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Helldivers 2 cuts its install size from '~154GB to ~23GB' in a beta you can opt into now, defeating liberty-hating storage reqs with 'no functional differences' between versions
AppWizard
December 3, 2025

Helldivers 2 cuts its install size from ‘~154GB to ~23GB’ in a beta you can opt into now, defeating liberty-hating storage reqs with ‘no functional differences’ between versions

In 2025, game file sizes have significantly increased, with many exceeding 100 or 200 GB. Arrowhead has reduced the installation size of Helldivers 2 by 85%, from approximately 154 GB to 23 GB, saving around 131 GB. They credited Sony's port-house, Nixxes, for their support but did not disclose specific methods. A public technical beta for the streamlined version is available on Steam, and players can opt in through the game's Properties menu. The reduction in file size will have minimal impact on load times, and there are no functional differences between the legacy and slim versions; all progress and purchases will carry over.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
October 4, 2025

Helldivers 2 Dev Explains Why The Game Takes Up So Much Space On PC

Helldivers 2 has a storage requirement of 150GB on PC, which is about three times larger than on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. The large install size is designed to accommodate PC users with mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs) by duplicating data to improve loading times, although this is unnecessary for users with solid state drives (SSDs). Current estimates suggest that around 12% of PC gamers still use HDDs, but reliable data on this is lacking. Arrowhead Game Studio plans to reduce the game's file size in an upcoming update and bundle common assets to minimize duplication, though this may slightly increase load times for HDD users. The studio aims to keep load times under 30 seconds and is also working on improving its engine and compression techniques. Additionally, Arrowhead's CEO expressed a commitment to the game's longevity rather than developing a sequel, and the studio is addressing various technical issues with planned updates.
Why does Helldivers 2 have such a bloated install size on PC? Old hard drives, says dev
AppWizard
October 4, 2025

Why does Helldivers 2 have such a bloated install size on PC? Old hard drives, says dev

Helldivers 2 has an installation size of approximately 150GB, primarily due to the presence of duplicate files, which include weapon models and environmental textures. This redundancy has led to excessive storage consumption on PC, while the PS5 and Xbox versions are about one-third the size. The decision to include multiple file copies was made to address slow loading times on traditional hard drives, as the mechanical HDD's seek time creates performance bottlenecks. The developers are exploring alternatives to reduce file size, such as removing duplicates or offering 4K textures as optional downloads, but upgrading to SSDs is not a feasible solution for many players due to rising costs.
As Helldivers 2's install size swells to monstrous levels, Arrowhead admits old hardware is the problem
AppWizard
October 4, 2025

As Helldivers 2’s install size swells to monstrous levels, Arrowhead admits old hardware is the problem

Helldivers 2 has an install size of approximately 150 GB on PC, which is about three times larger than its console versions. This increase is due to duplicated data for optimizing loading times on older mechanical HDDs. Arrowhead's deputy technical director, Brendan Armstrong, noted that around 12% of PC gamers may still use these older drives, complicating optimization efforts. The team plans to implement minor improvements by removing unused assets in the next update but acknowledges that new content may offset these gains. Future strategies include bundling frequently used assets for specific missions, which may still lead to longer load times for HDD users, expected to remain under 30 seconds. There are considerations for data compression and optional high-resolution texture downloads, but these are not the primary focus. The team is committed to addressing player concerns while balancing installation size and loading times.
‘There are no easy solutions’: Helldivers 2 dev explains why PC version needs 3x more storage than consoles
AppWizard
October 4, 2025

‘There are no easy solutions’: Helldivers 2 dev explains why PC version needs 3x more storage than consoles

The PC version of Helldivers 2 requires approximately 150GB of storage, which is three times more than the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions. The larger install size is primarily due to the need to accommodate players using mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs), leading to the duplication of certain data files for quicker access during loading times. In contrast, most modern consoles and high-end PCs use solid-state drives (SSDs), which provide faster data access. About 12% of PC players still rely on HDDs, complicating optimization efforts. Arrowhead Game Studios plans a three-stage approach to address the storage issue, including an update to remove unused assets and exploring bundling frequently used assets. Future enhancements to the game engine may optimize RAM usage, but further improvements will require more extensive projects.
Helldivers 2 dev explains why the PC version takes a million years to update and has 3X the filesize of the console versions: old, undemocratic hard drives
AppWizard
October 3, 2025

Helldivers 2 dev explains why the PC version takes a million years to update and has 3X the filesize of the console versions: old, undemocratic hard drives

Brendan Armstrong, the deputy technical director at Arrowhead Game Studios, explained that Helldivers 2's file size on PC is approximately 150GB due to the use of hard disk drives (HDDs) by many players, compared to the smaller size on consoles. To improve loading times for HDD users, the game duplicates certain data files, which helps reduce the "seek" time that can bottleneck performance. Armstrong estimated that around 12% of players still use HDDs. He discussed the challenges of reducing file size without significantly increasing loading times, noting that removing duplicated assets could lead to load times being ten times slower for HDD users. Arrowhead is exploring ways to manage the game's install size while accommodating both HDD and solid-state drive (SSD) users.
Battlefield 6 has fragmented install feature that allows you to slim a full 80GB installation down to 55GB on PC — feature enables installing campaign and multiplayer separately
AppWizard
August 4, 2025

Battlefield 6 has fragmented install feature that allows you to slim a full 80GB installation down to 55GB on PC — feature enables installing campaign and multiplayer separately

Battlefield 6 will feature fragmented downloads, allowing players to install only the components they choose, with a base installation size of 55 GB and a total install size of approximately 80 GB if campaign and multiplayer modes are added. The game will utilize DirectX 12 shaders for enhanced graphics and include a "cosmetic stream" feature for pre-loading cosmetic items, potentially improving performance to over 300 FPS. The release date is set for October 6, 2025, with an open beta scheduled for later this week.
Hot damn: The Oblivion Remaster is 125 GB, 2600% heavier than the original game from 2006
AppWizard
April 22, 2025

Hot damn: The Oblivion Remaster is 125 GB, 2600% heavier than the original game from 2006

Bethesda has remastered The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion using Unreal Engine 5, available for £50, including horse armor but not the deluxe edition. The remaster requires 125 GB of storage, with a download size of 115 GB due to Steam's compression, marking a 2600% increase from the original game's 4.6 GB. The remaster combines Unreal Engine 5's graphics with Gamebryo's logic, maintaining Bethesda's signature quirks.
Microsoft Store will soon let you specify what parts of games you want to download
Winsage
February 7, 2025

Microsoft Store will soon let you specify what parts of games you want to download

Microsoft has released an update for the Microsoft Store app, version 22501.1401, which allows users to selectively download specific parts and components of games. This feature is similar to the functionality in the Xbox app and is designed to help gamers optimize storage space and installation times. Users can choose to install or not install high-resolution textures or campaign missions, providing greater control over their gaming experience. After installation, users can return to the game's product page to modify installed components. This update is available for Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels running version 22501.1401.xx and higher.
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