NieR:Automata Steam Update Adds Chinese and Korean, but Storage Bug Causes Trouble

A rare update arrives on Steam

Square Enix released a new NieR:Automata update for Steam on November 6, 2026, adding support for Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean. The language additions are the main confirmed feature of the patch. For a game that first arrived on PC years ago, even a relatively small change has attracted attention. However, the update also introduced a problem: some users found that installing the game required far more storage than expected. Square Enix acknowledged the issue in an official Steam announcement and said it was investigating. That makes this a story about both improved language accessibility and an unexpected technical problem.

Three additional languages are now supported

The official patch notes list Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean. This can make the game easier to access for players who prefer those languages, particularly when following its dialogue and narrative. Square Enix has not described the patch as a complete overhaul of every localization or a new edition of the game. The notes are brief and focused on language support. They also do not promise new story missions, visual upgrades or additional characters. Players should treat the change as a targeted update rather than assuming it includes broader enhancements that have not been announced.

Why a storage bug matters

Soon after the patch became available, players reported that Steam appeared to require an unusually large amount of space for the installation. Square Enix confirmed that the amount of storage being requested was significantly higher than intended. That can prevent players with limited free space from installing or updating the game, even if their computer otherwise meets its requirements. It also creates confusion because a storage estimate that suddenly grows does not necessarily mean the developer added hundreds of gigabytes of new game content. The company is investigating the cause, so the exact technical explanation should not be treated as established until an official fix or detailed statement is released.

The developer has acknowledged the problem

Square Enix's Steam announcement dated November 6 explains that it identified an issue after the update and apologizes for the inconvenience. The company provided a temporary way for affected players to download the base game without the unintended storage requirement by disabling optional downloadable content in Steam's DLC settings. That workaround is an official suggestion, not a guarantee that every user's installation will behave identically. Anyone relying on downloadable content should understand that turning it off changes what is installed. The developer has not provided a firm public date for a permanent fix in the announcement.

Reports of an enormous download

RPG Site reported that the update could produce a requirement of roughly 366 GB when downloadable content was included. That figure is based on a reported installation issue and should not be presented as the normal or intended size of NieR:Automata. The distinction matters because screenshots of the oversized requirement can spread quickly without context. Square Enix's own wording confirms that the storage demand is abnormal. Players who see a large number in Steam should therefore check the latest official announcement before assuming their game has permanently grown to that size. The underlying issue is under investigation.

What the update does not include

Nothing in the short official patch notes indicates a new campaign, a remaster or a major gameplay revision. NieR:Automata remains the action RPG originally developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix. Its story, characters and unusual structure are not being replaced by the November update. Readers may encounter speculation whenever a long-running game receives a surprise patch, but the confirmed changes here are much narrower. The update adds three language options, while the installation bug is an unintended consequence. Anything beyond that would require additional evidence from the publisher.

The game's continuing PC audience

NieR:Automata has remained available on Steam alongside console editions, allowing new players to discover it years after release. Language support can be particularly meaningful for a story-heavy game because comprehension affects how players experience conversations and themes. At the same time, an installation problem can interfere with that goal by making the title harder to download. The situation demonstrates how a small patch can have a noticeable impact on a mature game. Square Enix's acknowledgement is useful because it separates the intended improvement from the unexpected bug rather than leaving players to rely on rumours.

What players should watch for

The most important next step is a follow-up from Square Enix confirming that the storage issue has been corrected. Until then, players should be cautious about treating Steam's inflated download estimate as the intended requirement. Anyone who already has the game installed may see different behaviour from someone performing a fresh installation. The publisher has not stated that all users are affected. It is therefore more accurate to describe the problem as affecting some installations than to claim that every copy is unusable. Future patch notes should clarify whether the temporary workaround remains necessary.

Other platforms are a separate question

The official announcement concerns the Steam version. It does not establish that identical changes were made to PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch editions at the same time. NieR:Automata exists on several platforms, but updates and language availability can differ between them. Players should consult their own platform's product listing and update history rather than assuming all versions are synchronized. This is especially important for a localization change, because supported languages can vary by region and edition. The Steam notes are the reliable basis for this report.

The state of the update

As of the latest official statement checked for this article, the three languages have been added and Square Enix is investigating the excessive storage requirement. The patch is a welcome accessibility improvement for some players, but the installation issue needs a permanent resolution. Readers can follow the official Steam announcements at https://steamcommunity.com/app/524220/announcements/ . RPG Site's account of the reported installation size is available at https://www.rpgsite.net/news/21708-new-nier-automata-steam-update-additional-language-support-install-size-bug-dlc . Those sources distinguish the confirmed patch notes from the reported impact.