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Omeda Studios’ Predecessor Gains Momentum with Improved Server Capabilities

Omeda Studios marked a significant milestone in the gaming world with the launch of Predecessor, a multiplayer online battle arena game, in August 2024, attracting more than two million players within a short span.

CEO Robbie Singh highlighted a critical issue related to server performance affecting player experiences. With servers located solely on the East and West Coasts of the U.S., achieving consistent “ping” times—crucial for real-time gaming—was a challenge. This inconsistency affected match-making and overall gameplay for many users.

The journey of Omeda Studios and its return of the beloved game is noteworthy. Originally developed by Epic Games under the name Paragon, the game was discontinued in 2018. However, instead of abandoning the title, Epic Games chose to open source it. Singh, a dedicated fan of the previous version, took the initiative to acquire the rights in 2021.

After four years of concerted efforts and $22 million in funding, partially sourced through an Epic Games grant, Omeda Studios finally unleashed Predecessor on various platforms including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The game’s success has led to substantial growth in the development team, which has expanded from five to 87 members.

Responses to the server issues were diverse among the player community.

“Our strategy has always been to enable cross-platform play so friends could connect irrespective of their device or location. We envisioned a North American infrastructure where all players could compete on an equal footing. With our new server consolidation in Dallas, we finally reached that goal,” Singh explained during his interview with GamesBeat.

Utilizing Hathora technology, Omeda Studios migrated its servers to Dallas, a city known for its superior internet capabilities. This transition has minimized the ping disparities between players on the West Coast and those on the East Coast, resulting in a more satisfying experience overall. Singh noted that data from recent months confirmed the benefits of a centralized server approach, leading to the implementation of this change with their latest update, version 1.4.

Previously, ping times ranged from 100 milliseconds on the West Coast to 80 on the East Coast. Now, thanks to technological enhancements, both regions enjoy a streamlined ping time of just 40 milliseconds.

“Players are now able to engage seamlessly with their friends. This consistency adds integrity to the competitive aspect of our game,” Singh remarked.

Many players have noticed the improvements, particularly those among the competitive crowd who can appreciate the more responsive gameplay. “The game now feels significantly more reactive due to reduced latency, which is essential in a skill-intensive competitive environment,” Singh added. “Low latency enhances both gameplay feel and competitiveness.”

The positive effects of the recent updates extend beyond just ping improvements. Omeda Studios’ team has also integrated Discord for voice communication among players, paving the way for future features that will allow players to invite friends into matches directly from Discord. In addition, the company leverages GGWP to monitor voice chat for inappropriate conduct, striving for a respectful gaming environment.

Looking ahead, Omeda Studios plans to extend its reach into South America and Asia. The development of localization strategies and community-building activities in these regions is a top priority. Singh expressed excitement about the inspiring engagement from the player community in hosting tournaments.

A notable indication of this engagement is the upcoming community-hosted tournament featuring a $30,000 prize pool. In the coming months, Omeda plans to establish servers in South America, where they already have a substantial player base. Future considerations for expanding server locations will include Asia and the Middle East.

“As a burgeoning company, we must carefully identify our expansions. When we enter a new market, our aim is to offer comprehensive support rather than just launching a server. Building a brand presence and nurturing the community is key, similar to our approach in other regions,” Singh said.

In pursuit of fostering a collaborative gaming ecosystem, Singh hopes to share insights and lessons with other startup companies in the gaming industry, allowing them to learn from both the successes and challenges faced by Omeda Studios.

Source
venturebeat.com