Many internet service providers offer high-speed internet as much as 1 Gbps optimal for gaming, streaming, and downloading, with a limited data cap. However, this is not the case with Charter Internet because it offers unlimited internet data whether you choose a 100Mbps or 940Mbps plan. Connect your device over Wi-Fi and play as many games online as you can.
Nevertheless, what if you are away from home and have no access to Wi-Fi. Being addicted to gaming, you cannot put your fingers on freeze. The only way to play games away from home is by using mobile internet. It can put a huge dent in your budget if you do not have enough data cap or your company is not paying your mobile bills.
Let us look at some of the important things you need to know about mobile data for gaming. Stay tuned.
Table of Contents
Opt for Higher Data Plan
Hardcore gamers are never satisfied with the amount of data they get. With games like PubG, Fortnite, and Call of Duty, our general perception is that they consume a lot of data. Although it is good to have a higher data plan, that does not mean wasting money without knowing the actual amount of data consumed. Have a look at the table below to get an idea about how much data is required to play games.
| Game | Data per hour |
|---|---|
Dota 2 |
128MB |
Fortnite |
100MB |
Team Fortress 2 |
80MB |
PUBG |
40MB |
Call of Duty: Black Ops |
48MB |
Overwatch |
135MB |
Battleship V |
100MB |
Destiny 2 |
300MB |
League of Legend |
45MB |
Grand Theft Auto V |
60MB |
Minecraft |
40MB |
Final Fantasy XIV |
20MB |
Downloading Games Could Flush Your Data Away
The above table has revealed how much data is consumed in an hour on each game. It looks decent – even if you play for several hours a day, you will not be running out of data soon. However, downloading games using mobile data can put a hole in your wallet. Especially, if you subscribed to limited data caps.
Most of the games have sizes around 50GB to 1Tb and updates are no lesser than 20GB when it comes to Xbox One and PC games. However, for the mobile version, you cannot expect any less. For instance, Red Dead Redemption is 89 GB, Forza Horizon 4 requires 63 GB and Call of Duty is as large as 101GB. Now if you have data limits of up to 250 GB, it would consume much of your data, which may end up even before the next month starts. Keep in mind that you have some other important things to do using your mobile data including surfing, downloading, and socializing.
To avoid consuming your data plan entirely before the month ends, it is better to set data limits on your smartphone. As soon as you reach the maximum limit, your smartphone will notify you.
Allow Updates on Wi-Fi Only
Most of the updates in mobile are set on automatic. Apps and games start downloading as soon as the new updates are released. It is better to install the updates on Wi-Fi instead of mobile data. Android and iPhone have an option in phone settings to update apps and games over Wi-Fi only. Make sure to check it before you need to pay twice a month.
The craze of online games has gone insane and addicted gamers cannot wait to download new games without giving a break. It is better to wait a little more to get it downloaded over Wi-Fi instead of mobile data. If the file size is under 100Mb, you can download it using mobile data. However, do not risk it if the game requires at least 1GB.
Things to Know Before Picking Plan for Gaming
Consider these factors when picking the plan for gaming.
- Speed
- Data Caps
- Ping Rate
Speed and data caps are important, as most gamers know. However, the ping rate is another crucial factor that you should keep in mind. It is the network latency between the game server and your computer. Ping rate ranging from 20ms to 150ms, is ideal for gaming, downloading, and streaming. However, above 150ms means, you are going to face lags and disruptions during your gaming session.
Summing Up
If you are a gaming addict, opting for mobile data and using it requires a bit of management. Be vigilant when updating, downloading, or playing online games over your mobile data.
