NBN Co says network is ready for GTA VI and expects record download volume
NBN Co told TechRadar it is confident the network can handle demand for the 212GB Grand Theft Auto VI, with preloading expected to prevent a peak-hour record but possibly lift total volume over 7 to 8 days.
NBN Co says the national broadband network is ready for the launch of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto VI, a game that requires a 212GB download. The wholesale operator expects the release to push total download volume to a record across the preload and launch period, even if it does not set a new single-hour peak.
An NBN Co spokesperson told TechRadar: "We've planned for major download events like this, and we're confident the NBN network is ready for the increased demand." The company said it works with content distributors to model the effect of big releases and to spread downloads over a longer period instead of letting everyone start at once. According to NBN Co, that has changed the traffic shape, with demand now building earlier in the day rather than surging when people get home from work.
Gaming has driven some of the largest peaks on the network. NBN Co said a game download release last year coincided with a record peak of 32.91 terabits per second. It said that was approximately 30% higher than baseline traffic, with almost 8Tbps of additional demand during the busiest hour. The company did not identify the game.
Preloading is central to the plan. TechRadar reported that preloading begins on 10 November for digital preorders and on 12 November for the code-in-box version. "Preloading is good news for gamers and good news for the network," NBN Co told TechRadar. NBN Co said the impact of major launches has fallen over time because distributors now stagger downloads and updates.
NBN Co does not expect a record for any single hour or day. The company said it expects increased traffic across the preload and release period, "which could result in a record-breaking download volume across that 7 – 8-day period".
NBN Co also pointed to home setups as a source of slow downloads, recommending households place routers somewhere elevated and central and check whether an older router is limiting speeds on faster plans. It also suggested reviewing whether the current plan still suits the household. TechRadar noted that game distribution servers struggling with demand could still limit speeds regardless of the connection.