Download Size?

[myfamilyrocks]

I see a lot of system information for games, but I never see the download size listed. Granted, for the majority, it probably doesn't matter too much. However, for many of us in rural America, we have limited broadband options, which often translates to horrible monthly data caps. For those of us in this situation, we are forced to closely monitor what we download. Therefore, I cannot just blindly buy a game without knowing this information, so I end up passing on many games.

So, that said, can someone tell me where I can find download sizes for Steam games? If not, is there a reason they keep this hidden?

Thanks for any light that can be shed on this.

[Cathulhu]

Steam only shows the download size when you initiate the download.
But each game lists the necessary disk space and the download is similar or less in size due to data compression.

[myfamilyrocks]

I appreciate the quick reply, Cathulhu, but that does not help in many cases. Sure, for some of the smaller games, I can rest assured that the download will not be massive, but I cannot be so sure on the larger games. On some (many?) of them, I *might* be just fine downloading, but I do not even try, since I do not know the actual download size (which is often much less than the actual storage size, due to the compression you mention).

And while it might show once you initiate the download, that would mean one would have to purchase it first. And, of course, I cannot take the chance to purchase the game, when it turns out I might not be able to download it due to data caps.

What I don't get is why they don't just post this information. I mean, what does it hurt? People with high speed connections (with unlimited or high caps) will not care, and people with low data caps might actually purchase a game they would not otherwise consider, if it turns out the download size is something they can manage.

[Cathulhu]

I agree that the current situation is less than optimal. But your only option at the moment is asking in the discussion hub of the game you are interested in buying.

[PoolSponge]

You could as one option look up the download size for the game online.

[Hanomaly]

Errrrr...

i am positive that on the System Requirements section of Steam it says this approximation.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/271590/

For example that is Grand Theft Auto V.. it says for System Requirements:

MINIMUM:
OS: Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 64 Bit Service Pack 2* (*NVIDIA video card recommended if running Vista OS)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5GHz
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11)
Hard Drive: 65 GB available space
Sound Card: 100% DirectX 10 compatibl

The line that says "Hard Drive" /is/ the approximate "download size" of the game. It's approximately how big the game is. Typically games make this number slightly bigger than the actual game is (likely to account for DLC, perhaps, or even just general updates to the game they might do), but it's otherwise a pretty good indication of what size the game is going to be.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Why does it even matter? The game lists the needed available size. That being said, the size listed in the requirements is generally the max the game will take up. While it can sometimes be lower than this, rarely will it be higher. Unless u have mods or purchase DLCs, Expansion Packs, etc.

[iforce2d]

Not everybody has blistering fast all-you-can-eat internet bandwidth. For example on the satellite connection I had until recently I could easily be paying as much to download a game as to buy it in the first place. It may also influence a decision on what to buy if you have some free time come up and want something that will finish downloading and be ready to play in the time it takes to have a shower and fix a meal for example. There is absolutely no way the Steam store does not know the download size, because as soon as you start to download it knows how much is remaining. And I seem to recall the download size used to be displayed in the game listing too. So I would suggest the only conceivable reason not to show it before purchasing is that it might discourage a purchase of larger size games (which tend to also require more money). A smart business decision I guess, they probably figured it will only piss off a small minority of customers.

[AmsterdamHeavy]

Look man, with some games starting to top 100GB installed size, and plenty more in the 50-75GB range your problem is not going to get better.

You have a niche problem, you need to manage it. As others have suggested, you should be using the install size as your guideline or asking in the forum of said game. Any person who owns it can tell you the download size.

[iforce2d]

The size of games is not the problem, knowing the size is the problem. Yes it's niche problem, but there is no reason for it to exist at all.