This article is an anonymous typical scenario case study showing how a North American player improves latency and fluctuations through route optimization when connecting to game servers in mainland China. The data in this article are sample test results and do not constitute a performance guarantee for all network environments.

1. Player Pain Points: Being Able to Log In Doesn't Mean Being Able to Play Ranked Stably

A player residing in the US West wanted to play the Chinese server of Honor of Kings with friends back in China. A standard network connection allowed logging in and matchmaking, but entering ranked matches frequently led to three problems:

● Ping remained around 250ms for extended periods, causing noticeable lag in skill casting and visual feedback;

● During evening peak hours when public networks were congested, latency would spike suddenly, with occasional packet loss or reconnections;

● Mobile and PC network paths differed, requiring node troubleshooting again after switching devices.

For competitive games, average Ping is only one metric. What impacts gameplay more often are latency fluctuations, packet loss, and brief disconnections. What players truly care about is not 'whether they can connect,' but whether predictable connection quality can be maintained throughout the match.

2. Test Environment: US West Connecting to Beijing Game Node

This case study uses the following typical setup:

● Player Location: US West;

● Target Service: Route to Honor of Kings Chinese server in the Beijing region, Mainland China;

● Test Devices: Windows PC and iPhone;

● Comparison Method: Test latency and stability before acceleration and after connecting to HiCN gaming routes, respectively;

● Observed Metrics: Average Ping, latency fluctuation, packet loss, and connection continuity during a ranked match.

Please note that actual results are affected by local ISPs, home Wi-Fi, telecom carriers' cross-border exits, game server scheduling, and test time slots. Results may vary significantly across different cities, broadband providers, and game servers.

3. Optimization Steps: Locate the Issue First, Then Choose the Right Route

1. Record the Unoptimized Baseline First

The player first conducted several tests during similar time slots to record the average Ping and fluctuation range under a standard network, rather than relying on a single lowest reading. Baseline tests showed that latency towards Beijing was approximately 250ms, with noticeable jitter during evening peak hours.

The purpose of this step is to distinguish 'base latency caused by distance' from 'extra fluctuations caused by public network congestion.' Without a baseline, even if performance feels faster after optimization, it is difficult to tell whether the improvement came from the route, the time slot, or random chance.

2. Select Gaming Mode in HiCN

In the Windows client, the player selected a game-oriented return-to-China route before launching Honor of Kings (Chinese server). HiCN's gaming optimizations include dedicated esports lines, smart routing, and backup path switching, aimed at reducing the impact of public internet detours and congestion on the connection.

In actual use, node names or a single lowest Ping reading should not be the sole basis for judgment. A more reliable selection method is: test 2 to 3 available nodes during the same time window, prioritizing routes with smaller latency fluctuations and lower packet loss.

3. Verify Mobile and PC Separately

Since mobile phones and PCs may go through different local network paths, the player enabled the HiCN mobile app separately on the iPhone and ran another matchmaking and ranked test. If multiple devices are running simultaneously on the home network, one should also watch out for the bandwidth impact of upload tasks, cloud sync, and video streaming.

For players who need to use both PC and mobile devices simultaneously, it is recommended to verify individually:

● Whether both devices are connected to suitable gaming routes;

● Whether one device is still using the standard public network;

● Whether the router, Wi-Fi channel, or background downloads are causing local congestion.

4. Result Verification: Reduced Ping, and More Importantly, Narrowed Fluctuation

In the anonymous typical test of this case study, the average Ping connecting from US West to Beijing dropped from about 250ms to about 120ms. During the same test time window, fluctuations and brief packet loss during the connection process were also reduced, making skill responsiveness in ranked matches more stable than when unaccelerated.

'120ms' does not equal zero latency, nor does it mean every match will maintain the exact same value. For cross-border competitive players, a more valuable improvement is usually predictable latency: players can make more consistent judgments on skill wind-up times, movement controls, and team fight feedback, rather than constantly adapting to sudden network jitter.

5. Multi-Platform Synergy: Manage PC Ranked Matches and Mobile Entertainment Separately

This player typically plays ranked matches on PC, while using a mobile phone to log in, view events, or keep in touch with domestic friends. By including both devices in the testing process, redundant troubleshooting such as 'PC works but mobile can't connect' or 'mobile is fine but PC is still lagging' can be minimized.

If there are more devices at home, router-level acceleration can also be considered based on actual needs. However, whether using client apps or a router, it is recommended to clarify the goal first: whether to optimize gaming for just one device or to allow multiple devices at home to access Chinese games, videos, and social services simultaneously. The more complex the setup, the more necessary it is to verify results device by device.

6. Ongoing Maintenance: Retest After Game Updates

Route effectiveness is not permanent after a single setup. Retesting baseline and comparison metrics is recommended when encountering the following situations:

1.  Game versions or server regions are updated;

2.  Local ISPs adjust cross-border exits;

3.  New latency spikes or packet loss occur during evening peak hours;

4.  Performance between PC and mobile suddenly shows significant divergence;

5.  The current node experiences continuous fluctuations or connection drops multiple times.

During testing, try to keep the device, network, time slot, and game server consistent, recording results multiple times. If performance degrades only during a specific time frame, do not immediately conclude that all routes have failed; if anomalies persist across multiple time slots, you can switch nodes or contact HiCN support for further troubleshooting.

Conclusion: Cross-Border Competitive Experience Depends on Stable Routes, Not Just Lowest Ping

For North American players, the core difficulty in connecting to the Honor of Kings Chinese server is usually not merely 'distance,' but latency fluctuations caused by a combination of cross-border paths, public network congestion, and device configurations. In this case study, by recording a baseline, selecting gaming routes, verifying PC and mobile separately, and retesting after game updates, the anonymous typical test improved average Ping from about 250ms to about 120ms, resulting in more continuous ranked match connections.

HiCN's return-to-China acceleration service covers Windows, iOS, and Android, providing route optimizations tailored for gaming scenarios. Players can first conduct tests based on their region, ISP, and device combinations before deciding whether to use it for long-term ranked play or multi-device home access. For more product and usage details, please check the Android Client QR Code.

Case Study Scope: The data in this article are anonymous typical test examples; actual improvements vary depending on geographical location, ISP, network environment, game servers, and time slot used; game updates may also alter connection performance.