Gaming Optimized
Low-latency gaming routes with direct peering to major game publishers and intelligent path optimization.
Overview
Hats Network's Gaming Optimized service delivers reduced latency to major game servers through intelligent BGP routing and strategic peering relationships. Unlike standard internet routing that follows "best effort" paths, our gaming routes are actively managed for minimal latency and jitter.
Why Latency Matters: Network latency directly impacts competitive gaming performance. Every 10ms reduction correlates with measurable improvements in player effectiveness, particularly in FPS and fighting games where frame-perfect inputs determine outcomes.
How It Works
Our network actively monitors latency across all available paths:
- Real-time monitoring: Latency measurements across peering points
- Dynamic path selection: BGP communities for traffic engineering
- IX-based routing: Direct access via HKIX, JPIX, DE-CIX, AMS-IX
This reduces latency spikes and inconsistent routing during gameplay.
We connect to major Internet Exchange points where game publishers presence:
| IX Location | Region | Game Publishers Present |
|---|---|---|
| HKIX | Hong Kong | Tencent, Garena, Riot SEA |
| JPIX | Tokyo | Square Enix, Sega, Bandai Namco |
| DE-CIX | Frankfurt | EU game servers, Ubisoft EU |
| AMS-IX | Amsterdam | Valve EU, EA EU |
Direct IX peering eliminates intermediary hops compared to transit-reliant routing.
Game traffic benefits from our intelligent BGP policies:
- Community strings: Tag gaming traffic for preferred paths
- Local preference: Prioritize IX routes over transit
- AS-path prepending: Control inbound path selection
This is implemented at the BGP level without encryption overhead—unlike consumer "gaming VPNs" that add latency.
Latency Comparison
| Game Server Region | Typical Transit Path | Hats Network (IX Direct) | Expected Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore (SEA) | 60-100ms | 25-40ms | ~50-60% |
| Tokyo (JP) | 80-150ms | 35-50ms | ~55-65% |
| Los Angeles (US) | 30-60ms | 15-30ms | ~40-50% |
| Frankfurt (DE) | 70-120ms | 30-45ms | ~50-60% |
| São Paulo (BR) | 150-200ms | 70-100ms | ~45-55% |
Measured from Hong Kong PoP. Results vary by origin, destination, and network conditions.
Genre-Specific Considerations
Different game types have different latency requirements:
FPS Games (CS2, Valorant, Apex)
- Target: Sub-30ms for optimal peeker's advantage
- Critical factor: Jitter matters more than average ping
- Our approach: Direct IX peering reduces hop count
Fighting Games (SF6, Tekken 8)
- Target: Sub-16ms for rollback netcode
- Critical factor: Frame-perfect inputs require minimal delay
- Our approach: Stable paths reduce latency spikes
MOBA Games (Dota 2, LoL)
- Target: Sub-50ms for skill-shot timing
- Critical factor: Consistent response in team fights
- Our approach: Predictable routing patterns
Battle Royale (PUBG, Fortnite)
- Target: Sub-40ms for combat responsiveness
- Critical factor: Position updates and hit registration
- Our approach: Reduced network hops
IX Advantage: Our presence at HKIX, JPIX, DE-CIX, and AMS-IX provides direct paths to major game publisher infrastructure that would otherwise require multiple transit hops.
Technical Details
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Protocol | UDP (primary), TCP fallback |
| Route Optimization | BGP communities + local preference |
| Redundancy | 99.99% uptime with automatic failover |
| Target Packet Loss | <0.1% (normal operation) |
| Target Jitter | <2ms to major game servers |
PoP Coverage
Gaming Optimized routes are available at our interconnected PoPs:
Asia-Pacific: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore
Europe: Frankfurt, Amsterdam
North America: Los Angeles, New York
Contact sales for the most current availability.
FAQ
Get Started
Contact Sales to discuss Gaming Optimized availability for your organization.
Hats Network Inc. | AS203314 | Open Peering Policy