Why do modern video games take up so much space?

Modern video games take up a significant amount of space due to the incorporation of high-resolution textures, 4K graphics, and pre-rendered cutscenes, which are essentially videos that require substantial storage capacity. The sheer size of map files, meshes, skins, and textures, especially in AAA games, contributes to the large file sizes, with some games exceeding 100GB or even 400GB in the case of ARK: Survival Evolved.

Understanding the Factors Contributing to Large Game Sizes

The increasing complexity and detail in modern games have led to a significant rise in file sizes. Game development involves creating immersive worlds with realistic graphics, which requires a large amount of data.

Breakdown of Game Components

Textures and Graphics

Textures are a major contributor to the large size of modern games. A single uncompressed 4K texture with an alpha channel can be as large as 67MB, and since modern games have thousands of textures, the total size adds up quickly. Although compression formats are used to reduce the size, the overall size remains substantial.

Audio and Video

Audio files and pre-rendered cutscenes also take up a significant amount of space. High-quality audio and video require more data to maintain their quality, contributing to the overall size of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main reason for the large size of modern games? The main reason is the inclusion of high-resolution textures and 4K graphics, which require a lot of storage space.
2. How big can game sizes get? Game sizes can exceed 100GB, with some games like ARK: Survival Evolved requiring over 400GB of storage space.
3. What contributes to the large file size of games like Borderlands 3? The large number of high-definition images and textures used to create a realistic game world contributes to the huge file size of games like Borderlands 3.
4. When did games start getting so big? Games started getting bigger with the introduction of home consoles and PCs in the 1990s, as technology advanced and graphics cards improved.
5. Why are AAA games so large? AAA games are large due to the inclusion of huge map files, meshes, skins, and textures, as well as pre-rendered cutscenes.
6. Do digital games take less space than physical games? No, digital games take up the same amount of space as physical games, as they need to be downloaded to the device.
7. How much RAM is recommended for gaming? Most games recommend at least 16GB of RAM for smooth and high-performance play, with a minimum of 8GB.
8. How many games can a 1TB hard drive hold? A 1TB hard drive can hold around 51 modern games, assuming an average game size of 20GB.
9. What game has the most total downloads? Subway Surfers had the most downloads in 2022, with over 304 million downloads.
10. How many games can a 500GB hard drive hold? A 500GB hard drive can hold around 12 games, assuming an average game size of 20GB per game.
11. What is the most popular game in the world? PUBG is one of the most popular online games, with a huge fan following.
12. Is Ark: Survival Evolved really 400GB? Yes, ARK: Survival Evolved can require over 400GB of storage space due to its large expansion packs and maps.
13. How much did it cost to make Red Dead Redemption 2? The development and marketing budget for Red Dead Redemption 2 was estimated to be between $370 million and $540 million.
14. How much did it cost to make Grand Theft Auto 5? The development and publishing budget for Grand Theft Auto 5 was around $265 million.
15. What can you do with $100 million? With $100 million, you could buy a waterfront palace, a private jet, or even bankroll a movie, among other things.