IMPACT ANALYSIS
Impact of the case.
The case reaches beyond two players. This page separates four affected groups: the publisher, the esports market, the community and the players themselves. Each includes sourced facts, an analysis of plausible effects and indicators to watch.
Publisher (KRAFTON & Kakao Games)
KRAFTON is both the sanctioning body and the party admitting operational failure. How it balances those roles determines the reputational cost.
Sourced facts
- KRAFTON accepted responsibility for not mandating stream delay, vague rule definitions, and slow, inconsistent communication. Source: Kakao PUBG repost of KRAFTON notice · Korean
- KRAFTON says it is internally reviewing event operations, notices, the investigation and decision-making, and will take follow-up action on individuals under company rules. Source: Official PUBG notice · Vietnamese
- In Korea the notices were reposted by Kakao PUBG, marked as content shared by KRAFTON. Source: Kakao PUBG repost of KRAFTON notice · Korean
- KRAFTON shares fell about 2.5% from 17 to 23 September (KRW 203,000 → 198,000), a 52-week low; they had already fallen about 12% from 1 to 17 September, before the event began. Source: znews.vn
- DART filing of 23 September: the largest-shareholder group stake rose from 22.93% to 22.97%; largest shareholder Chang Byung-gyu stayed at 15.62%. Source: datatooza.com
Plausible effects (analysis)
- Two-sided reputational risk: one side sees overreach, the other a slow response. Admitting fault reduces criticism of communication but strengthens the argument that organizer failures should weigh on the penalty.
- The direct cost of a showmatch with a USD 70,000 prize pool is small next to the trust risk for official events such as PNC, PGS and PGC.
- Precedent: future streamer events will struggle to avoid mandatory delay and monitoring, reducing the live interaction that sells the format.
Indicators to watch
- Whether KRAFTON publishes the outcome of its internal review and process changes.
- Whether rulebooks for future streamer events mandate delay.
- The outcome and timeline of the response process.
Market & esports ecosystem
The ban covers all official events, including PNC — the national-team event Vietnam won in 2025 with both players on the roster.
Sourced facts
- Permanent ineligibility for PGC, PGS, PNC and all official esports events organized or approved by KRAFTON. Source: Official PUBG notice · Vietnamese
- Asia Stars brought together six regions (China, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam), eight players each, with a USD 70,000 prize pool. Source: Official PUBG event notice · Vietnamese
- Day 3 was cancelled; prize money was to be paid to all regions on the same basis instead of by ranking; the Drops event was also cancelled. Source: Kakao PUBG repost of KRAFTON notice · Korean
- The PUBG Vietnam Series (PVS) schedule disappeared from the PUBG Esports system; the PUBG Vietnam fan page said updates would move to PUBG.COM and closed comments. Source: hoahoctro.tienphong.vn
- Per Thanh Niên, PUBG PC is not licensed for publication in Vietnam, and authorities are reportedly considering blocking measures. Source: thanhnien.vn
- Steam lists Vietnamese as "not supported"; the press notes archived versions from months earlier showed the same. Source: thethao247.vn
Plausible effects (analysis)
- Vietnam loses two members of its PNC 2025 title roster if the ban stands — a direct hit to the region’s competitiveness.
- Their teams (Anyone’s Legend, The Expendables) must replace players mid-season; sponsorship value tied to the players may be affected.
- The “streamers + pros” format, built on live broadcasting, may need redesign, affecting plans to promote UGC/Playgrounds modes.
Indicators to watch
- Vietnam’s PNC 2026 roster.
- Roster and transfer announcements from both teams.
- Format and rules of any future Asia Stars-style event.
- An official KRAFTON statement on its Vietnam operations (PVS, fan page, language, licensing).
Players, fans & streamers
The case quickly became a Vietnam-versus-Korea fan conflict, with personal attacks serious enough that KRAFTON addressed them directly.
Sourced facts
- The Korean team did not play Day 2; KRAFTON later admitted describing the Korean side’s planned boycott as a “withdrawal”. Source: Kakao PUBG repost of KRAFTON notice · Korean
- KRAFTON acknowledged excessive attacks and secondary harm targeting participants and streamers, and asked fans to stop region-based attacks. Source: Kakao PUBG repost of KRAFTON notice · Korean
- Both players’ PUBG Vietnam Partner status was revoked. Source: Kakao PUBG repost of KRAFTON notice · Korean
- Many Vietnamese streamers and players (e.g. Độ Mixi, PewPew) announced they were deleting PUBG; some internet cafés joined the boycott. Source: dantri.com.vn
- Per Soha, Soopi asked for her own PUBG Partner status to be revoked because the publisher did not protect her from attacks. Source: soha.vn
Plausible effects (analysis)
- Vietnamese audiences’ trust in KRAFTON’s consistency depends on how allegations against others (such as the Soopi-related images) are explained.
- Streamers in every region may be more cautious about joining events, especially regarding chat and delay rules.
- Risk of lasting polarisation: the debate shifts from “which conduct broke the rules” to “which region is being protected”.
Indicators to watch
- Participation and viewership of upcoming PUBG events in Vietnam and Korea.
- The harm-recovery support KRAFTON promised.
- Whether the Partner programme publishes new streamer rules.
Players & careers
This is the heaviest possible sanction for two players at their career peak: PGS 3 / PGC 2024 and PNC 2025 champions.
Sourced facts
- Permanent game-account bans and permanent ineligibility, effective from the moment the notice was published. Source: Official PUBG notice · Vietnamese
- Both players may use the esports response process. Source: Official PUBG notice · Vietnamese
- GAM × TE asked for a response process with clear criteria and deadlines and support to remedy harm. Source: VTC News · Vietnamese press
Plausible effects (analysis)
- No end date means no path back unless the response process changes the decision.
- Income from competition, sponsorship and PUBG streaming is affected because game accounts are banned too.
- The outcome will set a precedent for how PUBG esports handles similar cases.
Indicators to watch
- Official updates on the progress and outcome of the response process.
- Direct statements from the players (so far only reported via the press).
- Any change to the scope or duration of the sanctions.
“Plausible effects” are Scamany’s analysis of public facts, not inside information from any party. We update as new facts emerge.