[Template to be deleted]Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (Swedish: [ˈfeːlɪks ˈaɾvɪd ˈɵlf ˈɕɛlˌbæɾj];[5] /ˈtʃɛlbərɡ/ chel-bərg[6] or /ˈdʒɛlbərɡ/ jel-bərg;[7]born October 24, 1989), better known by his online alias PewDiePie (/ˈpjuːdipaɪ/ pew-dee-py), is a Swedish video game commentator on YouTube. Kjellberg specializes in Let's Play videos of the horror and action video game genres. His channel is one of the fastest growing YouTube channels, and as of July 28, 2013 has over 11 million subscribers.[8]
Contents
[hide] *1 Early life
Early life
Kjellberg was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden.[4] In 2008, he graduated from Göteborgs Högre Samskola.[3] 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.[3]
YouTube career
| PewDiePie | |
|---|---|
| Presentation | |
| Hosting | *Felix Kjellberg |
| Genre | Video game commentary |
| Language | English, Swedish, Italian |
| Production | |
| Publication | |
| Debut | 2 October 2010; 2 years ago |
| Website | www.youtube.com/pewdiepie |
History
Kjellberg created his YouTube channel in April 2009. In 2012, Kjellberg's channel began to grow eventually reaching 1 million subscribers on July 11, 2012,[4] and 2 million subscribers in September 2012.[9] In February 2012, Kjellberg attempted to run for King of the Web, an online contest. His first attempt was a failure as he lost the overall title. However, Kjellberg still became the "Gaming King of the Web" for the February 1-15, 2012 voting period.[10]During the following voting period, Kjellberg was victorious and donated all cash winnings to the World Wildlife Fund.[11] Kjellberg has also spoken at Nonick Conference 2012.[12][13] In October 2012, OpenSlate ranked the PewDiePie channel as the #1 YouTube channel by terms of "SlateScore".[14]
In April 2013, Kjellberg's channel grew to 6 million subscribers, as reported by the New York Times.[15] Kjellberg later won the award for Most Popular Social Show,[16][17] competing against Jenna Marbles, Smosh and Toby Turner,[16] as well as the Swedish Social Star Award, at the inaugural Starcount Social Stars Awards hosted in Singapore in May 2013.[18] He had also introduced the nominees for Most Popular Game during the live broadcast of the awards show.[19] In June 2013, the channel grew to 8 million,[20] and subsequently 9 million subscribers.[21] Throughout 2012 and 2013, Kjellberg's channel has been one of the fastest growing on YouTube.[22] Kjellberg's playthrough of The Last of Us was documented for leaving the usually vocal gamer, speechless at the ending.[23] In July 2013, he overtook Jenna Marbles as the 2nd most subscribed YouTube channel, and is closing in on subscriber count with the leading channel, Smosh.[24][25] In July 2013, Kjellberg was the first to create a video of the sequel to AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! – A Reckless Disregard for Gravity using the Oculus Rift platform.[26]
Channel format
Kjellberg's channel main focus is his commentary and reactions to various games as he plays through them.[9][15] He is known for playing horror and action video games,[9][27][28] most notably Amnesia: The Dark Descent and its related mods.[29] Unlike conventional walkthroughs, his 'Let's Play' videos are devoted to "sharing gaming moments on YouTube with my bros"[30] His channel also supports independent game developers,[9][31] which often provides a substantial boost in sales to the game featured in the playthrough.[32][33] Kjellberg also began posting weekly vlogs starting from September 2, 2011.[34]
Appearances in other works
Kjellberg had a cameo appearance in the season 2 finale of the web series, Epic Rap Battles of History, as Mikhail Baryshnikov.[35] A snippet of his videos appeared in a music mashup created by Joe Penna, better known by the alias, MysteryGuitarMan.[36] It was also announced that Kjellberg will be a guest judge on the second season of the web series Internet Icon.[37] He has also made cameo appearances in SmoshGames by the YouTube duo Smosh, Your Grammar Sucks by Jacksfilms, and YouTubers React by the Fine Brothers.
Public image
Kjellberg often refers to his fans as the 'Bro Army', made up of his 'Bros'.[20][38] He typically performs a 'Brofist' at the end of each of his videos.[21] At the Social Star Awards, Kjellberg deliberately went to greet his fans personally despite security warning him against doing so.[39]
Kjellberg's channel is under Maker Studios, which is a multi-channel network that drives the growth of the channels under it.[40] His channel also appeals strongly to younger viewers, a group Google refers to as Generation C for their habits of "creation, curation, connection and community".[40]
Personal life
Kjellberg is originally from Sweden, although he later moved to live with his girlfriend, Marzia Bisognin (whose online alias is CutiePieMarzia), in her native country, Italy.[4] He moved to the United Kingdom in July 2013 for better internet connection.[41] Kjellberg is the son of former KappAhl CIO, Johanna Kjellberg, who was 2010 CIO of the Year in Sweden.[42]
Charitable actions
Kjellberg is involved in charity work for the World Wildlife Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[9] Kjellberg also began a "Water Campaign" charity, where his fans could donate money, in honor and celebration of reaching 10 million subscribers.[43][44] As of July 27, 2013, the charity has raised $172,189 of a $250,000 goal.[43]
Jenny Matrix is a major protagonist in the Video Game High School series, current captain of the VGHS Junior-Varsity FPS team, and the love interest of Brian D. An extremely skilled and accomplished gamer, throughout the series she has expressed her aspirations of becoming a professional gamer.
For most of Season 1 Jenny is in a relationship with VGHS Varsity FPS captain The Law, Brian D's archnemesis and the primary antagonist of the series. This relationship however ended by the season's eighth episode, after it became known to Jenny that Law had no intention of granting her position on Varsity FPS.
Overview
Season 1
At the beginning of Episode 2, we find Jenny doing a random match. Brian who knows her from her many tournaments attemts to impress her. He, unfortunately chickens out and asks Jenny to take them on the tour. She also witnesses Brian expelling Annihilist and seems mildly impressed. And even moreso when she witnesses his Pit run. In Episode 4, she invites him to her party and Brian finds out she is The Law's girlfriend only for career advancement reasons . Though shocked at his behavior in Episode 7, in Episode 8 she reignites Brian's dream and in Episode 9, she gives him his first kiss as he joins the JV team.
Season 2
Jenny is stunned to discover her mother Mary has been hired as the new FPS coach. Jenny hoped to gain a spot on the varsity team, however Mary did not consider her qualified and showed little interest in the JV team at all. Moreover, Mary assigned Brian to an open varsity spot, despite his urging that it go to Jenny instead. Jenny, though clearly unhappy about this, does not blame Brian and even tutors him on her mother's playbook. Ultimately, this setback proves short-lived as the entire varsity squad (save for Brian) is disqualified due to a cheating scandal involving The Law, and the JV team is sent to compete in their place. Under Jenny's leadership, the team manages to win their first match against the Barkley Cyber Dwarves.
Personality
Jenny Matrix possesses an intense personality which greatly contrasts with series protagonist Brian D. Unlike Brian, Jenny is assertive, ambitious, commanding, dedicated, strongwilled, and stubborn, qualities which transfer to and augment her gaming performance. Unbeknownst to most people however, Jenny is driven by a desire to please and live up to the expectations of her mother, a professional FPS captain, and even feels pressured to resort to extremes to achieve the success she needs to fulfill that dream. On-screen she has only revealed this side of her life to Brian, in Episode 4, however it is presumed that The Law was aware of this as well, and used it to his advantage to manipulate Jenny.
Relationships
Brian D
- "It's ok, I'm happy with what I got."
- — Jenny referring to Brian after he apologized to her in the Season 1 finale.
Despite initially thinking little of Brian D, as well as being in a relationship with The Law, Brian's arch-nemesis, Jenny and Brian developed a powerful bond and foundation for a romantic relationship throughout Season 1. Though originally conspiring with Law to subvert Brian, Brian's persistence, enthusiasm, and fundamental good nature would eventually prompt Jenny to genuinely care for his well-being, aiding and saving him even after his recklessness cost her and her JV FPS team an important match against Varsity FPS. A major point of conflict throughout Season 1 and in the relationship between Jenny and Brian stemmed from Jenny obeying the Law's orders to place Brian on the JV FPS team so that he may exact his vengeance upon Brian during the annual JV/Varsity FPS skirmish, which he inevitably did. Jenny's part in this conspiracy however was not done out of malice, but rather selfish desire to secure position on the Varsity FPS team. It is ultimately Brian however who opens Jenny's eyes to the fact that Law never held any intention of elevating Jenny.
After defeating Law and the FPS Varsity team in the Season 1 finale, Brian and Jenny finally kiss in the locker room. As Jenny gives Brian a permanent spot on the JV FPS team, they agree to keep a platonic relationship, as to avoid complications.
In season 2, Jenny and Brian continue as friends, and Jenny even agrees to a date with Brian. The evening is cut short when Brian is assigned to the varsity team, however. Ultimately, Jenny decides they should remain friend, as she is still the captain, and her mother is the coach, something that clearly disappoints Brian D.
The Law
Despite their status as boyfriend and girlfriend throughout most of season 1, Jenny Matrix and Law appear to have a mutual parasitic relationship; with Jenny harboring a deep desire to please her mother and make the FPS Varsity team (which Law captains), and Law using Jenny to orchestrate Brian's demise. There is little indication throughout the series that either two genuinely cares for each other. To the contrary, Law openly admits to Brian of having no intention of granting Jenny position on the FPS Varsity team; refusing to risk anyone stealing the spotlight from him. Jenny, after Games Dean spreads a rumor around the school claiming he witnessed Jenny and Brian making out, tells Brian that the two cannot spend time together solely out of fear of vindication from the Law. The Law wants to make Brain Ds life misrable in season two.
In Season 2, Jenny remarks that she can't believe that she dated him.
Mary Matrix
From what has been seen of their relationship, it is assumed that Jenny has a heavily strained relationship with her mother. She mentioned an "annual phone call" and was quite displeased by her working for VGHS. Jenny lives her father and seems to favor him far more. She has no fond memories with her mother growing up.