Input lag

Input lag is the time between your action – pressing a button, moving a stick, clicking a mouse – and the game showing the effect. A little delay is unavoidable, because the signal has to travel from controller to device, be processed by the game, drawn as a new frame and displayed by the screen. When the total becomes noticeable, games feel sluggish or “floaty”, and precise timing becomes harder.

Input lag is different from network lag. Input lag happens on your own equipment, even when playing offline; network lag, measured as ping, comes from sending data to and from other players or servers.

Where the delay comes from

Several links in the chain add delay:

• Wireless controllers can add a small amount compared with wired ones, though modern wireless connections are generally quick.
• The game itself, especially at lower frame rates, takes longer to produce each new frame.
• Some settings, such as certain types of vertical sync, can add delay in exchange for a cleaner picture.
• Televisions often apply image processing – motion smoothing, noise reduction – that can add noticeable delay.

Reducing it

The single most effective change for many households is switching the TV to its game mode, which turns off much of that processing. Many modern TVs can do this automatically when a console is detected, a feature usually called auto low latency mode or ALLM, though the setting needs to be enabled. Playing at a higher frame rate and using a screen with a higher refresh rate also help. Some games include an option to reduce latency directly.

Who notices it most

Rhythm games, fighting games, competitive shooters and precise platformers are most sensitive to input lag. Rhythm games often include a calibration screen so you can compensate for your setup. If a child says a game “feels wrong” on one TV but fine on another, input lag is a likely reason.