KRAFTON apologizes to Vietnamese players after PUBG Asia Stars 2026 final cancellation: Cheating or procedural flaw?

On August 14, 2026, KRAFTON apologized to Vietnamese players Lã Phương Tiến Đạt (Himass) and Trần Tấn Vũ (TanVuu) after canceling the final day of PUBG Asia Stars 2026. The controversy began when Korean gamer Soopi accused them of stream sniping. The official investigation found that the Vietnamese duo only received information from the online chat box, not from directly watching opponents' screens. Moreover, the original rulebook did not prohibit such behavior. However, the organizers had already disqualified them and stripped their partner titles before verification was complete. Following the backlash, KRAFTON voided all final standings and distributed the $70,000 prize pool equally across participating regions in a damage-control move. The decision sparked outrage in the Vietnamese community, who saw it as an unfair punishment of innocent players. A KRAFTON representative, Mr. Yoon Su Jin, apologized and promised to review tournament regulations. Yet no disciplinary action was taken against Soopi. The cancellation of the final day left the tournament without a champion, raising serious questions about governance in esports. This case highlights the need for clear rules and proper investigative procedures before punishment. The incident may serve as a watershed moment for PUBG esports, reminding organizers that fairness must be protected from online pressure.