Popular Minecraft YouTuber Alex Technoblade has died at the age of 23. The news came in a farewell video, ‘Hasta siempre nerds’, posted by the family, in which his father read a script written shortly before his death, before making his own tribute. The Technoblade channel has more than 10.8 million followers.
The script reads: “Thank you all for supporting my content over the years. 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.”
The content creator arrived on the Minecraft scene in 2013, and throughout his long career, he became known especially for his sense of humor, PvP skills, and a friendly rivalry with Minecraft superstar Dream. Last year he had announced to his fan base a diagnosis of cancer in his right arm and talked about undergoing various treatment therapies, including a limb-saving operation that he joked nearly amputated it.
He made videos and streamed Minecraft content on YouTube, and was part of a popular collective called Sleepyboisinc: one member of which, TommyInnit, nicknamed him ‘The Blade’. As of late, Technoblade had been busy streaming other titles, including Minecraft Story Mode and Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.
Part of Technoblade’s appeal was the aura of mystery around who exactly he was: in the script for the farewell video, he fondly recalls tricking viewers into thinking his name is Dave. He reveals that it was Alejandro. His family asks fans to continue to respect his desire for privacy.
Other Minecraft streamers and creators took to social media to pay tribute.
I will never forget the day I met Technoblade. I left work early to play a Minecraft tournament with him. He barely knew how to play… and the guy still led us to win the whole damn event. Rest in peace, big guy. You will always be a legend.July 1, 2022
Technoblade is a fucking legend. From being a huge fan to one of her true friends, I can’t describe how grateful I am to have been in her life. I only know that she is planning a strategy in heaven on how to beat God. This is not a joke. he looks at the screenshot. Rest in peace pic.twitter.com/ntb2C5bdLMJuly 1, 2022
I have been watching Technoblade for the last hour. He was so resourceful and so humble even in the most difficult times. I will always admire him. Rest in peace <3July 1, 2022
rip technoblade. you inspired millions around the world and your legacy will live on forever. ❤️oh, and to hell with cancer.July 1, 2022
Rest in peace Technoblade, you always treated me with pure kindness and never excluded me from anything. Couldn’t have been a nicer person! Thank you for everything you have done for this community, it will never be the same without you. ❤️July 1, 2022
In the farewell video, Technoblade’s father says that part of the proceeds from his late son’s merchandise will be donated to charity. He ends with a statement that reads in part:
“Since Technoblade’s early online days, he has always been devising strategies to delight and reward his audience: giving away prizes online, encouraging good sportsmanship, and most of all, sharing his Minecraft adventures for entertainment and laughter.
“Even after his eventual successes, he somehow managed to maintain his good-natured humility, competing with an endearing balance between confidence and self-deprecating wit.”
The tribute has immediately become the number 1 trending video on Youtube. The statement from the father of Technoblade ends:
“The past year had many difficult times for our son as he battled stage 4 cancer. But he didn’t complain and continued to use his famous strategic mind to try and beat what he knew were nearly impossible odds. My son’s bravery in this path was a shining lesson for all of us who were privileged to walk it with him. Thank you for sharing his journey through it all, while doing the work he loved for his beloved fans.”