Since the launch of PS3, people have atacked, defended, complained and bemoaned about the “install issue”.  Probably the most infamous incident of install drama was noted with Capcom’s Devil May Cry 4 which required a hefty install on the PS3 with no install for 360 users.  When the issue was being discussed, somebody made internet history for suggesting that PS3 players insert the game to start the install and then go “make a sandwich”.  This suggetst that developers need to understand that so called installs need to be optimizedas well.  No one wants to be forced into upgrading a PS3 drive for large install sizes.  A few days ago, I learned that the install beast, while a pain, may be a necessary evil.

Prior to getting Metal Gear Solid 4, I had been playing Ninja Gaiden 2 for the Xbox 360.  It is a great game and my goal was to finish the game prior to MGS4′s launch because I don’t think I’ll be playing anything else for a while…but I digress.  I didn’t finish Ninja Gaiden 2 yet, however when playing a particular level (no spoilers) later in the game I kept being interrupted by a little purple tagged kunai in the corner of the game, better known as the now loading icon.  Now I don’t mind when a game takes a few secondds to load into the next section of a level.  This time however, it loaded, I took a few more steps, it loaded, I took a few more steps, it loaded some more and so on for about 5 more sessions of stepping and loading.  As I sat there waiting for the latest load session to end, I found myself thinking “Man if this had an install this wouldn’t happen”.

I know what you’re thinking.  WHAT?  An advocate for an install?  I did not think I would ever find myself wanting a game to install.  I, like many other players, want to get home, rip off the packaging and get busy playing.  This time around though, it appears that an install would have been a great benefit to Ninja Gaiden 2 and possibly many other games with “loading issues”.  However, developers also need to understand that so called installs need to be optimized!  No one wants to be forced into upgrading a PS3 drive for large install sizes.

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