In our age of increasingly big game sizes technology ice being able to pre-load a game before release date should almost be a necessity. It’s especially important here, where high-class internet is far and few between meaning digital purchases are usually accompanied by a one to two day wait on a download. It’s not a set feature across the board sadly, but Fallout 4 is making an exception.
Bethesda has announced that Fallout 4 will offer a pre-load function on Xbox One, PS4 and PC, letting players download the full 29GB game ahead of November 10th. They confirmed this via Twitter yesterday, but didn’t give an indication as to when you can expect to start downloading.
We can confirm that #Fallout4 will have pre-loading on Xbox One, PS4, and PC so you have a few days to download the game before 11/10
— Bethesda Softworks (@bethesda) October 26, 2015
Fallout 4 is the exception to this sort of rule. As a recent example, the Star Wars Battlefront Beta feature pre-load on PC, but forced PS4 and Xbox One players to download the full 8GB on launch day. For the most part many games don’t receive pre-load options, which ultimately just makes you hope that physical media doesn’t go away anytime soon.
If you do choose to go the physical route though you’re likely going to have to download a day-one patch on arrival. Bethesda hasn’t yet detailed anything about a day-one patch, but it would be safer to assume there is one than not. PC players, on the other hand, already know that only part of Fallout 4 will be on the disc, as confirmed by Director Pete Hines.
Either way you slice it though, Bethesda is really trying to make sure that come November 10th, everyone is able to get down and dirty in Vault 111.
Last Updated: October 27, 2015
Sean Carbutt
October 27, 2015 at 12:42
I was hoping that they would do that. 29gigs, mmhh. I think that it will be a lot bigger
Brady miaau
October 27, 2015 at 12:51
For the people on capped internet connections:
So, assume a 30Gig download for the game. How big is that really, with retries, failed packets, line drops and so forth? Is that a factor?
I can tell you, having used a TCP Packet sniffer (Ethereal, right? Wireshark, hmm, old school), when on a 3g network in a known dodgy coverage area, the amount of packet level resends is significant. Even if, say, 1 in 10, I think that can add up. Does that factor into trying to download games like this or not? Also, Steam seems very, very stable on download.
I have uncapped, so do not care and will, if I buy it, download whenever.
GooseZA
October 27, 2015 at 14:23
Never had an issue downloading games, although I get my fix on the Xbone, not PC. Haven’t seen it retry or fail once.
40 Insane Frogs
October 27, 2015 at 12:57
Physical disks uber alles!
Captain JJ the Goo
October 27, 2015 at 13:05
Pre-loading my game on Steam is going to be a problem while I’m still waiting for my hard copy
Kromas untamed
October 27, 2015 at 13:10
This. I think we need to petition steam to allow us pre-loads even if it thinks we have not purchased it yet due to #Hardcopy #CollectorEditionWoes.
I mean a pre-load is useless anyways if you don’t plan on getting it and it would save precious time.
Captain JJ the Goo
October 27, 2015 at 13:21
Hehe.
I’m not too rushed though. Considering how much time will be spent playing it, waiting a day or two to start won’t bother me much. 🙂
Kromas untamed
October 27, 2015 at 13:23
True. I am picking up SC on the same day. At least blizzard allowed me to pre-load SC ages ago so I can literally just type in my key and click play.
Captain JJ the Goo
October 27, 2015 at 13:27
Excellent stuff. I still need to get all the SC expansions some day.
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 27, 2015 at 13:37
HARD COPY!
Will it fit in the handbag though? :/
Captain JJ the Goo
October 27, 2015 at 14:13
*manbag
And yes, it will
40 Insane Frogs
October 27, 2015 at 19:23
It’s not a handbag… it’s a satchel!!!
RinceThis
October 27, 2015 at 13:58
hardcopy ftw!
Deceased
October 27, 2015 at 14:44
WEEEAAAAWWW!!!
I CANNOT WAIT!!!
WhiteRock
October 28, 2015 at 07:19
“In our age of increasingly big game sizes technology ice being able to pre-load a game…” Say what?
PestControl
October 28, 2015 at 18:17
Also waiting for my physical copy…
For those of you that haven’t pre-ordered yet maybe check out CNA’s online store… Was the cheapest I could find in SA (R499 for the PC version).