EA and DICE are pressing the complete base game onto PlayStation 5 retail discs for the next Battlefield title. Players who purchase the physical edition will be able to install and launch the game directly from the disc without downloading additional data upfront.
The publisher is using the PS5’s 100GB triple-layer Blu-ray format to fit the entire game onto a single disc. This is the highest-capacity option available for PS5 physical releases. Many publishers opt for cheaper 66GB dual-layer discs instead and force players to download the remainder.
Players can identify a triple-layer disc by looking at the disc hub. Three barcode rings indicate 100GB capacity while two rings signal 66GB. The technical detail matters because it determines whether you’re installing a complete game or just part of one.
The full-game-on-disc approach doesn’t eliminate all downloads. Day-one patches will still be available for download. Multiplayer functionality requires an internet connection. But the base game installs entirely from the disc to the PS5’s internal SSD.
This stands in sharp contrast to Xbox’s typical physical release strategy. Xbox Series X discs often contain only the Xbox One version of a game. Series X owners must then download enhanced assets through Smart Delivery, sometimes adding tens of gigabytes to the initial setup.
The decision benefits players with data caps or slow internet connections. It also preserves a functional version of the game on physical media. If EA’s servers eventually shut down or updates become unavailable years from now, disc owners will still have the launch version playable.
Physical ownership carries other advantages digital purchases can’t match. Disc owners can lend the game to friends or sell it when finished. Code-in-box releases that simply contain download vouchers eliminate these options entirely.
Why physical media still matters
Shipping full games on disc has become increasingly rare for major AAA releases. Many modern titles exceed 100GB after all updates and DLC are factored in. Some games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth require two PS5 discs to accommodate their size.
The trend toward partial installs and mandatory downloads has frustrated physical collectors and preservationists. A full game on disc represents a clear stance that physical releases should contain actual game data, not just license verification.
