Discover why the massive file size of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is raising concerns within the gaming community. Is bigger always better?

The Assassin’s Creed series has long been synonymous with expansive, visually stunning worlds, immersive storylines, and revolutionary gameplay. Ubisoft’s flagship franchise has always aimed to transport players to meticulously crafted environments.

The recent reveal showed the massive size of the game. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

However, when Assassin’s Creed Shadows was announced, it didn’t spark the usual excitement about the new setting or intricate narratives. Instead, it was surrounded by controversy, but surprisingly, it’s not these concerns that will affect gamers the most, it’s something far more practical: its massive file size.

The staggering size of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is concerning

Players are concerned over the size of the game. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

A recent revelation has left the Assassin’s Creed community completely stunned. It revealed that one of the most talked about titles in the series: Shadows will also be the biggest at its launch, but not in a way that fans are excited about.

At a massive 123GB, it will far surpass any previous entry in the series. To put this in perspective, the current biggest title is Valhalla, which only launched at 50GB and then grew to 158GB after multiple updates and expansions. With DLCs already planned for Shadows, it will take the lead after its launch.

In comparison, earlier entries like Origins (42.3GB) and Odyssey (45GB) feel modest. This leap in file size is not just a minor increase but a game-changer, raising questions about the future. Players are asking if a 123GB game is truly necessary.

Even for long-time fans, it’s surprising to see an Assassin’s Creed game growing so rapidly (in size), especially considering how other titles in the series have always managed to maintain a relatively contained footprint.

While the exact reasons behind this massive size remain unclear, one thing is sure, Shadows marks Ubisoft’s long-awaited return to the Mac after 14 years. And making its return with enormous file size could be an even bigger issue for macOS users.

The trend of massive file sizes needs to halt

It has become a trend of sorts to ignore the file size by developers. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

The massive file sizes of modern games have become an increasingly noticeable trend in the gaming industry. As graphics, detail, and world-building reach new heights, so do the file sizes required to support these advances.

But without realizing it, developers are creating a major downside for themselves: accessibility. For gamers with slower internet connections or limited data caps, downloading a game as large as Shadows could be a serious issue.

Even Black Ops 6 was a problem for players, which is smaller than Shadows. Even if players don’t have internet issues, just fitting a few modern games will lead to a shortage of space.

In many ways, Shadows could be inaccessible to a significant portion of the player base, creating an artificial divide. This shift in the gaming experience, focusing on technological demands over player convenience, could ultimately change how gamers engage with future titles.

In the end, as games continue to push the limits of both content and size, developers will need to consider the broader impact on accessibility. How do you feel about the growing file sizes in modern games? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.