A New Chapter For YouTube’s Biggest Gamer
After more than a decade of being one of the internet’s most recognisable gaming creators, PewDiePie has revealed that he is stepping back from video games, at least for now. Felix Kjellberg shared the update in the latest edition of his Kjellberg Mail newsletter, explaining that fatherhood, personal growth, and shifting priorities have changed how he views his time.
Longtime fans may not be shocked by the news. PewDiePie’s content has been drifting away from traditional Let’s Play videos for years, leaning more into lifestyle vlogs, travel updates, and creative projects from his life in Japan with his wife Marzia and their son Björn. Even so, this is the clearest statement yet that the gaming era which defined his channel for over 13 years has officially been put on pause.
‘Every Hour Has Weight Now’
In the newsletter, Kjellberg opened up about how becoming a father changed his perspective entirely.
“Since becoming a dad, everything does get evaluated differently. Every hour has weight now in a way it didn’t before,” he wrote. He explained that it is not a matter of not having the time to play games. Instead, he feels that if time is limited, he would rather spend it on something more meaningful to him right now.
He still fits in about 30 minutes of casual gaming here and there, usually lighter titles such as GeoGuessr or the occasional indie game. But the days of grinding dozens of hours into a single title, or recording long Let’s Play series, are well and truly behind him.
Why Gaming No Longer Feels ‘Valuable’
Kjellberg also reflected on how much of his life had been centred around YouTube and gaming, often at the expense of personal development. Stepping back has allowed him to redirect that energy into learning new skills and exploring hobbies outside his usual content.
“Since I’ve been so preoccupied with YouTube and gaming, I haven’t actually done much to build myself and grow. Right now, I’m in a different mindset where I want to learn,” he said.
He addressed a common criticism he receives when he showcases new projects, such as his surprisingly popular PC-building videos. While some viewers assume he has endless free time to learn new things, he pushed back on the idea.
“I don’t have infinite time. I just chose to spend it on what I think is more valuable, and seeing how people react like that validates that thought.”
From Let’s Plays To Learning
Although he is no longer committed to heavy gaming content, PewDiePie’s channel is far from quiet. In fact, his shift toward hands-on projects has been a hit. A video about building his first PC pulled in more than 4.8 million views, while the follow-up accidentally titled “Build a Nuclear Supercomputer” hit 2.7 million.
These videos do not always get a perfect reception, but that has not slowed down his desire to explore and share what he learns. According to PewDiePie, this era of trying new things has brought a renewed sense of excitement and direction to his channel.
Still Connected To Gaming, Just Differently
While his personal gaming time has dropped significantly, he has not abandoned the gaming world entirely. Earlier this year, PewDiePie publicly supported the Stop Killing Games movement, urging developers to keep online titles accessible instead of shutting them down once support ends.
It is clear he still cares about the industry. He is simply not spending his days glued to long gaming sessions anymore.
A Natural Evolution
For fans who grew up with the PewDiePie of Amnesia jump scares and chaotic Let’s Play marathons, this shift might feel bittersweet. But for many others, the change feels like a natural and healthy progression in his life.
After 13 years of gaming content, PewDiePie is embracing fatherhood, personal growth, and new creative passions. Gaming is not gone forever, but for now, it is no longer the centre of his life, and he seems genuinely happier for it.