Highlights
Starfield's download size is reported to be 125GB, reflecting the game's huge scale and the numerous explorable planets across 100 solar systems.
In contrast, Skyrim's initial release had a modest download size of 4GB, whereas even its most inclusive version, the Special Edition, remains almost six times smaller than Starfield.
This discrepancy in download sizes emphasizes the substantial difference in scope between the two games, as Starfield's overall playable area dwarfs Skyrim's by thousands of times.
With just under a month remaining until the highly anticipated release of Starfield, anticipation is building among the game's community. Bethesda has emphasized the vastness of the game's multiple planets, hinting at one of their largest titles to date.
As the launch of Starfield approaches, more specific details about the game have become public knowledge, including the size of the download. Comparing the download sizes of Starfield and Skyrim can provide valuable insights into the game's scale and significance.
Starfield's Reported Download Size
Bethesda's claims of a massive scale in Starfield are echoed by the reported download size. Confirmed at 125GB, players will need to clear space on their hard drives for the highly anticipated release. This size is expected, given Starfield's reported features of more than 1000 explorable planets spread across 100 solar systems. Combining procedurally generated and handcrafted planets, the substantial download size can be attributed to the extensive exploration potential in Starfield.
Starfield and Skyrim's Download Sizes
To ensure a smooth release and avoid overwhelming the servers like what happened to Baldur's Gate 3, Starfield will allow fans to preload the game starting from August 9. This strategic move takes into account the recent experiences of comparable releases. While AAA games nowadays often exceed the 100GB mark, it's worth looking back at the download sizes of Bethesda's previous defining releases, and Skyrim serves as an excellent point of comparison.
Skyrim is anticipated to have a significantly smaller download size compared to Starfield, considering its release over a decade ago. The initial 2011 version of Skyrim had a modest file size of approximately 4 GB, which slightly increased due to subsequent re-releases of the game.
The Special Edition of Skyrim on consoles is approximately 22GB in size, offering more content and improved graphics. In comparison, Starfield has a significantly larger download size, with approximately 30 Skyrim games fitting within it. Even with Skyrim's Special Edition, Starfield's download size remains nearly six times larger.
Skyrim continues to impress with its extensive content and vast exploration, earning a dedicated player community. The anticipation for Starfield is high due to claims of its playable area being thousands of times larger than Skyrim's. This makes the difference in download size between the two games seem less significant, despite Starfield having a much larger file size overall.
With certain planets said to surpass the entire map of Skyrim in size, comprehending and embracing the immense scope that Starfield aims to present becomes challenging. However, when considering the disparity in download sizes between the base versions of these two titles, it becomes apparent that this contrast in scale is truly astonishing. This serves as a tangible representation of what to anticipate before the release of Starfield. Mark your calendars for September 6th, as Starfield will be making its debut on PC and Xbox Series X/S.