In a rare move, Steam has been granting refunds to players affected by Destiny 2's sudden region-lock in several countries, including Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. This development follows Bungie's decision to restrict access for accounts created in these regions, invoking a mysterious requirement tied to local laws.
Refunds Exceeding Usual Policy
The issue began when Destiny 2 players encountered the unexpected TAPIR error code, which typically signals server maintenance but has persisted without prior notice. As outrage grew, affected gamers took to Steam to request refunds for their game purchases and downloadable content (DLC). Contrary to the platform's standard policy of no refunds after two hours of playtime, Steam has responded by issuing refunds even to players with extensive gaming hours.
Reports have surfaced of players like those with over 2,000 hours logged in receiving full refunds for items such as the Ultimate Edition and numerous DLCs. However, not all players have succeeded in their refund claims, indicating that the outcomes may rely heavily on individual review circumstances.
Testing the Limits
Amidst the turmoil, players have explored potential loopholes to regain access to their beloved game. Some have attempted using a VPN to login on PC before disconnecting, while others have resorted to altering DNS settings on Xbox devices. Unfortunately, those playing on PSN with accounts registered in Russia currently lack a viable workaround.
Players' frustrations have been compounded by a lack of clear communication from Bungie. Although discussions on Bungie’s official forum acknowledged restricted access due to legal stipulations, no detailed explanation has been presented. This has led to a notable backlash, with the game’s community eagerly awaiting a comprehensive response from Bungie to clarify the legal or technical constraints leading to the region-lock.
Community Backlash and Review Impact
The reaction from the affected community has been overwhelmingly negative, as evidenced by a sharp decline in the game’s user reviews on Steam. The game, which once boasted a 'mostly positive' rating of 78%, has now fallen to 'mostly negative' over the past 30 days. During this turbulent period, a mere 32% of recent reviews have been favorable, and just 9% of Russian-language feedback has been positive.
PCGamesN has reportedly contacted Bungie in search of clarity on the legislative or technical basis for the region lock, but a substantial reply remains absent. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this will impact Destiny 2’s broader standing among its global player base.
