The "What If" Animation channel, a powerhouse of curiosity-driven content, has captivated millions by exploring the most mind-bending hypothetical scenarios, from the catastrophic to the cosmic. As of December 2025, the channel’s Patreon membership remains the primary way for dedicated fans to dive deeper into the science, the animation process, and the massive production engine behind the show, which is run by the Toronto-based digital media company, Underknown Corp.
Supporting the "What If" Patreon is not just about early access; it’s about funding a complex, global operation that translates advanced theoretical physics and catastrophic events into accessible, high-quality animated videos. This deep dive explores the creators, the unique content you can unlock, and the membership tiers that fuel one of the internet’s most successful science education platforms.
The Architects of Hypothetical Scenarios: Underknown Corp Profile
The "What If" show is not the work of a single animator in a basement; it is an original web series produced by the global digital media company, Underknown Corp. Based in Toronto, Canada, the company operates on a massive scale, employing over 70 people and publishing hundreds of videos annually across multiple languages and platforms, making it one of the world's leading science video channels.
- Company Name: Underknown Inc. (Underknown Corp)
- Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
- Founded: 2010
- Core Mission: To make science, tech, and curiosity-driven content accessible to millions through captivating popular science content.
- Co-Founder & CEO: Steve Hulford (Canadian entrepreneur and media innovator)
- Co-Founder & Executive Producer Web Series: Raphael Faeh
- Co-Founder / SVP: Peter Schmiedchen
- Scale: Produces content in English, Spanish, Japanese, and Mandarin, reaching over 80 million monthly viewers across 100+ channels.
The company’s approach is unique, combining data science and rigorous workflow to ensure their complex topics—ranging from theoretical physics to catastrophic events—are both scientifically sound and visually engaging.
The Value Proposition: What the What If Patreon Actually Funds
For a channel of this size, the Patreon membership is critical for maintaining the high-fidelity science animation and the extensive research required for each episode. Unlike a simple vlogger, the production of a single "What If" video involves a team of researchers, scriptwriters, animators, voice actors, and sound designers. The Patreon, therefore, is a direct investment into the quality and frequency of content, allowing the team to tackle increasingly ambitious and complex hypothetical scenarios.
The core content of the "What If" show centers on hypothetical scenarios and alternative outcomes based on real-world science. Common topical authorities and entities explored include:
- Cosmology: Black holes, the Big Bang, the limits of the universe.
- Planetary Science: Earth's core, solar flares, asteroid impacts, and space colonization.
- Theoretical Physics: Time travel, faster-than-light speed, and quantum mechanics.
- Catastrophic Events: Global pandemics, nuclear war, and extreme weather phenomena.
- Biology and Evolution: Genetic engineering, human body limits, and alternative evolution.
By supporting the Patreon, members are directly enabling the detailed research and complex 3D rendering that brings these mind-bending possibilities to life.
A Look at the Exclusive Patreon Tiers and Benefits
The "What If" Patreon, accessible at `/whatifshow/membership`, is structured to offer escalating levels of engagement and exclusive content, catering to both casual supporters and hardcore science enthusiasts. While specific pricing can fluctuate, the membership benefits generally fall into three distinct categories, designed to give fans a look behind the curtain of the Underknown production pipeline.
Tier 1: The Curious Supporter
This entry-level tier is perfect for fans who want to show their support and gain a slight edge in content consumption. The primary benefit is often early access to new videos. This means Patrons can view the latest episode days before it is released to the general public on YouTube, satisfying their curiosity immediately. This tier ensures you are always the first to know the answer to the latest impossible question the team has posed.
Tier 2: The Backstage Scientist
The mid-level tier is where the real exclusive content begins, offering a deeper dive into the animation process and the scientific rigor of the show. Benefits at this level typically include:
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Exclusive videos detailing how the complex 3D animation and special effects are created.
- Uncut Interviews: Access to full-length interviews with the scientists, physicists, and experts consulted for the episodes, providing a much richer, unedited view of the scientific theory underpinning the animations.
- Exclusive Polls and Q&A: The opportunity to vote on future video topics or submit questions directly to the writing and research team, giving members a voice in the hypothetical scenarios explored.
This tier is invaluable for aspiring animators, writers, or anyone interested in the intersection of digital media production and popular science.
Tier 3: The Ultimate Explorer
The highest tier is reserved for the most dedicated patrons who seek the maximum level of engagement and exclusive rewards. These benefits often go beyond digital content, focusing on personalization and community recognition, which is a common practice for top-tier Patreon creators.
- Credit Recognition: Having your name featured in the end credits of a new "What If" episode, acknowledging your direct contribution to the educational content.
- Digital Swag: Exclusive high-resolution downloads, such as desktop wallpapers, concept art, and storyboard drafts from upcoming episodes.
- Private Discord Access: Entry to a dedicated, private community channel where Patrons can interact directly with the creators, researchers, and other top-tier members to discuss futuristic possibilities and new scientific discoveries.
By offering a mix of early content, educational deep dives, and community involvement, the "What If" Patreon successfully converts its massive viewership into a sustainable funding model, ensuring the continuous production of high-quality science entertainment for years to come.
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