How Many GB is a Call of Duty Game? A Deep Dive into Storage Requirements
The question of how much storage space a Call of Duty (CoD) game occupies is a frequent one for gamers. The answer isn’t as simple as a single number, as the size can vary dramatically depending on the specific title, platform, and the amount of additional content installed. However, if we are looking at the modern Call of Duty experience, encompassing multiple games and modes such as Modern Warfare, Warzone, and the unified Call of Duty HQ, players should expect a significant footprint of around 235 GB on PlayStation 5. This number is likely to fluctuate with updates and new releases, but it serves as a good benchmark for the current state of the franchise.
Storage Demands of Modern Call of Duty
The Evolution of File Sizes
The Call of Duty series has seen an exponential increase in file sizes over the years. Early titles were relatively small, measured in gigabytes, often below 10 GB. However, as graphics technology has advanced and game content has become more detailed and expansive, the storage requirements have soared.
Factors Contributing to Large File Sizes
Multiple factors contribute to the increasingly large file sizes seen in modern Call of Duty games:
- High-Resolution Textures: Modern games utilize high-resolution textures for detailed environments, character models, and weapons, which increase file sizes significantly.
- Extensive Content: Call of Duty titles now include single-player campaigns, multiplayer modes, and the massive Warzone battle royale experience, all packed into a single package.
- Cosmetic Items: The plethora of cosmetic items, like skins, charms, and blueprints, also contributes to the total storage required.
- Uncompressed Assets: The use of uncompressed assets or insufficient compression techniques has also been cited as a cause of larger game sizes.
- Frequent Updates: Continuous updates that add new content, maps, and patches also contribute to the increasing total size.
Current Call of Duty Storage Footprint
As mentioned earlier, a modern Call of Duty installation on a PlayStation 5 can take up around 235 GB. This includes components from different Call of Duty experiences, such as:
- Modern Warfare II Campaign: This component contributes a considerable portion of the overall size.
- Warzone: This free-to-play battle royale mode adds significant storage requirements.
- Call of Duty HQ: This acts as a central hub for all modern Call of Duty experiences.
- Modern Warfare III Content: Content from the latest game also increases the total storage size.
Individual Game Storage Details
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
The initial download of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) was around 175 GB. However, this figure has likely increased due to regular updates and additional content.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
The base download for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was approximately 151.4 GB, with additional co-op and multiplayer packs increasing the size. Even physical copies of the game require a significant download before play.
Warzone 2.0
Warzone 2.0 standalone varies in size, with Xbox Series X/S coming in at around 62.0 GB, Battlenet at 23.6 GB, and Steam at 22.6 GB. Note, however, that these sizes are when installed separately. When incorporated into Call of Duty HQ, this size is significantly larger.
Modern Warfare 2 Day One Update
The day-one update for Modern Warfare II was also substantial, with the PC update weighing in at around 55 GB. This highlights the fact that download sizes vary significantly across platforms.
Modern Warfare 2 1.08 Update
Even smaller updates can have wildly different sizes. The 1.08 update for Modern Warfare 2 was less than 1 GB on some platforms, while it was almost 50 GB on Xbox. This shows that updates are not uniform across systems.
Call of Duty Black Ops (2010)
Contrastingly, early Call of Duty titles were tiny compared to modern versions. For example, Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) required just 24 GB for download and installation.
Older Call of Duty Titles
The very early Call of Duty titles were considerably smaller:
- CoD Classic – 1.3 GB
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – 7.0 GB
- Call of Duty: World at War – 7.9 GB
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 7.5 GB
- Call of Duty: Black Ops – 9.2 GB
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – 10.2 GB
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is Call of Duty so large?
The primary reason is the high-fidelity graphics, extensive content (including campaigns, multiplayer, and Warzone), cosmetic items, and use of uncompressed assets, all of which significantly increase the game’s overall file size.
2. Is Warzone 2 free?
Yes, Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is a free-to-play battle royale mode. However, it adds considerable size to the overall Call of Duty install.
3. How much storage do I need for Call of Duty on PC?
While the minimum storage space recommended on PC is usually about 125 GB, it is recommended to have 250 GB available. The exact amount depends on the specific titles and content you have installed.
4. Why is Warzone 2 so demanding on my system?
Warzone 2 is CPU and GPU-intensive due to its detailed environments and rendered effects. It attempts to mimic real-life visuals, which demands significant processing power.
5. Why do Call of Duty file sizes keep increasing?
The increasing file sizes result from continuous updates that add new content, maps, game modes, and patches. Also, improved graphics technology means assets and textures have to be more detailed, leading to larger file sizes.
6. What’s the highest GB Call of Duty game?
The total size of the Call of Duty Modern Warfare (2019) and Black Ops Cold War with all content installed was around 250 GB. However, the modern hub experience, which includes multiple games, is at least 235 GB on consoles.
7. What’s the smallest CoD game?
The smallest is Call of Duty Classic, with a size of 1.3 GB.
8. How big is the Modern Warfare 2 Remastered download?
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is approximately 60 GB.
9. What caused the drop in Call of Duty’s popularity?
Factors such as disappointing updates, balancing problems, game-breaking bugs, and a general lack of innovation contributed to a decline in the franchise’s player base.
10. Why is Call of Duty so expensive?
The game’s price is tied to multiple factors, including development costs, marketing budgets, and the overall demand for the product. Also, the cost of fish used to produce fish fillets has also contributed to an increase in the price of cod.
11. How can I manage the huge Call of Duty file sizes?
You can manage file sizes by uninstalling game modes you don’t play, such as specific campaign packs. You can also remove older game titles after completing them.
12. Is it possible to play Call of Duty with only a 4GB graphics card?
No. Most modern Call of Duty titles require more powerful graphics cards. Games using cards with a 4GB capacity are likely to run poorly.
13. What does it mean when Call of Duty is “too big?”
When players say Call of Duty is too big, they are generally referring to the extensive amount of storage space required by the game. This can limit how much else a player can store on their system.
14. Can I play Modern Warfare 2 on disc without downloading the game?
No. Even disc versions of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 require a mandatory download before you can start playing. This is due to the initial install sizes of the game.
15. Why do Call of Duty updates differ in size across platforms?
Updates can vary across platforms due to differences in compression methods, platform-specific data management, and the content included in each version.
Conclusion
The storage requirements for Call of Duty games continue to grow, presenting a challenge for gamers with limited storage space. Understanding the factors that contribute to these large sizes can help players better manage their storage and game installations. With the current trend towards more detailed and expansive gaming experiences, it is unlikely that Call of Duty’s file sizes will decrease any time soon.