> there is no need to auto-save as much as it does now
> each auto-save lags the game slightly
> all these excess saves from all players add to your server costs
> it is pretty much standard practice in most auto-saving games to save after beating a boss

"Not true, there's a lot of need for auto-saving every level."

> Aside from the ability to quit after each area, rather than wait a couple minutes to complete the next boss, what other reasons are there to auto-save constantly?

"The lag caused by this is negligible..."

> I agree that the game lag is negligible. However, every time cotli auto-saves, it also momentarily pauses all other applications I am running at the same time such that I cannot comfortably multitask while running this game. Messes with music and video playing as well.

"...and a lot lower than what some crusader abilities cause."

> True, but crusader abilities lag is a separate topic.

Reset my firewall and it stopped choking during auto-saves.
Wrong assumption on my part to blame the game.
Your responses caused me to look deeper to find the solution.
Thanks, snow :)