Call of Duty's Huge Filesize Fuels Peak Internet Usage
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The Record-Breaking Week for Comcast's Internet Traffic
In a bold claim, Comcast is celebrating what it dubs the "biggest week in internet history." This milestone is attributed primarily to the massive downloads of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the streaming of Thursday Night Football. Released on October 25th, Comcast reports that this game alone accounted for an astounding 19% of its overall internet traffic last week.
The Download Size and Its Impact
While Comcast has not released specific figures regarding the number of customers downloading the game, the download sizes are noteworthy. The download for the PlayStation version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is approximately 84.4GB, whereas the PC edition requires around 102GB. For avid gamers who opt for the complete package, including the previous titles Modern Warfare II and III and all associated content, the total can swell up to a staggering 300GB as noted by Activision.
Data Caps and Customer Experience
Comcast’s announcement about their record network traffic shines a light on an ongoing concern for many users: data caps. In 2024, the company reinstated its 1.2TB data limit, which many argue is becoming increasingly restrictive in the age of high-bandwidth gaming and streaming. Although Comcast had temporarily lifted this cap during the COVID-19 pandemic, it ultimately reverted back to its controversial policy, impacting gaming enthusiasts.
The Regulatory Landscape
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is currently examining how these data caps affect consumers, asserting that internet service providers possess the "technical ability" to operate without such restrictions. However, it remains unclear whether any substantive changes will arise from this investigation.
Real-Life Implications for Gamers
For players who downloaded the full package of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the implications are significant. A download of approximately 300GB could consume a substantial portion of their 1.2TB Xfinity data cap. If gamers continue their regular internet use, it could lead them to exceed the cap quite easily. As a case in point, many families, like mine, utilized almost 800GB last month even without large downloads, underscoring how quickly data caps can be reached.
Concluding Thoughts
The juxtaposition of Comcast’s bragging about record traffic and the reality of stringent data caps has ignited discussions about internet usage policies. As gaming and streaming continue to flourish, it is essential for providers to reassess their data management practices to better serve their customers.
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