PlayStation Games 100MB Minimum, Download Rest Via Internet – Sony Patent

Seeking to drastically reduce the size of games by running code on the console, Sony patented a hybrid technology for PS5 and PS6 that also works by downloading visual resources on demand to save space without suffering latency.

Although those who have suffered the most from the rise in hardware prices have been PC players, console players have also been affected by this global problem. And while these platforms are more powerful than ever, the space to save games is quickly exhausted and despite advances in technology, cloud gaming still does not convince everyone due to its connection problems, and expanding console storage is an expensive luxury.

Thinking about this and the scarcity due to current values, Sony seems to have found a middle ground that could change the rules of the game. A new patent from the Japanese company proposes a hybrid system capable of reducing the installation size of PlayStation 5 and future PlayStation 6 titles, ensuring that the code runs on the console itself to avoid lag, but without taking up hundreds of gigabytes on the hard drive.

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The storage crisis and the cost of technology

In case you were not aware of this news about the technology industry, we remind you that, especially the market for components such as RAM, CPUs and SSD, we are experiencing a complex moment driven by the Artificial Intelligence fever. The immense demand for components by data centers dedicated to AI has caused the price of storage to skyrocket in the global market. For the average user, this translates into a frustrating reality, where PlayStation 5 owners with large digital libraries are forced to organize their storage, constantly deleting and installing games.

All this because buying a space expansion is becoming more and more expensive and, although PlayStation users have more third-party options to expand their memory compared to Xbox Series X users, the expense remains a significant barrier. In this context, the patent discovered by the Tech4Gamers media and shared in a Notebookcheck report, comes as a relief, since the document, with a publication date of February 4, 2026, suggests an ingenious alternative to cut the weight of the files without falling into the usual disadvantages of playing exclusively over the internet.

The central idea is to attack the problem of file weight, thinking that current high-budget (AAA) games can easily exceed 100 GB. Sony’s proposal seeks that, instead of needing that free space, the player only has to download the essential files to start the title, allowing an experience less dependent on expensive SSDs. What makes this patent, titled “Asset Streaming System and Method,” interesting is that it’s not just conventional cloud gaming. In the current streaming model, everything is processed on a distant server and sent as video to your screen, which often causes that annoying delay or “lag” between pressing a button and the character moving.

Sony’s solution proposes that the “brain” of the game (the executable code) would run locally on your console or device, which guarantees that the response of the controls is immediate, eliminating the latency that competitive players hate so much. What would be transmitted from the network are textures, 3D models and sound. If put into practice, the impact would be brutal, since a game that today requires a 100 GB installation could only need an initial package of 100 MB, functioning almost like a launcher.

And as the player progresses in the game, the system would download the necessary files for that level or zone and delete those that are no longer used, all in real time, which, if everything works as expected, would open the door to a real alternative for part of the community that seeks performance without sacrificing their entire hard drive.

Capture (translated) shared by Tech4Gamers“/>

Looking to the future

If implemented, Notebookcheck anticipates that this technology is not only a patch for the current generation, but also seems to be a clear strategy for the future launch of the PlayStation 6. Next-generation games are expected to be even heavier, devouring space at an alarming rate. With rumors of a higher-than-expected launch price for the PS6, it is likely that Sony will decide not to increase the factory storage capacity too much so as not to make the product even more expensive. This patent would be the perfect solution to sell a console with a standard hard drive capable of managing huge libraries.

But to close, not everything is perfect, because the patent document itself admits that this system could involve certain sacrifices, because for it to work fluently, a high-speed and very stable internet connection would be needed. In addition, the possibility of lower quality textures and audio being used to facilitate data transmission is mentioned, which could compromise the visual and sound clarity that defines new generation consoles.

Fuente

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