Gaming might not normally prioritize a Virtual Private Network (VPN), but leveraging a gaming VPN carries several key advantages. VPNs safeguard your privacy online and shield you against unwanted surveillance by internet service providers, hackers, and malicious entities. VPNs also grant the ability to browse the web as if you were in a different location, bypassing workplace or school restrictions. You can even use a VPN to access region-specific streaming content. Let’s think about how a VPN boosts gameplay and whether it brings practical benefits to gamers.
Reason to Use VPN for Gamers
#1 Speed Boost
VPNs are often believed to decrease internet speed due to the encryption layer they add, causing a slight speed reduction. Additionally, if you choose to reroute through a distant server, there may be additional latency as data packets travel longer distances.
If your internet service provider (ISP) detects certain activities, it may intentionally slow down your internet connection. The goal is simple – to reduce the load on the network. Network stability is a priority for all providers, but this is not a reason to limit the actions of their users. If you’ve noticed fluctuations in your internet connection speed while gaming, there’s a high chance that you’re experiencing bandwidth throttling.
A VPN provides a simple solution to bypass bandwidth throttling. By making your internet activity anonymous, a VPN prevents your ISP from monitoring your online activities and subsequently throttling your connection in response.
#2 Bypass Geographic Restrictions
Online games leverage location data to personalize the in-game experience. They can even create unique versions of the game based on your access point. For instance, the real-world location has a significant impact on one’s gameplay experience in mobile games like Pokémon Go. The downside of personalization is that some multiplayer gaming may not be available in certain regions.
Most gaming tips recommend installing a VPN. Most often, it is talked about in terms of secure gaming, but this is far from all that a VPN is capable of. In addition to providing faster gaming, a VPN can also change your virtual location. With a VPN for gaming, you can switch to another server, unblock an unavailable game, or even buy a game for less. For example, with VeePN you can switch Steam to another region and buy many games for 30% or even 100% less. In the same Argentina, prices are always an order of magnitude lower than in the United States. Now you can manage your location the way you want.
#3 Privacy Improvement
However, it’s crucial to realize that a significant amount of personal information can be linked to your gaming account. Details such as your name, email address, home address, and even credit card number are at risk of being compromised by unauthorized access.
You become particularly susceptible to such threats when gaming over a public Wi-Fi network, such as in a hotel or coffee shop. Without a VPN, your data can become the property of anyone who administers the network.
#4 Avoid Bans
All game owners explicitly state that users are not permitted to engage in any illegal activities or utilize their services beyond their intended purpose. While it does not specify the actions that may lead to a ban, numerous reports suggest users being banned for employing cheats like AutoHotKey, resulting in the following message: “You were removed from the match due to your IP, VPN, machine, or cheating. We recommend not utilizing VPN or proxy services while attempting to play Fortnite.”
While some games rely on cheat-prevention software, Fortnite takes a different approach by opting to ban suspected cheaters. However, there is a way to bypass this ban. By using a VPN, Fortnite players can regain access. Simply changing the IP address works wonders. However, a new account may also be required.
#5 Bypass Corporate Blocks
Because popular games like Minecraft and Fortnite captivate players, many educational institutions and workplaces hold reservations about them. They discourage students and employees from playing these games and even consider them a waste of time. For instance, Minecraft is frequently blocked in classrooms and offices.
However, passionate gamers understand that when the desire strikes, it can’t be suppressed! Unlike traditional network solutions, VPNs don’t disrupt the existing IT framework of your school or company; they simply navigate around it. By utilizing an IP address from the VPN provider rather than the school or workplace one, your actual location remains concealed. This means that even if you’re using a school or company computer, you’ll appear to be logging in from elsewhere.
Conclusion
It is advisable to use a VPN for games not only in terms of security, although this is also important. It has other uses that will be useful to all gamers. If you don’t want to suffer the consequences of price discrimination or restriction of freedoms, use a VPN. Although banned by some games, a good service is very hard to trace. Simple conclusion – use paid VPN services from trusted developers and everything will be fine with you.
