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Digital Eclipse on rollback netcode & Smash Ultimate online issues

During our chat with Digital Eclipse, we discussed rollback netcode as well as the issues currently facing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's online component.

Donovan Erskine

October 20, 2021 1:15 PM

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For as celebrated as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is for being arguably the greatest crossover in video game history, the game has faced some fair criticisms for its shaky online environment. In a recent interview that we conducted with Digital Eclipse, a developer familiar with making online fighting games, we talked about rollback netcode and the online woes of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Shacknews Head of Video Greg Burke spoke with Mike Mika, the studio head at Digital Eclipse in a recent video interview. During the chat, the two spoke about the fighting game genre, where rollback netcode and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate inevitably came up.

“When you look at the complexity of those games, when you rollback and re-simulate, they’re doing a lot in a single frame in those games,” said Mika, speaking about how rollback netcode is executed in an online game. “It’s processing a lot to get there. If you have to do that in these modern games, it’s just almost impossible.” Mika makes a point about how it’s much easier to implement rollback netcode on older titles that aren’t as complex under the hood. It’s a much greater challenge to pull that off on a game as busy as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players often complain about the desire for rollback netcode, but the fact of the matter is that it’s easier said than done. Mike Mika goes further in-depth about this in the full interview, which you can find on the GamerHubTV YouTube channel. Consider subscribing there and to Shacknews for a library of exciting gaming content.

Donovan Erskine

News Editor

Donovan is a journalist from Maryland. His oldest gaming memory is playing Pajama Sam on his mom's desktop during weekends. Pokémon Emerald, Halo 2, and the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 were some of the most influential titles in awakening his love for video games. After interning for Shacknews throughout college, Donovan graduated from Bowie State University in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and joined the team full-time. He is a huge film fanatic and will talk with you about movies and games all day. You can follow him on twitter @Donimals_