Cartridges and discs are being increasingly treated as outdated technology. For better or worse, the digitalization of gaming has transformed how players approach their home entertainment systems. Have the digital demands of modern gaming become too high?
Back in the mid-2000s, the idea of downloading games was just emerging, with downloadable content (DLC) and arcade games on the Xbox 360 or PS3. When the PS4 and Xbox One arrived, gamers could get digital game downloads on the first day. This shift meant that, for the first time, players had to be aware of file sizes and memory requirements, as their consoles could only hold so much at once.
Digital access is convenient because you don’t have to wait in long lines for game releases or worry about a retailer running out of discs. However, for many games, digital access is now the only option. Consoles and PCs keep getting better, and most gamers need devices with high specs to be able to play the latest games. As a result, gaming has become less accessible.
Imagine you’ve just bought Assassin’s Creed Shadows on your PS5, but you only have 75GB of storage left on your console. Unfortunately, the game requires 103GB of storage — the most for any game in the franchise’s history. Now, you have to decide what to uninstall to make room for your new game.
Unfortunately, titles with heavy file sizes aren’t going away anytime soon. Developers are increasing resolution, expanding maps, and offering DLC packs, which can significantly increase size. In 2021, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War made headlines due to its massive requirements. COD and Warzone require around 500GB of storage space, which would occupy all the memory on a PS4.
Besides storage, players must grapple with internet speed requirements to use their favorite games. You used to be able to dive into single-player mode and not worry about a Wi-Fi connection, but times have changed.
Now, the internet is required to play prominent AAA games, even in campaign mode. For example, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the first of the series to require a constant internet connection due to texture streaming.
Activision says the connection is necessary for graphics and storage requirements.
“To deliver the highest-quality visuals while also reducing the game’s overall storage space on your hard drive, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will use texture streaming across all game modes,” an Activision spokesperson said. “This means you’ll need a continuous internet connection to play any game mode, including Campaign.”
An increased reliance on the internet makes gaming less accessible. While most Americans have Wi-Fi, some households still lack a reliable broadband connection. In 2022, the federal government allocated $42.45 billion to expand high-speed broadband in rural America. However, data shows that 12% of people still don’t have an internet connection at home.
The move to internet reliance depends on the game, but it’s happening more often, even in subtle ways. For instance, developers might want you to participate in live events and release daily updates, requiring constant server communication.
A hidden aspect that gamers might not realize is the anti-piracy and digital rights management aspect. If you’re required to be online to play a game, the publisher can confirm that you own it. As a result, it’s easier for them to track who’s modding a game like Grand Theft Auto Online or pirating titles.
Regardless, adding internet requirements becomes an unseen cost for gamers. Even a modest $50 Wi-Fi bill (which now is unlikely to get you even more than the most basic internet) is $600 annually, which can be too much for tight budgets.
Is this new way of gaming sustainable? It depends on people’s internet access and willingness to participate in online features. If publishers let gamers access offline modes, accessibility would likely increase.
