The Call of Duty franchise, while reigning supreme in popularity, has been facing criticism for its gargantuan file sizes. This issue intensified in 2022 when Call of Duty: Warzone was integrated into the Call of Duty HQ launcher alongside each new Call of Duty title. The result was a ballooning file size that devoured hard drive space.
But relief is on the horizon! Call of Duty has announced a significant update arriving on August 21st, as part of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s Season 5 Reloaded update. This update will finally decouple Warzone from other Call of Duty titles, allowing players to choose whether they want to download it.
Furthermore, Call of Duty HQ is introducing a revolutionary texture streaming technology, drastically reducing file sizes. Instead of storing textures locally, they will be streamed to the player’s device. This new feature offers two options: Optimized (default) and Minimal. Optimized delivers higher quality textures but requires a robust internet connection, while Minimal prioritizes reduced bandwidth at the cost of some visual fidelity.
While this update brings much-needed relief, there’s a catch: an initial large download will be required. This upfront download, however, is not permanent, serving as a file reorganization and preparation for a user interface overhaul scheduled for October. Once completed, the overall file size of Call of Duty will be reduced.
For PlayStation 5 players, this update will be delivered in four separate downloads. This update represents a significant step towards improving the Call of Duty experience, particularly leading up to the release of Black Ops 6. The future of Call of Duty seems brighter, with a focus on streamlined downloads and a smaller footprint on players’ devices.
