It was late June, 2022. The Minecraft community was already on edge, but nobody was actually prepared for that final upload. For months, fans had been checking the channel, hoping for a "bedwars" video or some news about his recovery. Then, on June 30, 2022, a video titled "so long nerds" appeared. It wasn't the usual high-energy commentary or a calculated strategic masterpiece. It was his father, sitting in a white chair, reading a script written by Alex himself just hours before he died.
When did Technoblade pass? He died in late June 2022, after a grueling battle with stage four sarcoma. The official announcement hit YouTube on June 30, but the actual date of his passing was just a day prior.
Techno was only 23. It’s still hard to wrap your head around that. One day he’s the king of the Dream SMP, the guy who never dies, and the next, he’s gone. But he didn't go quietly. He went out with a message that was quintessentially him—funny, self-deprecating, and incredibly brave.
The Timeline of the "Blood God"
Alex first told the world about his diagnosis in August 2021. He’d noticed pain in his right arm and thought it was just carpal tunnel or repetitive strain from clicking too fast during PvP matches. You know, the typical gamer injury. He went to the doctor, thinking he'd get a brace or some physical therapy. Instead, he found out he had a tumor.
The year that followed was a rollercoaster of surgeries and chemotherapy. He actually joked about it. He made a video about "the strategic advantage of having cancer" for views. That was his brand. He refused to let the illness dictate his personality. Even when he almost lost his arm to an amputation, he framed it through the lens of a content creator trying to maintain his "perfect" win streak.
By the time 2022 rolled around, things looked grim, though he kept most of it private. He wasn't posting as much. The community was hopeful, but the silence was getting longer. When the "so long nerds" video dropped, it wasn't just a notification; it was a cultural earthquake. Within hours, it had tens of millions of views. It became one of the most-watched videos in the history of the platform, not because of "the algorithm," but because of the genuine void he left behind.
Why His Death Hit Different
Most YouTubers are just people on a screen. Techno felt like a peer. He was the guy who stayed up late grinding potatoes in Hypixel Skyblock just to prove a point to a rival. He was the guy who could take on an entire server and win through sheer tactical brilliance and a bit of "orphan" related humor.
There’s a specific reason people still ask when did Technoblade pass—it’s because the impact hasn’t faded. Usually, internet fame has a half-life of about six months. You see a tribute, you feel sad, you move on. With Alex, it’s different. You still see "Technoblade Never Dies" in the chat of almost every major Minecraft stream.
He had this weird, ironic detachment that made him incredibly relatable. He didn't do the over-the-top "Hey guys, welcome back!" YouTuber voice. He sounded like your smartest, funniest friend who happened to be better at video games than everyone else. When he died, it felt like the main character of Minecraft had been written out of the script.
The Fight Against Sarcoma
Sarcoma is a nasty, aggressive form of cancer that starts in the bones or soft tissues. It’s relatively rare, which makes it harder to treat because there isn't as much funding or research compared to more common cancers.
Alex knew this. In his final months, he used his massive platform to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Sarcoma Foundation of America. He turned his own tragedy into a survival kit for others.
Since his passing, his family has continued this work through the "One of Us" Foundation. They’ve raised millions. It’s a bit of a silver lining, I guess. His death sparked a massive wave of awareness for a disease that usually flies under the radar.
What We Learned From the "So Long Nerds" Video
If you haven't seen the video recently, it’s a masterclass in how to say goodbye. He started by revealing his real name was Alex. For years, there was a running joke that his name was Dave because of a prank he pulled. He kept that mystery alive until the very last second.
He thanked his fans for supporting his content over the years. He said that if he had another hundred lives, he’d choose to be Technoblade every single time. It was a rare moment of total sincerity from a guy who usually wore layers of irony like armor.
His dad’s performance in that video is also something that sticks with you. You could see the raw grief, but also the pride. He talked about how Alex wrote the script on his laptop in bed, struggling to finish it but insisting on doing it for his "nerds." It’s heartbreaking. Truly.
Technoblade's Legacy in Gaming
Minecraft changed after June 2022. Mojang actually added a tribute to him in the game’s launcher for a while—a pig wearing a crown. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to the community.
His influence is everywhere. The way people play Bedwars, the way people talk about "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, the way the Dream SMP lore is remembered—it’s all colored by his presence. He was the antagonist who was actually the hero. He was the anarchist who just wanted to be left alone with his potatoes.
- Fundraising: Over $1 million raised for cancer research.
- Community: The "Technoblade Never Dies" slogan became a literal movement.
- Gaming: He set records on Hypixel that may never be broken.
How to Support the Cause Today
If you’re looking for a way to honor him, the best path is through the Sarcoma Foundation of America or the One of Us Foundation. They are the primary organizations his family endorses.
You can also still buy his merchandise. His family uses the proceeds to fund scholarships and cancer research. It’s a way to keep his memory alive while actually doing some good in the real world.
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Honestly, the best way to remember him is just to watch the old videos. The Great Potato War is still some of the best storytelling on YouTube. The MCU (Minecraft Championship) wins are still legendary. He wouldn't want people moping around; he’d want you to laugh at a joke about a pig in a cape.
Take Actionable Steps to Honor His Memory
- Donate to Sarcoma Research: Small amounts matter. Sarcoma is underfunded, and every bit helps find better treatments for the disease that took Alex.
- Support Content Creators: If you have a favorite creator, tell them. Life is short, and the people who entertain us often deal with a lot behind the scenes.
- Check Your Health: If you have persistent pain that doesn't go away with rest, go to a doctor. Alex thought his tumor was just a gaming injury. Early detection is everything.
- Watch the Classics: Revisit the "Potato War" trilogy. It’s a reminder of why he was so special in the first place—pure, unadulterated dedication to something ridiculous.
Technoblade passed away in June 2022, but the "never dies" part isn't just a meme. As long as people are still wearing the crown in-game and donating to save lives, he’s still here. He outplayed the system one last time by making sure his impact lasted way longer than his time on earth.