Who Is TotalBiscuit? Age, Biography, and Wiki
TotalBiscuit, born as John Bain on July 8, 1984, was a highly influential British game critic and commentator known for his incisive critiques and passionate engagement with the gaming community. Though he passed away in 2018, his impact on the gaming landscape continues to resonate through his legacy of insightful content and community contributions. In 2025, he would have been 41 years old, maintaining a prominent place in discussions about gaming journalism and critique.
| Occupation | YouTubers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1984 |
| Age | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | Spennymoor, England |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 24 May, 2018 |
| Died Place | Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
Popularity
TotalBiscuit's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While TotalBiscuit's height and weight were not frequently disclosed in the public domain, he was known to have an engaging presence on camera, exuding charisma that made his commentary appealing. As of now, his exact body stats remain undisclosed; however, his influence transcended physical appearance, focusing on intellect and critical analysis.
In 2010 during the height of the Great Recession, Bain was laid off at his job at a financial advisory company. Bain's unemployment coincided with the beta release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, and he started producing videos of himself talking over gameplay on YouTube, hoping to earn money through the website's ad-revenue system.
In the following weeks, the popularity of Bain's videos skyrocketed. A StarCraft 2 commentator named HuskyStarcraft approached Bain and invited him to The Game Station, a network of gaming channels on YouTube (now Polaris, a subnetwork of Maker Studios).
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his career, TotalBiscuit shared snippets of his personal life online, including his relationship with his wife, Genna Bain, who was not only his partner in life but also a consistent support throughout his battle with illness. The couple often collaborated on projects, showcasing a deep bond rooted in shared interests in gaming. TotalBiscuit had a strong family background that he often referenced, although detailed information regarding his family members remains private.
From 2005 to 2010, Bain ran World of Warcraft Radio, a popular World of Warcraft fan radio station that received special acknowledgment and recognition from Blizzard Entertainment, the developers and publishing team of World of Warcraft.
Bain was invited to the annual BlizzCon event in 2005 to provide coverage of the event, where he met Genna Bain, his future wife and fellow YouTube personality. After Bain's tenure at World of Warcraft Radio, Bain began Cynicalbrit.com, where he posted more generalised gaming content.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 2018, TotalBiscuit's net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily accumulated through his YouTube channel, Twitch streams, merchandise sales, and sponsorships. As an early adopter of digital content creation in the gaming sphere, his financial success exemplified the potential for creators to earn from their craft. Though actively earning income ceased with his passing, his legacy continues to generate revenue through archived content and ongoing community support.
In July 2014, an online debate about the ethics of YouTube gaming channels was sparked as a result of a survey revealing that some YouTube vloggers received monetary compensation from game developers or publishers in return for recording videos of their games.
In response to this discussion, Bain announced on Twitter that he would "be clearly disclosing promotional videos in a splash screen at the start of the video".
Disclaimers had previously appeared in the description fields of his videos, but Bain felt this was no longer good enough because YouTube videos that are embedded or that are displayed with certain apps omit that information.
Career, Business, and Investments
TotalBiscuit’s career began in the early 2010s, with a focus on gaming commentary, reviews, and critiques on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. He was particularly noted for his "WTF Is..." series, which explored various indie games, showcasing his deep appreciation for the gaming medium. Over the years, he also ventured into consultancy roles within game development and launched his own esports organization, which further solidified his influence. His contributions to the industry extended beyond content creation, as he actively advocated for consumer rights and transparency in gaming.
On 3 April 2017, Gearbox Publishing announced a partnership with G2A for exclusive collector's editions of Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition, to be created and sold by G2A.
Bain was critical of this move, citing G2A's negative press coverage as well as accusations made against the company, and threatened to withhold covering Bulletstorm, or any other Gearbox game, unless Gearbox cancelled the deal.
On 6 April 2017, one day before Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition was due for release, Gearbox published a list of ultimatums made together with Bain for G2A to accept, or else it would back out of the deal. The ultimatums focused on G2A's Shield service, an open API for game developers, and G2A's payment system.
The following day, Gearbox Publishing publicly announced that it was ending its cooperation with G2A, due to a lack of response from the company concerning the ultimatums.
G2A responded to the assertions on 10 April 2017 stating, "All of the requests made of G2A.COM in the ultimatum have in fact long been part of our marketplace", and ascribed the problems to the unfamiliarities that Bain and Gearbox have in regard to how G2A operates its marketplace.
Social Network
TotalBiscuit was a prominent figure on multiple social media platforms, including Twitter, where he engaged with fans and followers directly. His entertaining and thought-provoking commentary helped to build a loyal community of supporters. Although his presence is no longer live, fan pages and tributes across platforms such as Reddit, YouTube, and various gaming forums keep his spirit alive by sharing his insights and celebrating his contributions to the gaming world.
John Peter Bain (8 July 1984 – 24 May 2018), better known as TotalBiscuit (, TB; sometimes The Cynical Brit or TotalHalibut), was a British video gaming commentator and game critic on YouTube. He was known for his role in professional shoutcasting and esports, and also known for his gaming commentary audio work on WCradio.com.
According to Eurogamer, he gained a large following due to his video commentary on newly developed indie games and analysis of gaming news. Bain voiced strong support for consumer protection in the video gaming industry. In October 2015, Bain announced that he had terminal cancer that had spread to his liver.
He continued to critique games after the diagnosis, announcing his retirement only a few weeks before his death in May 2018.
Education
TotalBiscuit attended several educational institutions in the UK, with a focus on English and media studies. Though specific details about his formal education are limited, his articulate commentary and well-informed perspectives indicate a profound understanding of media and communication principles. His self-taught knowledge and passion for gaming and critique were evident in his work, showcasing the potential of informal education through personal exploration and dedication.
In conclusion, TotalBiscuit's legacy remains a pivotal part of gaming culture, influencing new generations of gamers and creators. His commitment to quality critique and community engagement continues to inspire, and his contributions are celebrated even years after his passing.
Multiple video game companies have released media with references and memorials to Bain. On 7 June 2018, Old School RuneScape developers Jagex added a grave to the game world decorated with a top hat, with the message "He was always there to ask and answer one simple question".
Shortly after, on 9 September 2018, Blizzard Entertainment created a commemorative bundle in honor of Bain, with all sales profits going directly to Genna and their son, Orion. Two years after his death, the video game Doom Eternal features an easter egg of a top hat and a plaque reading "Slay Cancer", referencing Bain.
