MrBeast Gaming is hosted by Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) alongside core crew members Karl Jacobs, Chandler Hallow, and Nolan Hansen. Launched in May 2020, the channel features gaming challenges with cash prizes. Tareq Salameh also appears regularly. The channel has 53 million subscribers as of early 2026.
You watch MrBeast Gaming videos and see familiar faces playing Minecraft for $10,000 or competing in Among Us challenges. But who exactly runs this channel? Is it just Jimmy Donaldson, or is there a team behind the gameplay?
MrBeast Gaming launched in 2020 as Jimmy Donaldson’s third YouTube channel. Unlike his main channel’s expensive stunts, this one focuses purely on gaming challenges where players win real money. The channel hit 53 million subscribers and nearly 10 billion views by February 2026.
Jimmy Donaldson Runs MrBeast Gaming
Jimmy Donaldson, known online as MrBeast, is the primary host and creator of MrBeast Gaming. Born May 7, 1998, he started his YouTube career in 2012. By 2020, his main channel had grown enough that he launched several companion channels.
MrBeast Gaming became his most successful side channel. Jimmy appears in nearly every video, though he rarely plays solo. He hosts the challenges, announces prizes, and manages the overall production. His role is similar to a game show host who also participates.
The channel generates revenue that Jimmy reinvests into bigger prizes. Videos regularly offer $10,000, $50,000, or even $100,000 to winners. This funding comes from ad revenue, sponsorships, and cross-promotion with his other channels. You can follow Jimmy’s latest updates on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes content from both MrBeast Gaming and his other ventures.
The Core MrBeast Gaming Hosts
Three people appear in almost every MrBeast Gaming video alongside Jimmy. They are not just friends. They are official co-hosts who help create content and compete in challenges.
Karl Jacobs
Karl Jacobs joined the MrBeast crew as a video editor in 2018. By 2020, he became a regular on-screen personality. He appears in MrBeast Gaming videos from the channel’s launch.
Karl is known for his energetic personality and frequent losses in challenges. He has his own YouTube channel with over 4 million subscribers. On MrBeast Gaming, he often provides comedic moments and enthusiastic reactions during gameplay.
Chandler Hallow
Chandler Hallow has been with MrBeast since 2017. He became famous for losing nearly every challenge on the main channel. This pattern continued on MrBeast Gaming, where he rarely wins despite frequent attempts.
Chandler’s role extends beyond just playing games. He helps with video concepts and interacts with participants during large-scale challenges. His genuine reactions and willingness to fail make him a fan favorite.
Nolan Hansen
Nolan Hansen joined the crew in 2019 and became a regular MrBeast Gaming host by 2020. He appears less frequently than Karl and Chandler but is still a core member.
Nolan often plays strategically and has won several challenges. He brings a more competitive energy compared to the other hosts. He also appears in Beast Games, the Prime Video reality show that premiered in December 2024. This separate show features 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize and should not be confused with the MrBeast Gaming YouTube channel.
Additional Crew Members Who Appear
Several other people appear regularly on MrBeast Gaming, though not in every video.
Tareq Salameh joined around 2020 and appears in many gaming videos. He often plays support roles during challenges and helps manage large groups of participants. You will see him in Minecraft challenges and team-based competitions.
Garrett Ronalds occasionally appears in videos. He has been with MrBeast since the early days but focuses more on behind-the-scenes work.
Mack Hopkins joined more recently and appears in some 2024-2025 videos. His role is still developing as the channel evolves.
The crew size fluctuates based on the video. Some challenges require only Jimmy and two co-hosts. Others bring in 10 or more people for team competitions.
Former MrBeast Gaming Co-Hosts
Ava Kris Tyson (formerly Chris Tyson) was a core member from 2020 to July 2024. She appeared in hundreds of videos across all MrBeast channels, including Gaming. Ava left the company in July 2024 following allegations of inappropriate online behavior.
Her departure marked a significant change for the channel. Videos filmed after July 2024 no longer include her. The crew now consists of Jimmy, Karl, Chandler, and Nolan as the main quartet.
Jake Franklin appeared in early videos during 2020 but left later that year. He was never a regular host and appeared in fewer than 20 videos.
How MrBeast Gaming Started
Jimmy launched MrBeast Gaming on May 12, 2020, with a Minecraft challenge video. The timing was strategic. His main channel had reached 35 million subscribers, giving him an audience ready to follow a new channel.
The first video offered $10,000 to whoever could beat Minecraft the fastest. This format became the channel’s signature style. Take a popular game, add a cash prize, and let chaos unfold.
The channel grew rapidly. It reached 1 million subscribers within weeks. By April 2021, it had 16.5 million subscribers. Growth slowed after 2022 but remained steady, hitting 53 million by early 2026.
Chris Tyson announced the launch on Twitter, saying they would upload “lots of Minecraft” content. This proved accurate. Minecraft challenges dominate the channel, though they also play Among Us, Roblox, Fortnite, and GTA.
What Makes This Channel Different
MrBeast Gaming differs from typical gaming channels in several ways.
Cash prizes are standard. Most videos offer thousands of dollars to winners. This is not occasional. Every challenge includes real money. Winners have earned cars, gift cards, and even houses through the Discord community challenges.
Multiplayer focus. Jimmy rarely plays alone. Videos feature the crew competing against each other or against community members. This creates dynamic content where personalities clash, and alliances form.
Production quality. Unlike typical Let’s Play videos, MrBeast Gaming uses multiple camera angles, professional editing, and coordinated challenges. The production budget exceeds most gaming channels.
Community participation. Fans can join challenges through the MrBeast Gaming Discord server. Winners come from the community, not just the crew. This keeps content fresh and engagement high.
The channel uploads less frequently than the main MrBeast channel. Expect one video every week or two. Quality takes priority over quantity.
How to Join MrBeast Gaming Challenges
You can participate in MrBeast Gaming challenges through the official Discord server. Here is how it works.
Join the Discord. Search for “MrBeast Gaming Discord” and join the official server. Verify it is legitimate by checking for the verified badge.
Follow the rules. The server has strict rules. You cannot share server IPs, stream during challenges, or use cheating software. Breaking rules results in permanent bans.
Watch for announcements. Staff post announcements when new challenges open. These typically appear hours before recording begins.
Fill out registration forms. When a challenge opens, fill out the Google Form linked in the announcement. Include your Minecraft username or game-specific ID.
Wait for selection. Participants are chosen randomly from submitted forms. Between 120 and 160 people get selected per challenge.
Be online when notified. Selected participants receive notifications. You must join the game server immediately or lose your spot.
Success is not guaranteed. Thousands apply for each challenge. Your odds improve by staying active in the Discord and applying to every opportunity.
The channel continues growing in 2026. Jimmy shows no signs of slowing down, and the core crew remains committed to creating gaming content with massive prizes.
