Could the release of GTA 6 break the Australian internet? We asked NBN Co to find out
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- NBN Co says Australia’s broadband network is ready for expected increase in traffic when GTA VI launches
- An earlier major game launch boosted NBN traffic to a record 32.91 Tbps, around 30% above normal levels.
- GTA VI’s one-week preload period should help avoid a massive spike in network traffic on launch day.
- NBN Co believes GTA VI could set a new record for total download volume during its 7-8 day release 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 if Australia’s internet infrastructure can cope with 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 players wanting to get their hands on the game at the same time, and it’s easy to imagine the strain it could put on the country’s broadband network.
But could GTA VI really break the Internet?
We asked NBN Co that question and their response was reassuring. The company not only believes its network is ready for the game’s arrival, but also suggested that GTA VI could set a new record for the amount of data downloaded during a single game launch period.
NBN Co says it is ready for GTA VI
Despite the huge hype surrounding GTA VI, NBN Co doesn’t seem particularly worried about the network being overwhelmed when the game launches.
“We have planned for major download events like this and are confident the NBN network is ready for the surge in 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 intense demand.
Part of that preparation involves working with distributors to spread out downloads over a longer period, rather than allowing everyone to start downloading at the same time.
This has already changed the way major game releases affect the network. According to NBN Co, traffic now starts to increase earlier in the day, rather than suddenly increasing when players return home from work.
Game launches have already driven NBN traffic to record levels
There are good reasons for NBN Co to take major game launches seriously: the company revealed that game downloads have been responsible for some of the biggest traffic spikes ever recorded on its network.
In fact, NBN Co told us that “the launch of a game download last year” coincided with a record traffic peak of 32.91 terabits per second (Tbps).
“This was approximately 30% higher than base traffic, with almost 8 Tbps of additional demand during peak hours.”
And although NBN Co did not identify which game was responsible for that particular spike, it shows how significantly a major release can affect Australia’s internet traffic. Given that GTA VI is arguably one of the most anticipated games of all time, it is reasonable to expect another substantial increase in demand.
Why preloading could prevent a massive increase in traffic
Fortunately, there is one factor working in NBN Co’s favor: preloading.
GTA VI pre-load is scheduled to begin on November 10 for anyone who has pre-ordered the game from a digital store. For anyone looking to purchase the boxed code variant, pre-loading is confirmed for November 12, giving players a chance to download the game before its official release.
Instead of having millions of players trying to download more than 200 GB of data simultaneously, the preload window allows that demand to be spread over several days.
“Preloading is good news for gamers and good news for the network,” NBN Co told us.
The company explained that the impact of major game releases has become less significant over time, largely because distributors now spread downloads and updates over longer periods. In the case of GTA VI, NBN Co hopes that the week-long pre-charge period will help avoid particularly sharp spikes in network traffic.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the game won’t break any records.
GTA VI could still set a new download record in Australia
While NBN Co doesn’t necessarily expect GTA VI to produce the biggest single-hour traffic spike in its history, it believes the game’s launch could achieve something possibly more impressive.
“While the pre-charge approach will likely avoid a record traffic spike during a specific hour or day, we expect to see an increase in traffic during the pre-charge and launch period, which could result in record download volume during that 7 to 8 day period,” the company said.
In other words, GTA VI may not generate the most instant demand never seen before on the NBN, but the total amount of data downloaded during its launch period could still be unprecedented.
In fact, with a 212GB download potentially repeated across a large number of Australian homes, it’s not hard to see why NBN Co is anticipating a particularly busy week.
How to prepare your Internet connection for GTA VI
While NBN Co is confident its network can handle the surge in demand, individual households could still experience slower than expected downloads if their home internet setup isn’t up to par.
The company recommends checking the location of your router, ideally placing it in an elevated, central location, away from obstacles and sources of interference.
He also suggests checking the age of your router, as older models may struggle to offer the full speeds available on faster NBN plans. Of course, this isn’t advice aimed solely at potential GTA players; It’s a tip we recommend, especially if you’re on one of the faster NBN plans.
For larger or multi-storey homes, Australia’s best mesh Wi-Fi systems can help improve wireless coverage, while homes still using older copper-based NBN connections may want to check if they are eligible for a free fiber upgrade.
Finally, NBN Co recommends reviewing your current internet plan to determine if it still meets your home needs.
Of course, even the fastest NBN connection won’t guarantee maximum download speeds if game delivery servers struggle to keep up with demand.
But with the release of GTA VI fast approaching, NBN Co’s message is clear: Australia’s broadband network is ready, even if the country’s gamers are about to put it through one of its biggest tests yet.
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