One of the biggest problems with modern games is file size. The PS5's internal storage doesn't feel big enough if you only need to organize three or four games.
Developers like Arrowhead have found creative ways to reduce the size of games like Helldivers 2 on PC, but the unfortunate reality is that 100GB behemoths are now the norm. If so, Sony may have found a clever way to solve this problem.
As reported by TechSpot, Sony has filed a new patent for “asset streaming” technology that could drastically reduce file sizes. While this doesn't connect to or expand on cloud gaming, it appears to be a middle ground between traditional native downloads and streaming, as long as you have a decent internet connection, and it does offer the best of both worlds.
You can see how it works in the diagram above. The point is that you only need to download the executable code and some “core” assets (about 100MB) needed to start the game, either through an online store or a physical copy.
The game's core logic is stored locally, but high-quality assets are pulled over the internet as you progress, eliminating the common issues that make streaming a headache.
Essentially, you'll download every part of the game as you need it, rather than saving it all to your hard drive at once.
Not a perfect solution
Because it relies on a stable internet connection, it may not be the perfect solution for online games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, given the impact it has on ping like any other download. This is an unfortunate hurdle for Sony, as live service games tend to be a major contributor to large file sizes, but this technology will at least reduce the load on single-player games, allowing you to continue playing them.
Of course, this is just a patent and Sony may not end up implementing this technology in their games, but it at least shows that PlayStation recognizes that file sizes are getting too big and something needs to be done to reduce them. Another patent was filed in 2025 to address this exact issue, so it's clear that gamers aren't alone in feeling frustrated about the release consuming a lot of their hard drives.
- brand
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sony
- original release date
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November 12, 2020
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$499, €499, £449, ¥49,980 (standard) // $399, €399, £359, ¥39,980 (digital),
- operating system
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Orbis OS
- processor
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Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2
- solve
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720p – 8K
