Many gamers already know the various benefits of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) as they offer several advantages to gamers, enhancing both their gameplay experience and helping to safeguard online security.
But for those who might be new to Duke4, and even for seasoned users, let’s remind ourselves of the good reasons for installing a VPN for gamers.
Improved Security and Privacy
VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from hackers, especially on public Wi-Fi networks. This is important not only when gaming, but when out and about doing regular stuff like checking email, socials, and online shopping.
In the case of online purchases, a VPN server will detect any malicious activity to steal credit card and password details and disconnect the device immediately before any harm can be done.
By masking your IP address, a VPN helps maintain your privacy by anonymity, making it harder for internet baddies to track your online activities.
A VPN can also help in bypassing geo-restrictions and allow access to region-locked games by connecting to servers in different countries. If you’re a US resident on a family vacation in Europe and you find you can’t access your regular gaming venue, simply choose a Stateside IP address by using the VPN and within a couple of minutes you’re all set.
Early Game Releases
Gamers can also use a VPN to access game releases earlier by connecting to a server in a time zone where the game is already available. For example, if you live in the UK, you can put yourself 11 hours ahead in New Zealand. Sometimes retro games are enhanced and re-released only in certain regions.
You can also potentially find better deals on games and in-game purchases, along with early access to Beta releases in specific regions before they are launched in your regular country of residence. Also, the ability to pay in a local currency can avoid punitive exchange rates offered by some online stores.
Better Performance
A VPN can help by reducing lag and ping times, by using optimized routing. This reduces latency and can improve overall gaming performance.
For many people, another significant advantage of a VPN is the avoidance of ISP throttling. And remember that throttling isn’t always necessarily because you’ve used too much data when gaming. ISPs sometimes throttle whole neighborhoods and cities if planned sporting events or newsworthy incidents mean that a load on the data network comes from one particular area. The VPN scrambles a user’s actual location, sidestepping throttling by the ISP.
Preventing DDoS Attacks
VPNs can protect gamers from Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which can disrupt gameplay by overwhelming the network with traffic. By masking your IP address, a VPN makes it harder for attackers to target you directly.
Also, a VPN allows gamers to easily switch between different game servers, which can be useful for playing with friends in other regions or finding less crowded servers if necessary. By choosing VPN servers closer to the game’s server, gamers can sometimes find a more efficient routing path, potentially reducing latency.
Don’t be Paranoid but…
And it’s not just when you’re gaming that you should be vigilant. Your activities might be monitored by government agencies at any time. Anyone who might be politically active, or a member of a particular proscribed group might well be a target for government surveillance, but a VPN can throw any monitoring off the scent.
Then there’s using a VPN to provide protection from “swatting”. By masking your real IP address and location, a VPN reduces the risk of swatting, where someone tricks emergency services into dispatching a response team to your address.
Who wants a fully tooled-up a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team breaking down the front door of their house and waving automatic weapons around like it’s World War three?! But gamers have been known to use swatting for intimidation or revenge, particularly targeting individuals who are live streaming at the time.
But swatting is not a harmless prank; it has serious consequences by putting the lives of the victims and their families at risk. Trigger-happy armed police can easily shoot first and ask questions later. But it could all be avoided simply by using a VPN to mask your specific geographic location.
Access to Banned Games and Connection Stability
In countries where certain games are banned, a VPN allows gamers to bypass those restrictions by connecting to IP addresses and servers in countries where the games are usually available.
And when gaming gets serious, going beyond entertainment, if it comes to maintaining a stable connection for online tournaments, a VPN can really help in providing consistent performance, a must for professional gamers.
In Conclusion
For gamers, installing a VPN onto all their online devices offers numerous benefits that enhance security, privacy, and their overall gaming experience. From reducing lag and preventing DDoS attacks to accessing region-locked content and avoiding ISP throttling, a VPN can be a valuable tool for any serious gamer looking to optimize their online gameplay.