Arrowhead Explains Why Helldivers 2’s PC Version Needs 150GB

A Surprising 150GB Requirement

PC players expecting a leaner install were caught off guard when Helldivers 2 was revealed to demand a staggering 150GB of storage — nearly three times the footprint of its console counterparts. For a live-service shooter known for fast-paced chaos rather than sprawling worlds, the number immediately raised eyebrows across the community.

While some speculated that it was due to uncompressed textures or hidden data bloat, Arrowhead Game Studios quickly stepped in to explain that the issue wasn’t a matter of artistic ambition — it was one of accessibility.

Why So Large? HDD Compatibility

In a detailed Reddit post, Brendan Armstrong, Deputy Technical Director at Arrowhead, clarified that the inflated file size is a result of one specific design decision: ensuring smooth gameplay for users still running the game on traditional hard drives (HDDs).

Roughly 12% of Helldivers 2’s PC player base continues to use HDDs rather than SSDs. Because hard drives rely on mechanical read heads that physically move to locate data, fragmented storage layouts can cause severe load-time delays.

To combat this, Arrowhead implemented a data duplication system, storing frequently accessed assets — such as textures, models, and geometry — closer together on disk. This allows HDDs to load scenes in one continuous sweep rather than jumping between distant data sectors.

“For example,” Armstrong explained, “our build system ensures that a copy of a tree texture is stored on the same part of the disk as the level geometry data. When the game loads the level, the read head can access everything in one pass.”

This approach reduces loading times for HDD users dramatically, but at a steep cost — a much larger install size for everyone else.

SSD Players Won’t Notice — Yet

Arrowhead acknowledged that SSD users gain no benefit from this duplication, as solid-state drives can access data nearly instantly regardless of where it’s stored. However, removing the system entirely would result in up to 10× longer load times for HDD players, effectively making Helldivers 2 unplayable for that segment of users.

For now, the studio intends to maintain the current structure while gathering telemetry data to identify optimisation opportunities. Future updates may reduce the installation size if Arrowhead can find a middle ground that maintains stable performance across both storage types.

The Balancing Act of PC Development

The situation underscores a broader challenge for PC developers in 2025 — balancing cutting-edge performance with legacy compatibility. While most modern players use SSDs, the global PC gaming market remains fragmented, with many users still relying on older hardware.

For Helldivers 2, the 150GB install is less about excess and more about inclusivity — a decision to keep the experience playable for all, even at the cost of storage space. Until the studio refines its build process, PC players will need to sacrifice some hard-drive freedom for the sake of smooth intergalactic gameplay.