM
The servers aren't anything the in-game staff work on. No GameMasters work on these. I don't work on these. There are onsite staff members who work on all this. The IT guy is building them, and we have developers and engineers that oversee and support all of this. The servers are being built at Simu HQ, but they will be transported and swapped out in a colocation facility (CoLo) with our current boxes.
Questions come up, and we have a lot knowledgeable players and staff, but it's nothing in-game staff decided on or maintain.
The end of this month might not happen. Might be looking at April 5th now. I'll keep everyone updated. And once it's set more in stone, we'll get notifications out everywhere we can due to that downtime.
Wyrom, PM
BURTNETTJ
Re: Fun Pauses (Lag) and New Hardware Update
03/28/2021 01:58 AM CDT
>>The servers aren't anything the in-game staff work on. No GameMasters work on these. I don't work on these. There are onsite staff members who work on all this. The IT guy is building them, and we have developers and engineers that oversee and support all of this. The servers are being built at Simu HQ, but they will be transported and swapped out in a colocation facility (CoLo) with our current boxes.
I'd be kinda afraid if you were working on the servers. You scare me sometimes. ;)
Just kidding. :)
Cheers.
I'd be kinda afraid if you were working on the servers. You scare me sometimes. ;)
Just kidding. :)
Cheers.
