PC gaming has never been more popular. Yes, gaming consoles like the Xbox One, the PS4, and Nintendo Wii are also well-known gaming platforms. But any hardcore PC gamer will tell you nothing matches the graphics rendering and responsiveness of a PC. Of course, for any online PC video game, you need a high-speed internet connection. Upload and download speeds are very important for the online gaming experience. But what if you could optimize your gaming experience without having to increase speeds? The Cox Elite Gamer Add-On aims to do exactly that. Let’s find out more.
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What Is the Cox Elite Gamer Add-On?
The Elite Gamer add-on is a service that the provider has been developing for almost a year. It was already in testing in select markets across the United States earlier this year. With testing successful, the add-on will roll out to all Cox markets later this week. The Elite Gamer add-on does not promise to increase your upload and download speeds. Instead, it works on optimizing other aspects of gameplay. The Elite Gamer add-on promises:
- 38% lower ping than usual.
- 55% fewer lag spikes than normal.
- 45% improved jitters than usual.
All of that for just $6.99 per month for one user, with no Cox hidden costs.
How Does the Add-On Work?
Instead of focusing on speed, the Elite Gamer add-on works to improve the connection between your computer and the game’s server. The add-on works through an app that you need to download on your PC once you have access to the service. The add-on makes use of intelligent routing to find the best path from your PC to the game server. According to the provider, this smart shortcut translates into less lag and improved ping, which means better gameplay.
The service also comes with a performance tracking dashboard. This dashboard records things like lag spikes and packet loss. It generates a report so you can see exactly when any disruption happened. Please note that to use the Elite Gamer Add-On you need to be subscribed to Cox Internet Preferred 150 or higher. It is not available with the Internet Essentials plan.
The Benefits of Using the Elite Gamer Add-On
The biggest pro to using the add-on is that it offers real-time reports. You can see the connection quality between your computer and the server on the app’s PC dashboard. Elite Gamer costs $6.99 and works with one PC over your Panoramic Wi-Fi system. However, you have the option to add multiple game connections for up to 4 devices for $4.99 per month per device. You will be charged for the number of connections with Cox bill pay. You do not have to enter into a long-term agreement with the provider to use the add-on, so you can cancel your service at any time you choose. And finally, the Elite Gamer Add-On app is a small file that you can quickly download and start using right away.
The Cons of Signing Up for the Add-On
One of the most common complaints customers have about the Elite Gamer Add-On is that it only works with higher-tier plans like Internet Preferred 150. What’s more, you’re paying extra every month without any increase in your upload and download speeds. The add-on does not work with every game, only the ones in its catalog are compatible. And of course, having the Elite Gamer service still means you have a 1 TB data cap on your internet plan. Needless to say, you may need to troubleshoot your connection after internet outage issues to use the add-on.
The Bottom Line
There is a very good argument for choosing to add Elite Gamer to your Cox internet plan. Serious gamers know how valuable a stable and reliable connection to the game server really is. For that reason alone, many PC gamers will be lining up to get the add-on service. However, there is also a flipside to the argument. The Elite Gamer Add-On is not compatible with Xbox, Nintendo, PlayStation, or even Mac. So if you use any of these platforms for gaming you probably won’t get much benefit out of Elite Gamer. At the same time, Cox reserves the right to change the game catalog for the add-on at any time. That means two things. One, not all games will work with the add-on. Two, games that currently work with the add-on may be removed later on.
But all in all, if you’re a serious PC gamer sharing a network with other users, Elite Gamer is for you. It will improve your gaming experience while not interfering with other users. But if you are a non-PC gamer or the only user on your network, you may be better off with getting a higher-tier plan.
