Xbox Gaming in South Africa

EA DICE recently revealed that Xbox 360 gamers will have to install a HD texture pack to get the full, eye-scorching experience in Battlefield 3, or be satisfied with a 'standard-def' version. Now an image posted on EA's Battlefield 3 forum has revealed that the full HD texture pack will weigh in at 1.5 GB.

Speaking to GamerZines, EA DICE's Patrick Bach explained that this optional install makes it possible for even those without a hard drive to get in on the Battlefield 3 action.

"The thing with the 360 is that you need to be able to give consumers a game where you don't have to install it on a hard drive, because there are 360s without a hard drive," said Bach. "So we need to give you the option of installing it, rather than just demanding it. You could call it a 'standard-def' version for the 360 if you don't have a hard-drive."

Optional as it may be, Bach made it clear that if you wan't to play the game as it was meant to be played, you're going to have to make room for that additional content.

"[installing the HD texture pack] does make a difference, yes, absolutely. The whole engine is based around streaming textures, streaming terrain and a lot of other content," explained Bach.

With Battlefield 3 just days away from launch, we'll soon be able to see first hand just how much of a difference that 1.5 GB install makes.