5 Shocking Theories And The Epic Legacy Of MatPat: What Matthew Patrick Is Doing Now After YouTube Retirement

The phrase "this bro called MatPat" has become a cultural shorthand for one of YouTube's most analytical and influential creators, Matthew Patrick, whose career defined a generation of deep-dive video essays. As of December 14, 2025, the biggest news surrounding the co-founder of Theorist Media is his emotional, yet highly successful, transition away from his role as the primary host of the four massive 'Theory' channels—The Game Theorists, The Film Theorists, The Food Theorists, and The Style Theorists. His retirement announcement in January 2024 and final theory video in March 2024 marked the end of an era, but the legacy of the channels, which boast nearly 40 million subscribers combined, continues to thrive under a new generation of hosts.

This article dives deep into the man behind the theories, detailing his complete biography, the reasons for his monumental decision to step back, and a fresh look at the new faces who have taken up the mantle to continue the analytical legacy he built over more than a decade. From theorizing about the lore of Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) to analyzing the physics of video game characters, MatPat’s work remains a cornerstone of YouTube’s educational entertainment landscape, and his ongoing involvement with Theorist Media proves his story is far from over.

Matthew Patrick: The Full Biography and Career Milestones

Matthew Robert Patrick, universally known as MatPat, is an American internet personality, political advisor, and media consultant who turned a passion for video games and theatrical analysis into a sprawling digital empire. Born on November 15, 1986, MatPat’s academic background is as unique as his content, having graduated from Duke University with a double major in Theater and Cognitive Science. This blend of performance and analytical thinking would become the foundation of his YouTube success.

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• Full Name: Matthew Robert Patrick
• Date of Birth: November 15, 1986
• Place of Birth: Ohio, USA
• Education: Duke University (Theater and Cognitive Science)
• Wife: Stephanie Patrick (Co-founder of Theorist Media, former COO)
• Child: Oliver Patrick
• Career Start: Uploaded the first episode of The Game Theorists on April 18, 2011.
• Channel Expansions: Launched The Film Theorists (2015), The Food Theorists (2020), and The Style Theorists (2020).
• Other Ventures: Co-host of the live-streaming channel GTLive with his wife, Stephanie Patrick.
• Major Milestone: Announced his retirement from hosting the 'Theory' channels in January 2024, passing the role to new hosts in March 2024.

Before his YouTube fame, MatPat pursued a career in theater in New York City, briefly working in advertising and even developing a Google Glass app. His transition to YouTube was initially a way to showcase his analytical skills to potential employers, but The Game Theorists quickly gained traction. The channel became famous for its in-depth, research-heavy videos that applied real-world science, math, and logic to fictional universes, transforming video game lore into a form of academic entertainment. The success led to the formation of Theorist Media, a company co-founded with his wife, Stephanie Patrick, which now manages the entire network of channels.

The New Era: Who Are the Successors of the Theory Channels?

The biggest question following MatPat's retirement announcement was how the colossal Theorist empire would continue. MatPat and Stephanie Patrick made it clear that they were not retiring the channels themselves, but rather passing the torch to a new, talented team of hosts, a process MatPat likened to the regeneration of Doctor Who. The transition was a strategic move to ensure the longevity and freshness of the content, allowing the channels to evolve beyond his singular voice. This decision has injected new life and topical authority into the channels, with the new hosts bringing their own unique perspectives and expertise.

The new hosts are all former members of the Theorist Media team, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of the channels' core values. They officially took over as the primary hosts in March 2024, following MatPat’s final emotional theory video.

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Meet the New Theorist Hosts:

• Tom Robinson (The Game Theorists): Tom took over the flagship channel, focusing on game analysis and lore. He is known for his enthusiastic delivery and deep understanding of the gaming industry.
• Forrest Lee (The Film Theorists): Forrest (often referred to as Lee) is the new face of movie and media analysis. His background allows him to continue the channel's tradition of dissecting cinematic universes with a critical eye.
• Santiago “Santi” Massa (The Food Theorists): Santi now explores the science, history, and often shocking truths behind food. His videos maintain the channel's blend of culinary curiosity and scientific rigor.
• Amy Roberts (The Style Theorists): Amy leads the charge on the newest channel, which analyzes the fashion, psychology, and cultural impact of style in media. Her presence ensures this channel, which focuses on a unique niche, continues to grow.

The channels continue to cover a wide range of topics, from dissecting the narrative structure of popular video games to exploring the real-world science of movie stunts. The new hosts, while maintaining the analytical style, are also developing their own distinct voices, ensuring the content remains fresh and relevant to the current YouTube landscape. The transition has been largely successful, with the community embracing the new faces and the continuation of the "theory" format.

The Enduring Impact: MatPat's 5 Most Iconic Theory Topics

MatPat’s legacy is built on his ability to take niche topics and elevate them into mainstream discussions, applying rigorous academic methodology to pop culture. His videos often generated viral discussion, led to collaborations with major game developers, and even influenced the way fans consumed media. The following five topics represent the zenith of his analytical career, showcasing his range and the depth of his research.

1. The Five Nights at Freddy's (FNAF) Lore

MatPat is perhaps most synonymous with the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise. His theories on the intricate, often convoluted lore of the game series became essential viewing for the fandom. He produced dozens of videos, culminating in a "final" theory that attempted to tie together years of narrative threads. His dedication to solving the FNAF puzzle arguably helped keep the indie game's relevance alive for years, making him an unofficial lore master for the community. This deep-dive analysis is a perfect example of his ability to create topical authority on a subject.

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2. Sans is Ness: The Undertale/EarthBound Connection

One of MatPat's most controversial and famous theories proposed that Sans, the beloved character from the indie game Undertale, was actually a grown-up version of Ness from the classic SNES RPG EarthBound. While widely debated, the video showcased his masterful use of obscure game details, character sprites, and hidden dialogue to construct a compelling, albeit speculative, argument. This theory became a meme and a benchmark for the complexity of his video essays.

3. The Real-Life Physics of Mario's Jump

In his early days, MatPat focused heavily on applying real-world science to video game characters. His analysis of Mario's jump, calculating the required leg strength, bone density, and velocity for the famous plumber to achieve his gravity-defying leaps, was a breakthrough hit. These videos blended physics and math with gaming, perfectly encapsulating the core mission of The Game Theorists channel.

4. The Psychology of Disney Villains

On The Film Theorists channel, MatPat often explored the psychological depth of cinematic characters. His series on Disney villains, analyzing their motivations through the lens of psychology and real-world mental disorders, provided a fascinating, darker look at beloved childhood films. This broadened the appeal of the 'Theory' brand beyond just video games.

5. The Food Theory on McDonald's Ice Cream Machines

The Food Theorists channel quickly gained popularity by tackling real-world enigmas. MatPat's investigation into why McDonald's ice cream machines are perpetually "broken" was a viral success. The video combined consumer reporting, mechanical analysis, and business theory to explain a common frustration, showcasing the channel's ability to apply the "theory" format to everyday life.

What’s Next for MatPat and Theorist Media?

While Matthew Patrick has stepped away from the weekly grind of writing and hosting theory videos, his involvement with Theorist Media and the YouTube community is far from over. His retirement was a strategic shift to focus on his family, his son Oliver, and his health, which had taken a backseat to the demanding production schedule of four major channels.

MatPat remains the co-founder and a key creative force behind Theorist Media. He is still involved in the company's overall strategy and the mentorship of the new hosts. Furthermore, he and his wife, Stephanie Patrick, continue to host the popular live-streaming channel, GTLive, where they engage with the community in a more relaxed and spontaneous format. This allows him to maintain a strong connection with his audience without the pressure of the highly researched, scripted theory episodes. His continued presence at major events, such as being announced as a Featured Creator for VidCon in June 2024, confirms his ongoing status as a major YouTube personality and media consultant.

The transition is a case study in successful digital media succession planning. By passing the torch to capable, familiar hands—Tom Robinson, Forrest Lee, Santiago Massa, and Amy Roberts—MatPat has ensured his analytical legacy will continue to grow and evolve for years to come. The "bro called MatPat" may have retired from the host's chair, but the theories, and the Theorist channels, live on.