PSA: Your Copy of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Might Need a Big Day One Download
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has a complicated day one update situation that might mean users have to download a hefty patch whether you're on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, or PC.
EA announced on Twitter (below) that it's releasing a day one patch for Survivor that addresses some performance issues, but some PC players are reporting colossal file sizes. Even some players who pre-loaded the game on Steam are reporting a launch day update of up to 128 GB.
EA also released patches throughout the week before launch, meaning that, depending on when users pre-loaded, there might be some updates that were missed. IGN's day one update on PC came in at 46.5 GB, for example, and while this is a lot less than some PC users' experience, it's still a hefty addition for those looking to enjoy the game on launch day.
Cal’s newest journey in a galaxy far, far away has begun and we’re excited for you to experience it!
Our first patch will arrive on launch day across all platforms. In the weeks ahead, we’ll deploy patches that will:
- Fix bugs
- Improve performance
- Add more accessibility… pic.twitter.com/pUtyoGopP5 — EA Star Wars (@EAStarWars) April 26, 2023
Those who have pre-loaded the game on PS5 and Xbox Series should have the smoothest experience, as the day one patches here are only a few GB each (though there may also be a mid-week patch to download too that adds a few GB).
Buying Survivor on disc is a completely different story, however, as a significant download is required before users can start playing the game. This is because the file sizes of the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Survivor exceed the 100 GB that can be stored on the Blu-ray discs used for games.
The PS5 base install size is 147.9 GB while the Xbox Series X is 134 GB, with the remaining data being added to the game through a separate download. Essentially, it's the same as when Red Dead Redemption 2 or Grand Theft Auto 5 came with an install disc and a play disc, except the install disc is now a download. This also means that, despite being a solely single player game, Survivor cannot be played without an internet connection.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor shipping this week! https://t.co/p27lVlwrQl pic.twitter.com/0YY6rbsvSe — Mighty Ape Games (@MightyApeGames) April 23, 2023
While this is advertised on the front of the box in some regions (like in the tweet above), it's kept to the small print in others. "Internet connection required to download mandatory content updates required to play the game," reads the terms and conditions on the back of the UK version. "Mandatory content updates require internet connection."
This is reiterated in the game's official FAQ, that states: "Players who purchase a physical copy of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will be required to connect to the internet to install a Day 1 patch but can play offline after that."
It's unclear how big this download is for disc players, but based purely on the math, it will be a minimum of 47.9 GB on PS5 and 34 GB on Xbox Series X. IGN understands it to be a substantial figure, but EA declined to comment when asked for a specific number.
As noted in the previously mentioned tweet from EA, these complicated day one updates won't be the last of Survivor's stream of patches. "In the weeks ahead, we'll deploy patches that will: fix bugs, improve performance, [and] add more accessibility features," it said
That being said, it should return to a more familiar (and simple) process after it's all installed on day one. These patches should also be fairly small on console, though PC could be a different story. The PC version of The Last of Us Part 1 just received its seventh update in a month, for example, which came in at a pretty big 25 GB.
Once Survivor is all installed and players can finally start playing, however, they should have a pretty good time. IGN gave the game a 9/10 in our review, saying: "If Respawn makes a third game like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Fallen Order, it'll complete the best Star Wars trilogy in 30 years, hands down."
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
Source: IGN
