Ask any gamer about a VPN, and they’ll likely give the same answer as others: Extra security while playing online is never a bad thing. For PC game enthusiasts, engaging the online world is a natural part of life. It takes many game hours to be competitive, and even casual gamers find themselves online every day simply to keep up.
But how exactly does a VPN benefit gamers? Does it simply offer protection? Or can it enhance one’s performance, somehow? Gaming rumors have always existed, keeping each of us intrigued since the early online days of Aol.com and Everquest. Today’s games are intense—requiring a quick wit for FPS matches and a strategic edge as well.
Let’s explore the potential gaming buffs VPNs have to offer—as they might explain why so many gamers have started adopting them.
For Starters: How Does a VPN Work?
A VPN is also called a Virtual Private Network, and it keeps your browsing sessions safe from prying eyes intent on stealing your personal information. A VPN ‘masks’ its user’s IP address, keeping them protected on social media platforms, streaming websites, and even on the server lists.
High-End Encryption
In the past, this level of online defense was used by corporations and tech gurus, exclusively. Cybersecurity has only grown in importance, however, necessitating the use of a VPN regardless of lifestyle. Today’s VPNs are programmed in true, plug-and-play fashion: Taking only a couple of minutes to understand, and as little as a few seconds to activate, a VPN is the easiest cybersecurity tool you’ll find.
Untraceable Connections
Their ease of use doesn’t mean they’re easy to bypass, however. On the contrary, most VPNs offer military-grade encryption services. Meanwhile, their primary benefit—redirecting your IP address—is achieved with today’s leading tech innovations. VPN providers host many high-security, private servers for their users—ensuring they’re safe from online threats beyond daily matches.
So, what about direct boosts to one’s gaming experience. Many gamers suggest that using a VPN unlocks several unbeatable buffs—like stabilized latencies, quicker connection speeds, and even access to new games before they’re released, natively.
To put it plainly: Not all of these claims are true. VPNs do, however, offer some minor benefits to gamers in particular. These benefits might not be significant enough to sway online matches, but they’re certainly conducive to a safer gaming lifestyle. For those making the most out of a VPN, this safety can be translated into gaming career buffs all the same.
The Gaming Benefits of VPN Use
The biggest benefit a VPN offers to gamers is a significant reduction in lag. Those who struggle with public networks can attest to the night-and-day difference of using VPN services. It’s important to remember, though, that removing your network’s laggy downtime isn’t necessarily an advantage: It’s simply a way to even the playing field—whether it’s in PUBG or WoW.
Bypassing Geo-Restricted Industry News
This benefit is a hit-and-miss one, as popular games tend to surpass the regular multimedia-based geo-locks which restrict online entertainment. Still, there’s plenty of geo-locked gaming content out there: Some gaming content is consumed in the form of community newsletters, gaming e-zines, and clan hubs. These digital forefronts can be blocked due to a country’s copyright laws—or even governmental censorship.
Setting up a VPN is a good way to bypass these restrictions, as it’ll let you reroute your IP address through locations that don’t face geo-restrictions. This is particularly useful if you often travel—and if you’re in a competitive gaming scene. The gaming world’s industry news is directly pertinent to the effectiveness of competitive gamers. Anything from server downtimes to patches that significantly change a game’s mechanics is presented in online content. Without VPN's assistance, a one-day trip can result in a major lapse in the information.
Access to Geo-Locked Game Content
Understandably, many gamers still keep their hopes up for access to pre-release games, closed beta tests, and expansion packs yet to be released. While it’s true that a VPN can open the doors to content overseas, gaming content tends to be under heavy lock and key before it’s released. We must remember, after all, that the most popular games are also internationally competitive. These games often transcend geo-restrictions in general, as the companies that own them are spread worldwide.
It is indeed possible to access gaming DLC a bit before others in your country in some rare cases. This commonly happens in the MMORPG scene, as region-based releases—which are also time-based—lend themselves to massive online audiences. As with any fresh content hitting the online world, it isn’t long before a roadmap to digital accessibility is uncovered. While using a VPN to unlock your favorite game’s DLC a day early isn’t necessarily illegal, it can still result in a rapid ban if you’re not careful. As such, we advise VPN-users to take extra precaution when seeking early access experiences.
Defense Against DDoS Attacks
Because competitive gaming has entered the world of live streaming, gamers are more exposed than ever to cyberattacks. More often than not, streamers are easily identified via their public friends’ lists, their linked gaming accounts, or even their appearance.
Competitive gaming is especially prone to online attacks, as gamers can gain an edge in matches by blocking their competitors’ Internet connections. DDoS attacks, or Distributed Denial of Service attacks, overwhelm a target’s Internet connection—forcing them offline amidst a sea of chaotic Internet traffic.
So, is a VPN a viable way to avoid a DDoS attack? Absolutely. A VPN can make your IP address immune to digital attacks—as it’s redirected entirely. In the rare event that a tech-savvy hacker manages to locate your real address, you’ll still be protected by your service provider’s encryption technologies. We can’t promise you won’t get booted offline, but it’s almost guaranteed that your digital attacker won’t glean any personal data in the process.
LAN Gaming Anywhere
Most of us remember the good ole’ days of online gaming—wherein community competitions unfolded in our living rooms. LAN parties are still possible, but they’re much rarer due to the Internet’s technological advancements. Even so, hanging out with friends for a LAN party is incredibly fun—and it’s also a way to circumnavigate annoying cross-network latencies on busy Friday nights.
You can use a VPN to simulate LAN get-togethers, relocating your IP address to a friend’s local network. Even if you’re not having an in-person game night, you can still check out some of the cooler multiplayer gaming options for those who prefer LAN-based matches. Surprisingly, these types of multiplayer modes are still pretty popular. LAN-based multiplayer experiences often feature unique co-op experiences, group XP opportunities, and more.
After all, not all bonus content is locked behind international geo-restrictions. Sometimes, the distance is as little as a couple of neighborhoods away. Nonetheless, a VPN prevails as a digital utility for covering physical ground when exploring the online world. If you have a viable streaming option available, check out some of the LAN experiences today’s multiplayer games have to offer. If your mic is up to par, you’ll find that remote gaming can be just as engaging as traditional LAN parties.
Digital Defense in the Physical World
Even though most online gaming platforms have plenty of anti-hacking software safeguarding their players, identity theft attempts via online games are incredibly common. When gamers can connect with friends with the click of a button, gaming account safety needs to be considered. Most gamers have multiple digital accounts—covering quite a lot of digital ground via online purchases, forum browsing, and monthly subscriptions. ‘
The best line of digital defense will always be knowledge: By understanding the threats facing today’s online gamers, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of encountering them. Going a step further, it pays off to know which threats tend to target your gaming scene the most. If your nightly gaming sessions happen to take place in an MMO, for example, your email might be a target of phishing attempts in the future. Meanwhile, those who steam games over Twitch face a certain degree of danger when connecting with large, unfamiliar audiences.
Simple Tools and Simpler Solutions
These days, Internet connections are anything but simple. Router connections, public networks, peer-to-peer streaming, LAN parties, and more have reshaped the way we play videogames with others—and the technology behind these marvels will only become more complex.
Fortunately, these technologies are only becoming easier to access—as providers intend to make them approachable by everyone. Not only does this account for gaming platforms and streaming services, but VPN services as well. Because online safety is a widespread need, VPN software is especially easy to use, maintain, expand upon, and grow with. If you’re thinking about adopting a VPN of your own, just know that you’ll benefit from your service provider’s diligent approach to customer service.
Few things compare to the importance of cybersecurity these days, so VPN service providers have become major information providers about the gaming industry’s common dangers. Fortunately, this also means they’re a great resource for bolstering your online defense. They provide the digital tools needed for secure streaming, gaming, and other peer-to-peer activities, sure, but they also provide invaluable knowledge. Remember: Some, if not most, of the games you play were purchased—and some might even carry a monthly subscription. Your personal information, at some point or another, will be exposed to cyber-criminals who’re well-trained in the malevolent art of misleading gamers. To stay safe consistently, a VPN is the best digital resource available. Stay competitive online, and be proactive about your digital safety. By making a VPN part of your online arsenal, your weekly gaming sessions will only become more carefree.
