Helldivers 2 has experienced a significant expansion in its PC install size, now reaching approximately 150 GB, which is significantly larger than its console counterparts. This growth is largely attributed to the need for duplicated data, a necessity that has surfaced due to the continued support for players using mechanical HDDs. Arrowhead, the creative force behind the game, finds itself in a challenging situation, as it strives to maintain an optimal experience for HDD users without compromising other aspects of gameplay.
Balancing Act for Arrowhead
According to Brendan Armstrong, Arrowhead’s deputy technical director, the data duplication intended to minimize loading times on slower mechanical drives is the primary factor contributing to the increased install size. While SSDs eradicate the necessity for such duplication due to their rapid data access capabilities, HDDs lag behind, affecting the overall experience for all players due to synchronized load times.
The presence of HDDs among PC players, although diminishing, is still substantial enough to command attention, with roughly 12% of users estimated to utilize these drives. Thus, the slow speeds of HDDs indirectly impact loading times across the player base, which is why Arrowhead remains committed to supporting this segment.
Exploring Solutions
In an effort to curb the burgeoning install size temporarily, Arrowhead has embarked on purging unused assets. However, these savings are often mitigated by the introduction of new content. Arrowhead is pursuing a novel strategy of bundling commonly accessed assets, catering specifically to certain conditions like missions or environments, which promises to reduce install size while only marginally affecting loading speeds, aiming for an impact of less than a 30-second delay for HDD users.
Armstrong notes that this approach might marginally increase RAM usage, though Arrowhead remains vigilant, ensuring upcoming engine refinements will help alleviate potential memory strain. The potential for data compression and optional high-resolution textures is acknowledged, yet these remain lower priority due to a lack of native engine support.
Ultimately, Arrowhead's commitment to serving HDD players remains strong despite the challenges. As Helldivers 2 tests the boundaries of duplicatable data, the development team is meticulously weighing the associated costs and trade-offs, striving to provide a balanced and equitable gaming experience for all users, regardless of hardware limitations.
