Kha Y Tran KRAFTON has permanently banned Vietnamese PUBG players Himass and TanVuu after the PUBG Asia Stars 2026 controversy. The company announced its decision on September 23, 2026.
Both players lost access to their PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS accounts. They also received a permanent ban from official PUBG Esports events.
The news quickly spread across the PUBG community. Many Vietnamese fans had waited for KRAFTON’s final decision. At first, some reports said the players could get a one-year ban. However, the final punishment was much stronger.
Krafton Confirms Permanent Bans
On September 23, KRAFTON shared its final decision about the PUBG Asia Stars 2026 case. The company said it checked several types of evidence. This included livestreams, player videos, game data, and match replays.
After the review, KRAFTON found that Himass and TanVuu used information from outside the game during the event. The case was linked to stream sniping. This term describes a player watching another player’s livestream to get useful game information.
For example, a livestream may show where an opponent is. It may also reveal their actions or plans. Using this information during a match can give a player an unfair advantage.
KRAFTON said this behavior breaks its PUBG competitive rules.
What Is the Punishment for Himass and TanVuu?
KRAFTON’s punishment has two main parts.
First, both players received a permanent PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS account ban. Second, they received a permanent ban from official PUBG Esports events.
This means they cannot compete in tournaments that KRAFTON runs or approves. The ban applies around the world. The restriction also covers major events. These include the PUBG Global Championship (PGC), PUBG Global Series (PGS), and PUBG Nations Cup (PNC). The punishment took effect on September 23, 2026.
However, the case may not be over yet. The players and their teams can still respond through the appeal process under PUBG Esports rules.
How Did the PUBG Asia Stars 2026 Drama Start?
The controversy began during PUBG Asia Stars 2026. The event brought together PUBG players, streamers, and partners from several Asian regions. During the event, Korean streamer Soopi made claims about Himass and TanVuu.
The claims focused on the use of information from another player’s livestream. The story then spread quickly on social media. PUBG fans in Vietnam and other regions started discussing the case.
As a result, many players wanted KRAFTON to investigate the situation. They also wanted a clear answer about the rules and the possible punishment.
The two Vietnamese players were removed from the rest of the event while the case was reviewed.
KRAFTON Also Reviewed Other Players
KRAFTON did not only check Himass and TanVuu. The company also looked into similar claims involving other people at the event. However, KRAFTON said it did not find other violations that needed punishment.
Therefore, the permanent bans announced on September 23 apply to Himass and TanVuu. This point is important because several players had faced questions from the community.
KRAFTON’s statement made its current position clear. At this stage, the company found no other players who needed the same disciplinary action.
KRAFTON Admits Problems With Its Handling
KRAFTON also talked about problems in the way it handled the case.
The company said some information was shared before the full review was finished. It also said that some event rules were not explained clearly enough. Because of this, KRAFTON plans to review its event process.
The review may cover several areas. These include how events are run, how reports are checked, and how information is shared with players.
Clear rules are especially important in esports. Players need to know what they can and cannot do before a match starts.
PUBG Community Reacts to the Ban
The permanent ban led to many reactions from the PUBG community in Vietnam. Some players were unhappy with the decision. They questioned the use of a lifetime ban in this case. Other players focused on the rules. They argued that players in competitive matches must follow the same rules and avoid outside information.
As a result, the debate quickly became larger than the original incident. The story also reached players outside Vietnam. Many people discussed stream sniping and the way esports events should deal with such cases.
At the same time, rival games noticed the situation. NARAKA: BLADEPOINT used the moment to invite PUBG players to try its game. Delta Force also offered rewards to attract players.
These posts added another layer to the PUBG Asia Stars 2026 drama.
Himass and TanVuu Have Strong PUBG Records
The case has received even more attention because both players have competed at a high level.
Himass previously played for CERBERUS Esports. He also represented Vietnam at the PUBG Nations Cup 2025. Vietnam won the tournament, and Himass was named MVP.
TanVuu also has an important record in PUBG Esports. He previously helped The Expendables win the PUBG Global Championship 2024. He later represented Vietnam at the PUBG Nations Cup 2025 as well.
Because of these achievements, both players have been well known among PUBG fans in Vietnam. The permanent bans now prevent them from taking part in future official KRAFTON events.
What Happens Next?
For now, the September 23 decision is KRAFTON’s latest ruling. Himass and TanVuu have permanent PUBG account bans. They also cannot compete in official PUBG Esports events. However, the players can still use the available appeal process.
Therefore, the case could have more updates later. The incident has also started a wider discussion about PUBG Esports rules. Fans are talking about stream sniping and outside information. The case also shows the need for clear event rules. Players should know what they can and cannot do.
For now, the permanent bans remain in place. Fans will continue to watch for updates from KRAFTON, Himass, TanVuu, and their teams.
The PUBG Asia Stars 2026 drama has now become a major topic in the PUBG Esports community. It may also affect how future events handle outside information and player conduct.
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