EA's Anthem Raises Questions | Gamers Wonder About Download Size
Edited By
Omar Ali
An intriguing debate is sparking among gamers about Anthem's massive download size, with many questioning what exactly they installed on their PCs. As players dive into discussions, confusion reigns about the game's reliance on EA servers for functionality.
What Did You Really Download?
A common question is, "Why does the game folder take up 80GB if most data is on EA servers?" While it may seem everything is stored remotely, player insights reveal that the game assets and essential files are indeed housed locally.
"Everything about the game is not stored on EA servers," claims one informed commenter, emphasizing the importance of local files for gameplay.
Key Insights from Players
Players shared their thoughts on the mechanics behind live service games like Anthem:
All Assets Included: The downloaded files contain game assets, animations, textures, and audio necessary for gameplay to minimize dependency on live servers.
Server Communication: Users pointed out that servers primarily manage packet updates to track player progress, items earned, and missions completed. This arrangement prevents cheating and enhances the gaming experience.
Dependency on Servers: "If the servers go down, there is nothing to provide the green light," explains a player, illustrating the challenge during outages.
Mixed Sentiments Surging
The information shared sparked a mix of sentiments:
🚫 Frustration: Many expressed irritation over the hefty download size, unsure how much is genuinely needed.
👍 Understanding: Others understand the reasons behind it, acknowledging the need for substantial local data for seamless gameplay.
💭 Curiosity: Questions continue to arise on how this model affects game longevity and player experience, leading some to ponder future developments in gaming architecture.
Key Takeaways
📦 80GB of downloads contain essential game files, not just server data.
🔄 The client-server model helps prevent game exploits.
🤔 Many gamers are left searching for clarity on data storage practices in live service games.
The dialogue about Anthem’s download files highlights the evolving landscape of online gaming and the complexities surrounding digital dependencies. As players continue to engage, more insights may surface, potentially influencing how future games manage data.
Future Horizons in Gaming Size Estimates
There’s a strong chance that as gaming technology continues to advance, developers will shift towards more efficient data handling solutions, potentially reducing download sizes. Experts estimate around 60% of upcoming games could adopt cloud-based architectures that offload certain assets and processes to servers. This change could lessen dependency on local storage while enhancing real-time updates and improvements. As players become more demanding for quicker access and smaller footprints, we might witness a wave of adaptations in game development strategies focusing on modular file management and enhanced streaming capabilities.
Echoes from the Early Internet Days
This situation resembles the early days of the internet when users often questioned why they needed to download bulky software for what felt like simple functions. Similar to how many early web applications eventually streamlined their processes into lighter, more efficient formats, gaming might follow suit as it matures. Just as dial-up users often griped about long downloads but later embraced faster connections and cloud-based apps, gamers today may find themselves adapting to and eventually preferring games that rely on lighter local installations as technology evolves.