File Size Revealed for Unravel on PlayStation 4

The install size for the PlayStation 4 version of Unravel was revealed ahead of its release. According to the game’s product page on the PlayStation 4 console itself, the title requires 3.1 GB of hard drive space. A separate listing on the browser-based version of the PlayStation Store showed a slightly smaller requirement of 2.8 GB. The game was scheduled to launch digitally on February 9, 2016, for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

A Surprise E3 Debut

Unravel was first announced during Electronic Arts’ press conference at E3 2015. Developed by Swedish studio Coldwood Interactive, the game stood out as a smaller, more intimate project from a publisher known for major franchises. The game is a physics-based platformer starring Yarny, a small character made from a single thread of red yarn. Players guide Yarny through environments inspired by the landscapes of Northern Scandinavia.

The core gameplay involves using Yarny’s own thread to solve puzzles and traverse the world. This can mean creating bridges by tying yarn between two points, swinging from branches, or rappelling down ledges. As Yarny moves forward, he unravels, leaving a trail of yarn behind. This mechanic serves as both a visual representation of his journey and a resource to manage, as he must find new bundles of yarn to continue.

The Context of PS4 Storage

While a 3.1 GB file size is relatively small, storage management was a significant concern for PlayStation 4 owners. At the time, PS4 consoles were sold with either a 500 GB or 1 TB internal hard disk drive. After accounting for the operating system and essential system files, the actual usable space was considerably less. With many major AAA games requiring mandatory installs of 50 GB or more, even on the 1 TB model, storage could fill up quickly.

Every game, whether purchased digitally or on a physical disc, had to be fully installed to the internal drive to be played. This policy meant that players often had to delete old games to make room for new ones. In this environment, a smaller-sized game like Unravel offered a welcome reprieve, allowing players to install it without having to sacrifice a larger title from their library.

Expanding Console Storage

In early 2016, the PlayStation 4 did not support the use of external hard drives for installing and playing games. External drives could be used for backing up save data and other files, but game applications had to reside on the internal HDD. The only way for users to increase their console’s primary storage capacity was to manually replace the stock internal drive.

This process involved purchasing a compatible 2.5-inch SATA hard drive and physically swapping it with the one inside the console. After the hardware installation, the user had to download the PS4 system software onto a USB flash drive and perform a fresh installation on the new HDD. While the procedure was straightforward for those comfortable with electronics, it was a notable hurdle compared to the plug-and-play external storage solutions available on other consoles. For many, carefully managing the existing space by deleting and reinstalling games was the more common approach.