Remembering Technoblade, a Local Minecraft Legend
How a California gamer turned Minecraft fame into philanthropy, community, and lasting inspiration.
Technoblade, known to millions online as a witty and brilliant Minecraft YouTuber, wasn’t just a gaming personality — he was a community pillar.
Technoblade was a master of his craft and someone who left a legacy far beyond the screen.
With over 15 million subscribers and a fan base that spans generations, his impact continues to echo long after his passing.
Who Was Technoblade?
Behind the pseudonym “Technoblade” was Alex — a private, humble, and fiercely intelligent guy who rarely showed his face but always showed his heart.
Known for his quick wit, self-deprecating humor, and razor-sharp gameplay, Technoblade became a beloved figure in the online world.
He wasn’t just another Minecraft YouTuber — he was the Minecraft YouTuber to many.
How He Rose to Fame Through Minecraft
Technoblade’s rise began through YouTube videos featuring high-level Minecraft player-vs-player (PvP) gameplay, often narrated with dry humor and absurd running jokes.
His commentary style balanced chaotic energy with sharp insight, and stood out in a sea of content.
It wasn’t just about the game; it was the way he played and the way he told stories that kept people watching.
His popularity exploded despite his famously inconsistent upload schedule (which became a meme of its own), challenges (like beating Minecraft using a steering wheel controller), and his legendary win streaks in Hypixel’s BedWars — a competitive mini-game where players defend and destroy beds in a floating arena.
Hypixel is one of the largest Minecraft servers in the world, offering dozens of custom game modes built on top of Minecraft’s base mechanics. One of its most popular modes, Skyblock, is a sandbox-style game inspired by an old survival challenge where players start on a tiny floating island and gradually expand using limited resources.
Technoblade used Skyblock as the setting for The Great Potato War — a hilariously over-the-top three-part saga about an in-game farming rivalry.
What started as a competition to farm the most virtual potatoes turned into one of the most cinematic and beloved arcs in Technoblade’s YouTube history.
The Dream SMP, Minecraft Monday, and MC Championship
Technoblade’s influence went beyond solo content. He joined the Dream SMP, a private Minecraft survival multiplayer server run by fellow creator Dream, where storylines, lore, and improv created a unique mix of gameplay and online theater.
Technoblade played a chaotic neutral character, often turning the tide of story arcs with his dry wit and battle-ready strategies.
Before that, he made a name for himself in Minecraft Monday, a series of weekly competitive events hosted by YouTuber Keemstar.
Technoblade consistently dominated the leaderboards, showcasing not only his humor but also his skills.
He later competed in the MC Championship (MCC), a Minecraft esports event featuring teams of top creators across a series of mini-games.
His Battle with Cancer
In August 2021, Technoblade uploaded a video titled “where I’ve been,” revealing that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
His right arm, which he initially believed was injured from repetitive stress, turned out to be affected by sarcoma — a rare cancer that grows in bones and soft tissue.
True to form, even in the face of a life-altering diagnosis, Technoblade kept his sense of humor. “MIGHT DIE — NOT CLICKBAIT,” he joked in the video, riffing on YouTube’s obsession with drama thumbnails.
But behind the jokes was a very real fight, which he faced with courage and calm honesty.
Throughout his treatment, he continued to upload content, raise funds, and did a charity livestream event with The Sarcoma Foundation of America.
His Passing and Final Message
On June 30, 2022, the world learned of Technoblade’s passing through a farewell video titled “So Long Nerds,” recorded by his father. In it, his father read a message from Alex that began simply:
“Hello everyone, Technoblade here. If you’re watching this, I am dead.”
In the message, he finally revealed his real name: Alex — and thanked his audience for the happiest years of his life. “If I had another hundred lives, I think I would choose to be Technoblade again every single time.”
The video also included a heartfelt message from his mother, who shared her gratitude for the support Technoblade had received, and described his deep respect for his fans and colleagues. She reflected on his good-natured humility, his balance of confidence and self-deprecating wit, and his effort to keep his identity private — even in the face of massive success. She wrote, “Thank you for sharing his journey through it all, as he did the work he loved for his beloved fans.”
The news quickly trended worldwide.
Tributes flooded in from fans, creators, and even Mojang, the developers of Minecraft, who honored him with a splash screen in the game’s launcher.
Recently in 2025, The Minecraft Movie paid subtle tribute to him: during a village scene, a crowned pig — his avatar — appears briefly, with the main character, “Steve” played as Jack Black, calling him a “legend.”
A Community That Still Remembers
Technoblade’s YouTube channel remains active, with revenue from views and merchandise supporting sarcoma research and helping his siblings attend college.
His fans continue to honor him with tribute videos, artwork, Minecraft builds, and ongoing donations to the “Minecrafters vs Cancer” campaign.
In a quieter way, his father — known online as Mister Technodad — has also begun creating content of his own, sharing stories, reflections, and continuing the conversation his son started.
It’s not a replacement, but a reminder: Technoblade’s presence is still with us, in voices old and new.
Though known globally, Technoblade lived locally in California — a reminder that sometimes the people who change the world live quietly just next door.
Technoblade may be gone, but what he built — joy, community, & unity through laughter — Technoblade never dies.
The full video package to be uploaded soon…
About The 831
The 831 is independent journalism for Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. We tell human stories that connect neighbors to culture and community. Help keep this work alive by subscribing, pledging, and sharing with a friend.