We would like to provide you with some information about why there were issues with server stability during the start of the game world EU20 and what measures we have already taken to avoid such situations in the future.
With the introduction of the new backend in 2022 and a server architecture that includes multiple game servers that automatically take over the work of a failed server, we have already taken a step towards a generally more stable system; for example, daily complete data backups have since been eliminated.
Basically, our systems operate with a performance that is well above the average required capacity, so performance spikes can usually be well managed even during server startups, as recent history has shown.
In this specific case, however, there was unexpectedly high load during the EU20 server start, caused by several factors that led to an overload. Our SSO server, which had to process logins as well as a high number of Twitch drop and coupon code redemptions, was particularly affected. We suspect that this constellation posed a challenge for the SSO server. Additionally, we were simultaneously dealing with a hardware defect.
Ultimately, we were able to resolve the issues by scaling up the SSO servers, and we will continue to run them with the same performance – even though we do not normally need this.
Our system administrators and developers are working diligently to further adapt our technology. The goal is to improve the stability of our systems to ensure a smooth gaming experience and minimize downtime. We thank you for your understanding and patience.