Markiplier

Markiplier is an American YouTube gaming and comedy channel created by Mark Fischbach in 2012.

Fischbach registered the primary channel on May 26, 2012, while living in Cincinnati, Ohio, after an earlier account experienced technical issues. Initial uploads focused on playthroughs of horror video games such as Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Penumbra. Viewership expanded rapidly in August 2014 following serialized gameplay videos of the indie title Five Nights at Freddy's. Content on the channel expanded from standard playthroughs into comedic sketches, animated shorts, and collaborative gaming challenges. In 2014, Fischbach relocated production to Los Angeles, California, to work alongside other video creators.

The channel passed 10 million subscribers in October 2015 and reached the 20 million subscriber threshold in March 2018. Longer narrative productions began in October 2019 with A Heist with Markiplier, an interactive film on YouTube that offered viewers 31 possible endings. In November 2019, Fischbach partnered with Ethan Nestor to launch Unus Annus, an experimental daily video channel that was permanently deleted after 365 days in November 2020. Outside digital video, Fischbach directed, wrote, and funded a feature film adaptation of David Szymanski's horror game Iron Lung in 2023.

Charity livestreams on the channel generated millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Save the Children. In 2016, the Make-A-Wish Foundation awarded Fischbach its Celebrity of the Year award. The Cancer Research Institute presented him with the Oliver R. Grace Award in 2020 for distinguished service in advancing cancer research. At the 10th Streamy Awards in 2020, A Heist with Markiplier received the award for Scripted Series. In 2021, the Streamy Awards recognized Unus Annus with the award for Best Collaboration.