The Pros and Cons of Using a VPN for Gaming

The popularity of gaming is something that shows no signs of slowing down. This industry has experienced impressive growth in recent years, both in its console and online versions

Virtually all genres of game are doing well and sometimes interest in one lead to the discovery of another. For example, many people who like the Grand Theft Auto franchise with its casinos have gone on to play online casino games for real money.

Playing games on the internet presents a different set of challenges to playing them using a console though. The issues range from lagging to security concerns – which had led some to consider using a VPN.

This article will look at some of the pros and cons of VPNs in the gaming context.

What is a VPN?

Before going any further into the subject, it is perhaps best to clarify just what a VPN actually is. The term ‘VPN’ is the acronym for Virtual Private Network, and it is a technology that has been in existence for a number of years.

It was largely restricted to the corporate world until quite recently though. Now people are starting to realise that it can be useful outside the confines of work too.

A VPN is a type of software that is designed to improve security on the internet. It does this by encrypting the internet connection of the user and concealing their IP address.

All an individual (or a company) has to do is connect to the VPN when surfing the net and everything from their data to their search histories will be kept private. They have become a very valuable solution for companies worried about hacking and other cyber-crime issues.

So, what are the positives and negatives of using them when playing games online?

Pros

• Reduced Latency

One big advantage that many online gamers have found from using a VPN is a reduction in latency. That is the term for the delays in data transmission that disrupt game play.

This latency can be a real problem when you are playing games that demand split-second responses – for example first-person shooters or casino games. VPNs can help to reduce it by re-routing gamers away from servers with high traffic, which is a common cause of latency.

It is not absolutely guaranteed that using a VPN will solve the problem, but there is a good chance that it will.

• Better Security

A VPN is essentially a security solution and that can be beneficial to gamers as much as anyone else. Two issues that the gaming world has experienced in recent years are DDoS attacks and doxxing – both of which are about security.

The first of those stands for Distributed Denial of Service and is what happens when a large group of people flood your server and overwhelm it. The second refers to hacking your personal data and releasing it onto the internet.

Both are things that have happened to gamers following disputes. Using a VPN for gaming will mean that your server, IP address and data are all encrypted, so this kind of attack becomes impossible.

• Prevent Throttling

In the parlance of the internet, ‘throttling’ is what happens when the internet service provider (ISP) deliberately reduces the speed of your connection. It can happen for a couple of reasons.

The first is if the ISP is dealing with too much traffic at one time. The second is if they believe you are using up a lot of bandwidth – which downloading games can cause. Either way it will affect the quality of your experience.

If you use a VPN, this will conceal your IP address so the ISP cannot detect what you are doing online. That makes them less likely to target you.

Cons

• Violating Terms of Service

One of the main downsides of VPNs for gaming is that they can violate the terms of service for some platforms. An example of that is the Steam gaming app, which bans gamers who attempt to mask their locations.

That could prevent you from accessing a lot of popular titles. Then there are countries that have strict rules when it comes to VPNs.

China and Russia are just two that heavily restrict VPN use in general. If you are based in either of those countries, you must be careful to stay within the law.

• Slower Speeds

It is accepted that VPNs can reduce connection speeds, usually by between 5 and 10%. That will not be a concern if you have high speed broadband, but it could affect those gamers with connections that are slower to begin with.

There are arguments for and against using a VPN for gaming, so it is a matter of individual choice.