Helldivers 2’s PC Footprint Explained
Helldivers 2 has drawn attention for its substantial storage requirements on PC, clocking in at a hefty 150GB—approximately three times the size needed for its console counterparts, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Brendan Armstrong, the deputy technical director at Arrowhead Game Studio, shed light on this discrepancy in a detailed post on Steam.
Armstrong explained that the game’s large install size primarily caters to a niche group of PC users still reliant on mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs). This approach, while somewhat outdated, involves duplicating data to enhance loading times for those players. He acknowledged that this redundancy is unnecessary for the growing number of gamers who have transitioned to solid state drives (SSDs). However, Arrowhead faces challenges in accurately assessing how many players are still using HDDs.
- Armstrong noted, “How many Helldivers 2 players are still using mechanical HDD? The truth is that we don’t currently know.”
- Despite efforts through Steam user surveys, reliable data on HDD usage remains elusive.
- Current estimates suggest that around 12% of all PC gamers might still be using mechanical drives, but this figure is fraught with uncertainty.
He emphasized the implications of this situation, particularly regarding loading times: “Even if that number is small, keep in mind that the load time for each player dropping into a mission is determined by the slowest member of the squad.”
In response to these challenges, Armstrong outlined potential solutions. The upcoming update aims to reduce the game’s file size, although he cautioned that players might not perceive a significant difference due to new content that could offset any gains. For a more sustainable approach, Arrowhead plans to bundle common assets together, which would minimize duplication. While this may slightly increase load times for HDD users, the goal is to maintain them at under 30 seconds.
Looking ahead, Arrowhead is committed to enhancing its engine and refining compression techniques to further decrease the need for data duplication. However, Armstrong acknowledged that the studio is still evaluating whether these improvements will effectively impact load times.
In a broader context, Arrowhead Game Studio’s CEO, Shams Jorjani, recently articulated a vision for Helldivers 2 that emphasizes longevity, aiming to sustain the game indefinitely rather than pivoting to a sequel. The studio has also been proactive in addressing various technical issues, including cave crashes and audio bugs, with a patch already released. Acknowledging a longer list of challenges, including performance drops and stability concerns, Arrowhead is preparing another update later this month, although some issues may require more time to resolve.