The highly anticipated survival horror shooter, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, achieved such phenomenal success in its home country that it inadvertently caused a nationwide internet slowdown. This article delves into the details of the game's launch and the developers' reactions.
A Nation Enters The Zone
The sheer popularity of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 overwhelmed Ukraine's internet infrastructure. On November 20th, launch day, internet service providers Tenet and Triolan reported significant speed drops in the evening, directly attributing the issue to the massive number of simultaneous downloads. Triolan's statement, as translated, cited "increased load on the channels due to the massive interest in the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R."
Even after successful downloads, many players experienced login and loading delays. The internet disruption lasted for hours before resolving as players completed their downloads. GSC Game World, the developer, expressed both pride and surprise at this unprecedented event.
Creative director Mariia Grygorovych shared, "It was tough for the whole country, and it's a negative aspect because internet access is crucial. However, it's also incredibly impressive!" She added, "For our team, the most rewarding aspect is that we brought a bit of joy to people in Ukraine. We achieved something positive for our homeland."
Underscoring its popularity, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 sold an astonishing 1 million copies within just two days of its release. Despite acknowledged performance issues and bugs, the game's sales were exceptionally strong globally, particularly in Ukraine.
GSC Game World, a Ukrainian studio operating from Kyiv and Prague, faced challenges bringing the game to market. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine caused multiple launch delays, but the team persevered, releasing the game in November. They remain committed to addressing bugs and optimizing performance, recently releasing their third major patch.
