Guide on How to Get Around IP Blocks / Restrictions

So, given that the Russian version of Black Desert Online just implemented an IP block for all non Russian/Eastern European users, I decided to write up this short guide on how to get around IP blocks for any MMO/MMORPG. This guide will teach you about IP blocks and show you to bypass them on any game. This guide is particularly useful for connection to Japanese, Korean, and Chinese MMORPGs which IP blocks.

You'll need a VPN to access any IP restricted game. This guide links to a free VPN, but for a MUCH more reliable and speedier service I recommend a paid service like VyperVPN. They have a 25% off sale and offer a 3 day free trial.

What are IP Block and Why do Games have them?

IP Blocks are restrictions implemented by games to prevent users from certain regions from accessing them. The Russian version of Black Desert Online for example is published by a company called GameNet. Pearl Abyss, Black Desert's developer, licensed their game to GameNet exclusively for users in Russia and Eastern Europe. Developers like to work with multiple publishers for their games, because they believe it allows for better customer service and a better gaming experience. GameNet is a Russian company so they can make Black Desert more enjoyable for Russian users because they translated and voice acted the game in their local language. The Japanese version of Black Desert for example is published by GameOn Co, which localized the game for Japanese users. Now GameOn, which paid Black Desert's developer for the right to publish the game, doesn't want to Japanese gamers to play on the Korean, Russian, or other versions of Black Desert, because it'll hurt their business: so they work with Pearl Abyss to ensure every publisher operates within their own region. They accomplish this by forcing publishers to implement IP blocks.

Why Should we Try to Get Around Them?

Plenty of reasons. Oftentimes a game may be available in Asia but has no plans to ever release in the West, but due to a publisher's agreement with the game's developer, they have to restrict access to the game. A game like Phantasy Star Online 2 for example is only available in Japan and Southeast Asia, but not in the West. So the only way someone in the U.S. or Europe can play Phantasy Star Online 2 is by either moving to Asia (which isn't practical for most of us) or simply using a VPN to get around the IP block. Sometimes a foreign version of a game is simply better than the domestic one: the North American version of MapleStory for example, called Global MapleStory, is much more popular than the European version, so someone in Europe may want to play on the American server, but can't due to an IP block. Getting around these IP restrictions aren't difficult either, so if you're interested read on!

Ok Let's do it. Teach me Senpai!

It's actually remarkably easy. All you need is something called a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which allows you to use a third party server as an intermediary between your PC and the rest of the internet. A VPN is very similar to an internet proxy, except more secure and much more reliable. For a FREE option I strongly recommend using the VPNGate SoftEther VPN Client (If you have issues with VPNGate, there's a free trial for an excellent paid VPN here). Upon downloading and installing it, simply launch the program and click on VPN Gate Public VPN Relay Servers. This will pull up a list of public VPN servers currently available to connect to. For Black Desert Online on GameNet, we need to connect to a Russian server, so find one that's up and left click on it and hit "Connect to the VPN Server". After a few seconds you should be connected and good to go! To verify that you're connected, just look up your own IP Address on google by searching "What is my IP address" and you should see the IP address of the VPN you connected to. You can use VPNGate's SoftEther VPN Client to connect to any VPN out there. I've personally used it to connect to Black Desert, but it should work for EVERY game. See the video below if you want to see use the VPN to connect to the Russian version of Black Desert.

If you're having issues willing to spend a little bit of money VyperVPN is my favorite paid VPN. Paying for a VPN will yield MUCH faster and more reliable service. I've personally used VyperVPN to play LaPlace (Seventh Dark Online), Black Desert Online RU, Dragons Dogma Online, and various other foreign games. A paid VPN is speedy, safe, and much more reliable than a free VPN like VPNGate.