If you were anywhere near the Roblox scene between 2016 and 2019, you knew them. You didn't just know them; you probably had a favorite. Maybe it was Denis’s constant positivity or Corl’s chaotic energy before things went south. The Pals weren't just a group of YouTubers playing games like MeepCity or Hotel Empire Tycoon. They were a genuine cultural phenomenon that defined a specific era of internet childhood for millions of kids. Honestly, the way they dominated the front page of YouTube was kind of insane.
They weren't the first Roblox group, and they certainly won't be the last. But they had this specific chemistry that felt like a Saturday morning cartoon come to life. Then, it all just... stopped. One day they were the kings of the platform, and the next, the group was disbanded, leaving a massive hole in the community that hasn't really been filled in the same way since.
Who Exactly Were The Pals?
It’s easy to look back and think it was just five guys playing games, but the structure was actually pretty deliberate. The core lineup consisted of Denis (Denis Daily), Corl (Brineary), Alex (Alex Crafts), Sub (Sir Meow), and Sketch (Elijah Peter Best). Each member brought a distinct "character" to the table. Denis was the face—the relatable, slightly clumsy protagonist. Sketch was the high-energy wildcard. Alex and Sub often played the more grounded roles, while Corl was the snarky one.
They didn’t just play Roblox; they built an entire brand around their avatars. You could buy their merchandise in the Roblox catalog. They had their own game, "The Pals Hotel," which served as a hub for fans to interact with a world they had only seen through a screen. It was a masterclass in cross-platform branding before "influencer marketing" was even a buzzword in the gaming industry.
The group officially formed around 2016, though many of them had been friends or collaborators for years prior. They lived in different places—some in Canada, others in the US or UK—but their chemistry felt local. They were the pioneers of the "minigame roleplay" style that still dominates the Roblox YouTube algorithm today. You know the type: "Escaping the Evil Teacher in Roblox" or "Living in a House Made of Gold." It sounds simple, maybe even a bit silly now, but at the time, it was revolutionary for audience engagement.
The Peak of the Roblox Golden Age
Back in 2017, you couldn't refresh your recommended feed without seeing a thumbnail of five blocky characters screaming at a digital disaster. The Pals were pulling in millions of views per video. It wasn't just luck. They tapped into the growing "social" aspect of Roblox.
Think about it. Roblox is a sandbox. It’s inherently a bit lonely if you’re just playing by yourself. The Pals provided a surrogate friend group for their viewers. When you watched them, you felt like you were part of the inner circle. This era saw them collaborating with other giants like Albert (AlbertsStuff/Flamingo) or the pokediger1 crew.
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The content was wholesome, mostly. It was geared toward a younger demographic, focusing on slapstick humor and exaggerated reactions. This was the "AdSense Gold Mine." Because their content was so brand-safe (for a while), they were the darlings of the YouTube algorithm. They proved that Roblox wasn't just a "Lego clone"—it was a platform for massive media franchises.
The Corl Controversy and the Beginning of the End
Nothing lasts forever, especially not internet fame. The downfall of The Pals is a bit of a somber story, mostly because it felt so abrupt. In February 2019, the group faced its first major crisis. Corl (Brineary) was involved in a public and very messy controversy involving a fan on Twitter.
It wasn't something that could be laughed off. The details involved Corl being verbally abusive and inappropriate toward a fan who had criticized him. The backlash was immediate. The rest of the members—Denis, Alex, Sketch, and Sub—had a choice to make. They had spent years building a brand based on being "the good guys." Within days, they released a statement. Corl was out.
- The group tried to continue as a foursome.
- They rebranded the channel briefly.
- The chemistry, however, was fundamentally broken.
Without that five-way dynamic, the videos felt forced. You could tell the heart wasn't in it anymore. Shortly after Corl’s departure, the group announced they were officially disbanding to focus on their solo careers. It was the end of an era. Just like that, the most famous group in Roblox history was gone.
Where Are They Now?
If you look for them today, you'll find very different paths. Denis is still a massive success. He’s branched out into books, toys, and even his own animated series. He remains one of the most respected figures in the Roblox community because he managed to transition from "YouTuber" to "Media Brand" without losing his soul.
Sketch also continues to upload, maintaining a huge following by sticking to the high-energy gaming content that made him famous. Alex and Sub have been more quiet, occasionally popping up but mostly stepping back from the intense daily grind of the 2017 YouTube cycle. Corl essentially vanished from the public eye after a few failed attempts at a comeback. He deleted his social media and moved on, likely realizing that his bridge to the gaming community had been permanently burned.
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Why The Pals Still Matter in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a group that broke up years ago. It’s because they set the blueprint. Every successful Roblox group you see today—the "squad" style channels—is using a formula that The Pals perfected.
They understood that Roblox isn't about the graphics. It's about the stories you tell within the engine. They treated Roblox like a stage for improvisational comedy.
Moreover, they were part of a specific moment in time where the internet felt a bit smaller and more connected. Before the era of hyper-edited, 1-second-cut TikTok style content, The Pals gave us 20-minute videos of just... hanging out. It was slow-burn entertainment that built deep loyalty. Even now, if you go to an old Pals video, the comment section is a graveyard of nostalgia. "Who's watching in 2026?" "I grew up with these guys." "I miss the old days."
Misconceptions About the Disbandment
There are a lot of rumors that the group hated each other. That’s not really true. From everything they’ve said in solo livestreams over the years, the split (aside from the Corl situation) was mostly about burnout. Imagine playing Roblox every single day for four years straight with the same people. Eventually, you want to grow up. You want to see what else you can do.
They didn't break up because they stopped being friends; they broke up because they grew out of the characters they were playing. It’s a natural part of being a creator.
How to Experience The Pals Legacy Today
If you’re a new Roblox player and you want to understand what the hype was about, you can’t just look at the current front page. You have to go back.
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- Watch the "Murder Mystery 2" or "Hide and Seek" playlists. These were their bread and butter. The banter is at its peak here.
- Visit the fan-archived games. Many fans have recreated the "Pals Hotel" or kept the clothing designs alive in the catalog.
- Follow Denis and Sketch. They are the keepers of the flame. Their current content is the evolution of what they started in the group.
The Pals were a lighting-in-a-bottle moment. They had the right people, the right game, and the right timing. While we probably won't see a full reunion (especially not with the original five), their influence is baked into the very fabric of how Roblox is marketed and consumed today.
What This Teaches Us About Modern Content
The story of The Pals is a lesson in both the power and the fragility of online groups. Collaboration is the fastest way to grow, but it also means your reputation is tied to everyone else in the room. When one person falls, the whole structure shakes.
For creators today, the takeaway is simple: build something real, but have a plan for when it ends. The Pals didn't fail; they finished. And in the world of the internet, finishing on your own terms (mostly) is a rare victory.
Actionable Insights for Roblox Fans:
- Support creators as individuals: The Pals proved that while a group is great, the individual personalities are what sustain a long-term career. If you like a group, make sure you're following their solo channels too.
- Archive what you love: Digital content is ephemeral. If there’s a creator who shaped your childhood, save your favorite videos or take screenshots. You never know when a channel might go dark.
- Learn from the drama: The Corl situation is a textbook example of why community management and personal conduct matter. No amount of fame protects you from the consequences of how you treat people.
- Explore the "New Wave": While The Pals are gone, look for groups like The Crew or various RP groups that are currently innovating on the platform. The spirit of collective storytelling in Roblox is very much alive.
The Pals might be a memory, but they’re the reason Roblox YouTube is the juggernaut it is today. They weren't just players; they were the architects of a digital childhood.