Matthew Patrick walked up to a door, rang the bell, and watched as Scott Cawthon opened it. “Come, we have much to discuss,” the FNAF creator said. This moment from MatPat’s final theory became one of the most talked about scenes in YouTube history.
If you searched for MatPat Retirement Door Ban Ban, you’re likely looking for information about MatPat’s departure from YouTube and his connection to Garten of Banban. This article explains everything you need to know about MatPat’s retirement, the iconic door moment, and his work on the controversial indie horror game.
What You’ll Learn: MatPat’s retirement timeline, the Scott Cawthon door scene, his Garten of Banban coverage, and what happened to the Game Theory channels after his departure.
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MatPat announced his retirement from YouTube on January 9, 2025, with his final episode as Game Theory host airing on March 9, 2025. His retirement included a memorable door scene with FNAF creator Scott Cawthon and coverage of multiple games including Garten of Banban before passing hosting duties to new creators.
Who is MatPat and Why Did He Retire?
Matthew Patrick, known as MatPat, hosted Game Theory for nearly 15 years, building a media empire with over 45 million subscribers across four channels. His retirement shocked millions of fans who grew up watching his theories about video games, movies, and pop culture.
MatPat cited the need to prioritize family time over the relentless content creation schedule as his primary reason for stepping away. He wanted to spend more time with his wife Stephanie and son Ollie without the pressure of analyzing games and creating theories on tight deadlines.
The retirement process took nearly three months. MatPat’s retirement officially ended with his final stream on GTLive on October 26, 2024.
The Iconic Door Scene: MatPat and Scott Cawthon
The most memorable moment from MatPat’s final theory wasn’t about game mechanics or lore. MatPat walked up to a door and rang a bell, with Five Nights At Freddy’s creator Scott Cawthon opening the door and inviting MatPat in.
This scene meant everything to fans. MatPat and FNAF had been intertwined for years. His theories about the animatronic horror franchise helped keep it relevant and introduced millions to Scott Cawthon’s work. The video gathered over 8 million views in three days, with fans reacting strongly to Scott Cawthon’s rare appearance.
MatPat reflected on his FNAF movie cameo, noting it gave him “closure and emotional satisfaction” about his career path. The door scene symbolized the end of one journey and the beginning of another.
MatPat’s Coverage of Garten of Banban
Garten of Banban became an unexpected part of MatPat’s final months on YouTube. The indie horror game, developed by the Euphoric Brothers, was controversial from release. Many critics dismissed it as low quality cash grab riding the mascot horror wave.
MatPat covered Garten of Banban in his 488th Game Theory episode, saying he was “breaking down the Garten Of BanBan LORE” despite the game being “polarizing, to say the least.” He didn’t hold back about the game’s reputation but committed to analyzing its story anyway.
The game featured multiple chapters with color coded doors, puzzle mechanics, and mascot characters like Jumbo Josh and Opila Bird. Doors in Garten of Banban are color coded and locked, requiring keycards or drone buttons to open them.
MatPat created multiple Banban videos before retirement. He covered “The MISSING Banban Game” when developers skipped Chapter 5 and went straight to Chapter 6. His willingness to tackle even criticized games showed his commitment to thorough game analysis.
What Happened to Game Theory After MatPat?
MatPat passed hosting duties to four creative directors: Tom Robinson for Game Theory, Forrest Lee for Film Theory, Santi Massa for Food Theory, and Amy Roberts for Style Theory. The channels didn’t end with his retirement.
Tom Robinson took over as the primary Game Theory host. He continues covering games MatPat analyzed, including FNAF and Garten of Banban. The transition wasn’t always smooth, but the channels maintained their audience.
In his final episode, MatPat was greeted by Stephanie at the door and completed his iconic spiel before closing the door, with the episode producing six different endings. This creative farewell gave fans closure while introducing the new hosts.
The Real Story Behind “MatPat Retirement Door Ban Ban”
If you’re searching for “MatPat Retirement Door Ban Ban,” you’re likely confused about what connects these elements. Here’s the breakdown:
The Door: The Scott Cawthon door scene from MatPat’s final theory.
Ban Ban: Garten of Banban, the indie horror game MatPat covered before retiring.
The Connection: Both appeared in MatPat’s final months on YouTube, but they’re separate topics. The door scene was about FNAF, not Banban. The Banban game features doors as gameplay elements, but that’s not related to MatPat’s retirement door moment.
Many fans remember both because they happened during the same emotional period. MatPat’s retirement created intense nostalgia, making everything from that era feel interconnected.
MatPat’s Legacy in Gaming Content
MatPat’s career spawned nearly 45 million subscribers and around 18 billion views across all channels. He changed how people think about video games, encouraging viewers to look deeper than surface level gameplay.
His theories weren’t always correct. Some were wild speculation. But they made gaming more intellectually engaging. MatPat reflected that he never suspected “there would be tens of millions of people eager to listen to me count animatronic toes or talk about the real life science of Minecraft.”
The trust he built with his audience lasted 13 years. MatPat’s final theory connected von Neumann’s Game Theory concept with his show, explaining that both relied on cooperation, conviction, forgiveness, and honesty in building trust.
Timeline of MatPat’s Retirement
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 9, 2024 | Retirement announcement video posted |
| January-March 2024 | Nine final theory videos released |
| March 9, 2024 | Final theory episode with Scott Cawthon |
| March 10, 2024 | First day of retirement |
| October 26, 2024 | Final GTLive stream |
On day one of retirement, MatPat’s son Ollie asked to play a video game, highlighting the family time MatPat had been missing.
Why Garten of Banban Matters
Garten of Banban represented something important in MatPat’s career. He didn’t just cover popular or critically acclaimed games. He gave attention to games other creators mocked or ignored.
Markiplier, another major gaming YouTuber, called himself a “Garten of Banban defender” during his live stream of the game. This showed that even controversial games deserve analysis.
The game improved over time. The most recent chapters felt more polished, with The Euphoric Brothers learning and gaining experience as they developed more content. MatPat’s coverage helped legitimize indie developers who were still learning their craft.
The Door Symbolism in MatPat’s Farewell
Doors appeared throughout MatPat’s final content. The Scott Cawthon moment. The final door closing with Stephanie. Garten of Banban’s color coded doors. These weren’t coincidences.
Doors represent transitions. Opening doors means new opportunities. Closing doors means endings. MatPat said he realized “theater was not an industry that I wanted to pursue professionally anymore and I had to close the door on that part of my life.” His YouTube retirement was another door closing.
But closing one door opens another. MatPat stepped away from hosting but remained involved behind the scenes. He created space for new voices while maintaining his connection to the community he built.
Where is MatPat Now?
At the end of his retirement series, a website called wheresmatpat.com was created as a mailing service where MatPat can give updates. He didn’t disappear from the internet entirely.
He occasionally appears in theory videos when his expertise is needed. He attends events. He supports the channels he created. But he’s no longer the face of Game Theory, and that’s intentional.
MatPat told Variety, “It’s been so satisfying to celebrate and to be able to take the time to celebrate with the community and the team for the last 13 years on the platform.” His retirement gave him space to appreciate what he built without the pressure of constant content creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did MatPat retire because of Garten of Banban?
No. MatPat retired to spend more time with his family. Garten of Banban was just one of many games he covered before leaving.
What is the door scene everyone talks about?
Scott Cawthon, creator of FNAF, appeared in MatPat’s final theory video opening a door and inviting him inside.
Is Garten of Banban connected to MatPat’s retirement?
Only timing. MatPat covered Banban during his final months, but the game didn’t influence his decision to retire.
Who replaced MatPat on Game Theory?
Tom Robinson became the primary Game Theory host after MatPat’s retirement in March 2025.
Does MatPat still make videos?
Occasionally. He appears in special episodes but no longer hosts the main channels regularly.
MatPat’s retirement marked the end of an era for YouTube gaming content. The door moment with Scott Cawthon, his Garten of Banban coverage, and his thoughtful farewell showed a creator who understood his impact. He didn’t just leave. He created space for others to grow while preserving the community he spent 13 years building.
Whether you remember the Scott Cawthon door, the Banban theories, or just the simple act of a man closing a door on one chapter of his life, MatPat’s retirement reminds us that all good things must end. But endings create opportunities for new beginnings.
