Genshin Impact's Massive Storage Demands | Generated by AI
Question: Why does Genshin Impact have such a large app size, even for basic resources like 22 GB?
Answer:
Genshin Impact’s large file size stems from its ambitious scope as a free-to-play open-world action RPG with high-fidelity graphics, extensive content, and full localization across platforms. As of late 2025 (Version 5.x+), the game requires significant storage due to ongoing updates adding new regions, characters, events, and assets. Here’s a breakdown:
Current Approximate Sizes (Post-Update, Varies by Platform and Languages)
| Platform | Basic/Initial Size | Full Size (All Resources + Voices) |
|---|---|---|
| Android | ~22 GB | ~34 GB |
| iOS/iPadOS | ~25-30 GB | ~50 GB |
| PC | N/A (Always full) | 85-120 GB |
| PS5 | N/A | 100-115 GB |
| Xbox | N/A | ~120 GB |
The “basic resources” option on Android (~21.8-22 GB) downloads core gameplay files (maps, models, UI) with minimal voice packs, while “full resources” adds extras like high-quality audio. Even basic is large because the game’s world of Teyvat spans multiple massive regions with detailed environments.
Key Reasons for the Size
- Audio Files (Largest Contributor: 40-50% of Total)
- Full voice acting for every line of dialogue in 10+ languages (English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc.). Each pack is 5-10 GB.
- Thousands of hours of voiced story quests, events, NPC chatter, and combat lines.
- High-bitrate music tracks and sound effects for immersive audio.
- Tip: Delete unused languages in settings to save 20-40 GB on PC/mobile.
- Visual Assets and Pre-Rendered Videos (~25-35%)
- High-resolution textures, 3D models, and animations for characters, weapons, enemies, and environments (optimized lower on mobile).
- Pre-rendered cutscenes: ~25 GB of videos, as mobile devices can’t render cinematic-quality scenes in real-time without performance issues.
- Open-World Content (~20-30%)
- Massive map with 7+ regions (Mondstadt to Natlan+), each adding GBs of unique assets (buildings, foliage, puzzles).
- 100+ playable characters, artifacts, bosses, and items with custom models/animations.
- Platform Differences and Updates
- PC/PS5 use uncompressed 4K textures; mobile compresses aggressively.
- Live-service model: Patches (5-15 GB each) accumulate without full reinstalls, bloating size over 5 years.
- Temporary files during updates can double space needs (e.g., 150 GB temp on PC).
HoYoverse optimizes via compression and optional packs, but the game’s console-quality experience on phones drives the scale. New players can start small and expand; storage expands with playtime.
References:
- Reddit: Detailed file size breakdown (Assets 34GB, Audio 48GB, Videos 25GB)
- Game8: Storage guide with platform sizes
- GameWith: Current sizes including Android basic/full
- HoYoLAB: User reports on PC sizes