Kha Y Tran KRAFTON, the company behind PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, is facing a wave of criticism in Vietnam. The latest case involves two Vietnamese PUBG players. They are Himass and TanVuu.
Both players took part in PUBG Asia Stars 2026. Later, KRAFTON opened an inquiry into their actions during the event. KRAFTON said the players used information from outside the game. This included information from another player’s livestream. The company called the action stream sniping. It said the players broke PUBG esports rules.
KRAFTON then gave both players a permanent ban. They can no longer play in official PUBG esports events run or approved by KRAFTON. The decision caused a strong reaction in Vietnam. Some players and creators criticized KRAFTON. Some also removed PUBG from their devices.
Still, the current case is only one part of KRAFTON’s history. The company has faced other disputes over the years. These cases involved PUBG items, celebrity skins, Tencent, and esports rules.
Himass and TanVuu Face Permanent Bans
The latest KRAFTON controversy started at PUBG Asia Stars 2026. The event brought together PUBG teams from different regions. Himass played for Anyone’s Legend. TanVuu played for The Expendables. The case began after a Korean streamer raised concerns about the players. The streamer claimed they had watched outside streams during the event. KRAFTON later checked the case.
On September 23, 2026, the company shared its findings. KRAFTON said the two players used outside information to make choices during matches. The company said this broke its rules. KRAFTON also called the action stream sniping. It then gave both players permanent bans. The ban covers more than their game accounts. It also stops them from joining official PUBG esports events.
The list includes major events such as PGC, PGS, and PNC. The decision quickly spread across the Vietnamese PUBG scene. Several well-known names spoke about the case. Some criticized the punishment. Others questioned how the event handled the problem.
The debate soon moved beyond the two players. Fans also wanted more details about the inquiry. They asked how KRAFTON reached its final decision.
KRAFTON’s PUBG Item Rate Controversy
The Himass case is not KRAFTON’s first major dispute. In 2024, another controversy involved the PUBG x NewJeans event. KRAFTON added NewJeans-themed items to PUBG. Players could buy special bundles and open them for rewards.
However, some players found errors in the item rate details. One bundle showed a system that could protect players from repeated failed attempts. The game suggested that players would get a certain item after several failed tries. Players later found that the system did not work as the game text suggested.
KRAFTON then admitted that some details were wrong. The company changed the information. It also apologized to players. The case later reached South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission.
According to reports, the FTC fined KRAFTON 2.5 million won. The fine came after the company gave players wrong information about item rates. The case also involved another PUBG item.
KRAFTON later paid money back to affected players. Reports said the company refunded about 1.1 billion won to around 380,000 buyers. It also gave in-game items as compensation. The case raised a simple concern.
Players spend real money on these items. So, they need clear information before they buy them.
The NewJeans Skin Controversy
The same NewJeans event caused another problem. PUBG gives players many ways to change their characters. Players can mix faces, clothes, and other items. Some users used NewJeans character faces with revealing outfits. They then shared sexualized images online. The issue drew more attention because Haerin and Hyein were minors at the time.
KRAFTON and ADOR responded to the issue. They said they would take action against users who shared improper content. KRAFTON also changed some rules for NewJeans character items. Certain face and outfit combinations became unavailable.
The company later offered refunds and other forms of compensation. The case raised questions about PUBG’s customization system. The system gives players a lot of freedom. However, that freedom can also create problems. The NewJeans case showed one clear risk. Using real celebrities in such a system can lead to misuse of their likeness.
The Peacekeeper Elite Controversy
KRAFTON also faced questions about Peacekeeper Elite. The issue goes back to 2019. At the time, PUBG Mobile stopped operating in China. The game had not received the required approval.
Tencent then moved players to Peacekeeper Elite. The change created a debate. Some people saw Peacekeeper Elite as a replacement for PUBG Mobile. Others viewed it as a separate game.
KRAFTON said the two games were separate products. The company rejected claims that Peacekeeper Elite was simply PUBG Mobile under another name. The topic returned in 2021.
KRAFTON disclosed that it provided technical services for Peacekeeper Elite. The company also received fees for those services. The news raised more questions about KRAFTON’s relationship with Tencent.
However, the issue never produced one view accepted by everyone.
Why the Latest PUBG Case Is Different
The Himass and TanVuu case has a different focus. It is about competitive play.
KRAFTON said the players used outside information during a match. The company said this gave them information they should not have had. That is why KRAFTON treated the case as stream sniping. Fair play is important in esports. Players must follow the same rules during a match.
At the same time, many Vietnamese fans have focused on the punishment. They also questioned the way the tournament handled the case. KRAFTON later admitted that there were problems with the event process. The company also apologized for parts of its handling. This added another layer to the debate. The main questions are now clear.
How did KRAFTON investigate the case? Why did it choose a permanent ban? And did the tournament handle the issue in the right way?
These questions have kept the controversy alive.
Why KRAFTON Faces Backlash in Vietnam
The current backlash has several layers.
First, the Himass and TanVuu case has affected two popular Vietnamese PUBG players. Second, the punishment is permanent. This makes the case more serious for their careers. Third, the tournament itself faced criticism. Finally, some fans already had concerns about KRAFTON because of older controversies. The older cases were not the same.
The NewJeans item case involved wrong item rate information. The NewJeans skin case involved content misuse. The Peacekeeper Elite case involved KRAFTON’s relationship with Tencent. The Himass case involves esports rules and tournament management. These cases should not be treated as one single issue. Each case has its own facts.
Still, they have one thing in common. They have affected how some players view KRAFTON.
The Future of PUBG Esports in Vietnam
KRAFTON remains a major name in gaming. PUBG also remains a major esports title. However, the Himass and TanVuu case has created a new challenge. The company now needs to deal with a strong reaction from part of the Vietnamese community.
For now, KRAFTON has shared its findings. The players and their teams have also made their views known. The debate is still active. The case could also affect the future relationship between KRAFTON and Vietnamese PUBG fans. Clear rules will matter. So will clear communication. Fans want to know how KRAFTON will handle similar cases in the future.
The Himass and TanVuu controversy has therefore become much bigger than one tournament. It has become a new test for the relationship between KRAFTON, PUBG esports, and the Vietnamese community.
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