What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Helldivers 2, a game developed by Arrowhead, requires approximately 150GB of storage space on PC, which is significantly larger than its console version. Brendan Armstrong, the deputy technical director, explained that this is due to data duplication aimed at reducing loading times for players using HDDs. While SSDs do not require such duplication, the game’s minimum specs include HDDs, and the studio is uncertain about the exact number of players using them. Armstrong noted that reducing data duplication could slow down loading times for players with HDDs, impacting the overall gaming experience. The studio is exploring solutions, such as removing unused assets and bundling frequently used ones, but these may increase load times for HDD users. Long-term plans include engine improvements to optimize RAM usage.
Why It's Important?
The large installation size of Helldivers 2 on PC highlights a broader issue in the gaming industry regarding storage requirements and hardware capabilities. As games become more complex, developers face challenges in balancing performance and accessibility across different hardware configurations. This situation underscores the ongoing transition from HDDs to SSDs in gaming, which affects both developers and consumers. Players with older hardware may experience longer loading times, while those with modern setups might face unnecessary storage demands. The developer's efforts to address these challenges reflect the industry's need to adapt to evolving technology and consumer expectations.
What's Next?
Arrowhead plans to release an update later this month to address performance issues. The studio is also considering making high-resolution textures an optional download, although this would require significant development resources. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, developers may need to implement more flexible solutions to accommodate diverse hardware capabilities. The outcome of Arrowhead's efforts could influence how other developers approach similar challenges in the future.
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