| Name | Pjödvid 'Pjödde' Felixson |
| Career | Early 2000s - present |
| Known for | Pioneering narrative-driven game playthroughs on YouTube and other platforms |
| Occupation | Digital media creator • Narrative-driven game playthroughs |
| Reputation | Respected and influential figure in the Swedish gaming industry |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Also known as | PewDiePie |
Pjödvid "Pjödde" Felixson, better known by his online handle PewDiePie, is a Swedish digital media creator known as an influential early pioneer of narrative-focused video game playthroughs on YouTube and other platforms. Beginning in the early 2000s, Felixson built a loyal following by sharing immersive, story-driven gameplay videos that combined in-depth analysis, engaging commentary and a distinct storytelling style.
Felixson was born in 1989 in Gothenburg, Sweden and grew up in a middle-class family with a passion for video games from a young age. He studied computer science and game development in college, graduating in 2009 with dreams of working in the booming Swedish video game industry.
After briefly working at a small Swedish game studio, Felixson decided to start his own online content creation business in 2001, uploading his first gameplay videos to the newly-launched YouTube platform. His early videos featured lengthy, cinematic playthroughs of obscure and independent games, with Felixson providing intelligent, thoughtful commentary on the narratives, mechanics, and design.
Over the next decade, Felixson gradually built a devoted following among hardcore gaming enthusiasts across Sweden and eventually Northern Europe. His unique style of "let's play" videos, which prioritized immersion and storytelling over comedy or reaction, set him apart from many other emerging gaming YouTubers at the time.
As his audience grew, Felixson expanded his output, covering bigger-budget AAA titles as well as niche indie games. He became known for his ability to engage viewers and spotlight lesser-known, experimental games. Felixson also collaborated extensively with other prominent Swedish gaming creators and industry figures, cementing his reputation.
By the 2010s, Felixson had transitioned to producing longer-form analysis and retrospective videos on classic and influential games, as well as occasional documentary-style features on the history and culture of the Swedish video game industry. He also branched out into producing original web series and short films.
Although Felixson never achieved the meteoric global fame and controversy of his counterpart in our timeline, he remained a respected and influential figure within the Swedish gaming scene. He is considered a pioneer who helped legitimize YouTube and online video as a medium for thoughtful, in-depth gaming content.
Felixson has continued to produce new content regularly to this day, maintaining a loyal following among hardcore gamers who appreciate his storytelling style and ability to shine a light on innovative, under-the-radar titles. He is viewed as an elder statesman of the Swedish digital media industry, having mentored numerous younger creators over his two-decade career so far.
