When Big Tech Trips: How Server Hiccups Disrupt Gaming

The Digital World Takes a Hit

The digital landscape experienced a significant disruption recently, as AWS (Amazon Web Services), the backbone of many online services, encountered issues. This outage triggered a chain reaction, impacting popular games and platforms.

Gaming Platforms Feel the Impact

Among the first to be affected were Epic Games' Fortnite, Rocket League, and ARC Raiders. Players found themselves stuck at login screens or greeted with error messages like "Servers Not Responding." However, the disruption wasn't limited to gaming. The PlayStation Network and Steam also faced issues.

The Ripple Effect

AWS has yet to release an official statement regarding the outage. However, users on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to report problems, including login failures, matchmaking issues, and payment errors. The outage was widespread, affecting not just gaming but also other services reliant on AWS.

A Recurring Issue

This isn't the first time AWS has faced such problems. In October 2023, a similar outage disrupted services like Snapchat and Reddit. The issue stemmed from the Domain Name System (DNS), the internet's equivalent of a phonebook. When the DNS failed, apps couldn't locate the correct addresses, and services like DynamoDB (which stores critical data) became inaccessible. AWS later attributed the problem to a monitoring system for their network load balancers.

What Users Can Do During Outages

The best course of action during such disruptions is to wait it out. Checking status pages like status.epicgames.com or Downdetector can provide real-time updates. Repeatedly attempting to log in may not only be ineffective but could also flag your account. Historically, outages are resolved within a few hours, serving as a reminder of how interconnected our digital lives have become.