Vietnamese PUBG Stars Himass and TanVuu Permanently Banned from Competitions
Written with artificial intelligence.
Professional PUBG players Himass and TanVuu from Vietnam have received lifetime bans from all tournaments organized by Krafton due to violations of operational policies. This decision has sparked significant backlash within the Vietnamese esports community.
Lifetime Bans Imposed
Himass and TanVuu, two prominent Vietnamese PUBG players, have been permanently banned from all Krafton-organized tournaments following a disciplinary announcement on September 23. The bans stem from allegations of violating PUBG's operational policies and failing to maintain the integrity expected of professional esports players.
Details of the Incident
The bans were applied immediately, disqualifying the players from competing in major events such as PGC, PGS, and PNC. Krafton's decision was influenced by accusations of "stream-sniping" made by streamer Soopi during a friendly exhibition match at the PUBG Asia Star 2026, where the players represented Vietnam against teams from South Korea, China, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei. While the players have the opportunity to explain their actions, the community's reaction has been overwhelmingly critical.
Community Reaction
Following the announcement, the GAM x TE PUBGS fan page, representing TanVuu, garnered nearly 10,000 interactions in just half an hour, indicating strong community support for the players. Many in the Vietnamese esports community argue that the match was meant to be a friendly event and that the players had prior permission to stream. They have also pointed out that Soopi may have been watching other players' streams as well, raising questions about the fairness of the sanctions.
Calls for Boycott
In response to the bans, the Vietnamese gaming community has united in support of Himass and TanVuu, with calls for a boycott of PUBG. TanVuu even deleted the game in protest. Some fans have gone so far as to accuse Krafton of illegally distributing PUBG in Vietnam through platforms like Steam. Both players had previously established themselves as top contenders, representing Vietnam at the PUBG Nations Cup 2025, further heightening the impact of this decision on their careers.
For more information, check the official PUBG announcement and community updates.