LONDON: Telecoms company Zain has recorded the fastest response times for the most popular online video games, according to a Saudi industry survey. The firm’s rating was revealed in the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission’s quarterly Game Mode report. The study compared the response times of telecom providers in Saudi Arabia, reviewed the most popular video gaming platforms and games, and offered guidelines to improve the quality of internet connections for video games. The Game Mode initiative forms part of the commission’s drive to increase competition between telecom providers to give the best experience for video gamers. Its efforts are also aimed at increasing transparency in the sector by publishing data and indicators and enabling investors to view market performance indicators in the Kingdom. The quickest response time rate for the popular “Fortnite” online game was secured by Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) and Zain with an average of 12 milliseconds, jointly followed by Mobily and Salam on 24 milliseconds. Response time performance for “FIFA” again showed STC and Zain in the lead at 13 milliseconds and Mobily and Salam closely behind with an average of 23 milliseconds and 24 milliseconds, respectively. Battle royale-hero shooter game “Apex Legends” mirrored the results of “FIFA” with STC and Zain heading the list with a 13-millisecond response time, followed by Mobily in second on 24 milliseconds, and Salam third at 28 milliseconds. Mobily hit top spot in “League of Legends” with a time of 79 milliseconds, followed by STC, Salam, and Zain on 86, 89, and 91 milliseconds, respectively. Zain came first for battle arena game “Dota 2,” recording a response time of 20 milliseconds, followed by STC on 23 milliseconds. The third and fourth place were taken by Salam and Mobily with 25 and 31 milliseconds, respectively.