Nier: Automata has received an update that drastically increased its file size from 50GB to a staggering 366GB on Steam. The patch, intended to add localization support for Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean, has instead created a significant storage issue for players. Square Enix acknowledged the problem in a Steam post, stating that the installation requires substantially more space than intended and that the company is investigating the cause.
While the exact reason for the massive file size inflation is unclear, it may be related to the game's DLC. Reports suggest that when selected for download on Steam, each DLC appears to have the same file size as the base game. However, this issue seems to be confined to the initial download and installation, with the game's file size reverting to approximately 50GB once installed.
As a temporary workaround, Square Enix advises players to deselect all DLC within Steam's properties for Nier: Automata to download the base game with the intended storage space. The developer is actively working on a resolution.
The unexpected 366GB requirement for Nier: Automata, while an anomaly, highlights a growing trend in PC gaming where file sizes are continually increasing. Modern AAA titles frequently exceed 100GB, with some, like certain Call of Duty installments, surpassing 200GB. The combat simulator DCS World was noted in 2021 for having a maximum file size of 250GB. This incident serves as a peculiar, albeit potentially ominous, glimpse into the future of game storage demands.