KRAFTON is grappling with something of a crisis in Vietnam, which has spiralled out of control in the last few days. It has now extended beyond being a disciplinary matter and has become something that could have real regulatory impact for the publisher, and it’s all centered around PUBG.
What began as a dispute concerning stream-sniping allegations has blown up, fully disrupting PUBG’s esports ecosystem and threatening the future of PUBG in Vietnam, where the allegations surfaced several days ago.
What’s Happening to PUBG in Vietnam?
During PUBG Asia Stars 2026, an exhibition event intended to showcase some regional Vietnamese talent, two competitors came under fire when accusations were made suggesting they were stream sniping. It was claimed they were actively checking out an opponent’s livestream to gain the upper hand.
It might have only been an exhibition tournament, but things were taken very seriously.
KRAFTON ejected the pair from the tournament, both ‘Himass’ and ‘TanVuu’, and later revealed the duo would be receiving permanent bans and lifetime exclusions from all KRAFTON-backed esports attempts.
But the backlash was only just getting started. In the days that followed, prolific Vietnamese personalities decided to boycott the game, as did pro players and average fans. Several esports organizations started turning their backs on the game, while some internet cafes around Vietnam began uninstalling PUBG from their machines.
The worst of the situation became twisted when PUBG’s Vietnam license came into the spotlight. It seems that KRAFTON doesn’t have an official license to operate PUBG in Vietnam. It might just be a coincidence, but the publisher silently shut down a series of matches slated to take place in the PUBG Vietnam Series.
Additionally, PUBG’s Vietnamese social channels were plunged into a blackout, with all of them being deactivated. I’m talking YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram – all closed down. This could be a major part of the PUBG community coming under an intense threat.
Are you impacted by these PUBG-related events in Vietnam? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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