File+Archives

Video and Computer Games often have the entire game's data in a few large files, called Archives.

Types of Archives: One file System: Games such as Spyro: A Hero's Tail and Turok Evolution, have all the data and sounds for the whole game in one file. As such the file, can be well over a Gigabyte in length.

Two file System: Games like Spyro: The Eternal Night, have one file for Data, and one for sound. Typically the sound file is larger, even multiple times the size of the data file.

Chunk file System: In this format, everything needed for a level or group of levels to load, is included in one file, with several chunks on the whole disc.

Stratified file System: In this system, distinct categories of files are included in their own archive (ie one each for, textures, models, animation) which may or may not be sub stratified by level. The demo for Drakan The Ancients Gates uses this format.