Minecraft youtuber Technoblade dies at the age of 23

pcgamer.com:

Popular Minecraft YouTuber Alex Technoblade has died at the age of 23 years old. The news came in a farewell video, 'so long nerds', posted by family, in which his father read a script written shortly before his death, before making his own tribute. Technoblade's channel has over 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 single time, as those were the happiest years of my life.»

The content creator arrived on the Minecraft scene in 2013, and over his long career became known especially for his sense of humour, PvP skills and a friendly rivalry with fellow Minecraft superstar Dream. Last year he had announced to his fanbase a diagnosis of cancer in his right arm, and spoke about undergoing various treatment therapies, including a limb salvage operation which he joked almost made him an amputee.

He both made videos and streamed Minecraft content on YouTube, and was part of a popular collective called Sleepyboisinc: one member of whom, TommyInnit, nicknamed him 'The Blade'. Latterly Technoblade had taken to 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 farewell video's script, he fondly recalls fooling viewers into thinking his name is Dave. He reveals it was Alexander. His family asks fans to continue to respect his wish for privacy.

Fellow streamers and Minecraft creators took to social media to pay tribute.

I'll never forget the day I met Technoblade. I left work early to play in a Minecraft tournament with him. I barely knew how to play… and the dude