Latency issues cause 78% to rage quit
When milliseconds can stand between victory and defeat, high latency becomes more than a technical hiccup – it’s a source of major frustration. Slow response times and delayed input can turn an enjoyable experience into an exercise in patience – or worse, anger.
For this study, we surveyed 1,000 gamers playing across PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo to understand how latency impacts everything from in-game performance to platform loyalty. The report reveals the effects of latency reach far beyond the immediate gaming experience.
Key insights
- 95% of gamers have experienced latency issues while gaming.
- 78% of gamers rage quit due to latency issues while gaming, with Xbox gamers the most likely to do so (85%).
- Call of Duty gamers are the most likely to have rage quit due to latency issues (58%), followed by Fortnite (43%) and Counter-Strike 2 (42%) gamers.
- 16% of gamers report that latency issues lead to lingering frustration or anger outside of the gaming session, lasting for an average of 19 minutes afterward.
- 8% of gamers have broken a controller as a result of anger caused by latency issues, with another 2% breaking a TV/screen and 2% breaking a console/platform.
Gaming latency: A look at the frustrations
Latency – the delay between a player’s action and its result on screen – can make or break the gaming experience. A long delay time – or high latency – is often the culprit for “lag,” where gameplay feels slow or unresponsive.
Experiencing high latency and lag is a universal source of frustration for gamers globally, regardless of console or game title.
In New York City, Los Angeles, and Austin, 100% of gamers surveyed have faced lag during gameplay. Gamers in Dallas (95%), Houston (94%), and Miami (93%) also reported high latency issues, showing the widespread nature of these disruptions.
Many factors may contribute to this, such as the location of the nearest data center, the volume of gamers online, or a gamer’s individual internet connection.
Experiencing high latency and lag is a universal source of frustration for gamers globally, regardless of console or game title.
Latency issues by gaming console
Among specific consoles, Xbox users topped the list with 97% experiencing high latency, followed closely by PlayStation (96%), PC (96%), and Nintendo (95%) players.
Who do gamers blame for lag?
Most point to their internet provider (72%) as the main cause for latency, with smaller groups holding game developers (14%) or the console/platform itself (10%) accountable.
The average latency tolerance for gamers stands at 45 milliseconds (ms), though this varies by platform and player type.
- PC gamers had the highest latency tolerance at 53 ms, while Xbox players were least tolerant at just 42 ms.
- Gen Z gamers had the highest tolerance for latency (49 ms).
When it came to lag, gamers were generally willing to endure an average of up to 1.8 seconds. PC gamers showed the lowest tolerance (1.5 s), while PlayStation players were slightly more forgiving (2.2 s).
Different games also show variations in latency tolerance:
39 ms
Call of Duty players had the lowest tolerance for latency
1.2 s
Baldur’s Gate 3 players have the lowest tolerance for lag
2.7 s
Among Us players were remarkably forgiving with latency
In high-stakes scenarios – like final levels or ranked matches – 65% of gamers reported having less tolerance for latency issues.
- Over 1 in 10 gamers (11%) said they wouldn’t tolerate any lag at all.
Using a gaming server can significantly reduce latency by providing a stable, high-performance environment tailored to gaming needs. This setup minimizes interruptions and ensures smoother gameplay, especially for fast-paced, competitive titles.
Rage quitting: When latency leads to tapping out
For many gamers, high latency is more than a minor annoyance – it’s a deal-breaker. Delayed response times have pushed a large number of players to rage quit, abandoning games and teammates mid-session out of sheer frustration.
Overall, 78% of gamers reported having rage quit because of latency issues, with this behavior varying by platform and location.
Rage quitting due to latency issues by gaming console
- Xbox: 85%
- PlayStation: 81%
- PC: 77%
- Nintendo: 72%
Rage quitting due to latency issues by city
- Dallas, TX: 95%
- Miami, FL: 86%
- Houston, TX: 83%
- New York, NY: 82%
- Austin, TX: 74%
- Los Angeles, CA: 71%
When it comes to platforms, Xbox players were most prone to rage quitting, with over 8 in 10 admitting to quitting mid-game due to high latency. PlayStation followed closely, and PC and Nintendo players were also frequently driven to rage quit when latency issues occurred.
Frequent rage quitting not only disrupts individual gameplay but also poses challenges for the video game industry, as it can affect player retention and satisfaction.
Why latency leads to rage quitting
Our survey aimed to understand what really pushes gamers to quit mid-game so we could explore potential solutions. For many, latency isn’t just a small setback that can be easily overlooked – it’s a serious obstacle that interferes with their ability to play.
Over half of players (53%) pointed to a drop in their gaming performance as their biggest frustration and reason for rage quitting.
“Latency and lag make gaming pointless – if I can’t react in real time, there’s no point even trying because I’m already set up to lose.”
Gen Z survey respondent
A quarter of gamers said they have angrily quit a game after latency issues cut off communication with teammates, and about the same number did so when it caused them to lose a tournament. More than 1 in 10 (17%) were especially frustrated by game lag on a new product launch day, leading them to quit in anger.
Addressing these latency issues can help reduce frustration and improve gameplay. Solutions like dedicated gaming servers, optimized network settings, and stable high-speed internet connections can minimize delays and help keep players fully engaged.
With the right infrastructure, game developers and platforms can build smoother experiences that keep players in the game and rage quitting at bay. For gamers, taking a break, adjusting in-game settings, or even checking for internet connectivity issues can help ease the urge to rage quit.
Stepping away momentarily gives players a chance to regroup, helping them come back ready to take on challenges with a fresh mindset.
Games and genres most impacted by latency
Players of certain gaming titles are especially prone to rage quitting when latency issues arise. Call of Duty led the list, with 58% of its players having quit due to performance delays. Fortnite (43%) and Counter-Strike 2 (42%) followed, with more than 2 in 5 of their players walking away mid-game out of frustration.
For some players, any latency made particular games virtually unplayable, underscoring the value of latency solutions such as gaming VPS options.
61%
Call of Duty gamers reported the game unplayable with any level of latency
55%
CS2 gamers reported the game unplayable with lag and latency issues
53%
Overwatch gamers reported the game isn’t worth playing with lag or latency
Gaming genres that often require fast reactions and real-time performance, tend to have lower tolerance for latency issues.
First-person shooter (FPS) gamers were the most affected by latency, with 58% saying they’ve rage quit due to delays. Battle royale players were next at 47%, followed by sports and MMORPG gamers at 36% each.
58%
FPS gamers quit because of latency
47%
Battle royale players quit due to latency
72%
Sports and MMORG gamers quit due to latency
How latency negatively affects emotions
Latency issues can quickly escalate a gamer’s mood from mild irritation to intense frustration. Repeated delays not only interrupt gameplay but can leave players feeling pretty upset.
Some players find that frustration lingers even after the game has ended:
- 16% of gamers admitted that latency-related anger continued for an average of 19 minutes after a session.
This anger sometimes led to broken equipment, with 8% of gamers having broken a controller and smaller percentages damaging larger items, like a TV or screen (2%) and even a console/platform (2%).
In response to these frustrations, many gamers chose to abandon specific games entirely. Over half – 55% of gamers – reported they had stopped playing certain titles because of latency issues, indicating how detrimental these delays can be to long-term engagement and loyalty.
“Latency issues don’t just mess with that cherished win/loss record; it’s key to building player loyalty. For platforms, this spells out a real opportunity.”
Josh Liston
Director of Product Design at Liquid Web
Game over or game on?
Latency can make or break the gaming experience, often pushing players to frustration, yelling, breaking equipment, and quitting games. As our study shows, gamers expect smooth, real-time performance, especially in competitive or high-stakes situations.
For platforms and developers, addressing latency issues enhances gameplay but it also builds long-term player loyalty. With reliable, low-latency performance, gaming experiences can keep pace with player expectations and keep frustration at bay.
“Latency is the difference between clutching a win and crushing your controller. It affects trust and loyalty in the platform.”
Josh Liston
Director of Product Design at Liquid Web
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