SnooTangerines [#16]
I have experience with these interpolating techniques on the server side. I actually implemented something similar in context to a physics simulation (not a video game) and I can tell you, this system is not a substitute for just going for 128-tick servers. You will have weird interactions like you killed someone on your screen, he dies, then he is not dead for some reason after a fraction of a second. Your smoke and molly lineups will not work the same only sorta better on systems with low ping and no packet drops. AFAIK, valorant has 128 tick server on default matchmaking and that will always be better than interpolation between ticks. Also not to mention this interpolation is quite expensive to compute so they are making the servers expensive to run anyways why not just add 128-tick servers?
Graphics updates were kind of non-surprising. We all knew that source 2 would introduce better graphics. They did make the graphics better. What's new? Nothing really.
The new smoke mechanics is honestly the best part of it for me. Its just better IMO. It changes the way how you play the game and strategize. Imagine shooting through smokes now. The way they implement it is also quite nice. This is hands down the biggest change yet.
Valorant servers have not been able to provide consistent 128 refresh rates (tickrate) on their server for a long time. I dislike saying this, but it's the truth: CS:GO netcode (even with servers at 64 tickrate) is actually better/more stable than Valorant's.
The last time Valorant servers did NOT have to reduce the tickrate for at least 3/10 players of the server in order to compensate (hence creating an implied disadvantage) was right after Beta in 2020.
Riot keeps advertising this 128 tickrate consistency, but it can easily be proven wrong via testing their live servers. I wish there was less time (money) spent on skin development, and instead Riot focus on addressing their netcode issues.
This person actually displays the issue very well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRURZusYUI&t=14s&ab_channel=ChristophSmaul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3QbVnmocJE&ab_channel=ChristophSmaul