1 GB Rule

Just to throw a few thoughts into the mix.

I don't know if a 1GB limit can happen or not, but there is no doubt in my mind that it won't happen. Way too easy to have people on both sides of that fence throwing tantrums.

The devs will moan because they can't get their messes fixed in under 1GB [publishers will NOT care and tell them to ship it anyway... that happens now]... and gamers who buy these half (if not fully) broken games that aren't playable and don't have a patch.

Also, @ RandomFires. Funny you mentioned file size and then mentioned how large Skyrim's game world was in relation. If anyone remembers Skyrim, as massive as it was, had one of the smallest file sizes on the 360. Most games were around 5-7GB, sometimes
10-12GB post DLC. Skyrim was 3.7GB if memory serves. They were trying a new type of file compression to help reduce the game sizes, but they ran into problems where the data couldn't be read properly and it caused a good bit of texture popping issues.

Makes me think it's at least possible for them to find a way of compressing file sizes to make DLC at least manageable. Not that I think any 'update' should be half [or nearly half] the size of the game to begin with.

 

@Random Fires

Your argument about devs having access to Blu-ray and thus being idle and not compressing the data more doesn't hold water. Current PC games are the same size as their Xbox One and PS4 counterparts. They do not come on Blu-ray either. PC games are
still on DVD if you purchase the them at retail. PC digital download sizes are roughly the same size as Xbox One, as are many of the game updates.

Also, you're not taking into account that texture sizes on current games are at least three to four times of those on the last gen machines. They consume vast amounts of disk space, because, compared to last gen textures, current gen are 4x bigger. This is
the reason why current generation games are 40GB. It's not because the developer hasn't compressed them enough. Current generation machines have 5GB of RAM available to games, last gen machines had only 512MB. Better looking games need more RAM and more
storage space, it's always been that way.

 

Witcher3 is currently is under 30, and is next gen specific. Odd yes?

I agree, comparing game sizes is a bit off topic and is a bit like comparing apples to oranges.

I am more interested to see what size the initial update will be. If it's as small as I think it will be, and the game quality is a polished and good as advertised then I think I've got a valid point. There needs to be a limit. If the game takes an additional
7 GB to run first day, then the bar is set where its set. Gamers will just have to get used to having 3/4's of a retail physical copy. That's what is at stake.

Here's a link if you want to support a limit on initial updates

1GB day 1 limit. No exceptions. – Xbox Feedback

 

OP then it will take up to 50 days to download a game, add on and update. A more sensable way would be formatted the update as a zip file. It compressed until it installed on HDD. Games are more complex then they where last Gen. They are 1080P@60FPS. The
games are now larger. The world now can supported million of enemy's at onces. The only way they can do this take it those all way. And make games at 480p@30FPS. Have a very small world. Only 10 enemy's at one time.

 

We're talking about the size of first day updates to retail purchased games, not the game size itself, or DLC.

 

I have no issues with first day patches. This is not so much in the Developer's as it is on the Publisher's pushing unrealistic deadlines. There should not be a 1GB rule. They should have as much free dias they want and or need due to what I said above.

 

another spinoff by Nxtdoc...go figure...if the Dev chooses that publisher its on them just as much...no passing the buck...there is no excuse for a huge patch file at release when they had years to develop a game and their CHOICE of publisher.

 

U Go JR, you also need to remember some of these devs are owned by their publishers.

 

OP it take alot too in that area. Games and DLC must be 1GB long too.

 

another spinoff by Nxtdoc...go figure...if the Dev chooses that publisher its on them just as much...no passing the buck...there is no excuse for a huge patch file at release when they had years to develop a game and
their CHOICE of publisher.

Anyone who has been involved in running a business knows it's not that simple. You often have to make decisions that go against some of the things you want in order to get more of the things you need. There's always
a balance of pros vs cons, budget vs expense... etc.

It's not always as easy as making a choice either [when you have one]. Publishers are in it to make money just like any other business. They're not going to just hand out tons of cash and fairy tale deadlines. Choices
are often the lesser of the presented evils when you're working under someone else's budget and timeline.

Not to mention that when they're hashing out contracts and doing all the other logistical planning, do you think that title update file sizes, post release are even thought about? Maybe it should be considered, but
in reality... it probably doesn't even make the long list.

 

Compressing the update to a zip file would not be a good idea for two reasons.

1. The updates are mostly texture files. These files are already compressed, compressing them again won't shave much off the download size. Don't believe me? Take one of your jpg files from your digital camera or phone and compress it again as a zip
file. You'll see for yourself how little you can push the file size down.

2. If the files are compressed as a zip type of file, they would have to be de-compressed. Which means a download and an 'install'. That sounds to me that it would increase the time before play could begin, not decrease it.

 

So how we can go at it for people like op? I trying give unlimited size for developer need. And lower how much data is used to DL it.

 

As predicted, Witcher 3 has an initial update less then 1 gb. We are getting rammed as consumers and gamers. There needs to be a limit.

 

Random I will not stop them they just bring a pics every day. That why I said bring it as a zip file. Because it gives developer the space they need to fix. And the easy on gamers data cap. We need a happy medium of the two. Or tell the government to make
laws that removed all data caps.

 

I reckon they have these day one updates to stop early release players from playing the game, fortunately I have unlimited data and unlimited 4g data so im happy both ways, but still gets my blood boiling when you start a game up and there is like a 6gig
update.