Originating as a member of the Something Awful forums, he is widely credited as the pioneer of the Let's Play video format.
Sawyer joined the Something Awful forums during the early 2000s[2][4][5] becoming a member after posting content on his personal website such as a commentary on Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
[2] On Something Awful, he began posting threads of various obscure games which contained both informative commentary and photo captures of his gameplay, such as Dark Seed and Snatcher.
[2][4] Retsupurae is a parody channel formed by Sawyer and Something Awful member Diabetus that focused on commentating over other Let's Play videos in a humorous manner, similar to that of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
[2][8] Janine Hawkins of Paste Magazine discussed a Retsupurae video in which they commentated over an ASMR Let's Play video and received mildly negative attention for it compared to their other videos, stating that "much of that discussion and dissent undoubtedly came from ASMR community members eager to defend one of their own, but there are also a surprising number of comments from regular Retsupurae viewers in defense of ASMR and its 'creepy' corner of the Let's Play world.