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 incredibly popular in Ukraine that its launch caused a significant nationwide internet slowdown. Let's delve into the details of this remarkable launch and the developers' reaction.

A Nation Enters The Zone

The massive demand for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 overwhelmed Ukraine's internet infrastructure. On November 20th, launch day, internet providers Tenet and Triolan reported dramatically reduced speeds in the evening, directly attributing the issue to the simultaneous downloads by thousands of players. As reported by ITC, Triolan stated the slowdown was due to "increased load on the channels because of the massive interest in the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R."

Even after successful downloads, many players experienced slow login times and lag. The internet disruption lasted for hours before resolving as players completed their downloads. GSC Game World, the developers, 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, but at the same time, it's incredible!" She continued, emphasizing the positive impact: "For our team, the most important thing is that, for some people in Ukraine, this game brought a bit of joy during a difficult time. We created something positive for our homeland."

The game's immense popularity is undeniable. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 sold an impressive 1 million copies within just two days of its release. Despite initial performance issues and bugs, the game's success was remarkable, particularly within Ukraine.

GSC Game World, a Ukrainian studio with offices in Kyiv and Prague, faced numerous challenges during development, including delays caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite these obstacles, they persevered, releasing the game in November. The studio remains dedicated to addressing the game's bugs and performance issues through ongoing updates; a third major patch was released earlier this week.