Why is Genshin Impact 70 GB?
Genshin Impact’s PC installation hovering around 70 GB (and often much higher) can catch players off guard, especially when the mobile version sits at roughly 30 GB. In brief, this hefty size comes down to four main factors: ultra-high-resolution assets, extensive multi-language audio packs, a monolithic, cross-platform installer, and the cumulative effect of frequent content updates. Together, these elements ensure a seamless, visually stunning, fully voiced open-world experience, but at the cost of substantial disk space.
Ultra-High-Resolution Graphics and Textures
Genshin Impact’s sprawling open world is built on richly detailed environments, high-poly character models, and 4K-ready textures that translate into large file sizes. PC players need a minimum of 70 GB+ for the base installation, solely to house these assets. Even after the initial download, unpacking and decompressing these files requires additional temporary space, sometimes up to 20–28 GB more, during installation.
Multi-Language Voice and Audio Packs
To deliver fully voiced dialogue across global servers, Genshin Impact bundles multiple language packs within the same installer. Each language pack can consume several gigabytes; uninstalling unused packs can reduce the footprint by 10–20 GB. Because these audio assets are integral to cutscenes, quests, and ambient world sounds, they remain on disk unless manually removed via the launcher.
Monolithic, Cross-Platform Installer
Unlike many games that stream assets on demand, Genshin Impact uses one universal installer that includes all platform-specific resources, PC, console, and mobile. This design choice simplifies cross-play and ensures consistency across devices, but players end up downloading and storing files they may never use (e.g., console-optimized shaders or mobile-specific textures). The result is a “one-size-fits-all” package that inflates the overall installation size.
Cumulative Updates and Patch Archives
Since launch, Genshin Impact has seen dozens of major updates, each introducing new regions, characters, events, and gameplay systems. While some updates overwrite previous files, many legacy assets linger to support older save data and rollback options, causing the folder size to grow over time. Players who reinstall the game from scratch often report a temporary reduction in size (down to ~61 GB), but subsequent patches quickly push it back toward, or beyond, the 70 GB mark.
Tips to Manage and Reduce Size
- Delete Unused Language Packs: Removing redundant voice files can free up 10–20 GB. Access this via the launcher’s “Manage Languages” menu
- Move Non-Critical Assets: Advanced users relocate large folders like “VideoAssets” or “AudioAssets” to external drives and create symbolic links back to the game directory
- Periodic Reinstallation: A fresh install every few major versions can clear out orphaned patches, resetting the installation closer to its original size
By understanding these core factors, graphics fidelity, audio inclusivity, unified packaging, and patch accumulation, PC players can better anticipate storage needs for Genshin Impact. Though the 70 GB (and rising) footprint is substantial, it underpins the game’s hallmark beauty, full voice acting, and seamless cross-platform experience. If disk space is tight, leveraging language-pack removal and selective folder relocation will help keep your drive clear, and your adventures in Teyvat uninterrupted.