Vietnam's PUBG players Himass, TanVuu banned for life over stream-sniping accusation

Vietnamese PUBG professional players La Phuong Tien Dat, known as Himass, and Tran Tan Vu, known as TanVuu, have received a lifetime ban from game publisher KRAFTON for alleged cheating. The decision has sent ripples through the domestic and international esports communities. The controversy began on September 17 when South Korean female gamer Soopi accused Himass and TanVuu of cheating during a match. The tournament organizers immediately disqualified the two Vietnamese players and revoked their PUBG Vietnam Partner status. KRAFTON initially acknowledged that it had rushed to announce unverified information regarding the incident, issuing an apology on Tuesday for its errors. However, a day later, the publisher stated that a continued investigation confirmed the players used information from outside the game to benefit their tactical decisions, violating PUBG's operational policies. Specifically, it was alleged that the players engaged in "stream sniping" by watching other participants' live broadcasts to gather tactical information inaccessible during standard gameplay. KRAFTON explained that it confirmed the violations by cross-referencing official livestream footage, participant video recordings, in-game data, and match replays. The publisher also stated that it investigated similar suspicions regarding other tournament players but found no further cases requiring disciplinary action. KRAFTON emphasized that it has never officially authorized players to watch others' livestreams or use external information during competition, a rule applicable to all tournaments and events regardless of prize pool or competition nature (this was an exhibition match). Based on the investigation results, KRAFTON decided to permanently ban the PUBG: Battlegrounds accounts of both Himass and TanVuu. Both players will also be permanently banned from competing in all official tournaments organized or sanctioned by KRAFTON worldwide. However, the players retain the right to formally appeal the decision in accordance with standard esports regulations. Notably, KRAFTON also acknowledged its responsibility in handling the incident, admitting to failing to provide clear guidance and enforcement measures when the issue first arose, and noting that its communication of regulations was delayed and inconsistent. KRAFTON extended apologies to the participating teams, players, and individuals directly affected by the incident. The publisher stated that it is reviewing its entire operational, investigative, notification, and decision-making processes to identify problems. The ban highlights the importance of fair play in esports and underscores the game publisher's strict stance against cheating. The decision has drawn significant backlash and sympathy for the players from Vietnamese fans, sparking discussions about maintaining fair competition in the esports landscape. Information Source: VnExpress International