Nine reasons why you need a VPN for gaming
VPNs have been around for quite a while, with millions of active users from all around the world. VPN usage is growing at quite a high rate because of the resourcefulness of the private networks in online activities. Most of the VPN users are the younger generations since they use the Internet more frequently than older people. More than half of the population using VPN needs it for entertainment purposes.
Gaming has always been a fun way of spending free time among people of all ages. Currently, more people than ever are using the Internet to play video games. This rising trend in online gaming is due to the ease of accessing the Internet nowadays. Thus, the gaming industry has been flooded with online video games and a variety of gaming services. A VPN is useful when engaging in online gaming since it protects your Internet privacy. In this article, we are going to explore the reasons why you should use a VPN for gaming.
- Low ping
Low Internet speeds occasionally occur when using home networks or other Internet service providers. In gaming, slow Internet connections largely contribute to latency. Massive traffic in the Internet servers you might be using is responsible for the low speeds. VPNs provide fast servers that have the minimum traffic to help users achieve quicker connections.
The whole thing works because a VPN first channels your traffic through a different server before going through your ISP. It connects you to a private server that is near the game server, resulting in stable Internet access. You get to experience less ping and lagging when enjoying your favorite online games.
We can use the example of a motorcycle and a jet, with the bike representing an ISP and the jet standing for a VPN. You don’t have to go through the trouble of booking a private jet as you can, without stress, jump onto your bike, and travel to your destination. However, the jam and traffic rules on the road will slow you down. If you had gone to the airport, you would have arrived at your destination much faster.
- Unblocking restricted content
Through a VPN connection, you can find your way around blocked online games and other related material. Some countries don’t support games that are not in agreement with their policies. An example is Brazil, which bans games that feature lots of violence. Gamers from such countries are thus not eligible to play such games unless they hide their real location.
A VPN gives you different server locations from which you can choose to change your IP address. You can even set your server location to match with the participants of a specific multiplayer game. You thus get a broader experience in playing restricted online games.
Additionally, you can include your neighboring gaming buddies in your team since most VPNs support more than one device. Modern multiplayer games can have teams playing against each other. With your gaming friends, you can take part in rivaling other multiplayer groups from all around the world.
- Purchases of games and other products
Occasionally, gamers might need new games to add to their existing collection. Also, you might require a new gaming gadget and cannot bear the rates in your region. A VPN comes in handy when you desire to purchase any gaming products at lower rates than the local prices.
The gaming market has different demands for products depending on a country or region. The prices are high in the developed countries that have high gaming demands. The pricing favors players in states that have an unstable economy.
You can check out the prices in different locations before deciding to make your purchase. This approach enables you to get the best price and also an excellent product in terms of quality. It only requires a reliable VPN to save money in gaming and put it into other use.
- Accessing new releases earlier
The initial launch of most digital media, including video games, happens in their countries of production. Their initial release heavily relies on demand, which happens to be high within the areas of the product’s development. The product acquires distribution in other countries only after it shows some significant performance.
It might take some time before a new release from the gaming companies you like reaches you. Using a VPN, you can set your IP address as a user close to the production location and access the product ahead of other players in your region. This early access rids you of all anxiety you might have when waiting for a new game or a recent game version.
- Unlimited Internet access
It can be a cumbersome process when making your data purchases from an ISP. Daily, weekly, or monthly data packages require constant renewals to give you a continuous Internet connection. You might even lose track of expiration dates and get a sudden cut-off in the middle of online gaming.
Some VPNs enable users to bypass the limits which ISPs set up to control Internet usage. You no longer have to worry about your ISP throttling your bandwidth since they cannot detect how you are using their services. You get a chance to play any online game at any time of the day without your ISP’s regulations.
- Hiding personal data from third parties
Most VPNs clear all records of your activities over the Internet. They might save some details that are not connected to confidential data. Such information includes the servers you used and the time of you last logged in.
However, some small VPN companies collect user data and sell them to third party companies. These third parties are mostly individuals and companies that want you to buy their products or service. Your data might still fall in the hands of malicious individuals.
It is thus essential to only use a VPN that does not keep logs of its users. You can find one by checking reviews and reading about their policies in detail. A non-logging VPN saves you from leaving any traces of your information, hence secured gaming.
- Signing up for gaming competitions
Some video game companies set up annual gaming tournaments to give their players a chance to win substantial cash prizes. Most of these tournaments are international, meaning a gamer from any country can take part in them. Players from countries that have banned some video games, however, cannot register for gaming competitions that relate to such games.
Some international gaming tournaments are Dreamhack, Intel Extreme Masters, and The International. The International, for instance, has prizes worth over $10 million and attracts 16 top teams from various parts of the globe. The event includes Multiplayer online battle arenas where players can show their gaming skills.
Other gaming contests require players from a specific country. Professional gamers can change their IP address as that of their preferred location to sign up and participate in any type of gaming tournament. In this fashion, a VPN gives you a chance to earn more money using your prowess in playing games.
- Circumventing IP bans from game companies
An IP ban restricts a player from accessing a particular game for some time or permanently. The manufacturer usually bans users for defying the rules of the video game. Some bans might occur with no reason at all.
You can resume playing the game through a VPN if you are not guilty of any bad behavior. If you violate any terms of use, be sure not to repeat the mistake. Some games ban VPN use, and it can be hard to find different servers that work.
So, make sure that your VPN is of high quality and can circumvent any IP ban. Even with a VPN guarding your identity, you should also avoid violation of rules at all costs. This precaution protects your future access to a specific electronic game and others from the same company.
- Avoiding cyber attacks in public Wi-Fi networks
The insecurity associated with public Wi-Fi networks should not prevent you from playing online video games. Hackers might prey on such insecure networks to get their next victim. Nonetheless, you can still enjoy your favorite games without having any worries.
With a reliable VPN for gaming, you can game online through unencrypted networks. The VPN disables the access hackers have when it comes to the use of unsecured networks for an Internet connection. You only need to make sure that your VPN is connected before diving into online gaming.
Conclusion
Only a VPN ensures that a gamer has endless freedom when playing video games online. Using a VPN, you can easily enhance your experience of online gaming. You get the protection of your data while still having unlimited access to any blocked video games.
VPNs come with different features that are better suited for some online activities than others. The VPN you choose for gaming should be a recommended one for such a purpose. You can inquire from other gamers and make the comparisons, especially when dealing with premium VPNs.