Why Helldivers 2’s Large PC Installation Size Matters: Insights from the Developer on Future Updates

Helldivers 2 has a hefty 150GB install size on PC, which is three times larger than on consoles. The game’s deputy technical director, Brendan Armstrong, recently shared insights on this in a Steam blog post.

Armstrong explained that the team used data duplication for the PC version to cut loading times. This technique is useful for older storage drives that read data using a physical arm. While this helps reduce loading times on HDDs, it’s not necessary for faster SSDs, which is why console versions take up less space.

Interestingly, Armstrong noted that HDDs still make up part of the game’s minimum specs, though it’s unclear how many players use them. He estimated that approximately 12% of PC gamers might still have HDDs. “Until we gather better data, we won’t know how many players will feel the effects of reducing data duplication,” he said. Load times can slow down if any player in a squad is using an HDD.

Armstrong mentioned that the team is exploring solutions to optimize storage. Removing unused assets in an upcoming update won’t free up much space since they’ll be replaced with new content. Another medium-term plan involves bundling frequently used assets, though this could slow loading times for those with HDDs.

For a long-term fix, the developers plan to improve the game engine. This will prevent unnecessary RAM usage for data that isn’t needed. They also discussed making high-resolution textures a downloadable option, although this would require significant work and could delay other performance fixes.

Armstrong emphasized the challenge: “Until most of our players switch to SSDs, some extra hard drive space is necessary to ensure reasonable loading times.” He acknowledged that they are reaching the limits of acceptable data duplication and are evaluating options to find a better balance.

This issue is part of a larger trend in the gaming industry. Many modern PC games now require SSDs because of their speed. Helldivers 2 aims to be accessible for a wider range of PC specs, but this comes at a cost in storage space.

As a way to keep players informed about the technical hurdles, Armstrong has indicated that this post is the first in a series. An update for Helldivers 2 is scheduled for later this month to address current performance issues that have arisen with the game’s size and content growth.

In August, Helldivers 2 also made its debut on Xbox Series X/S, marking a significant expansion in its audience. This move illustrates how the gaming landscape is shifting, allowing more players to experience diverse titles.

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