Minecraft youtuber Technoblade has died at the age of 23 after a year-long battle with cancer, his family announced on Friday.
In a YouTube video titled “see you later nerds”, the father of the content creator shared a last message from his son with his subscribers.
“Hello everyone, Technoblade here,” the message began. “If you’re watching this, I’m dead.”
In the video, Technoblade, who has kept his identity a secret, revealed that his real name was Alex. He also thanked fans for supporting his content, buying merchandise and channel memberships, and joked that his siblings are “going to college.”
“If I had another hundred lives, I think I would choose to be Technoblade again every time, as those were the happiest years of my life. I hope you enjoyed my content and that it made some of you laugh and I hope you all will live long, prosperous and happy lives.
In just under a decade, Technoblade amassed nearly 11 million YouTube subscribers and 3.7 million Twitter followers while sharing its passion for Minecraft, a video game where users can build virtual worlds from blocks and create their own stories. . He made his cancer diagnosis public in August 2021 and told his followers during a video of himself playing the game who sought medical help after experiencing arm pain that he initially thought was a repetitive stress injury from gaming.
According to his father, Technoblade wrote his final message approximately eight hours before he died. Holding back tears, Technoblade’s father described his son as “the most amazing child” anyone could wish for, adding, “I miss Technoblade.”
The video, which has been viewed more than 19 million times, ends with a statement from the Technoblade family, saying: “The past year has had many difficult times for our son as he battled stage four cancer. he complained, and continued to use his famous strategic mind to try and beat what he knew were nearly impossible odds. My son’s bravery on this path was a shining lesson to all of us who had the privilege of walking it with him. Thanks for sharing his journey through it all, while doing the work he loved for his beloved fans.”
Social media has been flooded with tributes from fans, celebrities, and fellow gamers.
youtuber ted nivison he remembered it as: “Effortlessly fun. Endlessly talented. Gone too soon. Rest easy, Technoblade.”
TommyInnit, another popular YouTuber, wrote on Twitter: “Technoblade is a fucking legend. From being a huge fan to one of his real friends, I can’t describe how grateful I am to have been in his life. I just know he’s strategizing in heaven on how to beat God.
In a statement sent to CNN, the Sarcoma Foundation of America paid tribute to Technoblade and shared “the deepest condolences with his family.”
Brandi Felser, CEO of the charity, said in the statement: “Technoblade rallied their supporters to raise over $500,000 to date to support sarcoma research. This enabled SFA to make research grants on behalf of Technoblade. Through these efforts, he leaves behind a legacy that will impact generations.”
Felser said Technoblade will be recognized with the organization’s Award of Courage, an annual honor given to people who inspire others “to create hope and a better life for the sarcoma community” later this year.