Nightmare weekend

[vinylweatherman]

This weekend has been a NIGHTMARE!!!

WTF have Microgaming done

I have never had so many technical issues in so short a time before, and some are just weird.

I am finding it hard to connect to many MG casinos, and many lobbies just crash (the windows "casino game launcher has encountered a problem and has to close"), and then reappear after a short delay. Something has gone wrong, and I suspect that now some of my installations might be corrupt.

The tournaments at MG have also been throwing off errors I have not seen before, and one event will run fine, yet I switch to another and it is just so full of lag that I just give up without playing.

I have now had a problem with Intercasino misbehaving, not responding to the mouse, and then freezing and giving a server error.

Each time I have tested the internet, and it is up & running (I am posting here), so this has to be an issue with the big server farms that host most of these casinos. Surely, having a small number of big server farms will create bandwidth bottlenecks, yet for years this model has persisted, and it seems it doesn't take much for the whole lot to seize up.

It is about time the industry considered the playing experience to be an important issue, perhaps more so than what bonuses and promotions they can offer. I often bring this issue up, and the industry just as often ignores it as though it will just "go away" of it's own accord. I doubt it, as usage of the internet increases, and more non-US players join casinos, the general load will steadily increase, and when something destabilises the system, the player experience will be worse than before.

[heatherad]

I was having some problems as well but not with MG.
Both casinos I was playing at were disconnecting and it wasn't on my end.
The RTG casino was acting up and a few times when I clicked on the cashier icon it closed the casino right out.
The other casino I was playing tournaments at, it kept freezing up and the games were just acting weird.
But I'm sure they will say it was something on our end like always

[Mousey]

I've had issues with MG casinos software since the MySlot 'upgrade'. Reels are still jerky ... worse at times than at others. Occasionally, the casino gets stuck while trying to launch, and sometimes won't reopen immediately after crashing probably because something gets 'stuck' (running in the background) and doesn't shut down all the way. A few times the lobby has crashed while attempting to navigate to My Account, or the Cashier, or whatever, requiring the 3 fingered salute to get out of it.

MG software is in need of a major overhaul, not just a fresh layer of paint or new dice for the rearview mirror.

[spearmaster]

Each time I have tested the internet, and it is up & running (I am posting here), so this has to be an issue with the big server farms that host most of these casinos. Surely, having a small number of big server farms will create bandwidth bottlenecks, yet for years this model has persisted, and it seems it doesn't take much for the whole lot to seize up.

Sorry mate - I cannot figure out how you have deduced that the problem is the "big server farms". The Net may be up and running, but that doesn't mean that the entire Net works at 100% throughput.

Yes, the error could be somewhere between you and the server location, or there could be a server problem period, but equally if you cannot get to two different casino servers, the problem is more likely either your computer or some connectivity problem between you and them - I hardly think that their servers and bandwidth are overloaded.

Posting a traceroute might help (Start/Run/Cmd (enter) - at the prompt type tracert (url of server)) - if you don't know what the server address is, you might try doing traceroutes to websites in similar locations.

Upgrading/downgrading your Flash installation could also solve the problem (though with the latest version my machine runs a lot hotter).

Running HijackThis (http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-...-10227353.html) and posting or PMing the log might also make it possible to track down anything wrong with your computer.

[vinylweatherman]

Sorry mate - I cannot figure out how you have deduced that the problem is the "big server farms". The Net may be up and running, but that doesn't mean that the entire Net works at 100% throughput.

Yes, the error could be somewhere between you and the server location, or there could be a server problem period, but equally if you cannot get to two different casino servers, the problem is more likely either your computer or some connectivity problem between you and them - I hardly think that their servers and bandwidth are overloaded.

Posting a traceroute might help (Start/Run/Cmd (enter) - at the prompt type tracert (url of server)) - if you don't know what the server address is, you might try doing traceroutes to websites in similar locations.

Upgrading/downgrading your Flash installation could also solve the problem (though with the latest version my machine runs a lot hotter).

Running HijackThis (http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-...-10227353.html) and posting or PMing the log might also make it possible to track down anything wrong with your computer.

Traceroutes never seem to show any issues up to the "entrance" of the place where the casino server is located, so surely the problem must lie between this point, and the casino server itself. This is pretty much "their end". It is not possible to trace any further, since the casino servers are "hidden" from this kind of probe in that they will not respond, therefore the time of the final leg cannot be determined.
I also have many of the additional problems others are mentioning, and my Flash is on auto update, so should always be up to date.

If my PC, a fast dual core processor with graphics card & 2 Gig RAM, coupled to 10Mbit broadband is not enough to get the best MGS experience, then MGS need to take a look at their software to make it run smoothly on PC's that the average player will be using.
There is a SIGNIFICANT difference between this past weekend and the previous one, where everything ran pretty much OK, I doubt very much this has anything to do with my PC, as I have not made any software changes.
Many others have complained that they have spent considerable sums on new PCs, and have found MGS performance just as bad as before (particularly in the tournaments), this again seems to rule out PCs being the problem.

It has happened again today. I was playing a 3 reel slot, and the reels were extremely juddery, the animation jumping quite a few "frames" at a time instead of running smoothly (points to Flash player, but if I have the latest, maybe MGS are not coding the Flash properly for the flash player, or have left legacy code behind that is creating the problem). Suddenly, I got "casino error 2" and was promptly returned to the lobby, and since then have been unable to reconect to the game, nor the casino. This looks like a sudden loss of ALL connection to the server, yet my internet is fine. Wherever the problem lies, surely the casinos' use of "backwater" jurisdictions plays a part. These locations are not on the main internet highway, and would have a bottleneck somewhere between the servers and the main trunk routes of the internet.

What REALLY annoys me though, is that MGS simply will not investigate this - they have MAJOR resources, as well as inside knowledge of how the client and server software SHOULD operate, and could compare this with what happens when things start to go wrong. Normally, they simply trot out the same old line "try uninstaling and reinstaling, and disable your firewall and antivirus software".

It is quite possible that the error lies in the client software, perhaps it errs and does not send the request to the server (or sends a corrupt one, which the server cannot interpret), but then sits there waiting for the reply. The error messages are of no use, after all, WTF is "casino error 2", if I could look up the meaning, maybe I could understand what the underlying problem might be.

I suspect that the only real cure would be the complete uninstallation, full cleanup, and reinstallation of my ENTIRE MGS portfolio, as I suspect that MGS casinos leave loads of "baggage" behind when a major change is made to the file structure. I noticed this when they went from having the games stored locally for each casino, to having them stored in a common area. In this case, the obsolete local files were left behind, they should really have been cleaned up during the update.

The process of a full overhaul and PC cleanup could take WEEKS, since I will have to work on limited information. During this time, the casinos I need to work on may not be receiving deposits from me. Perhaps if the problems were even worse, and players were simply unable to play at all, MGS (and other vendors) would suddenly see an urgency for an investigation.

Don't forget, we have been here before with MGS, and after MONTHS of investigation, I was able to show it was indeed MGS at fault with buggy code, yet all the while they were officially fobbing players off with it not being their fault, but something to do with players' PCs and antivirus/firewall applications. We are almost at this point again, and part of the fault seems to be in the same application as before, the lobby update process. The error is different, but could again result in the casino becoming inaccessable once the update has taken place.

I would like to know how realistic the testing is before these upgrades are released. I suspect that they use a PC in their development laboratory rather than using the kind of PC and connection that their ordinary customers might be using. Under such laboratory conditions, they are unlikely to see many of the issues that plague their players, they should buy an off the shelf PC, simulate "normal usage" by installing other pieces of software that the average user might have, install many casinos (to check for conflicts), and run the update to simulate how it happens after release (player launches casino from desktop, which automatically picks up the upgrade and installs it).

[spearmaster]

Traceroutes never seem to show any issues up to the "entrance" of the place where the casino server is located, so surely the problem must lie between this point, and the casino server itself. This is pretty much "their end". It is not possible to trace any further, since the casino servers are "hidden" from this kind of probe in that they will not respond, therefore the time of the final leg cannot be determined.

Yes, traceroutes often end this way - but did you actually traceroute these particular instances?

Once you've reached this point, it is still not correct to blame a "big server farm" for lack of bandwidth. If you reach the end point and get no response, either they have blocked incoming pings and traceroutes, or else a router or server has failed - which of course has nothing to do with bandwidth.

I also have many of the additional problems others are mentioning, and my Flash is on auto update, so should always be up to date.

In the past, I would normally have recommended updating Flash to the latest version possible to resolve any issues which arise - however, the latest version at present seems to be a bit of a resource hog, and may have introduced additional problems which I am not yet aware.

I should also note that last month, I had trouble connecting to an MGS casino - but I put this down to a bandwidth issue where 3 of 4 cables in the Middle East area were cut. It is possible, however, that Flash might have been the problem... but as I say that, I just booted the casino and it seems to be downloading updates and games normally so I'd bet it was the cable issue.

If my PC, a fast dual core processor with graphics card & 2 Gig RAM, coupled to 10Mbit broadband is not enough to get the best MGS experience, then MGS need to take a look at their software to make it run smoothly on PC's that the average player will be using.

Sometimes it's nothing to do with the computer but instead the software, or server problems, or bandwidth problems. As you know, MGS isn't known to be a particularly efficient software - but then again, neither are many of the other casino softwares.

Stuff happens, however - sometimes your graphics card (for example) is too leading edge and thus causes problems - so having the newest stuff is not always a guarantee of compatibility.

There is a SIGNIFICANT difference between this past weekend and the previous one, where everything ran pretty much OK, I doubt very much this has anything to do with my PC, as I have not made any software changes.

Fine. I would be more inclined to attribute the issue to a server problem on their end - as I mentioned earlier, if you got to the destination before getting "no server response" then bandwidth is not going to be the issue.

Many others have complained that they have spent considerable sums on new PCs, and have found MGS performance just as bad as before (particularly in the tournaments), this again seems to rule out PCs being the problem.

Never said PCs in general were the problem In fact my opinion here concurs with yours, but this is not limited to MGS, it affects other manufacturers as well.

It has happened again today. I was playing a 3 reel slot, and the reels were extremely juddery, the animation jumping quite a few "frames" at a time instead of running smoothly (points to Flash player, but if I have the latest, maybe MGS are not coding the Flash properly for the flash player, or have left legacy code behind that is creating the problem). Suddenly, I got "casino error 2" and was promptly returned to the lobby, and since then have been unable to reconect to the game, nor the casino. This looks like a sudden loss of ALL connection to the server, yet my internet is fine.

Server issue. Bandwidth should have no effect on the operation of the software on your computer. The lack of a response from the server, however could be an issue - and as for juddery reels, that's Flash - which, by the way, I mostly believe to be a Flash-based issue, in combination with the methods MGS have used for their animation, as it affects anything I use which has Flash animation, not just casinos.

Wherever the problem lies, surely the casinos' use of "backwater" jurisdictions plays a part. These locations are not on the main internet highway, and would have a bottleneck somewhere between the servers and the main trunk routes of the internet.

This I can categorically state is incorrect. I will make the assumption that you are talking about Kahnawake - which happens to lie directly on a major North American internet backbone. If you're talking about another jurisdiction, I retract.

What REALLY annoys me though, is that MGS simply will not investigate this - they have MAJOR resources, as well as inside knowledge of how the client and server software SHOULD operate, and could compare this with what happens when things start to go wrong. Normally, they simply trot out the same old line "try uninstaling and reinstaling, and disable your firewall and antivirus software".

No comment

It is quite possible that the error lies in the client software, perhaps it errs and does not send the request to the server (or sends a corrupt one, which the server cannot interpret), but then sits there waiting for the reply. The error messages are of no use, after all, WTF is "casino error 2", if I could look up the meaning, maybe I could understand what the underlying problem might be.

I cannot answer this directly as I have no knowledge of the MGS error codes - but as I recall this equates to a server unavailable/unreachable issue.

I suspect that the only real cure would be the complete uninstallation, full cleanup, and reinstallation of my ENTIRE MGS portfolio, as I suspect that MGS casinos leave loads of "baggage" behind when a major change is made to the file structure. I noticed this when they went from having the games stored locally for each casino, to having them stored in a common area. In this case, the obsolete local files were left behind, they should really have been cleaned up during the update.

Doubt it - but no harm in doing that, and you're right about the baggage.

The process of a full overhaul and PC cleanup could take WEEKS, since I will have to work on limited information. During this time, the casinos I need to work on may not be receiving deposits from me. Perhaps if the problems were even worse, and players were simply unable to play at all, MGS (and other vendors) would suddenly see an urgency for an investigation.

Issues affecting a large number of players have happened before. I wouldn't be surprised if you were not the only one currently affected, and of course operators will be pressuring MGS to fix whatever is wrong.

Don't forget, we have been here before with MGS, and after MONTHS of investigation, I was able to show it was indeed MGS at fault with buggy code, yet all the while they were officially fobbing players off with it not being their fault, but something to do with players' PCs and antivirus/firewall applications. We are almost at this point again, and part of the fault seems to be in the same application as before, the lobby update process. The error is different, but could again result in the casino becoming inaccessable once the update has taken place.

Been there, done that Blame the excuses on inadequate training of the support desks, whose primary role in troubleshooting is only to disable antivirus and firewall software. But I doubt there was any "official" explanation from MGS directly as they normally do not respond to anything but the most critical issues.

I would like to know how realistic the testing is before these upgrades are released. I suspect that they use a PC in their development laboratory rather than using the kind of PC and connection that their ordinary customers might be using. Under such laboratory conditions, they are unlikely to see many of the issues that plague their players, they should buy an off the shelf PC, simulate "normal usage" by installing other pieces of software that the average user might have, install many casinos (to check for conflicts), and run the update to simulate how it happens after release (player launches casino from desktop, which automatically picks up the upgrade and installs it).

This, unfortunately, is an impossibility. There are countless thousands of different PC hardware configurations, operating system versions, antivirus and firewall software, connections and routes, which simply cannot be detected without rolling it out to the public. They can only plan for the most common configurations.

[spearmaster]

I've something to add to this, strangely enough. Just about the time I was making the post above, one of my servers went down hard... a traceroute showed that I could reach my server just fine... but it was impossible to get any sort of a response from the server itself.

I had my techs working on the server the whole night to try and resolve the issue as I had work to do, but to no avail.

Today I found out what went wrong... DDOS attack. Absolutely nothing I could do about it - and as you know casinos are often under DDOS attacks as well.

Despite the availability of allegedly special equipment for deflecting and minimizing DDOS attacks, I am not really convinced that the hardware I've seen so far is really that useful, since it mainly aims to push suspect traffic elsewhere in order to allow normal traffic to reach the server.

The only useful defense method I can think of would be the ability to have control over an upstream router to deflect this type of traffic while still on the backbone, or even redirect it back to its origin. But that's generally not how the Net works as bandwidth providers are generally not ISPs as well.

After thinking about it, I am convinced that this is the most likely scenario, though of course if the other side never says what happened, we'll never know for sure.

[vinylweatherman]

Well third weekend in a row - I'm really getting well and truly fed up with Microgaming.

This one implies they can't even code properly

These errors are multiplying like flies!!

There has been a recent, and very odd, update. This has preceded this latest crop of errors. I found one casino attempting to reinstall SPRING BREAK WTF!!!!
..... and it failed

The tournament software is playing up as usual, although not as bad as the last two weekends.

MGS need to remember - "if it aint broke, don't fix it". I see no reason for Sping Break, for example, to have been updated. Things that WERE "broke", have NOT been fixed, in fact, things have become even worse.

My problems last weekend were sent up to MGS through 32Red, but so far I have heard nothing, surely the ENTIRE MGS staff cannot be at ICEi

[slotplayer]

I see no reason for Sping Break, for example, to have been updated

wtf do you think they updated it? To make it hit better?

Perhaps the deposit problem is a sign.

[vinylweatherman]

It continues

I won £52 from the 15K jackpot tournament, so no longer need to deposit to play off my last continue in the $5000 Loaded event.

But.....

Today I can't get into the tournements - this is just getting plain ridiculous, but for the past 2 years it has been like talking to a brick wall when it comes to getting any action underway towards even taking this issue seriously, let alone getting it resolved.

I am leaving All Slots logged on while I am in the forum, hoping that the tournaments will become available later (this seems to have worked for others).