Arguably the worst start to 2024, MatPat announced his retirement from YouTube in a video titled 'Goodbye Internet' back in January after an incredible 13 years of uploading. Regardless of what your gaming niche was as a child (mine was FNAF), he covered anything and everything in such thorough and innovative ways. Because of this we all grew up watching MatPat's content and developed, what feels like, a parasocial connection to him, making his withdrawal from the channel that much more devastating.
In his video explaining his departure from the channel, MatPat expressed his vulnerability and shared tears about wanting to live a normal yet beautiful life with his wife and son. If we're being honest, we all cried with him whilst watching - it felt worse than a breakup with a lifelong partner. Additionally, he thanks all the people who have helped Game Theory thrive into what is has become today: the people that took a chance on him, the staff who put in endless work behind the scenes, but also a special thanks to all the fans for clicking on each video.
Rather than dwelling on the upset this has kindled, MatPat softly reminded his viewers of all the amazing accomplishments the channel has achieved through the years, his personal favourite memories, and how it has been a great honour for him to be such a significant part of so many people's childhood.
MatPat followed up with another video at the start of March clarifying that he will still be around, occasionally featuring on the Game Theory channel itself, as well as many other content creators' - he just won't be solely devoted to the long days and late nights spent theorising anymore.
The landscape of content creation has evolved into something outlandish in comparison to the era when MatPat began uploading. With the introduction of YouTube shorts and other fast-paced videos on the rise, people started to consume content in a much different manner from 2011. It's argued that the video essay and documentary style content that MatPat established his channel upon are no longer what grasps people's interest, despite Game Theory having a record breaking year for itself. This could potentially be a contributing factor to MatPat's decision of taking a lesser role in the production of the various channels.
So, despite it all being very sad, it is also bittersweet. Thank you, MatPat, for the good times.
