Online gaming has been gaining much popularity over the last few years. It offers a convenient and accessible form of entertainment and social interaction and people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy it these days.

Thanks to the widespread availability of high-speed internet, gamers can now connect globally, participating in massively multiplayer online games that accommodate thousands of players simultaneously. The social aspect of online gaming, helped by chat functions, voice chat, and other features, has played a big role in its popularity. This has fostered a sense of community among gamers, who often form close relationships through their shared love of gaming. The rise of esports has also contributed to the popularity of online gaming, with professional tournaments attracting large crowds and offering substantial prize money.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, more commonly known as PUBG, is among the most popular online games and has maintained its popularity for over a decade through regular updates that keep the gameplay fresh and its availability on multiple platforms, among other things. These factors contribute to PUBG's continued popularity.

Hailing from Surkhet, Pawan Jung Shahi Thakuri, also known as 4k Gaming Nepal, is a popular internet personality known for his PUBG online streaming. He is also considered among the first PUBG streamers in Nepal.

After completing his higher education, Thakuri went to Korea to earn money. Engaged in various small businesses in Korea, he heard about a family emergency that led to depression, prompting his return to Nepal. With six months remaining on his visa, he decided to stay in the country.

From the start, Thakuri had a keen interest in studies. He worked as a teacher and ran a YouTube channel called ‘Maths Nepal’, where he taught maths to higher secondary level students. This showcased his passion for creating content. Within six months, he left his job and, unsure of what to do next, bought a computer due to his fondness for watching Indian players engage in online games.

He realised that Nepal’s online scene wasn’t very familiar with game streaming. He wanted to fill this gap through his content. So, he began playing PUBG on his PC and streaming it. “I didn’t even know how to play PUBG well when I began streaming but I stuck with it and have gotten better over the years,” says Thakuri.

Gradually, people began to tune in to his online streams from Korea. Upon returning to Nepal, he already had a fan base. He decided to stay in his hometown of Surkhet, upon his return. The onset of the Covid lockdown marked a turning point for 4k Gaming. Thakuri started streaming three times a day and his videos began racking up thousands of views. Besides his gaming, another aspect of Thakuri’s content his viewers seem to enjoy a lot is his humour, evident by the comments he gets on his videos.

Thakuri reveals that although he initially signed a contract with Facebook for live streaming, he eventually moved exclusively to YouTube. Earning a livelihood from online game streaming was something he never anticipated. He mentions that he likes playing PUBG on his desktop and not on mobile phones as he believes the version of the game on phones is a lot easier. “I once played Pub-G mobile and streamed it online, but people didn’t like it that very much. So, I stick with my PC (personal computer or desktop).”

Today, Thakuri earns enough from streaming PUBG to sustain his entire household.