Minecraft YouTubers have altered the map of gaming content creation since 2009. The game's enduring popularity has created stars like Paulsoaresjr, a 56-year-old creator with 1.49 million subscribers, and DanTDM who commands an impressive 26.6 million subscriber base.
These nostalgic content creators continue to shape gaming culture, and their trips from record-breaking achievements to new projects in 2025 tell fascinating stories.
Meet the Original Minecraft YouTubers
Minecraft's 2009 release sparked something amazing. A handful of creative content makers started sharing their adventures in this blocky world. These early creators would go on to build massive followings and change gaming content forever.
Who were the first big names?
2010 saw the rise of the first Minecraft YouTubers, with Paulsoaresjr leading the way. Paul, born in 1966, holds the title of having YouTube's oldest Minecraft Let's Play videos. He found Minecraft in summer 2010 and noticed new players had no guides to help them.
This led him to make his first tutorial video, "How to Survive your first night in Minecraft," which became his most popular video with almost 9 million views.
X (of X's Adventures in Minecraft) came next, drawing inspiration from Paul's early tutorials. Paul's impact went beyond regular viewers—he inspired many future content creators who became Minecraft legends themselves.
EthosLab (Etho) started his journey in late 2010. His first Minecraft video "Minecraft boat dispenser" went live on November 13, 2010. He started his single-player Minecraft series on
December 17, 2010, and it still runs today with 591 episodes as of March 2025.
The next few years brought more creators to the scene. Yogscast started in December 2010, and Stampy joined in July 2012. These early creators rode the perfect wave—a creative game offering endless possibilities and an audience eager for content.
What made them unique?
The original Minecraft YouTubers stood out from later generations because of their groundbreaking content styles.
They created new formats instead of just playing the game:
- Technical innovation: Etho became famous for advanced redstone contraptions and technical builds like his "EATs" advanced transportation system
- Educational focus: Paulsoaresjr's "How to Survive and Thrive" series taught countless beginners the basics
- Storytelling and character development: Stampy created episodic adventures with recurring characters and storylines
- Community building: The MindCrack server brought creators together before Hermitcraft existed
These creators managed to keep their authenticity, which appealed to viewers. Most of them kept their content family-friendly, making Minecraft YouTube a safe space for young viewers.
Examples: Paulsoaresjr, EthosLab, Stampy
Paulsoaresjr earned his title as "the father of Minecraft YouTube" through his helpful tutorials. At 58 years old (born June 1, 1966), he's much older than typical gaming creators.
His most loved series included "Man vs Minecraft," where he played as Pablo Punchwood, and "Tale of Kingdoms," a modded medieval adventure. His tutorials proved so helpful that Mojang featured them on Minecraft's official website.
EthosLab (born August 20, 1986) built his name through technical skills and redstone innovations. This Canadian creator has kept his privacy throughout his career. He's never shown his face or shared his real name, yet he's built a following of 2.42 million subscribers.
Etho's influence reaches way beyond his channel. MrBeast called Etho's lets play series the "Best series on YouTube" in a comment on episode 512. Xisumavoid credits Etho as his inspiration to start YouTube.
Stampylonghead (Joseph Garrett, born December 13, 1990) created one of Minecraft's most memorable series with his "Lovely World" adventures. His cat persona and teaching style helped him grow to 10.7 million subscribers.
His storytelling approach, featuring the villain "Hit the Target" and friends like L for Lee bear, set new standards for narrative-driven Minecraft content that countless creators would follow.
These pioneers did more than play Minecraft—they showed what gaming content on YouTube could become. Over the last several years, thousands have built upon their foundation.
The Golden Era of Minecraft YouTube
Between 2011 and 2014, Minecraft YouTube grew from a small entertainment niche into a worldwide phenomenon. This period saw massive growth in content creation and community building. It shaped gaming content formats that would influence creators for years to come.
2012–2014: The boom years
The golden age started with a significant change in 2012. YouTube's algorithm started to prioritize watch time over views. Then, longer Minecraft videos became more profitable for creators. This change helped creators make better quality videos that kept viewers watching longer and built bigger audiences.
Minecraft content grew in many different directions during this time.
Creators moved beyond simple survival series into:
- Adventure maps with custom narratives and cutscenes
- Challenge maps with specific goals and structures
- Multiplayer competitions and collaborations
- Mod showcases and tutorials
- Complex builds and redstone creations
Mods changed everything about Minecraft. They turned the sandbox game into a platform with unlimited creative possibilities. The first mods added features like cutscenes and custom stories that weren't possible before. This opened new ways to tell stories and keep viewers hooked.
Builds became more impressive than ever. Projects like the giant Starship Enterprise went viral. Yes, it is these complex constructions that showed what players could do in this blocky world. They inspired many viewers to buy the game and join the community.
Popular series and collaborations
Big collaborations became the life-blood of Minecraft content. The Minecraft Hunger Games turned into one of the most influential formats.
Creators like BajanCanadian made these videos almost every day for years. Tournament-style videos brought the community together and created natural competition and drama.
Many fans called series like "Race to the Moon" and "Mission to Mars" from Stampy, iBallisticsquid, and Ashdubh "the best Minecraft series of all time". PopularMMOs and Jen also made popular content, including their well-loved "Crafting Dead" series.
Roleplaying content stayed popular throughout this time. On top of that, musical parodies like
"Fallen Kingdom" became cultural landmarks in the community. Minecraft's new sprinting feature made parkour maps hugely popular, creating another content category.
Minecraft's appeal went beyond language barriers. Unlike story-heavy games, Minecraft's simple block-based gameplay was available worldwide. This universal appeal helped Minecraft content reach one trillion total views on YouTube.
Fan events and conventions
MineCon 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas was the first big gathering of the Minecraft community. The event lined up with the game's official release and brought in 4,500 people from 24 different countries.
MineCon kept growing after its first success:
- MineCon 2012 at Disneyland Paris kept the 4,500 attendance number
- MineCon 2013 in Orlando jumped to 7,500 people, with tickets selling out in seconds
- MineCon 2015 in London broke the Guinness World Record for the largest convention about a single video game
These conventions let fans meet their favorite creators, go to panels, and join building contests. They also made the online community feel more real and connected.
The golden era made Minecraft YouTube's biggest gaming success—a position it still holds in 2025. Through algorithm changes, content progress, and community growth, early Minecraft YouTubers created a template for gaming content that still shapes creators today.
The Fall or Evolution of Minecraft Channels
The original Minecraft creators ran into unexpected challenges after their successful years. YouTube's landscape changed dramatically around 2016-2017, affecting the once-thriving Minecraft content creators.
Why some channels declined
Channel decline stemmed mainly from creator burnout. Many YouTubers felt exhausted and creatively stuck after playing Minecraft for almost ten years. They struggled to keep up with regular high-quality content uploads while managing school or other responsibilities.
BajanCanadian's story shows this pattern clearly. His channel lost 200 million views in just one year after building millions of subscribers. His frustration became clear when he released a video called "my channel is dead" in October 2016.
Several factors led to channels losing viewers:
- Creating fresh content became tough after years of the same game
- Regular upload schedules turned into a constant struggle
- New creators made the space more competitive
- School and career goals took up creators' time
Another creator, ExplodingTNT, posted a video titled "byy for now" explaining his need to step back due to burnout and lack of ideas. He made a brief comeback but hasn't posted anything since 2022, leaving no explanation for his absence.
Changing YouTube algorithms
YouTube's new algorithm completely changed how viewers found content. CaptainSparklez, a YouTuber since 2010, explained how the platform moved from showing videos in time order to using complex sorting systems.
"It's changed the site from a layout on the homepage giving equal airtime essentially to all your subscriptions chronologically. Now everyone's sort of competing for these ten algorithmically sorted slots that appear right smack in front of you on the homepage every time you log in," he noted.
Creators had to adapt to these algorithm changes. The system rewarded videos that kept people watching longer, which forced content makers to change their style or lose viewers.
Long-time Minecraft YouTubers faced a choice: make algorithm-friendly videos or accept fewer views.
Many started creating content to please the algorithm instead of following their creative instincts. One creator put it simply: "YouTube's goal is to keep as many people on the platform for as long as possible so why wouldn't they want to promote this heavily optimized, structured content?"
Audience aging and shifting interests
The original fans who loved Minecraft content grew up and found new interests. Kids who started watching in elementary school had moved to high school or college by 2016-2017, changing what they liked to watch.
Talk about Minecraft's "decline" often misses the bigger picture. YouTube's official blog made an interesting point: "Everyone loves revisiting the 'Golden Age' of Minecraft content, but no one seems to be able to agree about when it was". Each generation of players seems to have their own special memories of Minecraft.
Some worrying trends emerged during 2016-2017. Creators started using clickbait and making questionable "3 am videos" aimed at younger viewers. Someone pointed out that "These videos were not only obviously fake they were all clearly easy to make as well".
Creators needed new ways to stay relevant as their numbers dropped. BajanCanadian took a different path by starting "Sunny and melon," a children's content channel that now has 1.6 million subscribers across five YouTube channels. DanTDM tried something different too – he took a break from Minecraft before coming back with fresh energy.
Minecraft channels' story shows how YouTube grew up. What started as a fun hobby turned into a real business with all its challenges and pressures.
2025 Update: Where Are They Now?
The digital world has changed dramatically for original content creators since Minecraft's launch 15 years ago. Some veteran Minecraft YouTubers still run successful channels. Others have explored different paths or disappeared from the platform.
Still active: DanTDM, EthosLab, Stampy
DanTDM dominates YouTube in 2025 with 29.2 million subscribers and a staggering 20.05 billion total video views. His streaming platform TDMLive and secondary channel MoreTDM boast impressive subscriber numbers.
MoreTDM's subscriber count surpasses TDMLive unexpectedly. His content now features a mix of Minecraft, LEGO Horizon Adventures, and Amanda The Adventurer.
EthosLab's dedicated fanbase of 2.6 million subscribers speaks volumes about his influence. He managed to keep his website running smoothly through 2024-2025 with server mirrors in multiple countries. His participation in HermitCraft Season 9 came after a short delay. Technical Minecraft players still regard him as a legend.
Stampy's (stampylonghead) family-friendly content resonates with 10.9 million subscribers. His beloved "Lovely World" series got a special 2025 timelapse montage that showcased its development. These days, Stampy uploads various games alongside his Minecraft content.
New ventures: books, businesses, streaming
Classic Minecraft YouTubers have broadened their horizons significantly. A Minecraft movie announcement for 2025 opened fresh opportunities. Several veteran creators aim to leverage this major release. Some creators launched merchandise lines, wrote books, or started their own businesses.
Retired or inactive creators
The platform's pioneers have taken different paths:
- SkyDoesMinecraft (now NetNobody)
- BajanCanadian (switched to Fortnite after viewership declined)
- HeyImBee (moved to vlogging)
- Tofuu (creates Roblox content now)
The pattern stands clear—creators either adapted to new trends or found success in other ventures. Many needed change after years of creating Minecraft content led to burnout. Some simply followed their audience's interests to new platforms or genres.
Lessons from the Oldest Minecraft YouTubers
Minecraft's content creation pioneers have faced platform changes, audience shifts, and personal hurdles head-on. Their experiences provide great insights to content creators in any discipline.
Staying relevant in a changing platform
YouTube's most successful Minecraft creators adapted quickly. The platform moved from favoring views to prioritizing watch time. Quality longer videos became crucial to channel growth. A creator pointed out, "YouTube's goal is to keep as many people on the platform for as long as possible".
Veteran creators found that feature-length videos (over an hour) worked amazingly well. Documentary creator Kevin Perjurer explains it perfectly: "The beauty of the feature piece is, I think, that you're not reminding people that they're forgetting about you".
Content creators who stayed relevant:
- Use shorts/clips from longer videos to reach new audiences
- Focus on quality over frequency
- Build a back catalog that continues attracting viewers
Balancing passion and burnout
Burnout remains the biggest threat to Minecraft content creators' careers. A YouTuber shared honestly: "I got burnout because I didn't have any knowledge of how to do YouTube when I first started". Many creators learned to prevent burnout by delegating tasks. Editing tasks especially caused creator fatigue.
Smart creators know that "every 'deadline' has always been self-imposed". Clear boundaries help prevent the exhaustion that makes creators abandon their channels.
Many creators didn't quit – they evolved instead. One creator shared: "The way I solved my burnout was putting more effort into videos now. I just feel like I'm finally doing things I really enjoy".
The value of community and consistency
Regular uploads help build audience trust and set expectations. A veteran creator explains: "It helps with sustaining growth, not accelerating it". Creators who communicate schedule changes keep their audience's loyalty through changes.
Community involvement turns casual viewers into active participants. Successful creators use their viewers' ideas. They understand that "Minecraft is a cooperative game… it's really important to take on board other people's ideas".
The creators who stayed relevant focused on what made them "special in the first place" instead of following trends. This genuine approach, paired with steady community interaction, became the foundation to sustain their channels long-term.
Conclusion
Minecraft YouTubers' influence goes without doubt beyond gaming content. Their trip has taught us valuable lessons about adaptation, authenticity, and community building. These pioneers shaped YouTube culture and navigated platform changes alongside personal challenges.
The successful creators ended up finding the sweet spot between passion and sustainability. They created blueprints for content creators of all types.
FAQs
Q1. Who were some of the original Minecraft YouTubers?
Some of the pioneering Minecraft YouTubers included Paulsoaresjr, EthosLab, and Stampylonghead. These creators were among the first to produce popular Minecraft content, with Paulsoaresjr uploading the oldest known Minecraft Let's Play videos on YouTube.
Q2. What caused the decline of some Minecraft YouTube channels?
Several factors contributed to the decline of some Minecraft channels, including creator burnout, changing YouTube algorithms, increased competition, and shifting audience interests. Many creators found it challenging to maintain consistent, high-quality content over extended periods.
Q3. How have successful Minecraft YouTubers adapted to platform changes?
Successful Minecraft YouTubers have adapted by focusing on longer, quality videos, using shorts to reach new audiences, and building a diverse back catalog. They've also learned to balance consistency with preventing burnout and have maintained strong community engagement.
Q4. Are any of the original Minecraft YouTubers still active in 2025?
Yes, several original Minecraft YouTubers are still active in 2025. Notable examples include DanTDM, who continues to dominate with over 29 million subscribers, EthosLab, who remains dedicated to creating Minecraft content, and Stampy, who maintains his family-friendly approach with nearly 11 million subscribers.
Q5. What new ventures have old Minecraft YouTubers pursued?
Many original Minecraft YouTubers have expanded into new areas. Some have published books, launched merchandise lines, or started independent businesses. Others have pivoted to different types of content or platforms, such as streaming or creating content for other games.
