That happened just after they updated the game for the ps5 to increase loading speeds. I think it loads you into the zone first, then loads players.
Was definitely before the recent population explosion though
I didn't say that. It could be related to the hardware they are playing on. Especially if not on an ssd, which is basically essential at this point in time.
There are tons of players who play the game on laptops and pcs below minimum required specs. Hence the question.
Played this game on multiple PC's over the years. Never had issues with character/npc/enemy sprites not loading within 1 sec outside of beta and launch of 1.0 when the game kinda ate system resources like a starving teenager that was given a bag of their favorite potato chips. Though not near as bad as Crysis at launch when trying to play that title on max settings. :P
I've tired of how overcrowded servers are. There are too many people everywhere.
The problem exists easy. When you are in a zone that has reached cap. You have 200 people crafting right next to an NPC or 200 people trying to hit hunt mob or 200 people doing a seasonal event. It isn't a problem just when you load into a full zone where most people are afk. I am sure the hamsters are trying their hardest. But it is generally a problem in most MMOs with big content.
Then you're fortunate. I've had more times than I can count loading into the end game zone, running over to the tomestone exchange counter, and then having to wait even still for at least a few seconds before the vendor loads because of how many players are there.
I think a lot of this could be alleviated if there were simply an option to tell the game not to bother loading players who are AFK at all. They can load and pop in if they decide to take an action, but I don't need to see someone sitting in the same spot for days doing some dance or trying to show off their weapons/glamors in the end game hub
Ps4 has that problem, sometimes I luck out with hunts if I reach the mark first so it loads the enemy immediately but if I reach a second late... well aoe spam as a tank sadly.
For npcs as well, at least a minute or so when it is overcrowded. Or 2 minutes max if the players are all gathered on a single npc.
Regardless it will always be a problem in general, dunno how ps5 works with the so many people
Its a big problem on PS4.
Thats not the only issue though.
Everytime I do a ShB alliance me and my friend lag like crazy the 1st 20 seconds after the fight starts.
It feels like PS4 has started showing its age, but because players get loaded in 1st I think it just makes the problem so much worse..