The immense popularity of the survival horror shooter, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, in Ukraine caused a significant nationwide internet slowdown. The game's November 20th launch overwhelmed Ukrainian internet providers Tenet and Triolan, resulting in drastically reduced speeds during the evening peak hours. This was due to the massive influx of simultaneous downloads from eager players. Triolan's official Telegram channel reported a temporary decrease in internet speed across all networks, directly attributing it to the high demand for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
Even after downloading, many players experienced difficulties logging in, encountering slow loading times. This widespread internet disruption lasted for several hours before resolving. GSC Game World, the developer, expressed both pride and surprise at the event. Creative director Mariia Grygorovych noted the impact, stating that while the internet slowdown was a negative consequence, it also demonstrated the game's positive effect on the morale of many Ukrainians. The overwhelming success was further underscored by the game's impressive sales figures: one million copies sold within just two days of its release.
Despite performance issues and bugs, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2's global sales were exceptionally strong, particularly in Ukraine. The Ukrainian studio, GSC Game World, operating from offices in Kyiv and Prague, faced numerous challenges, including delays caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, they persevered, launching the game in November and committing to ongoing updates and patch releases to address bugs and optimize performance. The third major patch was recently released. The game's phenomenal success amidst these difficulties highlights the resilience and dedication of both the developers and the Ukrainian gaming community.
