Choosing a new game often leads to the frustration of seeing a massive file size and a prolonged download time. Waiting for these large downloads can feel like watching paint dry, and it’s not an enjoyable experience.
The frustration becomes particularly intense with file sizes exceeding 120GB, which can monopolize your internet bandwidth and disrupt online gaming with skyrocketing pings. The bulk of these downloads is often due to 4K textures, which significantly inflate the file size. This raises a valid question: why must I endure such lengthy waits for content I won’t fully utilize, given that I game primarily in 1080p?
Many games bundle high-resolution texture packs into their downloads, making up to 70% of the file size. This is an issue, especially when the textures are redundant for those of us with 1080p setups. It’s a costly and time-consuming process, and the space they occupy on SSDs is far from trivial.
Why not offer 4K textures as optional DLC rather than including them in the main game download? This would provide a solution for those who do not need or cannot afford the upgrade. Some developers might believe this bundling approach encourages players to invest in 4K hardware, but this isn’t always feasible for everyone.
Games like Ghost of Tsushima prove that lower resolution settings can still deliver visually stunning experiences. Additionally, higher framerates at 1080p often offer a smoother, more enjoyable gameplay experience. Forcing everyone to download and store high-resolution textures unnecessarily seems unfair.
Developers, please consider separating 4K texture packs into downloadable content to ease the burden on those of us who are content with 1080p gaming. If separating them isn’t possible, then a clear explanation would be appreciated to address this growing concern.
