Pakistan’s premier PUBG Mobile team, 4Thrives, has confirmed a major roster change following its landmark performance at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025. The team earned $77,000 in the group stage and $80,000 in the finals, finishing among the top eight teams worldwide with total winnings of $157,000.
International esports commentator Maximillian Barraud praised 4Thrives as “the best Pakistani team of all times,” highlighting their rise on the global stage.
Looking ahead to 2026, 4Thrives has announced that Cairo (Niash Hassan), the team’s entry fragger, has departed to join Guts & Glory. In his place, the team has recruited Mohammad Huzaifa, formerly of AS i8 Esports, who is now serving as the new in-game leader (IGL).
This strategic move signals 4Thrives’ ambition to build on its international success and continue elevating Pakistan’s presence in global esports.
Players and their clubs are really going to be filthy rich with this mind-blowing prize pool. I believe!
The Esports World Cup 2026, which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 6 to August 23, has announced an all‑time high prize pool for the winners. yes, and that is $75 million. can you believe? and people say you are wasting time playing games, I don’t think so anymore.
24 games are participating in 25 tournaments from 100 countries of the world. Games names are here:
Official EWC 2026 Titles
VALORANT
Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs)
Dota 2
League of Legends
Free Fire
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s International
EA Sports FC Pro World Championship
PUBG: Battlegrounds
Teamfight Tactics
Overwatch Champions Series (Midseason Championship)
Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence Series
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup
Street Fighter 6
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
PUBG Mobile World Cup
Honor of Kings World Cup
Tekken 8
Rocket League
Chess
Rainbow Six Siege X
Counter‑Strike 2
CrossFire
Trackmania
Reload Elite Series Championship
Prize Distribution EWC 2026
The Esports World Cup Foundation has allocated $30 million for the Club Championship, $39 million for the Individual Game Championships, and $6 million for Club and Player Rewards. The $30 million Club Championship prize pool will be shared among the top 24 clubs, with the winning team taking home $7 million.
Further details of tickets availability, matches and events will be revealed soon!
In PUBG, not every item is useful. Some look helpful but end up slowing you down or taking up space. This list highlights the items players often regret picking up and why they might be better off without them.
1. Bandages
In many competitive games, bandages are the go-to remedy for minor injuries, scratches, falls, or quick skirmishes. They’re easy to use, widely available, and often the first aid option players reach for. But let’s be honest: in high-mobility scenarios where you’re constantly sprinting, dodging, or rotating across the map, bandages feel like dead weight.
The Problem with Bandages in Fast Gameplay
Slow Recovery: Bandages offer minimal healing over time, which doesn’t match the pace of modern combat.
Zero Utility While Moving: If you’re constantly on the run, their effectiveness drops to zero. You can’t heal and move efficiently.
Inventory Clutter: They often take up space without delivering meaningful value in clutch moments.
Is It Time for Smarter Healing in PUBG?
Bandages feel outdated; slow, clunky, and nearly useless when you’re on the move. In today’s fast-paced matches, healing needs to be quick, responsive, and tactical.
Imagine:
Auto-injectors that heal while you run
Tiered medkits that focus on critical wounds
Cooldown-based healing pulses that boost team synergy
Bandages had their moment in slower gameplay. But now, the meta demands agility and smarter resource management. It’s time for healing mechanics that adapt, react, and elevate the fight.
2. Used Helmets & Vests
Are Worn-Out Armors Worth It? Rethinking Durability in High-Stakes Combat
In the heat of battle, every second and every scrap of protection counts. But let’s face it: used armors and low-durability helmets often feel like false hope. They offer brief protection, a momentary defense, before giving way under pressure.
The Harsh Truth About Low-Durability Gear
Minimal Protection: Once an armor’s durability drops, its effectiveness plummets. It barely absorbs damage, making it more symbolic than strategic.
Short-Term Lifeline: Helmets might save you from a single headshot, but they rarely survive the next.
Inventory Drag: Carrying worn gear adds weight without real value, especially in long rotations or endgame zones.
Time for a Smarter Armor System?
What if instead of clinging to broken gear, players could:
Salvage parts to reinforce better armor?
Fuse multiple damaged pieces into a single, more durable unit?
Deploy temporary energy shields that scale with movement or zone pressure?
These changes wouldn’t just look cool; they’d make gameplay smarter and more strategic.
Something is better than Nothing… But Not for Long
Yes, a cracked helmet is better than no helmet. But in a game where milliseconds decide survival, false security can be fatal. It’s time to evolve beyond “better than nothing” and introduce gear that adapts, endures, and empowers.
In the fast-paced world of PUBG, every attachment should earn its spot. But when it comes to magazine choices, many players on Reddit agree: the Quickdraw Mag just doesn’t cut it. Why? Because the Extended Mag offers a clear advantage; more bullets per reload. That extra ammo can mean the difference between winning a fight or getting sent back to the lobby.
Some players even argue that if an Extended Mag isn’t available, it’s better to skip the attachment slot entirely than settle for a Quickdraw. It’s a harsh take, but it reflects how competitive the meta has become. In a game where milliseconds matter, capacity often beats speed.
4. Hippie Van
In PUBG, mobility can mean survival. Whether you’re rotating to the next zone or fleeing a firefight, your vehicle choice matters. And while the hippie van might look fun and nostalgic, it’s often seen as a liability on the battlefield.
Why Players Avoid the Hippie Van
Too slow to escape: Its low speed makes it hard to outrun danger or reposition quickly.
Huge target: Its bulky frame is easy to spot and even easier to hit.
Poor handling: Navigating tight terrain or dodging enemy fire feels clumsy and risky.
No stealth factor: Its colorful design and loud engine grab attention, exactly what you don’t want in a survival game.
Better Alternatives Exist
Most players prefer:
Dacia for speed and control
Motorbikes for quick escapes
Pickup trucks for balance between cover and mobility
These vehicles offer better performance without turning you into a rolling billboard.
Cool looks aren’t enough
The hippie van might be fun to look at, but in PUBG’s high-stakes combat, it’s more of a trap than a tool. It’s slow, loud, and hard to defend. Unless you’re roleplaying or trolling, most players agree: choose survival over style.
5. Cosmetic Clothes
In the battlegrounds of PUBG, helmets and vests are more than fashion, they’re survival. They absorb bullets, deflect headshots, and often decide whether you live to see the next circle. But what about the rest of your wardrobe? The trench coats, ghillie suits, neon tracksuits, and branded collabs; do they serve a purpose beyond the mirror?
The Truth About Cosmetic Clothing
No gameplay advantage: Unlike armor, cosmetic outfits offer zero protection or stat boosts.
Visual clutter: Over-looting clothes can make your character bulkier or more visible; especially in stealth zones.
Inventory illusion: While they don’t weigh you down mechanically, they can clutter your visual identity and distract from tactical focus.
Just a Show-Off?
Some players argue that excessive cosmetics are just vanity loot; a way to flex skins, not skill. And in a game where every second counts, flashy outfits can feel like a liability, not a legacy. so why carry dead weight? Leave the fashion, keep the firepower.
I’ve seen countless discussions about PUBG and especially PUBG Mobile (PUBGM) across social media, gaming forums, and YouTube. Everywhere I look, players are saying the same thing: PUBG is dying. The latest updates have sparked controversy, with many fans calling the new graphics “ridiculous,” “cartoonish,” and “childish.” For a game once known for its gritty realism and intense battle royale experience, this visual shift feels completely out of place.
PUBGM’s transformation has left many longtime players confused and disappointed. The game’s serious tone seems lost beneath flashy cosmetics and arcade-style gameplay. Is this the evolution of PUBG—or the end of what made it iconic?
Why People Say PUBG Is “Dying”
Many players who started playing PUBG when it first launched in 2017 became fans of its realistic graphics and intense gameplay. The original version felt raw, immersive, and serious—exactly what battle royale fans wanted. But over time, the game changed. With newer updates, PUBG began to look more cartoonish, similar to Fortnite. This shift disappointed many longtime players who missed the tense, survival-focused experience they fell in love with.
“Pubg gave me one of the best and beautiful memories , the slow pace and long 40 min matches , one life , every seconds feels like someone gonna kill me , the haunt of footsteps and gunshots, abandoned building and bridges , realistic graphics and movements , dark and scary war like environment , winning with 3+kills used to feel like heaven , and now it has become a fashion show all colorful ,full of skins , toxic players who only play for kills . this is not the pubg which i used to play 6 years ago.”
“From a realistic game to Fashion Show.”
“Pubg went from realistic to avarage mobile game.”
So, Nostalgia is one reason for players to drop the game.
Ridiculous Collaborations of PUBG
PUBG Mobile has become infamous for its wild, unexpected, and sometimes downright ridiculous collaborations. While some collabs boost engagement and bring in new audiences, others leave longtime fans wondering if the game has lost its gritty battle royale soul. Let’s dive into the most outrageous ones:
PUBG MOBILE X Skibidi Toilet
PUBG MOBILE teamed up with the viral Skibidi Toilet meme—and the result was pure chaos. Players had to fight giant toilets with laser eyes, dodge crazy animations, and survive in maps filled with meme madness. The update even ran in HDR mode, making everything look wild and over-the-top.
It’s one of the strangest updates PUBG has ever released. Some players loved the fun; others missed the serious battle royale vibe. Either way, it got everyone talking.
Arabian Nights x PUBG MOBILE: A Fantasy-Themed Collab
The update was timed with Ramadan and targeted players in the MENA region, blending gameplay with regional folklore and festive vibes.
This update officially known as the 3.1 update, released on March 12, 2024, created huge hype when it launched. Players were excited to explore magical desert cities, fly on carpets, and use genie grenades in battle. The game looked fresh and different, and for a moment, it felt like PUBG was reinventing itself. But that excitement didn’t last. Many longtime fans felt the fantasy theme clashed with PUBG’s original war-like atmosphere. Instead of gritty survival, the game now looked more like a cartoon.
Then
And Now
As more updates followed with glowing toilets, dancing ghosts, and flying carpets, loyal players started losing interest. These flashy changes may attract new users for a short time, but they’re slowly pushing away the core community that made PUBG great in the first place.
Magic Mirror Castle – Spooky Soirée (Erangel 4.0)
Erangel was once a war-torn survival zone. Now? It’s home to haunted castles, ghost pets, and flying brooms. The Magic Mirror Castle introduced supernatural loot, teleportation mirrors, and eerie green skies. Tactical realism? Gone. Welcome to Halloween fantasy.
But the question after all this confusion & chaos is still there.
is PUBG really dead? are people going to stop playing it? Not really!
In Asia, PUBG Mobile (PUBGM) is far from dead. The game continues to thrive with millions of active players, long gaming sessions, and a deeply loyal fanbase. Despite criticism from streamers who call its mechanics “laughable” and rank it in the F-tier of battle royale games, the numbers tell a different story.
Krafton and Tencent are still heavily investing in the franchise. Tencent’s LightSpeed & Quantum Studio continues to develop PUBGM globally, while Krafton expands its AI and game studio portfolio. And when a game is still generating revenue—over $126 million monthly in 2025—it’s hard to call it dead.
Even after statistical declines, PUBG Mobile remains in the top 3 most played mobile games worldwide, alongside Roblox and Candy Crush Saga. That’s not just survival—it’s called maturity.
Despite all the criticism about cartoonish updates and fantasy-themed chaos, PUBG MOBILE is securing its place among the biggest esports titles in the world.
In 2025, PUBG MOBILE secured its spot in the prestigious Esports World Cup, hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a jaw-dropping $3,000,000 USD prize pool.
So, here is the Conclusion
PUBG MOBILE is living, evolving battleground of emotions, memories, and ambition. The developers are still investing, players are still playing, talking, ridiculing, enjoying, and reminiscing. Stats may rise and fall, but one truth remains: the game is still moving forward.
Two distinct mindsets now shape the community. On one side are the veterans—the loyal fans who fell in love with PUBG’s original war-like intensity, the 30–40-minute matches, the haunting footsteps in abandoned buildings, and the raw thrill of survival. For them, PUBG was more than entertainment—it was an immersive experience. But then came the turning point. The makers weren’t afraid to experiment. They introduced bold collaborations with Sonic the Hedgehog, Arabian Nights, Spooky Soirée, and ghostly companions. These updates brought color, chaos, and creativity.
And while some longtime players felt alienated, a new generation embraced the change. Today’s players are grinding hard, mastering new mechanics, investing real money, and even building careers through esports tournaments with million-dollar prize pools. PUBG MOBILE now stands at a crossroads—nostalgia versus innovation, realism versus fantasy. The choice is yours: stay and play or go and grow. Either way, the battleground is still alive—and it’s waiting.
Now YOU tell: Is PUBG evolving or losing its soul? Tell us where you stand.
In August 2025, under the blazing lights of Riyadh’s esports arena, EWC with the biggest and highest prize pool was Helding up and five young men from Pakistan competed side by side, carrying the hopes of a growing gaming community. 4Thrives Esports, a self-managed PUBG Mobile team with no sponsors and no bootcamp, had made it to the Grand Finals of the PUBG Mobile World Cup (PMWC). And they didn’t just show up—they finished 7th out of 24 global teams, earning $157,000 USD and rewriting the story of Pakistani esports.
This wasn’t just a tournament. It was a test of grit, loyalty, and leadership. And at the heart of it all stood Falak Sher, the team’s captain and owner, whose quiet resolve became the backbone of their success.
From Raw Beginnings to Riyadh’s Grand Stage
4Thrives Esports was formed on December 1, 2024, not in a corporate office or gaming house—but through WhatsApp calls, shared dreams, and relentless practice. Their manager, Usman “Shaheen” Tariq, handpicked players based on synergy, not fame. The final lineup:
Falak Sher “FALAK” – Captain & Owner
Sameer “Nocki” Khan – Support
Hasnain “T24OP” Rehman – Scout
Niash “CAIRO” Hassan – Sniper
Shayan “IQ” Asad – IGL
Usman “Shaheen” Tariq – Manager & Analyst
Their first major breakthrough came at PMSL Central & South Asia Spring 2025, where they placed 3rd, earning $18,750 USD and a direct slot in PMWC. But it was their group stage performance at PMWC that stunned the world:
2nd overall ranking
111 kills
65 eliminations
2 Chicken Dinners
They became the first Pakistani team ever to reach the Grand Finals of an S-tier PUBG Mobile event.
Grand Finals: Pressure, Precision, and Pride
The Grand Finals, held from August 1–3, introduced the Smash Rule—a format where the leading team could win instantly with a Chicken Dinner. 4Thrives didn’t clinch the title, but they held their own against giants from China, Korea, Myanmar, and Europe.
Final Placement: 7th
Final Points: 109
Prize Money from Finals: $80,000 USD
Total Earnings: $157,000 USD
Falak Sher, owner and star player of 4Thrives Esports, helped lead the team to a historic 7th place finish at PMWC 2025, ranking 6th in frags and 3rd in overall damage.
No dramatic speeches. No viral interviews. Just results, respect, and a nation watching.
Team Manager
Their manager, Shaheen, played a crucial role—handling analytics, strategy, and emotional support. Behind every rotation and zone prediction was hours of unpaid labor and belief.
National Impact: A New Chapter for Pakistani Esports
4Thrives’ success has sparked a wave of pride across Pakistan’s gaming community. From Lahore to Quetta, young players now cite Falak and his squad as role models. Their story is being shared in Urdu captions, TikTok edits, and Instagram reels—with hashtags like:
#FalakSher
#4ThrivesEsports
#PakistanGaming
#PMWC2025
They’ve helped shift the narrative around gaming—from taboo to talent. Media outlets, influencers, and even educators are beginning to recognize esports as a legitimate career path.
What Comes Next?
With PMWC behind them, 4Thrives is expected to compete in PMSL Fall 2025 and possibly qualify for the PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC). Their accumulated points and global visibility make them strong contenders.
Despite operating without a bootcamp or org, their self-managed model has proven that discipline and loyalty can rival even the biggest names.
Conclusion: Pakistan Didn’t Just Participate, it proved its presence
4Thrives Esports didn’t arrive with fanfare. They arrived with focus. In less than nine months, they went from unknowns to global contenders—earning respect, revenue, and a place in history.
Their journey wasn’t exaggerated. It was earned. And as the closing ceremony lights dimmed in Riyadh, one truth remained:
Pakistan didn’t just participate. It thrived.
Resilience isn’t always loud. 4Thrives shows that true growth is deliberate, shaped with intent. From setbacks to new beginnings, this platform honors every step forward. Congratulations, Team 4Thrives.
