How to Unblock Games
Gamers across the globe are often searching for various solutions to unblock games that are restricted in their geographical location. These games are usually behind firewalls and therefore inaccessible, but there are ways to bypass these restrictions.
In this article, we will discuss how to easily unblock games using a VPN, proxy, or Google Translate, anywhere. We will also explain how it works, the pros and cons of these solutions, and why users in different locations are unable to access certain gaming sites.
Why games are blocked
There are two predominant reasons why games are blocked, which are censorship and firewalls. Every country has its own set of rules that apply to the restriction of specific games, while schools and workplaces censor games through a firewall that prevent you from accessing certain websites when using their internet even when you are using your own device.
For example, in China, users can’t access Battlefield 4. German users can’t play Left 4 Dead 2; and in Brazil, the MMORPG EverQuest is a no-go.
IP addresses explained
Let’s start by explaining an IP address. An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a numerical tag assigned to every device that is connected to a specific computer network. This is how censorship is possible, but if you change the IP address, it appears as if you are in a different location.
With this changed IP address, all the traffic is rerouted through a different server which means that you are free to play any game or access any website from anywhere in the world.
How to unblock games using a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure tunnel between the VPN server and your PC.
When your communication travels through this secure tunnel, third parties can’t monitor your browsing activities because your IP address becomes anonymous, giving you access to blocked and restricted websites and games.
Essentially, you want to hide your true geographical location, because this will enable you to bypass any censorship imposed either by the government or the computer network you are working on.
Not only does a VPN hide your real IP address, but it also offers you many other benefits that include:
- increased security online
- access to many games and devices
- fast speeds without lag
- early access to new releases
- DDoS protection for gamers
- functionality regardless of location
Using a VPN for gaming is incredibly simple. You need to sign-up and download a VPN service, connect to your preferred server where your favorite game is available, and start playing without any restrictions.
Just bear in mind that no two VPNs are the same, and you will need to properly research your options to get the best deal.
VPN vs proxy to unblock games
Although free proxies are usually used to play games that are restricted, a VPN service offers users so much more. VPNs work on all games, on all devices and is generally super fast without any lags.
The truth is, a free proxy doesn’t offer you these benefits when you need to unblock restricted games. Other perks that a VPN offers you include:
- unlimited switching between worldwide servers
- automatic configuration & 1-click connection
- super stable with 99.9% up-time
- works outside of your web browser
- unlimited bandwidth
Unblock games with a proxy server
When you want to visit a restricted site, a proxy server can act as an intermediary between your PC and the blocked website you want to visit. A proxy server visits the blocked site on your behalf by displaying the blocked site so that you can access it because you are communicating with the proxy and not with the blocked site directly.
There are many free proxy services available, but we suggest Anonymouse or HMA. Both are easy to use and reliable.
To unblock games using a proxy server is an easy procedure. Simply go to the website for the proxy server and enter the URL of the restricted game you would like to unblock, and press enter.
You will then be able to browse the restricted URL as you would normally do, but you will notice that your browser will display the server’s proxy domain name and not the name of the blocked URL. This means that you are accessing the site anonymously.
Is a proxy server safe to use?
When you are using a proxy server to access restricted sites, you are essentially surrendering your IP address to the proxy server while surfing the net. Although many proxy sites are trusted, there is a possibility that your personal information can end up in the wrong hands, especially when you are using free proxy services.
The proxy owner, hackers or the proxy webmaster can log and sell your data to whoever they want without your knowledge or consent. So, do a little bit of research beforehand.
Unblock games with a translation service
Users often undervalue the use of a translation service to unblock restricted games. When you use services like Microsoft Translator, Google Translate, Babel Fish, or Yahoo, you can view a website without visiting the restricted site directly.
Users are actually able to manipulate the procedure by translating a restricted page from English to English, diminishing any language confusions while acting as a free proxy service in that these translate sites fetch the restricted site and display it for you without you having to visit the site directly.
In our opinion, Microsoft Translator is the best option for this trick. First, you need to visit Microsoft Translator (also known as Bing Translator). You then need to enter the URL of the required site into the text field and keep the ‘translate from’ option as ‘auto-detect.’ Then, choose ‘translate to English’ and click ‘translate.’
The required page will display at the bottom, and you will be able to browse as you normally would. It is an unobtrusive and functional solution for blocked pages/games.
Perks of using a VPN for gaming
It is safe to say that using a VPN for unblocking games is your best bet. Not only are you able to download games but you can also download DLC content and access PSN and Xbox Live from any country.
When a country has an earlier launch date, you will be able to download it earlier and be the first to play without lagging issues or reduced ping times. Another valuable reason for using a VPN for gaming is undoubtedly security.
You can be sure that your files and data is safe thanks to the encrypted gaming private network that also protects you from DDos attacks that have become a scourge in recent years.
When using a VPN for gaming, you can also use gaming servers from across the globe when traveling, eliminate dreadful ping times and play multiplayer games in any geographical location. Another great perk is that you can access games from multiple devices for gaming on the go.
VPN for modern gamers
There was a time when multiplayer games meant that you literally had to sit next to the player in the same room. Thankfully, those days are gone. Online games have evolved into massive adventures that allow players to virtually find themselves in magical worlds of distant planets and warzones on the moon.
Fortunately, VPNs were created, which means that modern gamers can play anywhere against anyone and that in itself is pretty amazing. Instead of lagging game time or spotty connections, gamers now enjoy a fast uninterrupted experience.
Free VPN vs paid VPN
The million-dollar question is whether you should opt for a paid or free VPN service. Although there are free VPN services that offer you quite a lot of perks, it is always better to go for a paid service if you want quality.
You need to remember that VPN companies that offer free services need to make money in one way or another, and they usually do this by logging and selling your personal data. They also often use the PPTP protocol, which is no longer considered secure.
Paid VPN users generally have more options like OpenVPN or the Layer 2 Tunnel Protection and IPsec combination. At the end of the day, you want your data to be as secure as possible, and while paid users usually get around 256-bit data encryption, free VPNs most likely offer only 128-bit encryption.
Torrenting and customer support is also most likely to be possible when using a paid VPN, plus you will get access to more servers scattered in more locations across the globe.
How to choose a VPN to unblock games
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a VPN to unblock games. We’ve touched on several points such as security, logging, torrenting, customer support, average speed and the number of servers that the VPN service has to offer but which VPN service providers are best for gaming specifically?
Here are our top choices based on server location, average speed, jurisdiction, and simultaneous connections. Most of our top choices are also reasonably priced and offer brilliant customer support for their paid subscriptions.
ExpressVPN performs incredibly well and is very easy to learn. The service provider is often a top recommendation for gaming as they have servers in most of the major countries and cities across the globe.
VyprVPN also impressed us by being one of the few VPN services that control their entire network infrastructure on their own. They also offer fast connections speeds across the globe and have their own optimized gaming network, Outflox, that actually increases your ping rate while gaming.
Bottom line
If you want to unblock games, your best option is undoubtedly a VPN. Whether you want a free or paid service is up to you, but remember that your personal data could end up in the wrong hands if you opt for a free VPN service or a proxy server as a solution.
VPNs have made it incredibly easy for any avid gamer to play from anywhere in the world at any time while enjoying fast connection times and a wide variety of server locations.