FANS shared their reactions after a beloved YouTuber announced his retirement after over a decade on the platform.
Matthew Patrick, better known as MatPat, is the host of The Game Theorists, a channel with more than 18million subscribers.
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On Tuesday, Patrick, 37, released a video titled, Goodbye Internet, explaining that he would post his last video on March 9, 2024.
He gained popularity for his videos that research, analyze, and formulate theories on video game lore, most famously the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise.
Patrick created the Game Theorists with his wife, Stephanie, in 2011 but the brand has since launched its own YouTube channel with spinoffs.
The channel has also collaborated with other YouTube giants such as Smosh, Markiplier, and Dream.
“This has been a literal third of my life and I’m gonna miss you,” Patrick said. “I’m gonna miss this.”
‘DEVASTATED’
Patrick released a 25-minute video explaining why he was leaving, which gained over 2million views in three hours.
Fans shared their reaction to the news on social media.
“Kids this decade won’t realize how goated MatPat is,” wrote one person on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“MatPat retiring is kinda crazy,” wrote another person. “Always respect the dude’s dedication. Enjoy chilling with ur [sic] fam.
“I am legitimately devastated that MatPat is quitting YouTube.”
A fourth person wrote: “This has to be the hardest goodbye…you’re such a legend that we’ll never forget, goodbye Matt.”
Some of Patrick’s fellow creators also spoke up to praise him for his years on the platform.
“You guys killed it for so long,” wrote PeanutButterGamer, who has 2million subscribers.
Wendigoon, a channel with 3.3million subscribers said that few content creators have “such an immaculate reputation as both an entertainer and as a person.
“A lot of us wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Game Theory and we won’t forget it.”
SAYING GOODBYE
Patrick said he knew this was coming for the last three years, which is why the channel had been beefing up its staff and partnered with Lunar X, a media company that received all the rights to the Game Theorists in December 2022.
“For as much as I love you and I love overthinking things and I love theorizing, I don’t love late nights,” he said.
“I don’t love the fact that Steph and I have been ‘work first’ for over a decade.
“Where I’m sitting down at dinner with my best friend and we’re talking about business logistics or we’re talking about animatronic toes.
“Or I could just sit down on the couch with her and play video games and it’s not for content…I miss it.”
Patrick also spoke briefly about his son, Oliver, who was born in 2018.
“He’s the coolest little dude and he’s getting older by the minute.”
Luckily, for Game Theorist fans, there are still more episodes left until Patrick parts ways with the channel, which will culminate in what he called “MatPat’s Final Theory video.”
After this, the channel will pass on to four people – Lee, Amy, Tom, and Santi – all of whom have appeared in different videos and spinoffs related to the channel.
Patrick also explained that he wouldn’t be fully leaving The Game Theorists but rather he’ll be taking a behind-the-scenes position and providing ideas for theory videos.
“I’ve been so honored to have been a part of your lives but I think it’s time for someone to have that honor,” said Patrick.
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