How Does the New Halo Infinite Netcode Improve Your Gaming Experience?

Posted on Jul 17, 2024 by Ezequiel Bruni

Halo Infinite has had a rocky start, to say the least, due in part to some questionable decisions from Microsoft, and due in part to the quality of the multiplayer matches. But now, at long last, there has been a complete overhaul of the netcode. The developers promised a return to the stable online gameplay that Halo’s fans need.

But did the Halo Infinite netcode update deliver on everything that was promised? Is it really a better game? Should you hop on and play? We answer all of these questions below, and take a look at how Private Internet Access can help you sort out any lingering lag issues.


Quick Guide: How to Play Halo Infinite With a VPN

Lowering your ping and making your connection more secure only takes a couple of minutes:

  1. Get PIA VPN.
  2. Connect to the VPN server of your choice.
  3. Climb the ranked ladder, or chill with your fellow Spartans.

Does Halo Infinite’s New Netcode Actually Make a Difference?

The short answer? Yes. It is SO much better than it used to be. Read on for the details.

The Long, Long Version

The problem with the old Halo Infinite netcode was… well… few people outside of 343 Industries, the game’s developer, actually know the details. We could only really see the effects on players; those effects were maddening, to say the least.

Fans and detractors of the game alike took to calling the problem “desync.” Desync is when your local game client and the game server have very different opinions about what you’re doing at any given moment. This can result in situations like rubber banding, where you think you’ve been walking, but the server says no. Or when you think you’ve safely leapt a ravine, but the server says no.

Or, as was incredibly common, you think you’ve survived a duel, but the server says no. That kind of thing. These issues were prevalent enough that even players with extremely low ping, who should have been able to expect smooth, stable gameplay, were affected by them.

Theories About What Went Wrong

But what was actually wrong? Let’s be clear, the people at 343 aren’t telling, probably for security reasons. We are left with theories, and there are two main ones: there was too much lag compensation, or there wasn’t enough.

Ahhhhh, let me explain. So server-based online games are constantly collecting the inputs of every player to figure out what they’re all doing at once. However, the users are all playing with different ping rates, so there’s some inconsistency in what each player sees on their end, and the server has to synchronize it all as best it can. If one player has particularly bad ping, or a lag spike for some reason, they might look completely unresponsive on everyone else’s screen, and vice versa.

To make online play more closely resemble the speed and fluidity of LAN-based play, FPS game developers introduce lag compensation. Lag compensation makes an attempt to predict what each player will do next. In the event of bad lag, it will make assumptions about a player’s next actions, and move them around on everyone else’s screen accordingly.

Then, when the lagging player’s actual inputs arrive at the server, the server will attempt to reconcile its predictions with what the player did in a smooth and hardly noticeable way. When it works, it makes online gaming feel practically lag-free. 

When it doesn’t, well… the differences between its predictions and what the user actually did can be rather severe. That’s what I meant by the idea of “too much” lag compensation. However, the “desync” that players observed can also be caused by plain old lag, with no compensation.

Whatever happened, 343 Industries set out to fix it all, as best they could.

Did the Fix Work?

As mentioned above, yes. Shots land more consistently. The physics engine of the game doesn’t get so many wild ideas about how gravity works.* Everything from shooting, to driving, to smacking other players with your weapon because they got too close… It all feels fantastic by comparison.

* Whether or not you think that’s a good thing is for you to decide.

I can personally attest to this, having played both before and after the update. Long-time Halo players and pro gamers are also largely happier with the changes. If server issues were the reason you’ve played less Halo in the last year or so, it’s time to come back.

That’s not to say that everything has gone perfectly, mind you. You can, of course, still have plain old lag. You can get sniped around corners sometimes. Sometimes it takes a split second for enemy players to realize they’ve gone and died… at least on your screen. But this is mostly par for the course in the world of online shooters.

For a clearer idea of just how much everything has improved, here are a couple of videos to help you understand. First up, here’s a video of how the old and new netcode handle the simple act of picking up an object and moving it around:


If you’d like a slightly more bombastic demonstration, look no further than this video about vehicle physics before and after the update.

I would like to extend a hearty thank you to the creators who thought to record the footage to make these comparisons. Your efforts to advance the cause of video game science, and in the preservation of its history, are duly appreciated.

So Should You Go Download the Game Right Now?

I’m assuming that, since you’re reading this article, you’re craving some of that sweet, smooth, sci-fi gunplay for which Halo is so well known. Well… you can go experience that right now. It’s going to be a minute before we get another Halo game, and you can actually go back and grind previous Battle Pass seasons for older cosmetics, if you want.

There’s plenty to do, and there are plenty of game modes in the game now. There’s really never been a better time.

Of course, there can still be lag, and other connection issues, and that’s where PIA VPN comes in.

Why You Need a VPN for Gaming

In Halo Infinite’s case, the two biggest advantages of a VPN are lower ping, and the ability to change your region. That’s right, a gaming VPN can actually lower your ping, in the right circumstances. See, while the signal between your PC or Xbox should technically take the fastest route to the game servers on its own, bad routing, congested networks, and other problems can get in the way.

VPNs work by routing all of your traffic through the VPN server of your choice, and encrypting it along the way. Choose a VPN server that’s close to the game server you want to play on, and PIA will automatically choose the fastest possible route for your signal, bypassing a lot of the issues that can cause lag.

That same functionality can let you play Halo Infinite in other regions. Pick a VPN server in the region you want, start the game, and get to playing!

A VPN can also add an extra layer of security on public Wi-Fi connections with encryption, mitigate DDoS attacks by changing your IP address, and so much more. Just keep in mind that you want a fast VPN, with plenty of server locations. 

Why PIA Is the Best VPN for Gaming

There are so many reasons, but for Halo Infinite players, it’s the fact that PIA is crazy fast. PIA has a global network of 10-Gbps NextGen VPN servers in over 90 countries. That means you can always find one that’s close to the Halo servers you want to play on, and they’re designed to handle large amounts of data quickly.

In short, the servers can keep up with the constant moving, jumping, flick shots, and mad dashes towards victory for which Halo players are so well known.

Now, the other big draw is the fact that console players are covered too! With a VPN-enabled router, Xbox players can enjoy all the benefits of PIA, and protect all the devices on their network while they’re at it.

Combine that with the kill switch to protect you on public Wi-Fi, built-in DDoS mitigation in the servers, proven no-logs policy, 24/7 live chat support, and the 30-day money-back guarantee… You have a fantastic option for any gamer.

FAQ

How do I use a VPN for Halo Infinite?

On a PC, that’s easy. Just download PIA VPN for Windows or Linux, pick your VPN server, start up the game, and go. On console, it’s a tiny bit more involved, but still easy. You’ll need a router or modem that supports VPNs. If you have one of those, you can just configure it to connect to PIA’s network, pick your server, and start the game.

Does Halo Infinite allow VPN use?

Yes. For normal, everyday play, neither Xbox nor 343 Industries have any problems with players using VPNs. In fact, many pros recommend them for their speed and security benefits. Mind you, if you try to use a VPN to cheat, get around regional pricing, or otherwise act in ways they don’t like, you could get in trouble and risk losing your account.

Can a VPN help reduce Halo Infinite lag?

Yes. Lag is caused in part by the physical distance between you and the gaming server. However, it can also be caused by bad signal routing, overcrowded networks, and other problems. Connect to a VPN server close to the game server, and a fast VPN will automatically look for the most efficient route for your data, bypassing those problems.

How do I make Halo Infinite’s connection to the servers more stable?

There are a couple of things you can do: first, make sure you’re not playing on Wi-Fi. Wired connections are always more stable. Make sure your internet connection is generally in good working order as well, and that no one’s using all the bandwidth. Then, use a VPN. Connect to a VPN server close to the game server for best results.

Will a VPN slow down gaming?

PIA VPN certainly won’t. In the best case scenario, using a VPN can actually reduce lag, stabilize your connection, and even lower your ping. So long as you’ve chosen a VPN server that’s close to the game server, you shouldn’t see any lag. In the event that you do, try connecting to a different VPN server, and make sure it’s not under heavy usage.