Technoblade: Minecraft YouTuber dies from cancer aged 23

Minecraft YouTuber Technoblade has died aged 23, his family have confirmed in an emotional farewell video posted on his behalf.

The video, entitled "so long nerds" and posted to his 10 million followers, showed his father calling him "the most amazing kid anyone could ever ask for".

The US internet personality rose to fame livestreaming and posting clips of himself playing the sandbox video game.

Last year, Technoblade revealed to fans he had been diagnosed with cancer.

The farewell message, written hours before his death and read by his father, began: "Hello everyone, Technoblade here. If you're watching this. I am dead."

He went on to reveal that his real name was in fact Alex, reminiscing about the time he had pranked viewers into believing his name was Dave.

"Thank you all for supporting my content over the years," he continued. "If I had another hundred lives, I think I would choose to be Technoblade again every single time as those were the happiest years of my life."

The online star, who won Minecraft tournaments and legions of fans talking about his life in a humorous way while playing the game, explained in a fundraising video posted in February that he had undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy and a limb salvage operation after developing a painful tumour in his right arm.

He died from sarcoma, which is a rare bone and soft tissue cancer.

He disclosed his cancer diagnosis in August 2021, explaining that he initially thought the pain he was feeling was from a repetitive stress injury due to excessive gaming. After his arm became swollen he went to hospital and was subsequently diagnosed with cancer.

Little is known about Technoblade, who kept his true identity concealed until the end. But his online avatar was a picture of a crowned pig.

He has 10.8 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, where he bio reads: "I play video games too much. I might not be the best, but I do have hot elbows."

Following the news of his death, fans, fellow gamers and YouTubers paid tribute online.

"I'll never forget the day I met Technoblade," recalled J Schlatt. "I left work early to play in a Minecraft tournament with him. I barely knew how to play... and the dude still carried us to win the entire event.

"Rest in peace, big guy. You'll always be a legend."

YouTuber Captain Puffy aka Cara tweeted: "Rest in peace Technoblade, He always treated me with pure kindness and never excluded me from anything. He couldn't of been a kinder person!"

She added: "Thank you for everything you've done for this community, it will never be the same without you."

Tommy Innit said: "Technoblade is a legend. From being a massive fan, to one of his actual friends, I can't describe how thankful I am to have been in his life. I just know he's strategizing in heaven on how to beat God..."

"I've been rewatching Technoblade's for the past hour," added Ludwig Ahgren. "He was so witty and so humble even in the toughest of times. I'll always look up to him."

Quackity expressed gratitude online too, posting: "I had the opportunity to express to Technoblade how much admiration and respect I had for him, not only for the massive impact he had on all of us, but also for keeping his incredible humour even in the darkest moments. I will miss him so much."

"May he rest in peace,"added eSports gamer Jake Lucky.

Technoblade's father thanked fans in the farewell video, noting: "You meant a lot to him."

He explained that a portion of proceeds from online orders for his late son's merchandise would now go to charity.

The video ended with a written statement from his family, which read: "We, the family of Technoblade, wanted all of you to know just how much he adored and respected his fans and colleagues.

"From Technoblade's earliest online days, he was always strategizing ways to delight and reward his audience - giving away online prizes, encouraging good sportsmanship, and most of all sharing his Minecraft adventures for entertainment and laughs.

"Even after his eventual successes he somehow managed to keep his good-natured humility, competing with an endearing balance between confidence and self-deprecating wit."

Minecraft allows players to create their own experience in an imaginative virtual landscape, by digging holes to collect blocks.

Recent updates of the game have been used to help children explore and develop their career skills and knowledge, and to find solutions to real world problems such as flooding.

Ted Nevison described Technoblade as being "effortlessly funny" and "endlessly talented". "Gone too soon," he said.

Bad Boy Halo also paid tribute, adding: "Words can't express how much you will be missed. The lives you've touched and the impact you've had on them will last forever."

Slimecicle said Technoblade's "personality and sense of humour were a true inspiration to me and countless others."

"Thank you for everything you gave to a world that took you too soon, you will always be a legend."