What is the Total Size of The Witcher 3?
The total size of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt varies depending on the platform and whether you include the expansions and DLC. On PC, the base game is roughly 16GB, but with both Expansions (Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine) and DLCs, it climbs to approximately 32GB. However, for the PlayStation 5 (PS5), the entire package, including the next-gen update, balloons to around 127.8 GB. This significant difference highlights the impact of enhanced textures, graphical improvements, and platform-specific optimizations.
Delving Deep into The Witcher 3’s Size: A Comprehensive Guide
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a sprawling, immersive RPG that has captivated gamers worldwide. Its vast open world, compelling storyline, and intricate side quests contribute to its significant file size. Understanding the different factors that influence the game’s footprint can help players manage their storage and plan their gaming experience.
Platform-Specific Variations
The size of The Witcher 3 isn’t uniform across all platforms. PC users, particularly those who played the game before the next-gen update, might find their installation size considerably smaller than those on PS5. This is due to several factors:
- Texture Quality: The PS5 version boasts significantly higher resolution textures, demanding more storage space.
- Graphical Enhancements: The next-gen update introduces ray tracing, improved lighting, and other graphical fidelity improvements, all of which contribute to the increased size.
- Optimization: Each platform requires specific optimizations to run the game effectively. These optimizations can sometimes increase the overall file size.
The Impact of Expansions and DLC
The base game of The Witcher 3 is substantial on its own, but the expansions and DLCs add considerable content and, consequently, increase the overall size.
- Hearts of Stone: This expansion adds a new storyline, characters, and areas to explore, contributing several gigabytes to the total size.
- Blood and Wine: This is the largest expansion, introducing the entirely new region of Toussaint, along with a lengthy main quest, numerous side quests, and breathtaking landscapes, significantly increasing the game’s storage requirements.
- Free DLC: While individually small, the collection of free DLC, including cosmetic changes and additional quests, collectively adds to the overall installation size.
How Does Witcher 3 Compare to Other AAA Titles?
Understanding the size of The Witcher 3 becomes even more relevant when compared to other AAA titles. Games like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (175 GB) and Gran Turismo 7 (196.8 GB) dwarf even the PS5 version of The Witcher 3. This highlights the trend of increasing game sizes, driven by high-resolution assets and detailed environments. However, The Witcher 3’s size is still substantial, especially compared to older open-world games like Skyrim.
Open-World Size and Content Density
The sheer size of The Witcher 3’s open world contributes significantly to its file size. With a game world measuring roughly 88 square miles (142 square kilometers), there’s an immense amount of detail packed into every corner. While Skyrim’s map is smaller (around 39 square kilometers), The Witcher 3’s world is approximately 3.5 times larger. Furthermore, while Cyberpunk 2077’s map might be smaller, its content density makes it comparably demanding on storage.
The Value Proposition
Despite its large file size, The Witcher 3 offers a compelling value proposition. With a main story that takes around 56 hours to complete and a completionist run requiring approximately 188 hours, players get a massive amount of content for their storage space. The game’s replayability, driven by its branching narratives and multiple endings (36 different endings), further enhances its value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Witcher 3’s Size and Content
1. How many GB is the base game of The Witcher 3 without any DLC?
The base game is roughly 16GB on PC. However, keep in mind that platform-specific updates and patches can alter this size.
2. What is the total size of The Witcher 3 with all DLC on PC?
With all DLC and expansions, the game is roughly 32GB on PC.
3. How large is The Witcher 3 on PS5 with the next-gen update?
On PS5, the entire package is about 127.8 GB after the next-gen update.
4. Is The Witcher 3 bigger than Skyrim?
Yes, The Witcher 3’s game world is significantly larger than Skyrim’s. The Witcher 3’s map spans around 135 square kilometers, while Skyrim’s map is around 37 square kilometers.
5. How long does it take to 100% complete The Witcher 3?
A 100% completion of The Witcher 3 can take around 188 hours. This includes completing all quests, side quests, exploring every point of interest, and trying all possible outcomes.
6. What is the maximum level you can reach in The Witcher 3?
In the base game, the max level is 70. With the Blood and Wine expansion, this cap increases to 100.
7. How many endings does The Witcher 3 have?
The Witcher 3 has 36 different endings, reflecting the numerous variations that can occur in the game world based on player choices.
8. What are the names of The Witcher 3’s expansions?
The two major expansions for The Witcher 3 are Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
9. Which expansion is bigger, Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine?
Blood and Wine is significantly larger than Hearts of Stone, offering a new region and a more extensive storyline.
10. What is the recommended order for playing The Witcher 3 DLCs?
The recommended order is to complete The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, followed by Hearts of Stone, and then Blood and Wine.
11. What are some activities to do after beating The Witcher 3’s main story?
Activities include romancing Triss and/or Yennefer, collecting every Gwent card, completing DLCs, starting a New Game+ adventure, completing monster contracts, and going on treasure hunts.
12. How does The Witcher 3’s difficulty compare to Skyrim?
The Witcher 3 is generally considered harder than Skyrim. Skyrim is more forgiving for new RPG players.
13. How many copies of The Witcher 3 have been sold worldwide?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, and the entire series has surpassed 75 million units sold.
14. Has anyone 100% completed The Witcher 3?
Yes, many players have achieved 100% completion in The Witcher 3, undertaking all quests, unlocking every skill, visiting every point of interest, and exploring all outcomes.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?
For more information on the educational aspects of gaming and its potential benefits, you can explore resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society explores how games and game-based learning environments can be designed and used to support learning, and provides access to information, community, and resources for educators, researchers, and game developers.
The Witcher 3’s file size reflects the game’s vast scope and intricate detail. Whether you’re a seasoned Witcher or a newcomer to the series, understanding the game’s storage requirements is essential for a seamless gaming experience.