File Size Revealed for Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 on PlayStation 4

The PlayStation Store has updated its listing for Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, revealing the required storage space for the digital version on PlayStation 4. According to the product page on the web store, the first-person shooter will take up 40.6 GB on the console’s internal hard disk drive. A slightly higher figure of 43.6 GB was shown to users viewing the store directly from their PS4 dashboard. This size does not account for any potential day-one updates or future downloadable content, which could increase the total footprint further.

The large installation size is typical for the series, reflecting the significant amount of content packed into the release. For players who prefer physical media or have concerns about bandwidth caps and download times, a disc-based version was also available for preorder.

Three Distinct Experiences

The substantial data size is justified by the three distinct game experiences included in Black Ops 3. The title features a full single-player and cooperative campaign set in a dark, dystopian future 40 years after the events of Black Ops II. In this world, cybernetics and biotechnology have redefined warfare, and players navigate a story that explores the lines between humanity and technology.

Alongside the campaign is the franchise’s signature competitive online multiplayer. For Black Ops 3, developer Treyarch introduced a new Specialist system, allowing players to choose from unique characters with their own powerful weapons and abilities. This added a new strategic layer to the fast-paced, momentum-based movement system. The multiplayer component also includes a wide array of maps, modes, and the Gunsmith weapon customization feature, all contributing to the game’s overall size.

Finally, the fan-favorite Zombies mode returns with its own dedicated storyline called “Shadows of Evil.” Set in a 1940s film-noir-inspired metropolis called Morg City, this cooperative survival mode pits four protagonists against waves of the undead. The mode featured a star-studded cast including Jeff Goldblum, Heather Graham, Neal McDonough, and Ron Perlman. This mode alone is a substantial offering, complete with its own mechanics, progression, and secrets to uncover.

A New Partnership for Call of Duty

The 2015 release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 marked a significant shift in the franchise’s console partnerships. After years of association with Microsoft’s Xbox platform, Activision teamed up with Sony for this installment. This new alliance meant that all downloadable content, including new multiplayer maps and Zombies experiences, would launch first on PlayStation 4 with a period of timed exclusivity.

This partnership extended beyond DLC. Sony also secured exclusive marketing rights, making the PS4 the lead platform for advertising and promotional materials. To commemorate the collaboration, a Limited Edition Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 PlayStation 4 bundle was created. This special console featured a unique jet black chassis with orange-colored power and eject buttons, as well as three emblems on the front each representing a game mode. It also included a matching gray and orange DualShock 4 controller.

The Growing Need for Storage

The file size of Black Ops 3 underscored the increasing storage demands of modern console games. The standard PS4 model at the time shipped with a 500 GB hard drive, a capacity that could be filled quickly by just a handful of major AAA releases. For digital game collectors, managing this limited space often involved deleting older games to make room for new ones.

The 1 TB hard drive in the limited edition Black Ops 3 bundle offered a direct solution, doubling the available space from the start. For the millions of existing PS4 owners, the console was designed to allow for user-replaceable hard drives. Players could purchase a compatible 2.5-inch internal hard drive and perform the upgrade themselves, with many opting for 1 TB or 2 TB models to prepare for the growing size of game installations and their subsequent patches. Such an upgrade became an increasingly popular option for dedicated gamers.