S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Release Slowed Ukrainian Internet Because It Was So Popular

The survival horror shooter S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 proved so immensely popular in Ukraine that its release overwhelmed the nation's internet infrastructure. This article delves into the launch day events and the developers' reactions.

A Nation Enters The Zone

The sheer volume of simultaneous downloads on November 20th, the game's release date, caused significant internet slowdowns across Ukraine. Major internet providers, Tenet and Triolan, confirmed the issue on their Telegram channels, attributing the decreased speeds to the massive influx of players downloading the game. Triolan's statement, as translated, highlighted the "increased load on the channels due to the massive interest in the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R."

Even after successfully downloading the game, many players encountered login and loading delays. The internet disruption lasted for several hours before resolving itself.

GSC Game World, the developer, expressed both pride and surprise at this unprecedented event. Creative director Mariia Grygorovych commented, "It was tough for the whole country, and the internet disruption is a negative aspect, but at the same time, it's amazing!" She emphasized the positive impact, stating, "For our team, the most important thing is that we brought a bit of joy to people in Ukraine."

The game's phenomenal success is undeniable. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 achieved 1 million copies sold within just two days of its release, a testament to its popularity worldwide, particularly in its native Ukraine.

Despite initial performance issues and bugs, the game's sales figures are impressive. GSC Game World, a Ukrainian studio with offices in Kyiv and Prague, faced numerous challenges, including delays caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, the team persevered, releasing the game in November. They remain dedicated to addressing the game's bugs and optimizing performance through ongoing updates; the third major patch was released earlier this week.