How Much Space Does League of Legends Take?
League of Legends, one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games in the world, has been a favorite among gamers for over a decade. With its engaging gameplay, constant updates, and a vast roster of champions, it’s no wonder that millions of players log in every day. However, before diving into the world of Runeterra, many players wonder: how much space does League of Legends take on their devices? This is especially important for those with limited storage capacity or those planning to install the game on a new computer or laptop.
Understanding the Installation Size
The installation size of League of Legends can vary depending on several factors, including the platform you’re using, the region, and whether you’re downloading the base game or additional content like skins, champion voice lines, or alternate universes. Generally, the base installation size of League of Legends is around 8-10 GB. However, this number can increase significantly if you opt to download additional features or higher-quality assets.
Factors Affecting the Installation Size
Base Game vs. Additional Content: The core game, which includes the essential files to play, is relatively lightweight. However, if you choose to download extra content such as high-resolution textures, voice packs, or animated splash arts, the installation size can jump to 20 GB or more.
Platform Differences: While League of Legends is primarily played on PC, there are some differences in installation sizes depending on whether you’re using a Windows or macOS operating system. Generally, the Windows version tends to be slightly larger due to additional optimizations and compatibility files.
Updates and Patches: Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, frequently releases updates to balance champions, introduce new content, or fix bugs. These updates can sometimes add to the overall size of the game, though they are usually relatively small in comparison to the base installation.
How to Check the Current Installation Size
If you’re already playing League of Legends and want to know how much space it’s taking up on your device, you can easily check this through your computer’s file explorer. Here’s how:
Windows:
Open File Explorer.
Navigate to the folder where League of Legends is installed (typically located in C:\Riot Games).
Right-click on the League of Legends folder and select Properties.
The size listed here will give you an accurate idea of how much space the game is occupying.
macOS:
Open Finder.
Go to the folder where League of Legends is installed (usually in /Applications/Riot Games/League of Legends).
Right-click (or control-click) on the folder and select Get Info.
The info window will display the size of the folder.
Optimizing Your Hard Drive Space
If you’re concerned about the space League of Legends is taking up, there are a few steps you can take to optimize your hard drive:
Remove Unnecessary Content: If you’ve downloaded additional features like voice packs or high-resolution textures but no longer need them, you can uninstall them through the League of Legends client. This can significantly reduce the game’s footprint on your hard drive.
Clean Up Old Files: Over time, your computer may accumulate temporary files or old patches that are no longer needed. Use a disk cleanup tool or manually delete these files to free up space.
Consider an External Hard Drive: If you’re consistently running out of space on your primary drive, consider moving League of Legends to an external hard drive. This not only frees up space but also allows you to play the game on different devices if needed.
Case Study: Comparing League of Legends to Other MOBA Games
To put things into perspective, let’s compare the installation size of League of Legends with other popular MOBA games:
Dota 2: The installation size is around 15-20 GB, depending on the quality settings and additional content.
Heroes of the Storm: This game typically takes up 20-30 GB, making it one of the larger MOBA titles.
Smite: Smite is relatively lightweight, with an installation size of around 10-15 GB.
As you can see, League of Legends falls on the lower end of the spectrum, making it a great option for players with limited storage space.
Conclusion
In summary, League of Legends takes up approximately 8-10 GB of space for the base installation, though this can increase if you opt for additional content. By understanding the factors that affect the installation size and taking steps to optimize your hard drive space, you can enjoy the game without worrying about running