There have been several online multiplayer types of computer games that were restricted access in some countries. Some games face an outright ban, while others are censored in specific countries upon request. The latest game to receive such controversial limelight is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, popularly known as PUBG.

PUBG is one of those online games wherein up to 100 players could join at the same time. The objective is to come out as the top winner of a grand battle that takes place on an isolated deadly island. Players need to compete with each other to gather weapons and outmaneuver others. Needless to say, it’s a form of shoot-’em-up game where players need to strategize to survive. It’s relatively easy to understand, and players with different gaming levels could enjoy it—hence its popularity.

Reasons Why PUBG Is Blocked In Some Countries

While there have been similar games like it, PUBG seems to have earned the ire of some countries, enough for them to ban its game from their territories. However, even if PUBG is blocked in some countries, diehard players always find a way around the situation. Gaming enthusiasts use a VPN for PUBG to bypass geo-restrictions so they can play their beloved game. 

If you’re wondering why this South Korean-invented game is being blocked in some countries, here are several of the major arguments. 

  • PUBG Is Said To Promote Violence

One of the reasons why PUBG and other games like it are blocked in several countries is due to its violent nature. Some countries dislike excessive violence being played out in video games because they believe it can trigger violence in their citizens. Since children and teenagers can play the game if it’s not blocked, authorities believe that such a game can encourage the youth to see violence as the answer to difficult situations. 

PUBG portrays violence that can have adverse effects on kids since they’re just starting to develop their social skills and relationships. Thus, it’s important for people to educate themselves and their kids nonstop about the potential risks and consequences of playing these types of games. This way, the game players would know how not to incorporate the actions of the game into their lives.

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  • PUBG Is Said To Be Addictive

PUBG is a highly addictive game, as it keeps players engrossed and glued to the screen for a long time. The game has so many exciting features that keep players hooked. Particularly, it’s the thrill of the competition that keeps them locked in. That’s both a good thing and a bad thing.  

It’s a good thing in the sense that it keeps people entertained for long, and provides an effective way for them to let go of their life worries for a while. The bad thing is that people spend so much time on it that they neglect their duties and responsibilities. In fact, some governments believe that PUBG is partly to blame for the exponential increase of unemployed young citizens in their countries.

  • PUBG May Promote Gambling

One of the biggest reasons why PUBG is blocked in some countries is its supposed promotion of gambling. Particularly, ‘PUBG’ by Tencent allows players from across the world to enjoy online gambling with a large variety of in-game features. The main aim of this is to provide the players fun while also allowing them to earn money. The major disadvantage of playing this game is that it encourages players to gamble more than other games. 

Many people who play this game often get involved in online casinos where they can easily gamble without even spending much. But over time, most players get addicted and start spending more time and money than they can afford, and end up losing real cash in this virtual world.

  • Some Versions Of PUBG Might Contain Malware

Although this claim is still largely without evidence, it’s believed in some circles that some versions of PUBG contain malware that can infect PCs and mobile phones after being downloaded. Through the malware, cybercriminals can get access to the personal data of the devices’ owners. And of course, the personal data could also be used to commit cybercrimes. 

Aside from that, there are claims that some versions of PUBG contain harmful viruses that provide spies with access to the security data of their target countries. The procured data is then used to break down the targeted countries’ security. There’s still so much doubt about this, though, due to gaming innovations that provide tighter security.

Conclusion

PUBG isn’t all bad as people might think. Aside from the obvious entertainment benefit, playing PUBG can also keep players mentally sharp and alert.

If you’re a new player and you want to make the most out of enjoying PUBG, you should learn to play it responsibly: don’t let it get the best of you. As with other things in life, playing it should also be done in moderation.