NBN Co says Australia’s broadband network is ready for the expected surge in traffic when GTA VI launches
A previous major game release pushed NBN traffic to a record 32. 91Tbps, around 30% above normal levels
GTA VI’s week-long preload period should help prevent a massive spike in network traffic on launch day
NBN Co believes GTA VI could set a new record for total download volume across its 7–8-day launch period
Grand Theft Auto VI is shaping up to be one of the biggest video game launches in history, and with millions of gamers expected to download Rockstar’s long-awaited sequel, it’s fair to wonder whether Australia’s internet infrastructure can cope with the demand. After all, GTA VI is confirmed to require a hefty 212GB download , meaning even a single copy will consume a considerable amount of bandwidth. Multiply that by potentially hundreds of thousands of Australian gamers all wanting to get their hands on the game at once, and it’s easy to imagine the strain it could place on the country’s broadband network. But could GTA VI actually break the internet? We put that question to NBN Co, and its response was reassuring. Not only does the company believe its network is ready for the game’s arrival, but it also suggested GTA VI could potentially set a new record for the amount of data downloaded over a single game launch period. NBN Co says it’s ready for GTA VI
Despite the enormous anticipation surrounding GTA VI, NBN Co doesn’t appear particularly concerned about the network being overwhelmed when the game launches. "We’ve planned for major download events like this, and we’re confident the NBN network is ready for the increased demand," an NBN Co spokesperson told us. The company explained that it works closely with content distributors to model the potential impact of major game releases, allowing it to prepare for periods of particularly heavy demand. Part of that preparation involves working with distributors to spread downloads over a longer period, rather than allowing everyone to begin downloading at the same time. This has already changed the way major game launches affect the network. According to NBN Co, traffic now begins building earlier in the day, rather than suddenly surging when gamers return home from work. Game launches have already pushed NBN traffic to record highs
There’s good reason for NBN Co to take major game releases seriously — the company revealed that gaming downloads have been responsible for some of the biggest traffic peaks ever recorded on its network. In fact, NBN Co told us that “a game download release last year” coincided with a record traffic peak of 32. 91 terabits per second (Tbps). “This was approximately 30% higher than baseline traffic, with almost 8Tbps of additional demand during the busiest hour.” And while NBN Co didn’t identify which game was responsible for that particular peak, it demonstrates just how significantly a major release can affect Australia’s internet traffic. With GTA VI arguably being one of the most anticipated games of all time, it’s reasonable to expect another substantial increase in demand. (Image credit: Rockstar Games) Why preloading could prevent a massive traffic spike
Fortunately, there’s one factor working in NBN Co’s favour: preloading…