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How Big is Call of Duty Modern Warfare GB? A Deep Dive into Storage Requirements

The question of how big Call of Duty Modern Warfare is in terms of gigabytes (GB) is a common one, and the answer is not straightforward. The storage requirements for the various titles under the “Modern Warfare” banner, along with Call of Duty HQ, the central hub for accessing multiple COD games, can be quite complex. Let’s unravel the mystery. The answer, in short, is that it varies greatly depending on the specific game, platform, and whether you’re including extra packs or the entire Call of Duty HQ. The file size ranges from about 50 GB to well over 250 GB, so buckle up, as we dive into the details.

Modern Warfare: The Base Game and Its Size Variations

It’s important to note that the term “Modern Warfare” covers multiple titles including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022), and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023). Each game has unique storage requirements, adding to the confusion.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

At launch, the 2019 Modern Warfare was infamous for its massive 175GB file size, making it one of the largest games ever. This number fluctuated somewhat with various updates and the addition of Warzone. The game was criticized for taking up too much space on players’ hard drives. The size was attributed to high-resolution textures, large map files, and the inclusion of various game modes.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

The base download for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II is about 151.4 GB according to PushSquare, with additional multiplayer and co-op packs increasing the size even further. This means that even if you buy the disc version of the game, a substantial download is needed before you can play.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)

Modern Warfare III has recently launched, with players finding the total Call of Duty install imprint, on PlayStation 5, to be a staggering 234.9GB. This huge size is partially because Call of Duty HQ, the central hub to access various COD games like MW2, MW3, and Warzone, has a significant size of around 50GB. It’s crucial to understand that this total size includes the data for multiple COD experiences, not just Modern Warfare III on its own.

The Impact of Call of Duty HQ

It’s important to understand that many COD experiences are now consolidated under Call of Duty HQ. This central hub is required to access Modern Warfare II, Modern Warfare III, and Warzone. The HQ has a base installation size of approximately 50 GB. The presence of this central hub contributes significantly to the overall storage requirement as you install and update all these experiences.

Why Are Call of Duty Games So Large?

The large file sizes of Modern Warfare and other Call of Duty titles are due to a combination of factors. Here are the primary reasons:

High-Resolution Textures: Modern COD games have realistic graphics with detailed textures, which consume significant storage space.
Numerous Assets: The sheer number of assets such as characters, weapons, maps, and cosmetic items contributes to the overall file size.
Uncompressed Data: Some suggest that the game’s assets, especially textures, are not sufficiently compressed to minimize file sizes.
Cross-Game Content: The incorporation of maps and assets from previous titles can increase storage demands, as seen with the integration of MWII content into MWIII.
Warzone and Additional Modes: The inclusion of large game modes like Warzone, and DMZ, along with a host of other modes such as Zombies, adds significantly to the data footprint.
Cosmetic Items and Store Content: Cosmetics and other items from the in-game store further inflate the storage space requirements.

Comparing Call of Duty File Sizes

It’s also worth noting the file sizes of other Call of Duty games to provide more context:

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: This title also requires a substantial 175 GB of storage.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0: The file size is platform-dependent, with Xbox Series X/S requiring 62GB, Battlenet around 23.6 GB, and Steam about 22.6 GB. However, these sizes can vary considerably depending on updates and install choices
Call of Duty (General PC Size): Often, a generalized install can require 125 GB on PC, but this can vary.
Older Call of Duty: The original Call of Duty required a meager 1.4GB of disk space.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you better understand the storage requirements for Call of Duty Modern Warfare.

1. How much space does the base Modern Warfare III game take up?

The base game size of Modern Warfare III (2023) itself is difficult to isolate due to Call of Duty HQ. However, the total combined footprint on PlayStation 5 is reported as 234.9 GB, with approximately 50 GB for Call of Duty HQ itself.

2. Is the reported 234.9GB for Modern Warfare III the total download for all games?

Yes, the 234.9GB figure typically includes not just Modern Warfare III, but all necessary content for accessing the game, along with Call of Duty HQ and other related content.

3. Why is Modern Warfare so much bigger than other games?

Modern Warfare‘s size is due to its high-quality graphics, numerous assets, large map files, inclusion of Warzone and other modes, and a lot of cross-game content.

4. Does the type of platform affect the size of the game?

Yes, the game size can vary based on the platform. Console versions may be different from PC downloads, and even sizes within a console family, like Xbox Series X/S can vary.

5. Does uninstalling certain modes reduce the overall game size?

Yes, some Call of Duty titles allow for selective uninstallation of specific modes. For instance, if you do not play the campaign or certain multiplayer packs, you can uninstall these to save space. However, Call of Duty HQ often has much of the core game content required for all experiences.

6. How much is the Modern Warfare/Warzone Pack on PC?

The Modern Warfare/Warzone pack can take up to 250GB on PC, primarily because of the detailed maps and high-resolution textures.

7. Is Warzone 100 GB?

The size of Warzone 1 (when it was active) could easily approach 100GB due to high-resolution assets and other content.

8. How big is Warzone 2?

Warzone 2’s base download can be between 55 GB and 70 GB on console and 22 GB to 24 GB on PC. Updates will increase these figures over time.

9. What causes these massive updates that inflate the size of COD games?

Updates to Call of Duty games often add new content like maps, weapons, and game modes. These expansions increase file size, and large content drops for events contribute to download sizes.

10. Is Modern Warfare bigger than other COD titles?

While Modern Warfare (2019, 2022, and 2023) are known for being very large, other COD titles like Black Ops Cold War also clock in at a substantial 175 GB.

11. Does purchasing the disc version avoid a large download?

No, purchasing the disc version of a Call of Duty game does not avoid a large download. A substantial download is often needed to install the game and keep it updated.

12. Does Call of Duty have uncompressed textures?

Yes, one of the widely held views is that Call of Duty games often use uncompressed textures, contributing to the overall file size. This is in pursuit of higher visual fidelity.

13. Do cosmetic items increase the game size?

Yes, the inclusion of cosmetic items and in-game store content significantly increases the game’s file size.

14. Is there a way to reduce the size of the Modern Warfare game?

While you can remove unneeded packs, game modes (if possible), and ensure other games and apps are not using space on your drive, the core game data is considerable and can’t be drastically reduced.

15. Will future Call of Duty games continue to have massive file sizes?

Based on recent releases, future Call of Duty games are likely to continue having substantial file sizes, primarily due to the large content and high-fidelity approach to modern gaming.

Conclusion

The size of Call of Duty Modern Warfare is not a simple figure. It varies considerably based on the specific game title, your chosen platform, and whether you choose to install all available modes and features. As you’ve learned, the total footprint can range from around 50 GB for Call of Duty HQ alone, all the way up to 250GB or more for the combined content of Modern Warfare III, legacy content, Warzone, and related files. Be sure to check your specific platform and the content you are installing to manage storage requirements appropriately.

How big is Call of Duty Modern Warfare GB?