Thread:CorrosiveDragon/@comment-16302153-20160217231316

=PewDiePie= From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia {| class="infobox biography vcard" style="font-size:12.32px;border-color:rgb(170,170,170);border-spacing:3px;color:black;margin-top:0.5em;margin-right:0px;line-height:1.5em;font-family:sans-serif;width:22em;" ! colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;font-size:15.4px;color:white;"|PewDiePie PewDiePie at PAX 2015 ! colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;color:white;line-height:1.5em;"|Personal information ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Born 24 October 1989 (age 26) Gothenburg, Sweden ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Nationality ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Residence ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Website ! colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;color:white;line-height:1.5em;"|YouTube information ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Pseudonym ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Channel name ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Years active ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Genre ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Subscribers ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Total views ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Network ! scope="row" style="vertical-align:top;"|Associated acts Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg[1]  ( / ˈʃɛlbərɡ /   shel -bərg,[2]  Swedish: [ˈfeːlɪks ˈɕɛlˈbærj];[3]  born on 24 October 1989), better known by his online aliasPewDiePie ( / ˈpjuːdipaɪ /   pew -dee-py), is a Swedish web-based comedian and producer, best known for his Let's Play commentaries and vlogs on YouTube.
 * colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;"|
 * colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;"|
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg
 * class="category" style="vertical-align:top;"|Swedish
 * class="label" style="vertical-align:top;"|Brighton, England, United Kingdom
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|www.pewdiepie.com
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|PewDiePie, Pewds, Pewdie, Poods
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|PewDiePie
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|2010–present
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|*Let's Play (gaming)
 * comedy
 * vlog
 * Video game commentator
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|41.8 million (January 2016)
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|11 billion (January 2016)
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|Revelmode (Maker Studios)
 * style="vertical-align:top;"|*CutiePieMarzia
 * Jacksepticeye
 * Markiplier
 * Smosh
 * colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;"|Play buttons[show]
 * colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;color:darkslategray;"|Subscriber and view counts updated as of 18 January 2016.
 * }
 * colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;text-align:center;color:darkslategray;"|Subscriber and view counts updated as of 18 January 2016.
 * }

Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, PewDiePie originally pursued a degree in Industrial Economics and Technology Management at Chalmers University of Technology. In 2010, during his time at the university, he registered his PewDiePie YouTube account. The following year he dropped out of Chalmers to focus on his YouTube channel, much to the chagrin of his parents. Having been refused support from them, PewDiePie began working at a hot dog stand to fund his videos. PewDiePie soon gathered a rapidly increasing online following, and in 2012, his channel surpassed one million subscribers.

Since 15 August 2013, PewDiePie's channel has been the most subscribed user on YouTube, being surpassed briefly in November and December 2013 by YouTube's Spotlight channel. Holding the position since 22 December 2013, the channel has reached over 40 million subscribers, as of December 2015.[4]  On 19 July 2014, the channel surpassed RihannaVEVO to become the most viewed channel of all time,[5]  and as of December 2015, the channel has received over 10 billion video views.[4]

PewDiePie refers to his fanbase as the "Bro Army", and individual fans as "bros". Through his Bro Army fanbase, PewDiePie has raised money for charities. Due to his popularity, PewDiePie's coverage of indie games has created an Oprah effect, boosting sales for titles he plays. PewDiePie lives a reserved life in Brighton with his girlfriend, fellow YouTube personality Marzia Bisognin.



Contents
[hide]  *1 Early life 
 * 2 YouTube career
 * 2.1 Channel format
 * 2.1.1 Nature of content
 * 2.2 History
 * 2.2.1 Early years (2010–2012)
 * 2.2.2 Becoming the most subscribed user (2013)
 * 2.2.3 Continued growth (2014–present)
 * 3 Public image and influence
 * 3.1 Influence on video games
 * 3.2 Income
 * 3.3 Marketing campaigns
 * 3.4 Relationship with YouTube networks and programs
 * 3.4.1 Revelmode
 * 3.5 Charities
 * 3.6 Appearances in other media
 * 4 Other ventures
 * 5 Personal life
 * 6 Television appearances
 * 7 Awards
 * 8 See also
 * 9 References
 * 9.1 Notes
 * 9.2 Further reading
 * 10 Bibliography
 * 11 External links

Early life
Entrance to Chalmers University of Technology, which PewDiePie notably dropped out of to focus on his YouTube careerPewDiePie was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden.[6]  He was born to Lotta Kristine Johanna (born 7 May 1958) and Ulf Christian Kjellberg (born 8 January 1957), and grew up with his sister, Fanny, as well.[7]  His mother Johanna, a former KappAhl CIO, was named the 2010 CIO of the Year in Sweden.[7]  His father, Ulf, is also a Chief Executive of a company.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BoyAndAkb_8-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[8]  In 2008, he graduated from Göteborgs Högre Samskola.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9]  He then went on to pursue a degree in Industrial Economics and Technology Management at Chalmers University of Technology, but left the university in 2011 to focus on his YouTube career.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FB2_10-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[10] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[11]  On this decision, PewDiePie has stated, "Thinking about it now, it was utterly absurd. To get into Chalmers for industrial economics you need straight A's, but somehow I was happier selling hot dogs and making my own gaming-videos."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BoyAndAkb_8-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[8]

YouTube career
The PewDiePie logo (the bluebrofist)===Channel format=== <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">The main focus of PewDiePie's videos is his commentary and reactions to various games as he plays through them.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gaming_12-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[12] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NYT_13-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[13]  Due to this, his videos fall under the Let's Play umbrella.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ristau2015_14-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[14]  Unlike conventional walkthroughs, his Let's Play videos are devoted to "sharing gaming moments on YouTube with my bros."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-guard_15-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[15]  Variety details that "PewDiePie acts like he’s spending time with a friend. He begins each video introducing himself in a high-pitched, goofy voice, drawing out the vowels of his YouTube moniker, then delves into the videos."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Ristau2015_14-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[14]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In his early years as a YouTube personality, PewDiePie was known for playing horror and action video games,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gaming_12-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[12] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[16] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Expressen2_17-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[17]  most notably Amnesia: The Dark Descent and its related mods.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[18]  PewDiePie also began posting weekly vlogs starting from 2 September 2011.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[19]  He typically performs a "Brofist" at the end of each of his videos.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]  In 2014, he began to more actively play games that interested him, regardless if they were of the horror genre or not.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HernandezDec14_21-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[21]  In addition, he is also known to support video games from indie developers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gaming_12-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[12]

Nature of content
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">The nature of PewDiePie's video content has been described by various outlets as goofy, energetic, obnoxious and filled with profanity.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-globeandmail_22-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[22] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-WallSep2013_23-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[23] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Walker14_24-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25]  However, many of the same outlets concede that PewDiePie's content is genuine and unfiltered.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Walker14_24-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25]  Sarah Begley ofTime said his clips contained "charismatic narration."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Begley2015_26-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[26]  Chris Reed of The Wall St. Cheat Sheet said it contained "off-the-cuff running commentary that's characterised by goofy jokes, profanity, and loud outbursts."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25]  Another reporter noted PewDiePie's "chosen mode of sharing his critique happens to be ribald entertainment, an unmediated stream of blurted jokes, startled yelps, goofy voices, politically incorrect comments, and pretty much nonstop profanity."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Walker14_24-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[24]  Reed adds that these aspects of PewDiePie's videos are what critics find most abrasive, but what fans love the most.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie resorts occasionally to gameplay, causing silent or emotional commentary;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Walker14_24-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25]  his playthrough of The Last of Us, it was noted, left the usually vocal gamer speechless at the ending.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[27]

Early years (2010–2012)
2012 Fanart of Kjellberg as one of hisHappy Wheels characters<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie originally registered a YouTube account under the name "Pewdie";<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Wadeson2013_28-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[28]  he explains that "pew" represents the sound of lasersand "die" means death.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[29]  After forgetting the password to this account, he then registered the "PewDiePie" YouTube channel on 29 April 2010.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]  After dropping out of Chalmers, his parents refused to support him,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]  and as a result PewDiePie funded his early videos by working at a hot dog stand.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DredgeJuly2015_30-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[30]  On having to work at the stand, PewDiePie stated, "the fact that I could make videos was so much more important to me than [that] I had to spend a few hours a day doing a job that wasn’t that prestigious."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DredgeJuly2015_30-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[30]  Five years later, PewDiePie recalled, "I knew people were big at other types of videos, but there was no one big in gaming, and I didn’t know you could make money out of it. It was never like a career that I could just quit college to pursue. it was just something I loved to do. And here we are five years later and it’s exploded."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DredgeJuly2015_30-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[30]  By December 2011, PewDiePie's channel had around 60,000 subscribers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]  Around the time his channel earned 700,000 subscribers, PewDiePie spoke at Nonick Conference 2012.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-EITB_31-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[31] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[32]  On 11 July 2012 the channel reached 1 million subscribers,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Expressen1_6-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[6]  and it reached 2 million subscribers in September 2012.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gaming_12-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[12]  In October 2012, OpenSlate ranked the PewDiePie channel as the #1 YouTube channel.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[33]  That December, PewDiePie signed with Maker Studios.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]

Becoming the most subscribed user (2013)
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">On 18 February 2013, the PewDiePie channel reached 5 million subscribers,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]  and in April, PewDiePie earned coverage on The New York Times after surpassing 6 million subscribers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NYT_13-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[13]  In May, at the inaugural Starcount Social Stars Awards in Singapore PewDiePie won the award for Swedish Social Star.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SS3_34-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[34]  Competing against Jenna Marbles, Smoshand Toby Turner,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SS1_35-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[35]  PewDiePie also won the award for Most Popular Social Show.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-SS2_36-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[36]  In July 2013, he overtook Jenna Marbles to become the second most subscribed YouTube user,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-37" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[37]  and reached 10 million subscribers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie's subscriber count surpassed that of the leading channel, Smosh, on 15 August 2013.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-PewdieTubefilter_38-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[38]  On becoming the most subscribed YouTube user, PewDiePie commented, "When I started my YouTube channel in 2010, I never imagined that one day it would be the most subscribed channel in the world and that I would be a part of such a great community."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[39] After becoming the most subscribed user, Ben Donovan of Maker Studios stated that PewDiePie "is a great example of how a YouTube content creator can amass a worldwide following due to passion and creativity, and his large subscriber base showcases the loyalty and strong connection he has to his 'bros.'"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[40]  On 1 November, PewDiePie became the first channel to reach 15 million subscribers,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15mil_41-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[41]  although the following day, the channel was surpassed by YouTube's Spotlight account at the top of the site's subscriber rankings.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[42]  In the same month, PewDiePie proclaimed his dislike of YouTube's new comment system.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[43]  In December, PewDiePie overtook the YouTube Spotlight channel to once again become the most subscribed user on YouTube.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[44] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[45]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Throughout 2012 and 2013, PewDiePie's channel was one of the fastest growing on YouTube, in terms of subscribers gained.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[46]  In 2013, the PewDiePie channel went from 3.5 million to just under 19 million subscribers,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-47" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[47]  and by the end of 2013 it was gaining a new subscriber every 1.037 seconds.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19mil_48-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[48]  Billboard reported that the PewDiePie channel gained more subscribers than any other channel in 2013.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-49" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[49]  Additionally, in the second half of 2013, the PewDiePie channel earned just under 1.3 billion video views.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-50" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[50]

Continued growth (2014–present)
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In March 2014, PewDiePie updated his video production, announcing he would be scaling down the frequency of uploads.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cohen4March14_51-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[51]  In August 2014, Maker Studios released an official PewDiePie app for the iPhone, allowing audiences to view his videos, create custom favourite video feeds and share videos with others.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-52" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[52]  Later in the month, PewDiePie uploaded a video, announcing he would permanently disable comments on his YouTube videos.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-53" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[53]  On his decision, PewDiePie stated "I go to the comments and it's mainly spam, it's people self advertising, it's people trying to provoke... just all this stuff that to me, it doesn't mean anything. I don't care about it, I don't want to see it."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-54" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[54]  After disabling comments, PewDiePie continued interacting with his audience through Twitter and Reddit.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-55" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[55]  In mid-September, PewDiePie uploaded a follow-up video, sticking by his decision, and announcing the launch of broarmy.net, an online forum, in which he will actively connect with his viewers, designed to replace the YouTube comment section.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-56" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[56]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In September, PewDiePie began streaming videos of his co-hosted series, BroKen, onto MLG.tv.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-57" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[57]  Kjellberg co-hosts the series with Kenneth Morrison, better known as CinnamonToastKen, also an online game commentator.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-58" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[58]  On 13 October, PewDiePie decided to allow comments on his videos once more, albeit only after approval.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-59" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[59] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-slateoct2014_60-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[60]  However, PewDiePie has tweeted, "I have them set as approved so I can redirect people to comment on my website instead."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-61" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[61] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-62" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[62]  In a later video, PewDiePie claimed that disabling comments helped him become happier.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-63" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[63]  In 2014 alone, PewDiePie's account amassed nearly 14 million new subscribers and over 4.1 billion video views; both figures were higher than any other user.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-64" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[64] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-65" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[65]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">During July 2015, PewDiePie's videos were documented to receive over 300 million views per month.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-66" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[66]  On 6 September 2015, PewDiePie's YouTube account became the first to eclipse 10 billion video views.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-67" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[67]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In September, PewDiePie hinted that he would have a role in series, and that he was on location in Los Angeles for the show's shooting.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-68" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[68]  Although not many details were revealed at the time, in October, it was announced that the series would be titled Scare PewDiePie.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sarkar2015_69-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[69]  The series is set to be released in 2016 through YouTube's paid subscription service,YouTube Red.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sarkar2015_69-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[69]

Public image and influence
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Responses to PewDiePie's content are mixed. Forbes called him "a controversial figure in both the gaming and the general internet communities with the usual, dismissive reaction to his work being 'he yells while playing video games' and somehow manages to draw millions of subscribers which yields millions of dollars."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tassi2015_70-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[70]  Forbes also states that PewDiePie "wouldn’t be where he is without being very good at what he does".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tassi2015_70-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[70]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie often refers to his fans as the "Bro Army" and addresses his audience as "bros".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-71" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[71]  At the Social Star Awards, PewDiePie greeted his fans personally despite security warning him against doing so.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Wadeson2013_28-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[28] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-72" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[72]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Early in his YouTube career, Kjellberg used rape jokes in his videos. Criticism of these jokes stirred controversy, and in October 2012, Kjellberg posted a Tumblr message, stating "I just wanted to make clear that I'm no longer making rape jokes, as I mentioned before I'm not looking to hurt anyone and I apologise if it ever did."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BoyAndAkb_8-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[8] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-73" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[73]  The Globe and Mail stated "unlike many young gamers, he listened when fans and critics alike pointed out their harmful nature, and resolved to stop making rape jokes."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-globeandmail_22-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[22]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In September 2014, Rob Walker of ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahoo! Yahoo!]'' called PewDiePie's popularity "insane," writing, that it "strikes me as considerably more curious — I mean, you know who Rihanna is, but would you recognise this kid if he were standing in line behind you at the bank?"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Walker14_24-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[24]  Walker, among other reporters and some casual gamers, have questioned the reasons for his popularity, while other reporters have criticised his rise in notability.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-WallSep2013_23-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[23] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Walker14_24-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[24] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25]  Walker noted PewDiePie's interaction with his audience, writing, "While he can be raucous and crude, it always comes across as genuine. He constantly addresses his audience as a bunch of peer-like friends, as opposed to distant, genuflecting fans. He's certainly more than willing to make fun of himself in the process."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Walker14_24-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[24]  In 2015 The Verge wrote, "Love it or hate it, his success — like so many other YouTube personalities — isn't just in playing games but actually connecting and talking directly to an audience. No agent, press release, or any other intermediary. He just hit record."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-74" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[74]  Relating to his responsibility as a celebrity, PewDiePie has stated "many people see me as a friend they can chill with for 15 minutes a day," and adding, "The loneliness in front of the computer screens brings us together. But I never set out to be a role model; I just want to invite them to come over to my place."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9]  Correlating with this note, his audience has been reported to provide positive remarks about him; some of his viewers created and contributed to a thread expressing that he has made them happier and feel better about themselves.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HernandezDec14_21-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[21]  Conversely, during an informal Twitter poll conducted by one Kotaku reporter, respondents described him as "annoying" and an "obnoxious waste of time."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HernandezDec14_21-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[21]  PewDiePie has also been received negatively by the media on some occasions, often being reported as an "inexplicable phenomenon."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HernandezDec14_21-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[21]  Andrew Wallenstein of Variety heavily criticised PewDiePie, following his channel becoming the most subscribed channel on YouTube, describing his videos as "aggressive stupidity" and "psycho babble."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-WallSep2013_23-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[23]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">According to a 2014 survey commissioned by Variety, PewDiePie along with a few other YouTube personalities have been reported to be more influential and popular than mainstream celebrities, such as Jennifer Lawrence, among U.S. teenagers aged 13 through 18.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-75" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[75]  His channel also appeals strongly to younger viewers, a group Google refers to as Generation Cfor their habits of "creation, curation, connection and community".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-guard_15-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[15] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHjorthRichardson2014149_76-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[76]  Paul Tassi of Forbes wrote, "PewDiePie combines charisma, energy and all-around randomness to create a goofball character with videos that make little sense to outsiders, but are catnip to his younger fanbase."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tassi2015_70-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[70]  Chris Reed of The Wall St. Cheat Sheet commented on the divisive opinions on PewDiePie: "The great divide in opinion on PewDiePie seems to be largely generational. Older people are less likely to subscribe to YouTube channels, or to pay much credence to YouTube personalities in general. Many younger viewers, on the other hand, see him as endlessly entertaining and relatable."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ReedC14_25-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[25]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie has himself claimed that he dislikes being called "famous", and has been reported to live a "shy and retiring life."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BoyAndAkb_8-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[8]  His rise to fame has been used as "a great example of how the emerging society gives extensive opportunities to individuals with great ideas, courage, and, of course, a significant portion of luck as opposed to the old society."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEParment201468_77-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[77]  Studies of the gaming community on YouTube have shown that 95% of gamers engage in watching online videos related to gaming and has been noted as an important reason for PewDiePie's popularity.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Gutelle1371_78-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[78]  In 2015, PewDiePie was included on Times list of the 30 most influential people on the Internet, cementing his influence as an internet personality.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Begley2015_26-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[26]  Later in 2015, PewDiePie was featured on the cover of Varietys "Famechangers" issue, with the magazine ranking him as the "#1 Famechanger", or "those whose influence stands head and shoulders above the rest."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-79" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[79]

Influence on video games
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie's commentaries have had a positive effect on sales of indie games.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Gutelle1371_78-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[78] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-80" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[80]  For instance the developers of McPixel stated, "The largest force driving attention to McPixel at that time were 'Let's Play' videos. Mostly by Jesse Cox and PewDiePie."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-81" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[81]  PewDiePie has also been confirmed to positively influence the sales of Slender: The Eight Pages and Goat Simulator.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HernandezDec14_21-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[21]  Although games being featured on PewDiePie's channel have reportedly contributed to their commercial success, he has stated, "I just want to play the games, not influence sales."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-82" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[82]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie, along with characters from Amnesia: The Dark Descent, which PewDiePie renamed and made characters within his own commentaries were referenced to by a McPixellevel designed in his honor.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-83" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[83]  Additionally, in the video game Surgeon Simulator 2013, the Alien Surgery stage features an organ called "Pewdsball" in honor of PewDiePie.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-84" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[84] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-85" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[85] PewDiePie agreed to allow the developers of Surgeon Simulator 2013 to use his likeness in GOTY IDST, a showering simulation video game.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-86" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[86] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-87" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[87]  PewDiePie was also included as aNPC in the indie game, Party Hard.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-88" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[88]

Income
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In June 2014, The Wall Street Journal reported that PewDiePie earned $4 million in 2013;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-89" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[89] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-90" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[90]  PewDiePie confirmed on Reddit that the figures were roughly around what he actually earned.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9]  In July of 2014, the Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that PewDiePie's production company, PewDie Productions AB, reported earnings of 63.7 million kr ($7.5 million) in 2014.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-91" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[91] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Whitaker2015_92-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[92]  The Guardian commented that the reason the media was so captivated by PewDiePie's earnings is that the topic "offers a rare insight into the money being made at the top end of YouTube stardom," adding "it’s very rare for any YouTube creator to talk about their earnings publicly, not least because YouTube itself does not encourage it".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-DredgeJuly2015_30-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[30]  Although outlets agreed that PewDiePie's income was sizable, and even "remarkable",<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-93" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[93]  PewDiePie appeared at the top of Forbes' October 2015 list of the richest YouTube stars with a reported $12 million earned in 2015.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-94" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[94]  Relating to the earnings, Forbes commented that "$7 million may well seem like an astronomical figure to a 25 year-old who just wants to make friends and play videogames, but it’s a wildly insubstantial figure for the size of his audience and influence."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Thomsen2015_95-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[95]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">On the topic of his earnings, PewDiePie stated that he is "extremely tired of talking about how much I make. In the very few interviews I've made, it doesn't matter how long we've talked to each other, the headline is still just about my paycheck."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-96" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[96]  After extensive media coverage of his earnings, Kjellberg posted a video, expressing his frustration at the extensive media coverage over his income. In the video he claimed, "We did raise a million dollars for charity, and very few articles picked up on that, but here it is everywhere how much money I make," adding, "It seems like the whole world cares more about how much money I make than I do myself."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Regan2015_97-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[97]  Relating to his source of his income, PewDiePie stated: "I think that's what's cool about YouTube: That anyone could technically do it, right? Surely if I didn't exist, there would be someone to fill my place."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Oreilly2015_98-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[98]

Marketing campaigns
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Beginning in April 2014 and spanning into August, Kjellberg, along with his girlfriend Marzia Bisognin, began a marketing campaign for the Legendary Pictures film As Above, So Below.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-99" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[99] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-100" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[100]  Kjellberg's videos for the marketing campaign included a miniseries featuring him participating in the "Catacombs Challenge". The challenge involved Kjellberg searching for three keys in the catacombs to open a container holding "the Philosopher's stone."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-AASBcampaign_101-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[101]  Kjellberg and Bisognin's videos were able to earn nearly 20 million views.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-102" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[102]  Maker Studios, which Kjellberg and Bisognin are represented by, brokered the ad deal between the two and Legendary Pictures.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-AASBcampaign_101-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[101]  In January 2015, Mountain Dew partnered with PewDiePie to launch a fan fiction contest, in which winning fan fictions will be animated into video formats and then uploaded onto his channel.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-103" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[103]  In the same month, a quote from him was used byTechland on Dying Light posters.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-104" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[104]  The quote, which read, "I love this game. It's sooo awesome!", spread controversy as it came from a seemingly advertorial video, featuring him playing Dying Light.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-105" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[105]  In response to the issue, PewDiePie tweeted, "I love this game. It's soooo awesome! - IGN."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FebGNG_106-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[106]  When another Twitter user mentioned the issue, tagging PewDiePie in their tweet, he responded, "I dont even remember saying this."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-FebGNG_106-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[106]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Despite these partnerships, PewDiePie maintains that he conducts very few promotions and works with few brands.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-107" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[107]  Additionally, PewDiePie posted on Reddit, "I make more than I need from YouTube," adding, "with that freedom, but also to respect my fans for making that possible, I don't end up doing many endorsements."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-108" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[108]  On this topic, PewDiePie has claimed that it is disappointing when a large chunk of people misinterpret a component of his character; he states, "if I mention on Twitter that I find this or that Kickstarter project cool, people immediately start to ask what economical interests I might have in it. Things like that can bring me down. But it's not personal; some people just prefer to believe the worst about others at any given time."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9]

Relationship with YouTube networks and programs
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie's channel is under Polaris, a gaming network, part of Maker Studios, a multi-channel network that drives the growth of the channels under it.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-guard_15-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[15] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-109" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[109] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-110" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[110] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-111" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[111]  Despite being signed under a network, PewDiePie refuses to hire an editor to help him with his video output, stating "I want YouTube to be YouTube."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Cohen4March14_51-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[51]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie has expressed disdain with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machinima_Inc. Machinima], a rival YouTube network that he had been signed with prior to Maker Studios.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-112" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[112]  Feeling frustrated with how Machinima treated him, PewDiePie hired a lawyer to free him from his contract with the network.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-guardian102014_113-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[113]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In October 2014, PewDiePie began hinting at the possibility that he might not renew his contract with Maker Studios upon its expiration in December 2014.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Gamespot102014_114-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[114]  Reports that covered this information also added that PewDiePie expressed his frustrations with the studio's parent company, Disney; PewDiePie was quoted saying, "The fact that Disney bought Maker Studios doesn't really change anything for me. If I ask for help, they reply, but that's all the contact we have. We'll see what happens."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-guardian102014_113-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[113]  Rather than re-sign with Maker, PewDiePie has mulled the option of launching his own network, although he has declined to provide in-depth details on the subject.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-115" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[115]  However, in light of news outlets reporting his disinterest with Maker, PewDiePie tweeted, "I feel like I was misquoted in the WSJ and I'm really happy with the work that Maker has been doing for me."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-116" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[116]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In early 2015, Nintendo launched its Creator Program, in order to share revenue with YouTube video creators who feature gameplay of their products in videos.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-polygonnintendo_117-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[117]  PewDiePie joined various gamers in criticising the programme.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gamespotnintendo_118-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[118] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-forbesnintendo_119-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[119]  PewDiePie called the program a, "slap in the face to the YouTube channels that does focus on Nintendo game exclusively, adding, "The people who have helped and showed passion for Nintendo's community are the ones left in the dirt the most."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-forbesnintendo_119-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[119]  Despite criticisms from PewDiePie and other gamers alike, Nintendo experienced more requests from YouTube creators than expected, causing an extension on the 72-hour wait time for video approval through the program.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gamespotnintendo_118-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[118]  Additionally, PewDiePie, stated, "I'll still play Nintendo games that I want to play on my channel as usual. I'm lucky to be in a situation where losing ad revenue on a few videos wont matter. However, many people on YouTube are not in that situation."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbcnintendo_120-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[120]  Ultimately, the focal point of criticism is toward the approval of a video which Nintendo has to administer, and may be motivated by biased intentions.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbcnintendo_120-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[120]

Revelmode
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In January 2016, PewDiePie announced a partnership with Maker Studios to produce Revelmode, a sub-network of Maker, that would showcase PewDiePie and his friends on YouTube in original series.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Spangler2016_121-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[121]  The head of Maker Studios, Courtney Holt, stated "We're thrilled to be doubling down with Felix," after the deal.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Spangler2016_121-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[121]  Along with PewDiePie, other YouTubers initially signed to the network included CutiePieMarzia, CinnamonToastKen, Dodger, Emma Blackery, Jacksepticeye, Jelly, Kwebbelkop, and Markiplier.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Spangler2016_121-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[121]

Charities
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie's popularity has allowed him to stir support for fundraising drives.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-122" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[122]  In February 2012, PewDiePie ran for King of the Web, an online contest. He lost the overall title, however still became the "Gaming King of the Web" for the 1–15 February 2012 voting period.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Xconomy_123-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[123]  During the following voting period, PewDiePie won and donated his cash winnings to the World Wildlife Fund.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-csmon2014_124-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[124] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-125" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[125]  He has raised money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-gaming_12-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[12] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-csmon2014_124-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[124]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">PewDiePie also began a "Water Campaign" charity, where his fans could donate money to Charity: Water, in celebration of reaching ten million subscribers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-126" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[126]  PewDiePie also contributed one dollar to the charity for every 500 views the video announcing the campaign accumulates, up to a maximum of $10,000.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-127" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[127]  PewDiePie had the stated goal of raisingUS$250,000, at the end of the drive, the amount raised was $446,462.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-csmon2014_124-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[124] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-cWater_128-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[128] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-129" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[129]  In June 2014, PewDiePie, announced that a fourth charity drive for "Save the Children" raised over $630,000, surpassing a $250,000 goal.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-130" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[130]  In an interview with the Swedish magazine Icon, he has expressed desire to continue these drives as time goes on, and also credited Johnand Hank Green as two individuals who gave him the idea of making unique videos for charity.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9]  These videos are purchased by game manufacturers and advertisers, for prices ranging up to $50,000.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IconMaginterview_9-8" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[9]

Appearances in other media
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Aside from his own YouTube channel, PewDiePie has made appearances in the videos of other YouTube creators and series. In April 2013, he made a cameo in an episode of Epic Rap Battles of History, portraying Mikhail Baryshnikov.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-GutelleApril2013_131-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[131]  In July 2013, PewDiePie starred alongside Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox of Smosh, as well as Jenna Marbles, as guest judges on the second season of Internet Icon.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-II2013_132-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[132]  PewDiePie also appeared in the 2013 and 2014 editions of YouTube's annual year-end Rewind series.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-133" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[133] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-134" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[134]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In June 2014 Sveriges Radio let Kjellberg host an episode of the radio show Sommar i P1.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-135" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[135]  The episode was recorded in both Swedish and English; the Swedish version was broadcast 9 August 2014 in Sveriges Radio P1, and the English version was published online,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-136" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[136]  on a dedicated server with extra capacity to avoid crashing the Sveriges Radio server.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-137" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[137]  The link to the Swedish version of the broadcast was shared over 3,500 times, and the link to the English version was shared about 49,000 times.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-138" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[138]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In December 2014, PewDiePie guest starred in two episodes of the 18th season of South Park, one of his favourite series. The two episodes served as a two-part season finale. The first part, titled "#REHASH" aired on 3 December, while the second part, titled "#HappyHolograms", aired on 10 December.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-VarietySouthPark_139-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[139] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-140" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[140]  In the episodes, he parodied himself and other Let's Play commentators, who added commentary over Call of Duty gameplay in an overly expressive way. In "#REHASH", the character Kyle wonders why his brother and his brother's friends favour watching others comment on events over experiencing events themselves.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-VarietySouthPark_139-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[139]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In July 2015, PewDiePie was announced as a voice actor in the Vimeo fantasy series, Oscar's Hotel for Fantastical Creatures.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jarvey2015_141-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[141]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">In October 2015, PewDiePie appeared as a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; PewDiePie's charm and Colbert's interviewing skills were well received by online media outlets.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-142" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[142] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-CrecenteOct2015_143-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[143]

Other ventures
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">On 24 September 2015, PewDiePie released his long-awaited video game PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist on iOS and Android. The game is developed by Canadian game developerOuterminds in collaboration with Kjellberg himself.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-MatulefApr2015_144-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[144] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Priestman2015_145-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[145]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Penguin Group released PewDiePie's This Book Loves You, a parody of self-help books, on 20 October 2015.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Sarkar2015_69-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[69]  The book includes a collection of aphorisms, jokes, and wisdom, paired with visuals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Kellogg2015_146-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[146]

Personal life
<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Kjellberg is originally from Sweden<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hot_On_YouTube:_Videos_About_Video_Games.2C_And_Science.2C_Too_1-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[1]  but moved to Italy to live with his girlfriend, Marzia Bisognin (CutiePieMarzia);<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Expressen1_6-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[6]  she is also a YouTube personality.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BoyAndAkb_8-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[8] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-147" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[147]  The two were introduced to each other through a friend of Bisognin's in 2011, and after establishing an online friendship, Kjellberg flew to Italy to meet her.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BoyAndAkb_8-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[8]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">The two shuffled between Sweden and Italy, before settling in Brighton, England.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BoyAndAkb_8-6" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[8] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-148" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[148]  Kjellberg moved to the UK in July 2013 for better Internet connectivity.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-149" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[149]  Kjellberg admits that he enjoys living in Brighton, as he is able to live in general anonymity, adding that one of the reasons he has not moved to Los Angeles is, "Anytime I'm there, people are constantly patting you on the back, telling you how great you are. It fucks with your brain. I started YouTube because I was bored, not to become famous."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Drehs2015_20-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:isolate;font-size:11.2px;font-weight:normal;">[20]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.4px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;">Kjellberg has officially stated on Twitter and in one of his videos that he is an agnostic atheist.