Download speeds and their real-life time equivalent: Gaming edition!
In a world of instant gratification, slow Internet connections are more than just a nuisance. For gamers? Speed means getting the latest patch in minutes rather than hours (or even days). We’ve all been there - hitting “Download” on a game update, then watching a progress bar as the seconds tick away, anxiously awaiting that new character skin, that crucial bug fix, that next mission…
Large updates can take hours to download, especially with a slow Internet connection. Ever wonder how download-friendly your favorite games are? Or how much time your Internet speed may have cost you?
Let’s take a look at some of the world’s most update heavy video games and their typical download times.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare for example has had over 500GB worth of updates since it’s release in late 2019, and if your Internet hasn’t been up to scratch, you could have wasted days of your life waiting for them to download.

Even better, let’s put those wait times from varying Internet speeds into a real-world perspective…

Call of Duty Modern Warfare Download
Released
October 2019
Original Game Size
175 GB
Call of Duty Modern Warfare Download Size of Updates:
542.0 GB
1mb/s
180 hrs and 36 mins
In the time it would take you to download all updates on a 1mb/s Internet connection, you could fly to the International Space Station, orbit the earth once, touchback down and then run a marathon. And you’d still have time to watch an episode of Law and Order. Phew, that’s a lot of download time!

10mb/s
18 hours and 6 minutes
With a 10mb/s Internet connection, you could watch the entire Lord of The Rings trilogy, spend a full day at your local zoo, take an hourlong spin class, and then read a chapter of your favorite book.

25mb/s
7 hours and 12 minutes
With a 25mb/s Internet connection, you could fly from New York to Reykjavíc, Iceland to see the Northern Lights, watch one episode of Breaking Bad, and then boil an egg for your lunch. Hard-boiled or soft?

50mb/s
3 hours and 36 minutes
With a 50mb/s Internet connection, you could watch an entire baseball game, then run 5km at an average pace. If you’re a keen runner, make it 10km.

100mb/s
1 hour and 48 minutes
With a 100mb/s Internet connection, you could listen to one episode of the ‘Crime Junkie’ podcast, do and 30-minute workout, and then freshen up with a long, hot shower.

200mb/s
54 minutes and 20 seconds
With a 200mb/s Internet connection, you could squeeze in two episodes of How I Met Your Mother, with a snack break in between. With an internet speed that quick, you’d be back to aiding Captain Price and the SAS before you know it!

With Internet speeds up to 1 Gig, we’ve got a speed that can handle whatever the latest games throw at you

Final Fantasy XV Download
Released
November 2016
Original Game Size
100 GB
Final Fantasy XV Download Size of Updates
110.24 GB
1mb/s
36 hours and 42 minutes
In the time it would take you to download all updates on a 1mb/s Internet connection, you could watch every single Star Wars film, take a Las Vegas hot air balloon ride, then squeeze in a few episodes of your favorite 90s cartoon series. Dexter’s Laboratory, anybody?

50mb/s
44 minutes
With a 50mb/s Internet connection, you could squeeze in a speedboat sightseeing tour of Miami. Unlike your download speed, at least the boat would be fast…

100mb/s
22 minutes
With a 100mb/s Internet connection, you’d barely have time to watch one episode of The Big Bang Theory. Say goodbye to Penny and Sheldon, it’s time to play your latest download!


Call of Duty: Black Ops III Download
Released
August 2015
Original Game Size
60 GB
Call of Duty: Black Ops III Download Size of Updates:
83.67 GB
1mb/s
27 hours and 48 minutes
In the time it would take you to download all updates on a 1mb/s Internet connection, you could go on every single ride at Disney World, enjoy a full night’s sleep, play a 90-minute game of soccer, and still find time to get a quick trim at the barbers!

50mb/s
33 minutes and 24 seconds
With a 50mb/s Internet connection, you could take a 20-minute power nap, then whip yourself up a tasty lunch. The gamer special? A ham and cheese toastie. And chips, of course.

100mb/s
16 minutes and 42 seconds
With a 100mb/s Internet connection, you could take your dog for a mile-long wander around your local park. By the time you hang up the leash, it’ll be game time!


Red Dead Redemption 2 Download
Released
October 2018
Original Game Size
107 GB
Red Dead Redemption 2 Download Size of Updates:
68.29 GB
1mb/s
22 hours and 42 minutes
In the time it would take you to download all updates on a 1mb/s Internet connection, you could grab some popcorn for a back-to-back Harry Potter movie marathon, take a leisurely stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge, then make yourself a cup of tea.

50mb/s
27 minutes and 18 seconds
With a 50mb/s Internet connection, you could do a quick grocery shop, then find your inner calm by unwinding with a mini, pre-game meditation.

100mb/s
16 minutes and 36 seconds
With a 100mb/s Internet connection, you could ring a family member for a quick catch up. Unless your family are a chatty bunch, then get yourself comfy — the game will have to wait.


Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Download
Released
November 2016
Original Game Size
74.2 GB
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Download size of Updates to Date:
59.41 GB
1mb/s
19 hours and 48 minutes
In the time it would take you to download all updates on a 1mb/s Internet connection, you could fly from New York to LA and back again, catch up on Wrestlemania 36, treat yourself to an indulgent spa massage, then pop some delicious ready-made cookies in the oven for the ultimate gaming snack.

50mb/s
23 minutes and 42 seconds
With a 50mb/s Internet connection, you could cook yourself a tray of cheesy nachos, then catch up on the latest news and current events.

100mb/s
11 minutes and 48 seconds
With a 100mb/s Internet connection, you could give your living space a quick tidy up, then grab your controller because it’s time to play!


The Witcher 3 Download
Released
May 2015
Original Game Size
30 GB
The Witcher 3 Download Size of Updates:
49.5 GB
1mb/s
16 hours and 30 minutes
In the time it would take you to download all updates on a 1mb/s Internet connection, you could take an Area 51 tour from Las Vegas, see a live music concert, watch an average game of hockey and then take a turn on the Fly LINQ Zipline, Las Vegas.

50mb/s
19 Minutes and 50 seconds
With a 50mb/s Internet connection, you could send a message to Mars using NASA’s Deep Space Network. It’s unlikely you’ll get a response though unless one of the rovers is feeling particularly chatty.

100mb/s
9 minutes and 54 seconds
With a 100mb/s internet connection, you could listen to a guided meditation to ensure your brain is in tip top condition for fighting those necrophages and wyverns.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our round up. If you’d like to find out how Optimum could help you get the best Internet speeds available, then give us a call on 1.866.200.7273, or follow the link below.
Sources and Methodology
* Approximate sizes only. Download sizes have been calculated by totalling all the major updates to date (November 2020) for each title. Note: download sizes for each update will vary slightly depending on which country you are in and what platform you are on, so where possible we’ve used sizes for the PC version of the game, and USA as the country of origin.
Download times are based on having a stable connection of said mb/s for the duration of the time downloading.
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