HN Explorer

Ask HS: Why are game updates so large?

8 points by ASVBPREAUBV ↗ HN
I'm an casual player. Every time I want to play I have to download 55GB. The game does not change from my perspective. What is in those downloads?

5 comments

[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 24.8 ms ] thread
sushshshsh
Most likely an absurd amount of high resolution audio/video files, 3D models, and textures. Most of the work that occurs in games these days is based on art rather than programming and has evolved to whatever "normal SSD" can be expected to hold
kohanz
Sure, but if I'm thinking along the same lines as the OP, is all of the content truly new or different? Or is there a lot of redundant data in those updates?
sushshshsh
Ohhhh yeah it's possible they're extremely lazy and just pushing the entire new build to you and not the "diff".

If the game is 55GB, and the update is 55GB, and the game remains 55GB after the update.... ^.^

But if it's a 600GB game? Well then dunno. But I don't think any game has reached there yet... CoD is getting closer though

[deleted]
(comment deleted)
[deleted]
(comment deleted)