KRAFTON Faces Growing Regulatory Fallout Over PUBG in Vietnam
KRAFTON is dealing with escalating consequences in Vietnam after banning two PUBG Asia Stars competitors over alleged stream sniping. The backlash has spread to players, fans, esports organizations, and internet cafes, with some removing PUBG and Vietnamese social channels going dark. Questions about the game's Vietnam license and the quiet cancellation of PUBG Vietnam Series matches have raised the possibility of broader regulatory trouble.
The dispute started at PUBG Asia Stars 2026, an exhibition meant to highlight regional Vietnamese players. Two competitors, Himass and TanVuu, were accused of watching an opponent’s stream during play. KRAFTON removed them and imposed permanent bans plus lifetime bans from its esports events.
Reaction widened quickly. Vietnamese influencers, professional players, and ordinary fans joined a boycott; some esports groups withdrew support, and certain internet cafes deleted PUBG. Meanwhile, coverage questioned whether KRAFTON holds an official Vietnamese operating license, PUBG Vietnam Series matches were quietly cancelled, and the game’s Vietnamese YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram accounts went dark.
The fallout may affect Vietnamese players, fans, esports workers, and cafe owners who rely on PUBG. If licensing questions remain unresolved, access to competitive play and local events could shrink, potentially disrupting livelihoods and community spaces. The bans and boycotts could also influence how publishers handle misconduct allegations in smaller regional markets, though the long-term effects remain uncertain.