HD Texture Pack Question

[DeeZee]

I heard that we have to download an HD texture update when the game unlocks. Does anyone know if this is optional? Everywhere I look people keep saying that Steam will download it when the game unlocks.

But that doesn't really make sense. On the requirements page it says the minimum HDD space needed is 20 GB and the recommended one is 30 GB. So that implies that the textures are optional… I think.

I'm only asking because I'm not going to play the game on the highest settings. I don't need the pack. I'd hate to be forced to download something I'm not going to use. I won't rage about it -- I'm just wondering if any of you heard something similar.

[DeeZee]

So no one knows the answer? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

[Giants84]

The texture pack is already included, the console version is only 7-8 gigs.

[RustyS]

Yeah, thats only for consoles since the disks can't hold all of the game space. PC doesn't need to do that at all. Once you download the game you're done.

[DeeZee]

Cool. Thanks for the replies.

[X F R I M \\レベッカ\\]

...there's a HD texture pack? o_o

[RustyS]

For the consoles, yes. PC is already HD. The consoles disks just can't hold the HD textures so they have lower quality ones on the stock disks. Then you can opt for the higher quality ones with a download.

[FireShark]

Adding the HD textures on console doesn't ruin the framerate?

[RustyS]

No, its a matter of space on the disk, as I have posted the last 2 times.

[DEUS✠VULT]

So wait... Adding the HD textures on console doesn't ruin the framerate? :)

[RustyS]

No, its just textures, which doesn't use too much power from the GPU. Other things like anti aliasing and shadows would annihalate the consoles though. This is one of the main reasons for the new consoles coming out. Games are getting too heavy for these 7 year old consoles to keep up with.

[DeeZee]

Actually, I did some more searching and the HD pack is for PC. But I guess it's optional because the different HDD requirements/recommendations. Here's what IG said on their site.

"Finally, to show off all of that glorious PC pixel-pushing power, we’re shipping with unadulterated, full-resolution textures right in the box. You may not enjoy the three-DVD install, but we hope you will appreciate the jaw-dropping detail our amazing team of artists lavished on the game."

The physical PC version comes with three discs so that means it's larger than 15 GB. The 10 GB pack keeps getting mentioned on NeoGaf: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=51275448&postcount=5321

I know some IG employees post there. I think one of them said there will be a 10 GB pack. I can't find it, though. but it's being echoed elsewhere too.

I keep hearing people bring it up when they mention the PC version. I hope Rusty is right, though. I don't want to download that when it unlocks.

[FireShark]

Well ♥♥♥♥. I kind of don't even want to play the game now until I know I have that pack installed. Is the pre-load going to update again soon?

That also makes sense according to IGN's "review" - they said only PC would have the Ultra quality textures and high-poly character models.

[DeeZee]

Originally posted by inrptn:

Well ♥♥♥♥. I kind of don't even want to play the game now until I know have that pack installed. Is the pre-load going to update again soon?

I have no clue. It's all confusing. I'm hearing there will be an update when the game unlocks. Meaning we won't be able to just play right away. I'm trying to look for a clear answer, but no luck. Still, the game is worth getting :)

[SourDeez]

But is there a day one texture pack?, or is everyone just assuming that because minimum space suggested was 20gb with recommended being 30gb

[Budnick]

i asked ken levine on twitter, but i doubt he will respond. if he does, i'll post an update