GTA 6 may require 219 GB of storage

The upcoming GTA 6 is expected to require up to 219 GB of storage space, highlighting a growing trend of increasingly large video games on PC and consoles. This has raised concerns among players about the need for more storage and the associated costs.

Game sizes have grown significantly over time

Video game sizes have increased dramatically since the early days of gaming. For example, a Nintendo 64 game like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was only 32 megabytes, while a 2026 game could reach up to 219 GB, showing a vast increase in size over the years.

Advancements in graphics drive larger game sizes

The growth in game sizes is partly due to the rise of 4K graphics, which require more storage for high-resolution textures and visual elements. A 4K file typically weighs four to six times more than a Full HD file, contributing to larger game sizes.

Improved console storage encourages bigger games

Modern consoles like the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series use SSD technology with 1 TB of storage, allowing developers to create more visually rich games without worrying about size limits. This has reduced the need for data compression, which can affect performance.

Many modern games exceed 100 GB in size

Large-scale games are now commonly over 100 GB. For example, Forza Motorsports 7 required 100 GB in 2017, while The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Switch was only 13 GB. The difference is partly due to higher-resolution graphics and more detailed environments.

Additional content and language packs increase storage needs

Game updates, downloadable content (DLC), and multiple language packs, especially for voice dubbing, can add up to 5 GB to a game's size. Titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows and The Witcher 3 include such content, increasing storage requirements.

Digital distribution allows for larger game sizes

The shift from physical discs to digital downloads has allowed developers to create larger games without the constraints of Blu-ray storage. However, this means players may need to download additional content even if they own the physical version of a game.

Some games offer optional content to reduce storage use

Some publishers allow players to choose whether to download high-resolution textures or optional content, as seen in Call of Duty and Gears of War: E-Day. However, fully solo games like GTA 6 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl do not offer such options.

Cloud gaming may help but remains limited

Cloud gaming could reduce the need for local storage, but access to these services is limited by rising costs. Developers are expected to focus on optimization, but the issue of game size and storage remains a growing challenge for players.