Why is Modern Warfare So Big on PC? Understanding the Colossal File Size
The question of why Modern Warfare and its related titles, like Warzone, occupy such a substantial amount of storage space on PCs is a common one, and for good reason. Many players are left baffled by the sheer size of these games, often exceeding 150GB and sometimes even pushing past 200GB. The simple answer is a confluence of factors, primarily the sheer volume of high-fidelity assets, including maps, character models, weapons, textures, and audio, all combined with design choices related to content and compression. Let’s delve deeper into the specific reasons why Modern Warfare games tend to dominate hard drives.
The Content Overload
High-Resolution Assets and Textures
Modern Warfare games are known for their stunning graphics and realistic environments. This visual fidelity comes at a cost – extremely detailed textures for everything, from character skins to sprawling map environments. These uncompressed textures consume a significant amount of storage space, contributing significantly to the game’s overall file size. The more detail packed into these assets, the larger the file size becomes. Every surface, every reflection, every shadow is meticulously crafted, but this comes at the expense of hard drive real estate.
Extensive Map Variety
The Modern Warfare series is not shy of variety, offering multiple maps in various game modes and, of course, Warzone. Each map is an intricately designed environment, often incorporating a multitude of different locations and architectural styles. These maps, each with their unique assets, drastically inflate the storage requirements, as every structure, every piece of foliage, and every prop must be stored on your system.
Weapon Arsenal and Customization
Modern Warfare offers players a vast selection of weapons, each with its own unique characteristics, models, and textures. Add to that the deep customization available through attachments and skins, and the sheer number of permutations results in an enormous pool of assets that must be stored. The greater the variety and customization options, the more data is needed.
Game Modes and Their Data Footprint
The inclusion of various modes like the traditional multiplayer modes, co-op missions, and the large-scale Warzone mode all contribute to the game’s size. The open world nature of Warzone, the complexities of its large map, and the constant updates to its content push its requirements further. The Zombies mode, if included, also adds significantly to the data load with new maps, enemies, and story-driven assets.
Compression and Optimization
Lack of Aggressive Compression
While many games use advanced compression techniques to reduce their size, there’s a belief that the Modern Warfare titles, in particular, do not compress as aggressively as they could. While some compression is surely in place, the focus may have been on maintaining visual fidelity over optimizing for storage. It’s speculated that this lack of aggressive compression, coupled with the sheer number of assets, contributes considerably to the large file sizes.
Unoptimized Legacy Assets
The practice of carrying forward assets from previous titles, such as in Modern Warfare III inheriting content from Modern Warfare II, further compounds the size issue. While asset reuse can be efficient, if the older assets are not optimized, it can lead to larger file sizes. This strategy, while providing a seamless experience for long-time players, contributes to the bloat by retaining multiple versions of similar assets.
Post-Launch Content and Updates
Modern Warfare is a live-service game that constantly receives new content, including new maps, modes, weapons, and cosmetic items. Each update brings new data, continuously adding to the already hefty file size, even for optional content. While you might think a single update is small, the cumulative effect of ongoing content updates further cements the game’s hefty footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How big is Modern Warfare on PC?
The initial download size varies, but recommended storage space for Modern Warfare is typically around 175 GB. However, with updates and new content, it can easily exceed 200 GB. For a truly comprehensive experience with all additional content, some players have reported sizes closer to 235 GB.
2. Why is Warzone so large?
Warzone’s huge file size stems from the same reasons as Modern Warfare: the large map, detailed assets, and regular updates with new content and modes like DMZ. Its status as a separate, often linked, game mode within the Modern Warfare ecosystem also requires a substantial amount of data.
3. Can I reduce the size of Modern Warfare on PC?
Yes, you can reduce the file size by uninstalling specific components through the Battle.net launcher or Steam. You can select to remove campaign, multiplayer, and specific content packs that are not needed.
4. Is Modern Warfare free-to-play?
The core Modern Warfare multiplayer experience is not free-to-play, but Activision has provided free trial periods offering limited access. However, Warzone is entirely free-to-play on all platforms.
5. How much storage does Warzone require?
Warzone requires approximately 175 GB of storage space on PC, similar to Modern Warfare. This number can vary depending on updates and installed content. Some reports put a base install of 22 GB-24 GB on PC for just Warzone, but after a few updates it will quickly bloat up to the 175 GB range.
6. Is Warzone included with Modern Warfare?
Warzone is often linked to Modern Warfare titles but is typically considered a standalone game. While content may transfer, they are downloaded separately. Sometimes, owning a Modern Warfare title will unlock some extra content for Warzone, but they are not one and the same install package.
7. What is the biggest game file size on Steam?
As of this writing, Ark: Survival Evolved generally holds the top spot as the largest game on Steam, exceeding 400 GB. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare often comes in a close second or third, depending on updates.
8. Why does Call of Duty require so much space compared to other games?
Call of Duty’s large file size is due to its high-fidelity graphics, vast collection of assets, lack of aggressive compression, and continuous addition of content through updates. It is a visually rich experience and the storage requirements follow that.
9. Is Modern Warfare worth buying in 2024?
Whether Modern Warfare is worth buying depends on your personal preferences and interest in first-person shooters. The game is still played widely, with many considering it a favorite entry in the series, so if you are a fan of the series, the campaign, the multiplayer, or both, you may very well find it worth your purchase.
10. Is Warzone 2 smaller than the original Warzone?
Initial download sizes for Warzone 2 might seem smaller, but as with other live-service titles, they grow as updates are rolled out. Ultimately, Warzone 2 is on par with the original Warzone when all content is installed.
11. Is Call of Duty hard?
Call of Duty’s difficulty is influenced by its Skill Based Matchmaking (SBMM) system, which tries to match you with players of a similar skill level, meaning you could be facing tougher or easier opponents depending on how you have performed in previous matches.
12. Will Warzone movement be in MW3?
Yes, Warzone movement in MW3 is intended to be similar to that of Modern Warfare 2019, but with a slight increase in speed. It’s a faster-paced style that aims to please players who are used to faster-paced gameplay styles in the franchise.
13. Why do Modern Warfare updates take so long?
Large updates in Modern Warfare can take a long time due to the size of the files and the amount of data being downloaded and installed. Additionally, server load and your internet speed also factor into this.
14. Is Call of Duty on Steam free?
Yes, Call of Duty: Warzone is available free-to-play on Steam. However, the core Modern Warfare games, while sometimes having free access periods, are not free.
15. Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019 free?
No, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 is not free. You need to purchase the game to play it, although sometimes free multiplayer trials are available. However, as previously stated, Warzone is the free to play aspect of the series.