What factors are contributing to the increased latency in Atmosphere ( Entertainment Software)'s game streaming platform during peak hours?

Introduction

Increased latency during peak hours on Atmosphere's game streaming platform is a critical issue that directly impacts user experience and retention. I'll approach this problem systematically, focusing on identifying the root cause, validating hypotheses, and developing both short-term fixes and long-term solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking this might be a capacity issue. Can you provide more details on when these peak hours typically occur and how long they last?

Why it matters: Understanding the pattern helps identify if it's tied to specific events or user behaviors. Expected answer: Peak hours occur in the evenings and weekends, lasting 3-4 hours. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd focus on scaling solutions during these specific timeframes.

• Considering the nature of game streaming, I'm curious about the current average latency during peak vs. non-peak hours. Do we have those metrics available?

Why it matters: This helps quantify the problem and set benchmarks for improvement. Expected answer: Non-peak latency averages 50ms, while peak hours see 200ms+. Impact on approach: A significant difference would prioritize peak-specific optimizations.

• I'm wondering about recent changes. Have there been any major updates to the platform or significant increases in user base in the past month?

Why it matters: Recent changes could be directly related to the latency spike. Expected answer: A new popular game was released, increasing user numbers by 30%. Impact on approach: This would shift focus to scaling infrastructure and optimizing for the new game.

• Thinking about user segments, are all users equally affected, or do we see variations based on geography or device type?

Why it matters: This helps identify if the issue is global or localized to specific segments. Expected answer: Users in certain regions or on older devices are more affected. Impact on approach: We'd prioritize solutions for the most impacted segments first.