The advantages of using a VPN when streaming Netflix, Amazon Prime, or any other platform are widely recognized. However, the positive impact a VPN can have on gaming might not be as apparent. Using a VPN does not directly enhance one’s K/D ratio or aid in achieving a Diamond rank, but it can still offer various benefits when playing your preferred games. You are ready to find out why I need a VPN, just like any online gamer.
Why Do Gamers Need a VPN?
Access Region-Locked Games
Source: airtel.in
Just like how people use VPNs with Netflix, individuals have the ability to utilize their VPNs to access games that may not have been released in their respective countries. It is important to note that certain platforms, namely Steam, have policies against using VPNs to access restricted content.
However, there are several games that are exclusively available in Asian regions and can be played through the use of a VPN. For instance, Phantasy Star Online 2 was exclusively available in Japan for almost eight years before its release in the Western market. Another example includes Call of Duty Online, a game that is solely accessible in China but can be played with the help of a VPN.
Play Anywhere Safely
The beauty of utilizing a VPN lies in its ability to grant users the freedom to unblock games like Minecraft and Fortnite from any location. Exceptional VPNs such as VeePN service, offer user-friendly client downloads for various devices and operating systems, allowing simultaneous VPN server access on multiple devices.
Whether at home, in the office, classroom, during commutes, or even while traveling abroad, gaming VPN ensures unrestricted game access. There’s also nothing stopping you from using PlayStation VPN and then switching to Windows, Mac, or iPhone. Not everyone knows how to use a VPN on PS4, but you can find entire guides from the best network providers. For example, VeePN with its gaming VPN has everything you need to set up a connection.
Avoid DDoS Attacks
Source: help.mikrotik.com
A DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attack refers to an act of overwhelming a target system by flooding it with excessive requests from compromised computers, leading to its offline status. In the past, DDoS attacks primarily targeted websites and sometimes online games.
However, the availability of DDoS software today has made it accessible for almost anyone to initiate such attacks against websites or other users. This implies that an opponent you encounter during online activities might attempt a DDoS attack against you.
By utilizing a VPN, individuals can hide their IP address, preventing potential DDoS attackers from identifying their connection and inundating it with unnecessary data.
Access Game Servers in Other Regions
Accessing games in different regions can sometimes be unreliable, but VPNs also provide the opportunity to join game servers in other areas. This opens up the possibility for gamers in the US to play with their friends in the UK, Japan, or any other country. However, it’s important to note that playing on servers not explicitly designated for your region may lead to a subpar connection.
Avoid Bandwidth Throttling
Source: aussiebroadband.com.au
ISPs sometimes engage in bandwidth throttling when they identify high-bandwidth activities, including various online video games. This throttling can occur at specific times of the day to prevent network congestion during peak periods, or it may happen randomly for games known to consume substantial data.
By utilizing a VPN, the user’s internet activity becomes encrypted, making it significantly more difficult for the ISP to discern specific actions. With this lack of knowledge, ISPs are unable to selectively throttle the user’s bandwidth during online gaming sessions.
Play Online From Any Region
Many online games feature servers in various regions and often utilize geoblocking technology to ensure players connect to servers in their respective regions. This commonly occurs when games are not yet released worldwide, when grouping games based on language, or when games require servers in multiple regions to accommodate the player base.
For example, if a player is located in the US, they will connect to a server in the US. Similarly, if a player is in the UK, they will connect to a server in the UK or Europe. However, this can create challenges for players who reside in one region but wish to play with friends from another region.
Avoid Targeted Marketing
Source: startups.co.uk
Gamers are often renowned for their passion and dedication to their craft. As a result, the gaming community has become an attractive consumer market, giving rise to an influx of advertisements. While staying informed about the latest releases is enjoyable, encountering repetitive or irrelevant gaming ads on every web page can be frustrating, and in some cases, even intrusive and unnerving.
Targeted advertising relies on tracking your online activities and bombarding you with marketing materials that algorithms believe will capture your interest. Utilizing VPNs can help enhance online privacy and protect your personal information.
Avoid Unreasonable Bans
Epic Games’ terms of service explicitly prohibit users from engaging in any illegal activities or using their services, including Fortnite, beyond its intended scope. Although the specific actions that may result in a ban are not stated, users have reported their IPs being banned for employing different cheats, such as AutoHotKey.
In these cases, a message is displayed indicating that the user was removed from the match due to their IP, VPN, machine, or cheating. It is advisable not to use VPN or proxy services while attempting to play the game.
Reduce Lag and Ping Times
Source: store.steampowered.com
Going into battle only to face frustrating lag can be a real downer. Lengthy ping times, which refer to the delay it takes for data to travel between your device and the game server, are often to blame. Lag can completely spoil your gaming session and hinder the fun.
One of the primary culprits behind lengthy ping times is the distance separating your device from the game server. For a smoother gaming experience in titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, players can utilize a VPN to connect to a server closer to the game server, thereby reducing ping times.
Conclusion
VPNs can offer gamers a wealth of benefits ranging from enhanced security to more efficient access to the games they love. Whether you’re looking for privacy, better gaming performance, or the ability to play with friends from different regions, a VPN has something for everyone. However, gamers should always be mindful of their online activities and ensure that any services they use comply with a game.