Lock, Load, and Lag: Overcoming Network Challenges in Mobile Shooters

Netcode development is always a challenging task but writing a netcode for mobile multiplayer games is even more challenging due to unstable network conditions and lower spec hardware.

This talk will focus on 3 specific challenges encountered during the development of a 3rd-person co-op mobile shooter based on Unreal Engine 5. The challenges namely are:

• Unstable network connection

• How to develop netcode to handle unstable ping

• Techniques to test unstable network conditions

• Performance of client-side lag compensation techniques for low spec hardware

• Prediction – yes! ... but how much?

• Hit registration implementation

Examples of how to ensure optimal player experience regarding hit perception in a shooter game will be shared during the talk as well.