Black Desert Online has officially announced its decision to relocate its North American servers from the U.S. West Coast to the Central U.S., with the move set to take place on May 22, 2024. The shift is aimed at addressing latency concerns for a significant portion of its player base. The final decision was made following comprehensive tests and a combat playtest involving North American players.
Analysis of player data revealed that a substantial 70% of logins to the servers originate from the central and eastern regions of the U.S. and Canada, causing increased ping times for these participants. By moving the servers to the North Central U.S., Black Desert Online anticipates a reduction in average ping from 62.44 milliseconds to 44.08 milliseconds. This change is anticipated to elevate the overall gameplay experience by providing more consistent and stable latency for players throughout North America.
The server migration process will coincide with an extended maintenance period, which will also impact EU servers. Detailed information on the exact timing and duration of the maintenance will be communicated in the weekly notice.
While the relocation is forecasted to enhance the gaming experience for many users, the Black Desert team has acknowledged that the effects may differ based on players’ geographical locations. They have committed to monitoring the central server’s performance closely post-relocation to ensure any necessary adjustments are made promptly.