STALKER 2’s Launch Was So Huge in Ukraine it Caused Internet Outages

STALKER 2's Launch Was So Huge in Ukraine it Caused Internet Outages

Key Takeaways

  • STALKER 2 caused internet outages in Ukraine due to its overwhelming popularity.
  • The ongoing war with Russia may have worsened the internet issues.
  • Despite positive reviews, STALKER 2 is considered buggy due to various issues.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of gaming, I can truly appreciate the impact that a game like STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl can have. The excitement and anticipation leading up to its release were palpable, especially for us Ukrainians who take immense pride in our homegrown talent.

A recent study reveals that the release of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl led to temporary internet disruptions in Ukraine for several hours. Given its status as one of the most significant games produced by a Ukrainian developer in years, it’s no surprise that the game garnered widespread interest within the country.

Initially unveiled by GSC Game World in 2010, the game titled “STALKER 2” faced cancellation at some point. However, it was rebooted in 2018, leading to its release on November 20, 2024. Despite being accessible on platforms like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, “STALKER 2” managed to sell over 1.4 million copies on Steam within just four days of its launch, earning it the reputation of a major success.

It appears that the release of STALKER 2 led to temporary internet outages in several Ukrainian cities, lasting for about five to six hours. The severity of these outages seemed to vary, with many people experiencing instability and slow speeds on their networks during this period. According to ITC, both local internet providers Tenet and Triolan reported the issues were due to a massive number of individuals downloading the popular FPS game at the same time simultaneously. GSC Game World’s creative director Mariia Gryogorovych, speaking with Eurogamer, acknowledged the problem and expressed sympathy for the country experiencing internet difficulties during such challenging times, while also expressing admiration for the successful launch of their game.

STALKER 2’s Release Caused Internet Outages in Ukraine

STALKER 2's Launch Was So Huge in Ukraine it Caused Internet OutagesSTALKER 2's Launch Was So Huge in Ukraine it Caused Internet OutagesSTALKER 2's Launch Was So Huge in Ukraine it Caused Internet OutagesSTALKER 2's Launch Was So Huge in Ukraine it Caused Internet OutagesSTALKER 2's Launch Was So Huge in Ukraine it Caused Internet Outages

Despite a successful debut for STALKER 2, it’s possible that ongoing tensions with Russia exacerbated its issues. Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the country has faced challenges in maintaining its infrastructure because of damage inflicted by the conflict. It’s not just now that the war with Russia has impacted the game, but last week, rumors surfaced suggesting that STALKER 2 was being sabotaged through review bombing by Russians who were allegedly paid to harm the game’s reputation.

Generally speaking, STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl has received generally favorable reviews, earning a 74 score on OpenCritic. While many critics have praised the game, there’s also a shared opinion that it contains quite a few bugs and some of its systems are not functioning optimally.

Notably problematic in STALKER 2 are certain glitches, particularly with the A-Life 2.0 system that aims to make NPCs appear more lifelike. The developers of STALKER 2 have explained why this feature isn’t functioning correctly, stating that some adjustments had to be made for better game performance, as the A-Life system was too resource-intensive.

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2024-12-04 23:23