ISPs cite new Xbox launch for record traffic load

Since we got our first glimpse of the next generation of video game consoles, the most important topic of discussion has been the fact that the two Xbox Series X and PS5 are gigantic. The shock of the physical appearance of the consoles made it easy to forget that the next generation’s biggest footprint will be on the intertubes.

UK internet providers said this week that Microsoft’s launch of its latest Xbox on Tuesday resulted in a crash in network traffic, with users unpacking their consoles, downloading system updates and installing new games. Virgin Media said in a declaration that it experienced the highest amount of data consumption on its network in history on Tuesday – a 30% increase over its average traffic in October. In total, according to Virgin, 108 petabytes of data, or an average of 20 GB per customer, was served on launch day.

Also, TalkTalk said that it “recorded its highest peak in network traffic on Tuesday.” Openreach says the independent that his network was hit hard by the launch of Xbox but failed to set a personal traffic record.

The new Xbox wasn’t the only thing sucking data at incredible rates. Openreach also cited the release of a forced software update on iOS as being responsible for high activity levels. And Virgin highlighted the release of new hit cross-console games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and the pre-download of Call of Duty: Cold War Black Ops as a problem.

A tough day for ISPs doesn’t matter, but it’s a sign that networks might struggle to keep up in the months to come. Virgin said it “anticipates another busy week of network traffic to come” with the launch of Sony’s PS5. Both consoles are already available in the US … if you can find one. The fact that availability is currently limited could be a blessing.

The size of video game files was already getting out of hand before the launch of this new generation. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare inflated to more than 250 GB as it added more and more updates. Covert operations, the last entry in the Call of Duty franchise, reached 250 gigs right out of the box.

The integration of high-speed SSDs also means developers have less to worry about loading large assets into the game, meaning that developers’ imaginations will be more limited by the size of an average hard drive than by new. consoles’ power limitations. This means huge updates will fly at an unprecedented rate, and we’ve barely entered the era of game streaming services like Google Stadia.

When the first wave of covid-19 sent people indoors last March, were worries that networks could be strained by the influx of online users who would normally live their IRL lives for most of the day. For the most part, ISPs were fine. Now epidemiologists are a warning that the latest wave of infections will be even more devastating than the previous one and will require further quarantines. TalkTalk said in its statement that last week it saw some of the highest network traffic on record when the UK entered its second lockdown.

Our extremely online lives are becoming more and more extremely online, and the technical specifications needed to maintain it are becoming more and more intensive. True 5G can’t come soon enough.