RAGE: Willits explains why PS3 has an 8GB install, why 360 has multiple discs

During a chat with Digital Foundry regarding design, dev culture, and tech, creative director of id Software Tim Willits explained why there would be an 8GB install of RAGE on PS3, and why the Xbox 360 version comes on three discs.

According to Willits, the large install on PS3 is to cut down on texture loads.

"Sony was great. Kudos to Sony for letting us do that. They don't allow every game to do that. So definitely, hats off," he said. "What we were able to do is install all the textures to the highest level. What is nice about the PS3 platform is that it's just one platform. Everyone has one Blu-ray drive, one hard drive, it's all the same. Some of the other systems you have... should I install it on my 360? Should I not install it? So yes, it's very nice.

"[On 360], we recommend installing the game to the hard drive, but you don't need to install all three discs. If you don't have the space available on your hard drive, don't stress. Install the first disc, the first chapter, the first half of the game, then when you're done, uninstall and install disc two."

Willits explained that on 360, there isn't specific cut-off where you will need to swap discs, as you "can go back if you want to but there's really no reason to."

"You don't really need to install the multiplayer disc if you're really tight on hard disk space," he said.

As far as using the game's tech for the future, Willitis said id is prepared for it, and since the engine scales up, it will be "easy-peasy," to implement in next-gen consoles.

"We'll be using parts of this tech for decades," he said.

RAGE is out the first part of October on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.