KRAFTON has issued an official apology for its handling of PUBG Asia Stars 2026. Late on September 21, the company admitted that it made several mistakes in explaining the facts and responding to the incident, and said the blame for the situation getting worse lies entirely with KRAFTON.
The apology follows four days of dispute. The event saw two players removed for stream sniping, a boycott by the Korean team, a canceled final day, and sponsors stepping back. Here is what happened, in order.
What KRAFTON said in its apology
The statement came from Sujin Yoon, Head of PUBG Publishing, and was posted on the official PUBG community cafe. In it, KRAFTON listed where it went wrong:
- It did not set clear rules, judgment criteria, or sanction levels for using external game information before the event started.
- It did not explain the facts accurately once the issue came up.
- When Korean participants raised fairness concerns and signaled a boycott, the company described it only as a withdrawal of participation.
- It accepted the narrower label “chat sniping,” which did not fully describe what the players did.
- The Korean and Vietnamese announcements did not match in content or tone.
- It did not protect participants and their teams as the dispute turned into attacks on individuals.
KRAFTON also said that if any participant takes legal action, it will share the documents and findings from its investigation and cooperate fully.
What is PUBG Asia Stars 2026?
PUBG Asia Stars 2026 is an online Asian PUBG showmatch organized by KRAFTON, scheduled from September 17 to 20, 2026, with a total prize pool of $70,000. It featured 48 professional players, streamers, and other participants from six regions: Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The format took inspiration from Asian Games medal events and used a range of UGC modes, with pro players, PUBG Partners, and streamers representing their regions over three days. Full details are on the official PUBG Asia Stars event page.
How the stream sniping controversy started
The problem began on Day 1. On September 17, it came out that Vietnamese participants Himass and TanVuu were receiving outside game information through their stream chat during matches.
Stream sniping means using a live broadcast to learn where opponents are or what they are doing. In Korea, the practice is known as “bangpl,” a short form combining the Korean word for room with “play.”
The two players admitted they had their own livestream chat open on secondary monitors while playing, but said they did not watch their opponents’ streams directly. They apologized and said they did not mean to gain an unfair edge, while accepting the information may have helped them or affected other teams.
First response and the Day 2 boycott
On September 19, KRAFTON’s notice on Kakao Battlegrounds announced a roster change for two players, a broadcast delay for key matches, a re-briefing of rules for participants, and closer match monitoring. That notice did not name the players, matches, or regions involved.
After criticism grew, KRAFTON named the two players and barred them from the rest of the event. Taikonn and Hoangf replaced them from Day 2.
All eight Korean participants still boycotted that day’s matches. They said KRAFTON had told them the Vietnamese players would apologize and admit to stream sniping, but the apology that was published did not match what they had been told. The boycott was followed by cyberbullying aimed at the Korean participants. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the case also led to online arguments between Korean and Vietnamese users.
Day 3 canceled with no official standings
On September 20, KRAFTON issued a second apology, canceled Day 3, and chose not to confirm official standings. The follow-up notices then differed by country and region, which created new problems.
KRAFTON said prize money will go to all participating regions under the same criteria, and that compensation tied to event activities affected by the cancellation will be announced later. It also removed the two players’ status as official PUBG Partners in Vietnam.
Sponsors pause their support
Tournament sponsor 10Billion Coffee said it was temporarily suspending sponsorship activities, including ads, menu items, and events. Chicken chain Kkanbu Chicken also paused related promotions and events, and said it would review KRAFTON’s final investigation results and prevention measures.
What happens next for Himass and TanVuu
KRAFTON has confirmed that both players accessed external game information, and says disciplinary action is underway with results to be shared separately.
The company is still checking whether the players watched other participants’ streams, whether they used the information during gameplay, and whether any other information was sent or received. KRAFTON said it will take further action if more violations are confirmed.
PUBG Asia Stars 2026 controversy timeline
- September 17: Day 1 is played. Stream sniping concerns are raised about Himass and TanVuu.
- September 19: KRAFTON announces roster changes and a broadcast delay, then names and removes both players. Korean participants boycott Day 2.
- September 20: KRAFTON issues a second apology, cancels Day 3, and drops official standings. Sponsors begin pausing activity.
- September 21: Sujin Yoon publishes a full apology and KRAFTON accepts full responsibility.
The full event record, including rosters and results, is tracked on Liquipedia’s PUBG Asia Stars 2026 page.
What this means for upcoming PUBG events
The apology lands ahead of a busy stretch for PUBG: Battlegrounds. PUBG has a dedicated slot from November 11 to 15 at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh. TalkEsport has covered PUBG’s place in the Esports Nations Cup 2026 and the full format of the PUBG Esports World Cup 2026 earlier this year.
KRAFTON has not yet published new rules on external game information for future events. The company has also been active on the game side in 2026, including the launch of PUBG Ally Duo, its AI teammate mode.
FAQ
What is stream sniping in PUBG?
Stream sniping is when a player uses a live broadcast to get information about opponents, such as their location. In PUBG Asia Stars 2026, the two players received this information through their own stream chat.
Which players were involved in the PUBG Asia Stars controversy?
Vietnamese participants Himass and TanVuu. KRAFTON confirmed both accessed external game information, removed them from the event, and revoked their PUBG Partner status in Vietnam.
Did PUBG Asia Stars 2026 have a winner?
No. KRAFTON canceled Day 3 and decided not to confirm official standings. Prize money will be shared across all participating regions under the same criteria.
