(re-posting as Spam Filters dropped previous post)
Summary
Good day folks,
I’m writing this to offer specific details and what I believe are steps to replicate or isolate the “rubberbanding” issue I see posted frequently. I can only speak for my scenario and experiences, but hopefully it can be useful in targeting the issue or helping others in the future.
In this case, “rubberbanding” is defined as a visual stutter where all peer players on the screen appear to teleport unintentionally and unnaturally around the playing area. The behavior appears to be an intermittent connection issue as the game is otherwise stable from frames-per-second and latency/ping measurements. The rubberbanding behavior can be quantifiably verified by using CTRL+SHIFT+N to view the Network Status stats while playing in a match. The behavior is visualized as small chunks of loss on the graph randomly occurring between approximate intervals of 3-10 seconds. This creates a scenario where the gameplay is in an unpredictable state as it is near impossible to track other players meaningfully.
Context
- This behavior started occurring for me on or around 10/11/2022 (exact date/time unknown - estimate of the past ~5-7 days)
- Observation of this was primarily between 6-10PM EST game sessions (unknown if issue occurs during other times)
- Issue appears in at least Pregame Deathmatch Lobbies, QuickPlay, and Custom Games (hesitant to test Competitive)
- Issue appears to primarily occur in ‘GUE4’ game server sessions. Conversely, sessions in ‘ORD1’ (my other closest game server) appear to behave as expected
- Though it is worth noting the issue does NOT appear when in the Practice Range and connected to the ‘GUE4’ servers. Tested alone and with PC party members.
- No material changes were made at my location, device, or configuration when issue arose
- This behavior never occurred during ~5 years of OW1 sessions prior so appears to be a newer issue
Attempts at Remediation
None of the below resolved or made any material impact on the issue
- Restart PC
- Restart modem & router
- Scan & repair Overwatch 2
- Reinstall Overwatch 2
- Confirm latest drivers installed via clean installs
- Confirm Windows is up-to-date, no pending updates
- Manually release/renew IP, flush/register DNS
- Try alternate DNS (primarily using Google DNS 8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4, and using ISP provided as testing alt)
- Confirm latest router firmware
- Attempted testing with both UPnP enabled and manual port forwarding defined
Hardware Notes
- Device: PC – AMD5950X CPU, Nvidia RTX3080 GPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB NVME SSD Game Install Location, Windows 10 64-Bit current updates as-of 10/18/2022
- All drivers-up-to-date
- ISP: Comcast/Xfinity, New Jersey, USA, 1GB/50MB d/u
- Network: Router - Netgear R6220, direct CAT5 connection, latest firmware; Modem - Netgear CM1000v2, No VPNS or Proxies
- Vanilla desktop, no background services/applications/AV/etc running
Game Notes
- Display Mode - Fullscreen, x1080, 240hz
- FOV: 103
- Dynamic Render Scale: Off
- Render Scale: 100%
- Frame Rate: Custom 240
- Vsync: On (tested with off, no difference)
- Triple Buff: Off
- Reduce Buff: Off
- Nvidia Reflex: Enabled + Boost
- Graphics Quality: Low
Anecdotes
- Possible crossplay session issue?
- Possible config issue with new server environments at GUE4?
- Possible poor routing from NJ->DC via Comcast/Xfinity?
- Strange/unusual confluence of hardware and circumstance?
- Known/fuzzy defect in progress?
EDIT/UPDATE 3 Weeks Later: The same issues still persist and have been getting progressively worse. I’ve attempted to replace my modem and router, had ISP verify line strength/quality, clean windows install on a different desktop, no changes