Matthew “MatPat” Patrick (37) has shaped many childhoods with his YouTube channel “The Game Theorists.” Now he wants to take care of his own family and is saying goodbye.
What kind of YouTuber is he? In August 2009, Matthew “MatPat” Patrick founded the YouTube channel that would later become known as “The Game Theorists.” In over 600 videos, MatPat and his team analyzed the lore of popular games like Five Nights at Freddy’s and discussed countless theories.
The channel has garnered over 18 million subscribers over the years, with videos receiving millions of views. In addition, the concept was expanded to include three other channels: The Food Theorists, The Film Theorists, and The Style Theorists.
In a video from January 9, 2024, MatPat emotionally announced his departure.
MatPat doesn’t want to fade into obscurity
Why is he leaving? Although the goodbye likely surprises many fans, MatPat has known for some time that it would eventually come, as he explains. He and his partner Stephanie have known that they can’t – and don’t want to – keep going the way they have for the past few years.
Their work has been at the forefront for more than 10 years. MatPat says he misses just being able to sit on the couch and play games with her, without it being for content or worrying about game theories.
Still, saying goodbye is hard for him. After all, the 37-year-old has invested “a third of [his] life” into the channel. Before the birth of his son, The Game Theorists was practically his “baby.” MatPat assures his fans how much they mean to him and how much he appreciates them.
However, his life has changed, he has changed, as MatPat further explains. With age, he feels there are only two options: to say he is done producing content or to keep going until he fades into obscurity or loses his passion.
I always intended to walk away when it was at its best. And when you stop and look at the last year, it has been the best in the history of Theorists, to be honest.
You can watch the entire video in English here:
What’s next? MatPat has already made arrangements for his departure: in 2022, he handed control of all Theorists channels to Lunar X, a company he collaborates with. Additionally, he has expanded and trained his team to produce videos.
Until March 9, 2024, MatPat will continue to host videos himself, then his employees will take over – several, as he doesn’t want to burden any one person with his workload. However, the 37-year-old will not disappear completely but will work more in the background and on other projects.
MatPat’s departure comes shortly after similar announcements from well-known YouTubers such as Seth Everman, the man behind the most-liked comment on YouTube, and MeatCanyon, who portrayed current internet phenomena in grotesque animated videos.
The YouTuber suggests that more farewells will follow throughout the year. Apparently, many content creators who have been around for years and shaped countless childhoods are reaching an age where they no longer want to bear the “grind.” And then there is the “big brother of the internet: Gronkh has made clear statements to critics who claim: “You are too old to play”
