KRAFTON has officially apologized regarding the controversy over the use of external game information and tournament operations that arose during 'PUBG Asia Stars 2026.'
The controversy began during the Day 1 matches of 'PUBG Asia Stars 2026' held on the 17th. Fairness concerns were raised after it was revealed that Vietnamese participants Himass and TanVuu received external game information through viewer chat during matches, engaging in cheating known as 'stream sniping,' leading to both players being removed from the remaining matches. However, the controversy deepened as KRAFTON's initial notice failed to clearly explain the specific actions and individuals involved, and discrepancies arose between the Korean participants' account of an admitted stream-sniping admission and the actual apology statements released by the players.
Ultimately, the Korean team boycotted the Day 2 matches in protest of tournament management, which was subsequently followed by issues of cyberbullying directed at Korean participants. On the 20th, alongside an additional apology, KRAFTON decided to cancel Day 3 and refrain from declaring final standings. Although subsequent notices were posted, additional issues emerged, such as discrepancies in announcements across different regions. To make matters worse, tournament sponsors considered withdrawing, causing sporadic backlash. Amid these developments, at 10:49 PM today (September 21), KRAFTON acknowledged that there were multiple errors in explaining the facts and in its response process following the incident, stating that the company holds responsibility for escalating the situation.
In an official statement, Soojin Yoon, Head of PUBG Publishing, explained that clear advance guidelines and sanction measures regarding the use of external game information had not been established, and that the company failed to accurately convey the facts and participants' raised issues after the controversy erupted. Furthermore, she admitted that the content and phrasing of regional notices were inconsistent, and that KRAFTON failed to adequately protect participants as the controversy escalated into personal harm against individual players.
Additionally, KRAFTON confirmed that the acts of checking external game information by 'Himass' and 'TanVuu'—so-called stream viewing and stream sniping—were both verified. Disciplinary procedures against the two players are currently underway, with results to be disclosed separately. KRAFTON added that should participants pursue legal action in the future, the company will faithfully share materials and findings gathered during the investigation and fully cooperate with necessary procedures. Below is KRAFTON's official apology statement released via its official cafe.
Apology Regarding Operational and Response Failures for PUBG Asia Stars
Hello.
I am Soojin Yoon, Head of PUBG Publishing.
During the operation and response process for PUBG Asia Stars 2026, we have caused immense confusion and hurt to all participants and fans.
On behalf of PUBG Publishing, I extend my deepest apologies.
KRAFTON holds full responsibility for causing and escalating this crisis. Our shortcomings are as follows:
- We failed to clearly establish preventative measures, criteria for judgment, and levels of sanctions regarding the use of external game information in advance.
- After the issue arose, we failed to accurately explain the facts and respond properly from the beginning.
- When Korean participants and streamers raised concerns regarding fairness and announced a boycott, we brushed it off by framing that boycott merely as "withdrawal from participation."
- Subsequently, we accepted the restrictive term "chat sniping" and failed to fully explain the true nature of the actions involved.
- We failed to consistently manage the content and tone of expressions between the Korean and Vietnamese announcements.
- We failed to adequately protect the participants and their respective teams, and were unable to prevent the controversy from spreading into additional harm against individuals.
This is an operational and communication failure on the part of KRAFTON. We offer no excuses.
The acts of checking external game information (stream viewing/stream sniping) by Himass and TanVuu have all been confirmed. Disciplinary procedures regarding this are underway, and the results will be announced separately.
The responsibility for the operation and response regarding this incident rests entirely with KRAFTON. KRAFTON, which should have accurately judged the facts, provided consistent explanations, and protected the participants, failed to fulfill its role. As a result, all participants were exposed to personal damage while the controversy escalated.
KRAFTON is responsible for allowing criticism and burden to be concentrated on individual participants. KRAFTON will bear the criticism and responsibility for this incident. Should participants pursue legal action regarding this matter, we will faithfully share the materials and investigation details gathered during the fact-finding process and render our utmost cooperation for all necessary procedures. We will also spare no support for their recovery.
The poor management of this event, along with the concentration of additional burden and suffering on individual participants, was an operational failure by KRAFTON. As Head of Publishing, I apologize once again for this.
I extend my heartfelt apologies once more to all participants and fans who were hurt by this incident.
Thank you.
