TERA a popular MMO game developed by Korean studio Bluehole will no longer be available for Russian players starting on January 25 2022. The Russian publisher of the game GameNet announced that they are shutting down the servers due to "market changes and internal plans."
TERA was launched in South Korea in 2011 and gained a massive following in Russia after it was released in the country in 2015. The game is known for its unique blend of action-based combat and MMO-style gameplay.
According to GameNet players will not be able to access the game after January 25 and any remaining GameNet Balance funds will be refunded. The company also stated that they are working on providing a solution for players who have made in-game purchases.
The news of TERA's shutdown has come as a shock to many Russian players who have invested a lot of time and effort into the game. Some are even calling for a petition to keep the servers open but it is unlikely that the decision will be reversed.
This move by GameNet has sparked speculation about the state of the Russian gaming market. The shutdown of TERA's servers is not the first time a popular game has been removed from the region. In 2019 World of Warcraft was pulled from the Russian market due to a dispute between the game's publisher and the Russian government.
Russia's gaming market is known for its strict regulations and licensing requirements which can make it difficult for foreign companies to operate in the country. Some experts believe that the shutdown of TERA's servers is a result of these regulations and the challenges that foreign companies face when trying to enter the Russian market.
Regardless of the reason for the shutdown TERA's departure from the Russian gaming scene is sure to be felt by its dedicated player base. The game has been an integral part of the Russian MMO landscape for years and its absence will leave a noticeable void.
