Over the course of the past fifteen years, the landscape of YouTube has been shaped by a select group of individuals who devoted tremendous effort to perfecting the craft of online entertainment as YouTubers. Influential figures such as MrBeast, Markiplier, Jenna Marbles, and Tom Scott (who recently announced his retirement) have captivated global audiences, paving the way for the emergence of modern-day influencers. Among these, Matthew Patrick, widely known as MatPat, has stood out, particularly for his relentless pursuit of unraveling the intricate lore behind the popular game Five Nights at Freddy’s since its inception. However, in a surprising turn of events, MatPat recently revealed his decision to retire.
In a recent video, MatPat cut straight to the heart of the matter, announcing his departure from his flagship channel, The Game Theorists, along with his other three channels dedicated to food, film, and style—each developed over the years with a similar format and style. The scheduled exit date is set for March 9, 2024. In the video, MatPat delves into the reasons behind this decision, offering insights into why he’s chosen to take this step at the peak of his career.
Contrary to the often drama-filled departures seen in the online content creation sphere, MatPat’s decision is not mired in any controversy. Taking inspiration from Tom Scott’s approach, MatPat has opted to entrust his creation to the team that has been cultivated over the years. This decision is motivated by his desire to achieve a better work-life balance and spend more quality time with his family. MatPat admits that, despite his deep passion for his work, he has been caught up in constant work-related discussions with his wife, Stephanie Patrick, a crucial figure in managing and developing the channels. This has left him with little opportunity to enjoy the content he passionately discusses in his videos.
Throughout the emotionally charged video, MatPat doesn’t shy away from expressing the difficulty of this decision. While the passion for their work still burns bright, he acknowledges that retirement is the best path forward for a semblance of normalcy in his life. Despite the impending departure, fans can expect a few more weeks of theories, with “MatPat’s Final Theory” scheduled for release on March 9, marking his official farewell to the channel. Until then, regular content will continue, maintaining a sense of “business as usual.”
MatPat reassures fans that he won’t completely abandon his creation. Although he plans to scale back his involvement, he hints at future undisclosed projects. The ongoing operations of The Game Theorists, Film Theory, Food Theory, and Style Theory will be led by the current members of the Game Theorists team, ensuring a continued legacy for the channels MatPat dedicated years of hard work to build.
