IPv4 vs IPv6 in Gaming: Which Delivers a Better Online Experience?
One of the most important objectives for ongoing gamers is gaining an advantage over the competition. To do that, you need to look for ways to improve your performance. One area you may not have yet considered is IPV4 vs. IPV6 gaming—and which one may be best suited for your needs and experience.
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We have created a comprehensive guide to consider both options to help you know if IPV6 vs IPV4 gaming should be in your lineup. Even if you’re never heard of the difference between these two options, they can impact latency and connectivity, and that impacts your ability to outshine the competition in your game.
What Is IPV6 vs IPV4 Gaming?
Let’s start by breaking down what this is. IP, or Internet Protocol, is a set of rules that provide insight into how data is transmitted between your device and the Internet. It’s much like a digital address, like the postal address on your home. It helps the server know how to navigate and send information from your device to the destination.
The more straightforward this path is, the fewer steps and obstacles must be overcome, and that directly translates into a more efficient process, improving gaming experiences.
IPV4 and IPV6 gaming differences can be significant. These two versions are the most current in use across the internet. Here’s how they work:
- Your device, such as your gaming system, connects to the internet
- It is assigned an IP address using either of those two rule sets
- The address identifies the device on your network
- When you make requests with your game, this process routes the data where it needs to go, from one destination to the next
In short, this process provides clarity on how your gaming system is found and accessed online. However, you have to choose between one format, and the format you select could affect your gaming experience.
IPV6 Vs IPV4 Gaming Differences
What is the difference between these two options? It’s really dependent on certain factors. Let’s explore them.
IPV4 is the fourth version of IP to be released. It is by far the most widely used solution today. It allows for 32-bit addresses. That means that around the world, 4.3 billion unique addresses can be using the Internet at one time. The number of addresses in place now is running out—everyone is connecting with a device at rapid speeds. IPV6 was being rolled out as a way to mitigate that lack of access to new addresses.
The problem is that this process is taking time, and it will remain a slow process to convert to IPV6. Now, if you want to upgrade to a new IP address and choose IPV6, you can do so, but it is time-consuming and more costly.
Any type of middleware software you select to use between you and your gaming network must be compatible with all of the IP versions you are using. Again, you certainly can do so, but the question might more accurately be, why would you want to make the change?
Is IPV6 Better for Gaming?
There are some advantages to moving to IPV6 for gaming. It is the next-generation option for the Internet protocol and will eventually be the common solution. So, what does it offer that’s different from the previous version?
It is 128 bits, meaning 340 undecillion unique IP addresses are out there. That is a much larger and more robust number than you get with IPv4’s 32-bit setup. That’s essential from the perspective of the expanding internet connectivity today. More devices, including everything from your gaming consoles to your favorite IoT tools, are coming online.
But there’s another key benefit, and that is the Internet Protocol Security IPSec, a type of security solution. It provides encryption and authentication, which is far more advanced than other systems. This sets up a situation to protect against man-in-the-middle attacks as well as other types of network threats.
Are you one of the many people who use their mobile devices for gaming? If so, IPV6 offers more support for mobile devices, including phones and tablets. This allows you to change your IP address when you move between networks and can offer better connectivity as you do.
Network Address Translation is a built-in component of IPV6, where it was not in the previous version. It supports NAT natively, which means there is no complex workaround to manage. It also provides better Quality of Service traffic prioritization. That means that traffic used for gaming and streaming is improved in terms of performance. This is where IPV6 for gaming really shines.
Is IPV6 Faster Than IPV4 for Gaming?
Adopting IPV6 offers a few key benefits, including a speed difference for gamers. The benefits to gamers include:
- No NAT – This means you can have a public IP address directly and do not need a NAT. In some situations, NAT requirements add latency and limit connectivity efficiency, which is especially demanding in multiplayer games.
- Enhanced security – You are certainly going to benefit from IPsec since it is the standard with IPV6, which means you have more protection against network attacks.
There are some prospective concerns to think about, though. For example, most games and game servers are still heavily reliant on IPV4, which means not all of the benefits from IPV6 can be fully realized for most gaming. Playing is impossible if the game or your server does not support IPV6.
Of course, as time passes and IPV6 use grows, it does provide some outstanding benefits. IPV4 introduces constrained address space and NAT limitations, which can hinder connections and cause delays.
IPV6 eliminates the NAT requirement, which ideally reduces latency. Each device has its own unique address through a large address pool, which can improve gaming experiences in online multiplayer games. These games demand faster connections and lower latency.
Gaming IPV4 vs IPV6
There is a lot to consider when it comes to IPV4 vs. IPV6 for gaming. As IPV6 becomes more accessible, it will become the ideal choice. Depending on what you play and the type of experiences you have now, you may be ready to make that transition. When you consider all factors, IPV6 is the better option for gaming. It is efficient and has the capacity to reduce ping, improving your gaming experience.
When it comes to quality of service, routers with built-in QoS settings will allow you to prioritize types of traffic on the network, including your gaming traffic. You can set it up so that your gaming gets priority over other uses of the server, reducing latency in your game.
Warning: IPV4 vs IPV6 for Gaming and VPNs
One area of concern relates to the use of VPNs. If you are using a VPN to connect to your gaming system, that can create a concern if you are using IPV6. If the VPN is being used to mask gaming traffic from ISP throttling, you will find limitations in overall functionality.
The leading VPN apps out there – those you may be using – only support IPV4 now. If you move to IPV6 and then try to use your VPN, you’ll encounter delays and frustrating processes. This can lead to leaks when you access an IPV6 address as well. That means that your gaming traffic is then exposed and, as a result, the throttling will begin to limit your experience.
If you are looking for a way to minimize these risks but still maintain privacy, we recommend the use of a proxy. Proxies for gaming can be highly effective at masking who you are and what you are doing while not interfering with your game. With a proxy, you put in place an intermediary that works to block your IP address from being spotted by the network you are connecting to, therefore reducing your overall risk of being monitored.
Take some time to check out how gaming proxies can help improve your experience without limiting your ability to use IPV6 or any other tool.
Where To Get Started with IPV4 vs IPV6 for Gaming
For those who are ready to improve their game play, there is no doubt that the internet protocol you use will play a role in your performance. Eventually, as IPV6 becomes more supported and readily available, you will have no trouble benefiting from the transition thanks to the reduces latency. However, whether or not you are there right now depends on what you are using.
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