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Do Physical PS5 Games Take Less Space? The Ultimate Guide

No, physical PS5 games do not take up less storage space than their digital counterparts. Regardless of whether you purchase a game on a Blu-ray disc or download it directly from the PlayStation Store, the full game data must be installed onto the PS5’s internal storage to be played. The disc essentially serves as a license key and installation medium, rather than a way to bypass the installation process. In simple terms, think of the disc as containing the downloaded game, but instead of waiting to download it over the internet, you just install it from the disc.

The Myth of Physical Game Storage Savings Debunked

For many years, gamers have assumed that owning a physical copy of a game meant that a significant portion of the game’s data would be read directly from the disc during gameplay, thus reducing the need for extensive storage space. However, modern gaming consoles, including the PlayStation 5, employ a different strategy for optimal performance.

Why Full Installation is Necessary

The PlayStation 5 utilizes a high-speed solid-state drive (SSD) to deliver incredibly fast loading times and seamless gameplay. To take full advantage of this technology, the game data must reside on the SSD. Reading data directly from the disc, while possible, would be significantly slower and would hinder the overall gaming experience.

Speed and Performance: The SSD offers vastly superior data access speeds compared to a Blu-ray disc.
Reduced Loading Times: Installing the game onto the SSD minimizes loading times, resulting in a more immersive and enjoyable experience.
Consistent Gameplay: Eliminates potential bottlenecks that could arise from reading data from the disc in real-time.

The Role of the Game Disc

The game disc serves two primary purposes:

Installation Medium: The disc contains the game files, allowing you to install the game onto your PS5’s internal storage without needing to download a massive file from the internet.
License Verification: The PS5 uses the disc as a means of verifying that you own the game. You must insert the disc into the console to play the game, even after it has been fully installed.

Understanding PS5 Storage Capacity

The PlayStation 5 comes with a 1TB SSD, but only around 825GB is usable storage. After accounting for the operating system and other system files, you’re left with approximately 667GB of space for games, applications, and saved data. This means that you need to be mindful of the storage requirements of each game you install.

Game Installation Sizes

The size of PS5 games varies significantly. Some games may require only 30-40GB of storage, while others, particularly large, open-world titles, can exceed 100GB. Here are a few examples:

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War: Around 175GB+
Spider-Man Miles Morales Ultimate Edition: Around 100GB+
Destiny 2: Around 100GB+
Horizon Forbidden West: Around 100GB+

This means that you will realistically be able to install around 5 to 15 large PS5 games before running out of space on the internal drive.

Expanding Your Storage

If you find yourself running out of storage space, you have a couple of options:

External SSD: You can connect an external SSD to your PS5 via USB to store and play PS4 games. This is not currently supported for PS5 games.
Internal SSD Upgrade: You can install a compatible NVMe SSD into the PS5’s expansion slot to increase your internal storage capacity. This is the best option for storing and playing PS5 games.

FAQs About PS5 Game Storage

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the storage requirements of PS5 games:

Will the PS5 ever allow playing games directly from the disc to save space? It’s highly unlikely. The PS5’s architecture is designed around utilizing the speed of the SSD for optimal performance. Playing directly from the disc would significantly degrade the gaming experience.
Does the PS5 Digital Edition have more storage since it doesn’t have a disc drive? No, both the standard PS5 and the Digital Edition have the same internal storage capacity (1TB SSD, with approximately 667GB usable).
Are digital games cheaper because they don’t include the cost of a physical disc? Sometimes. While the absence of a disc does reduce manufacturing and distribution costs, digital game prices are often influenced by factors such as publisher pricing strategies and sales promotions. Generally, you will find physical copies cheaper over the long term.
Can I transfer my PS5 games to an external hard drive to free up space on the internal SSD? You can move PS5 games to an external hard drive to free up space on the internal SSD, but you cannot play them directly from the external drive. You’ll need to move them back to the internal SSD to play them. The console will let you move games but it doesn’t let you play them until you move them back.
How do I know how much storage space a PS5 game requires? The storage space required for a game is typically listed on the game’s product page in the PlayStation Store or on the game’s packaging if you’re buying a physical copy.
Does deleting a game also delete my save data? No, deleting a game typically does not delete your save data. Save data is stored separately and can be managed in the PS5’s settings menu.
If I uninstall a digital game and then reinstall it, will I have to download the entire game again? Yes, you will need to download the entire game again, as the installed files are removed from your system when you uninstall the game.
Can I use a regular external hard drive to store PS5 games? You can use a regular external hard drive to store PS4 games and play them on your PS5. However, to play PS5 games, they must be installed on the internal SSD or a compatible NVMe SSD installed in the expansion slot.
Will the PS5 automatically download updates for games installed from a disc? Yes, the PS5 will automatically download and install updates for both digital and disc-based games, provided you have an active internet connection.
Is there a way to prioritize which games get stored on the internal SSD? The PS5 doesn’t offer a specific prioritization feature. However, you can manually manage your storage by moving games you play frequently to the internal SSD and less frequently played games to an external storage device.
Does having multiple user accounts on the PS5 affect the available storage space for each game? No, multiple user accounts do not affect the amount of storage space required for each game. The game is installed once, and all users can access it. However, save data is specific to each user account.
Does the type of game (e.g., open-world, indie) affect the storage space it requires? Yes, the type of game significantly affects the storage space required. Large, open-world games with detailed graphics and expansive environments typically require more storage space than smaller, indie titles.
If I upgrade to a larger SSD, will I need to re-download all my digital games? Yes, if you replace the internal SSD with a larger one, you will need to reinstall your operating system and download all of your digital games and applications again.
Can I share physical games with friends if they also have a PS5? Yes, you can share physical games with friends, as the disc serves as the license key. However, they will still need to install the game onto their PS5’s internal storage to play it.
Does Sony offer cloud storage for PS5 games to reduce the need for local storage? Yes, PlayStation Plus members can utilize cloud storage for game saves. This does not reduce the storage space required for the game itself but allows you to back up your progress and retrieve it on another console.

Conclusion: Plan Your PS5 Storage Wisely

While the dream of saving space with physical games remains just that, a dream, understanding how the PS5 utilizes its storage is crucial. Whether you’re a digital devotee or a physical game collector, make sure to manage your storage effectively to keep your gaming experience smooth and uninterrupted. And remember, for insights into the broader world of gaming and its impact on education and society, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Do physical PS5 games take less space?