In recent times, the gaming world has witnessed a significant shift in server management, with many developers transitioning from proprietary hardware to cloud-based services. One such notable transition was undertaken by the developers of Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), who moved their servers to Amazon Web Services (AWS). This essay delves into the intricacies of this move, its implications, and the feedback from the gaming community.
The Initial Steps
The developers initiated this transition with the French server, The Leviathan, in August. The move was closely observed, as it was a precursor to the subsequent transfers. The success of this initial transition was evident, as there were no significant issues reported. This paved the way for the subsequent transfer of the Darth Malgus and the German server, Tulak Hord.
Community Feedback and Personal Experience
The gaming community’s response, especially in the initial stages, was relatively muted. A cursory glance at the forums revealed minimal discussions on the topic. A few players noted improvements in their ping, while others reported a decline. However, the overarching sentiment was positive, primarily because of the lack of widespread complaints.
From a personal standpoint, the transition was seamless. While I don’t routinely monitor my ping, the gameplay felt unchanged post-transition, which was a positive sign. However, a couple of days post-transition, some players, including myself, experienced lag and difficulties in transferring between different game areas. These issues were promptly addressed by the developers through emergency maintenance.
The American Servers and Future Prospects
Following the European servers, the two American servers, Star Forge and Satele Shan, were transitioned to AWS. This move sparked inquiries from Australian players about the possibility of a local server. However, the Community Manager, Jackie, clarified that further backend work is required before such an option can be explored. It was also confirmed that both American servers would remain on the east coast, contrary to some speculations.
Community Poll and Overall Assessment
OotiniCast conducted a Twitter poll to gauge players’ experiences post-transition. The results were telling: 67% felt no change, 22% felt an improvement, and 11% believed the gameplay had deteriorated. These statistics underscore the success of the transition, with a vast majority either feeling positive effects or no change at all.
My vote aligned with the majority. Apart from a minor glitch experienced during a heroic mission, the gameplay remained consistent. This isolated incident, though reminiscent of the earlier zoning issues, was a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.
Conclusion
The transition of SWTOR servers to Amazon Web Services stands as a testament to the potential of cloud-based server management in gaming. The move, characterized by minimal disruptions and largely positive feedback, showcases the benefits of such transitions. For those pondering the success of SWTOR’s move to AWS, the answer is unequivocally positive, as evidenced by the community’s overall satisfaction.
