Yes, Fallout 4 can take a while to install on PS4 and Xbox One
But don't worry. It's probably for the best.
We've seen people asking why Fallout 4 can take a while to install on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Fallout 4 weighs in at 26.2GB on PS4 and 27.9GB on Xbox One. After downloading the PS4 version from the PlayStation Network, it took me just under an hour to install the game. Digital Foundry clocked the Xbox One version at 29 minutes.
Many PS4 and Xbox One games allow you to get going before the installation process is complete. So why is Fallout 4 different?
I asked Digital Foundry chief Richard Leadbetter. Here's what he said:
We can only really speculate as to why Bethesda chose to bypass the consoles' 'fast start' mechanism for playing Fallout 4 while the game continues to install behind the scenes, but it's likely down to the fact that the initial, very linear introduction sequence is over fairly quickly. After that, you have immediate access to the open world - and the game cannot anticipate the direction you're likely to travel in.
Rather than impede progress with obtrusive installation screens and progress bars, it seems that the developer has chosen to ensure that all the data is installed onto the hard drive ahead of time - just like a standard PC game. It takes longer to get into the game as a consequence - and you'll need to preload the entire game if you've bought the digital copy - but I'd say it's the best solution overall, even if it's not completely ideal.
Thankfully, Fallout 4 plays those cool S.P.E.C.I.A.L. promotional videos while the game is installing, so there's something to tide you over while you wait for the percentage to creep up to 100.
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