The process of downloading a new game often leads to exasperation when faced with enormous file sizes and extended wait times. The situation is exacerbated when these files are bloated with 4K textures, which are not always needed for those who game in lower resolutions.
File sizes for some games now exceed 120GB, creating significant bandwidth issues and rendering online gaming nearly impossible due to increased latency. The problem is largely due to high-resolution texture packs, which can make up a staggering 70% of the total download size. This poses a challenge for gamers who don’t benefit from these textures.
Why do developers bundle these hefty texture packs with the main game files, forcing players to download and store unnecessary data? Offering 4K textures as separate downloadable content (DLC) would be a practical solution. This approach could cater to players who are happy with their 1080p setups and don’t need the extra resolution.
Games like Ghost of Tsushima demonstrate that lower resolution settings can still provide visually impressive experiences. Furthermore, many players prefer the higher framerates achievable at 1080p, which offer a smoother gameplay experience. The current practice of including 4K textures in every download seems inefficient and burdensome.
Developers, consider making 4K textures an optional DLC. If this isn’t feasible, a detailed explanation would be beneficial to address the growing dissatisfaction among gamers. For instance, Monster Hunter World on Steam provides a model by offering high-resolution textures as a free add-on, which could be a useful precedent.