The WGC is a unified launcher for all Wargaming games. Using it, you can easily and conveniently install games, control downloads, and log in to whichever Wargaming game you want, as well as receive topical news and information. This article will provide you information about how the WGC interacts with networks, and also about several useful launcher settings that will help you optimize the launcher's network usage. Be sure to also read the article about how the WGC uses your PC's resources.
By default, the WGC is set up in such a way that after you start it and then click the "Close" button; the WGC will switch to the background mode but continue working. While in the background mode, the WGC will be displayed as a round icon with the Wargaming logo on the taskbar in the bottom-right corner of the screen (near to the clock).
If the icon is static, it means that the WGC isn't currently downloading any game updates, and it's in standby mode.
The WGC checks for any updates and notifications from time to time while in the background mode. For that purpose, it sends simple http queries. These take up only minimal bandwidth.
It's possible to disable the switch to background mode when the Game Center window is closed. When it's disabled, you'll exit the application upon closing the Game Center window. You can find the instructions on how to do it in the section of this article titled: "How to manually set the WGC's interactions with a network."
News and other content, which is displayed in the main WGC window, is loaded only when you start (or maximize) the application. Only content that relates to the game you're currently browsing is loaded. While loading news and other content, bandwidth usage increases, but still remains at a very low level.
Any updates found by the WGC can be categorized into two types.
The first type relates to directly updating a game to its latest version. As a rule, you can run an updated game immediately after any updates have been downloaded.
Some projects have upcoming updates as well. They are used to improve download processes on the days when updates are released and lower the game servers' loads.
You can limit the download speeds of any upcoming updates, or turn the feature off completely. You can find the instructions on how to do it in the section of this article titled: "How to manually set the WGC's interactions with a network."
In addition, you can schedule game updates in the WGC and choose the most convenient time for you. For example, if network traffic is cheaper at some specific hours, or if you just want to avoid updates at the times when you use the PC most frequently. You can find the instructions on how to do it in the section of this article titled: "How to manually set the WGC's interactions with a network."
Please note: the schedule is valid for newly found updates only. If you pause an update process that has already started, it will continue when the WGC is started again or when you exit a game, regardless of the schedule settings.
If the WGC finds an update, it will download and install it (if not limited by the applied settings). The start of a download process will be followed by a pop-up window in the bottom-right corner of your screen. The window will also display information about what game is being updated at that moment. If you need to update several games, the WGC will do that in sequence. The WGC icon on the taskbar starts blinking when any updates are being downloaded and installed.
The WGC checks the integrity of the relevant game client when downloading updates. If it detects any damage to a client, the program will download and replace all required packages. Due to that, the total size of any downloaded files might be larger than the size of an update itself.
Downloading and installing updates and games significantly increases bandwidth consumption. Before downloading an update or entire game, the WGC will inform you about the total size of the files to be downloaded. During the download process, you can see how much remains to be downloaded on the page of the game that is being updated.
The WGC not only downloads updates, but also seeds them using a torrent-protocol. Simply speaking, any updates you download don't just come from a data center, but also from nearby PCs and local networks as well. This allows you and your battle friends to update any clients that might require it more quickly and efficiently. You can choose to limit the update seeding speed, or turn it off completely. You can find the instructions on how to do it in the section of this article titled: "How to manually set the WGC's interactions with a network."
When you start a game, the WGC ceases all checks for updates and notifications and pauses all internal processes.
If you maximize the main WGC window while a game is running, it will download any news and other content until you return to the game. It's not necessary to minimize the window.
You can make additional changes to the WGC. To do so, start the WGC and click on the Settings button (the gear icon on the left side of the main window):
You can additionally choose to:
1. Turn the automatic launching of the program on or off when starting an operating system:
- Click General in the Settings menu. Then check or uncheck the box next to "Launch Game Center when I start the computer."
2. Turn the WGC background mode on or off:
- Click General in the Settings menu. Then check or uncheck the box next to "Exit Game Center when I close the main window."
3. Turn downloading the upcoming updates off, or limit the download speed:
- Click Updates in the Settings menu. In order to turn the downloading of upcoming updates on or off, check or uncheck the box next to "Download updates in advance."
- In order to limit the download speed of any upcoming updates, click a number or arrow to the right of "Download speed for upcoming updates." A dropdown list will appear from which you can select the desired download speed.
4. Limit download speed of updates:
- Click Updates in the Settings menu. Click a number or an arrow to the right of "Download speed." A dropdown list will appear from which you can select the desired download speed.
5. Turn update seeding off:
- Click Updates in the Settings menu. In order to turn update seeding on or off, check or uncheck the box next to the "No uploading."
6. Limit update seeding speed:
- Click Updates in the Settings menu. Click a number or an arrow to the right of "Upload speed." A dropdown list will appear from which you can select the desired upload speed.
7. Schedule updates:
- Click Updates in the Settings menu, then click MANAGE UPDATE SCHEDULE.
- Set a suitable time and day for updates.
- After selecting the desired time and day, click Save.
