Game Theory
Season 3
Matthew Patrick delves into common questions about video game stories and tropes and develops theories to explain them.
21 Episodes
- Why Final Fantasy is Anti-ReligionE1
Why Final Fantasy is Anti-ReligionFinal Fantasy games feature a lot of religious symbolism. But if you look closely, those references to religion actually form a very interesting pattern; the Final Fantasy games are actually against organized religion...and even the concept of God himself. So today, we're looking at the Final Fantasy series, including Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy Tactics, Final Fantasy X, and Final Fantasy Legend to see just how this popular series deals with religious issues. - Why You're a CompletionistE2
Why You're a CompletionistWhy do we play games? And why do some gamers feel compelled to achievement hunt until they collect everything? Game Theory teams up with Jirard and Greg from "The Completionist" to unlock what compels us to play games, why video games are addictive, and the psychology behind achievement hunters. - The Metroid Morph Ball is LAME!E3
The Metroid Morph Ball is LAME!This week on Game Theory: Metroid is known for great power-ups, but its most famous has to be the morph ball. So how does Samus fit into such a tiny space? We're looking at Metroid, Super Metroid, and Metroid Prime to get the definitive answer, and let me tell you, it has nothing to do with Samus being in her sexy Zero Suit. - How Assassin's Creed Predicted the Future of ScienceE4
How Assassin's Creed Predicted the Future of ScienceAssassin's Creed? Great games. Awesome storyline. Uncannily accurate about the future of techno-genetics. Little did Ubisoft know when they released the first Assassin's Creed in 2007 that the Animus project adventures of Desmond and Altair would successfully predict the future of scientific research in 2013. So, is it possible to pass memories down between generations as depicted in Assassin's Creed? Watch, dear Theorists, and learn! - The TF2 Pyro: Male or Female?E5
The TF2 Pyro: Male or Female?TF2 has been immensely popular for six years now, but this Valve classic still has one lingering mystery. Today, Game Theory takes on Team Fortress 2's unanswered question: The sexual identity of the Pyro. Is this TF2 hothead a male or female? Game Theory pulls back the mask to reveal who...or what...is underneath. - Portal's Companion Cube has a Dark Secret
E6Portal's Companion Cube has a Dark SecretPortal's Companion Cube is perhaps one of gaming's most memorable and lovable characters (items?). But is the Companion Cube another cruel test set up by GLaDOS? What sinister secret is hidden behind the Companion Cube's cute pink hearts? Like most other things in Portal, the cube may be more than meets the eye... - Fart Rocket Physics with the Wario WaftE7
Fart Rocket Physics with the Wario WaftCan a fart propel you upward? Wario's deadliest weapon is his passed gas and in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Wario Waft deals out huge damage while giving our heavyset antihero a HUGE vertical recovery. So just how intense would this rocket fuel fart actually be? Game Theory takes on rocket science to find out whether a fart can actually send a person flying through the air! - Why Living on BioShock Infinite's Floating City Would Suck!E8
Why Living on BioShock Infinite's Floating City Would Suck!BioShock Infinite is one smart game. But does its science hold up? In this SPOILER-FREE episode, we look at the logistics of a floating city. Would you actually want to live above the clouds, like in BioShock Infinite's Columbia? Is it even possible? The answers may surprise and amaze you! - Mario is COMMUNIST?!?E9
Mario is COMMUNIST?!?Is Super Mario a Communist? Seems ridiculous...until you look at the evidence. Is Mario Jumpman Mario the NEW Red Menace, the People's Mario? We take you through the shocking evidence so you can decide whether gaming's favorite plumber is a secret agent for the Communist party! - How PewDiePie Conquered YouTubeE10
How PewDiePie Conquered YouTubeSoon, PewDiePie will have the most subscribed channel on YouTube. But how did PewDiePie, the Baron of Brofist, skyrocket to the top of the YouTube charts so quickly. And what does Pewdie's record-setting rise mean for gamers on YouTube in general? - Chrono Trigger Retells the BIBLE?!?E11
Chrono Trigger Retells the BIBLE?!?Chrono Trigger, perhaps the greatest RPG of all time, is a story about time travel, alien creatures, dinosaurs, and saving the world. But behind it all, it's REALLY about THE BIBLE. Seriously. Chrono Trigger fans, prepare to be amazed. - Surviving the Assassin's Creed Leap of FaithE12
Surviving the Assassin's Creed Leap of FaithAssassin's Creed is known for some crazy stunts, none more so than the Leap of Faith. But can you REALLY jump off a building, land in hay, and walk away like Ezio and the rest of the Assassins? More importantly, what does the WAY Ezio falls REALLY say about the Assassin's Creed universe? - Video Games Predict YOUR FUTURE!E13
Video Games Predict YOUR FUTURE!Without knowing it, video games have created a timeline of events PREDICTING OUR FUTURE! Watch and learn the horrifying truth of what we can expect in the coming years. Hundreds of video games are set in the future. But oddly, these video games tend to form a pattern, with certain events tending to happen around certain years, regardless of game and franchise. Today, we share with you those chilling predictions. - How Pidgey Proves Darwinian EvolutionE14
How Pidgey Proves Darwinian Evolution"Evolution" in the Pokemon games may not correspond to evolution as we know it in the real world, but that doesn't mean Pokemon games don't demonstrate Darwin's theory of descent with modification. In fact, evolution is VERY present throughout the Pokemon series...you just have to look for it. - Why Mario is Mental, Part 1E15
Why Mario is Mental, Part 1Mario is gaming's biggest mascot, but what is he hiding? Is he really the hero everyone thinks he is? Have we overlooked one too many of Mario's heinous crimes. In this two part series, we put Mario on trial to see just what is going on inside the head of this "paragon" of the video game industry. - Is Link Dead in Majora's Mask?E17
Is Link Dead in Majora's Mask?Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a DARK game! Clearly, one of the game's major themes is death, but just how dark does it REALLY get? Is it possible that this game is all about Link, Nintendo's signature mascot, dealing with his own death? Today on Game Theory, we review the evidence! - Is Link's Quest in Majora's Mask Pointless?E18
Is Link's Quest in Majora's Mask Pointless?Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a fascinating game, presenting a death scenario unique in the video game world: Death by moonfall. But just how deadly is this, really? What damage would a falling moon actually cause? Is there ANY chance of survival? Does Link stand a chance of saving the citizens of Termina? The answers may surprise you! - What's Wrong with the AVGN?
E20What's Wrong with the AVGN?The Angry Video Game Nerd was and still is a pioneer in the field on online game comedy/review. And yet, for as much as we laugh at the AVGN, there's a disturbing trend across his content, a string of symptoms pointing to severe mental and physical illnesses. Nerd, I hope you're watching, because us Theorists are worried about you! - Why You Play Video GamesE21
Why You Play Video GamesIt's the most fundamental question we can ask: Why do you play video games? Because they're fun? That's just the beginning. Video games satisfy a variety of needs depending on who you are, what you value, and even where you are in the world! So today, in honor of reaching 1 million subscribers, we're revealing a little about every person who has ever had fun playing a game.