History Trivia / GameTheory

* MagnumOpusDissonance: While his Game Theory videos have more views and are better known, many fans consider [=MatPat's=] Film Theory videos to be of better quality with better humor and research. Even when his theories are wrong, they offer insight into the deeper themes and philosophical ideas of the works that he covers, making the episodes more substantial and meaningful.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILFfj2zYwHY&pp=ygULZ2FtZSB0aGVvcnk%3D Game Theory: Why You HATE My Theories (FNAF)]] sees [=MatPat=] address on a broader scale how fans in general have been bashing theorists (not just his videos, but other popular theorists like [=FuhNaff=] and [=RyeToast=]), yet they would arrive at similarly farfetched ideas [[NotSoDifferentRemark by the same steps MatPat was using]]. Notably, he points out that people once bashed him for using the FNAF books to make theories but now were upset when people didn't read them, how people used to be upset at the [[AllJustADream Dream Theory]] when nowadays the theory is seen in a more positive light for the series at that time, and how despite all the criticism of the "[[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddysSecurityBreach Gregory]] is a robot" theory, it has been increasingly growing stronger with more evidence. He even points out, like in his video on LetsPlay/{{Dream}}'s speedrunning scandal, that the process behind his infamous "[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] is Mental" theory, being built from simple points (Mario abusing Donkey Kong and the brief SiblingRivalry scene with Mario grinding Luigi's shoe in ''VideoGame/MarioPowerTennis'') is not that different from the way most other people build their theories from (even referencing how Cassie's father being the now grown up [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4 Bonnie-masked bully]] used the same logic as Gregory being the reborn Crying Child).

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILFfj2zYwHY&pp=ygULZ2FtZSB0aGVvcnk%3D Game Theory: Why You HATE My Theories (FNAF)]] sees [=MatPat=] address on a broader scale how fans in general have been bashing theorists (not just videos, but other popular theorists like [=FuhNaff=] and [=RyeToast=]), yet they would arrive at similarly farfetched ideas [[NotSoDifferentRemark by the same steps MatPat was using]]. Notably, he points out that people once bashed him for using the FNAF books to make theories but now were upset when people didn't read them, how people used to be upset at the [[AllJustADream Dream Theory]] when nowadays the theory is seen in a more positive light for the series at that time, and how despite all the criticism of the "[[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddysSecurityBreach Gregory]] is a robot" theory, it has been increasingly growing stronger with more evidence. He even points out, like in his video on LetsPlay/{{Dream}}'s speedrunning scandal, that the process behind his infamous "[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] is Mental" theory, being built from simple points (Mario abusing Donkey Kong and the brief SiblingRivalry scene with Mario grinding Luigi's shoe in ''VideoGame/MarioPowerTennis'') is not that different from the way most other people build their theories from (even referencing how Cassie's father being the now grown up [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4 Bonnie-masked bully]] used the same logic as Gregory being the reborn Crying Child).

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILFfj2zYwHY&pp=ygULZ2FtZSB0aGVvcnk%3D Game Theory: Why You HATE My Theories (FNAF)]] sees MatPat address on a broader scale how fans in general have been bashing theorists (not just videos, but other popular theorists like [=FuhNaff=] and [=RyeToast=]), yet they would arrive at similarly farfetched ideas [[NotSoDifferentRemark by the same steps MatPat was using]]. Notably, he points out that people once bashed him for using the FNAF books to make theories but now were upset when people didn't read them, how people used to be upset at the [[AllJustADream Dream Theory]] when nowadays the theory is seen in a more positive light for the series at that time, and how despite all the criticism of the "[[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddysSecurityBreach Gregory]] is a robot" theory, it has been increasingly growing stronger with more evidence. He even points out, like in his video on LetsPlay/{{Dream}}'s speedrunning scandal, that the process behind his infamous "[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario]] is Mental" theory, being built from simple points (Mario abusing Donkey Kong and the brief SiblingRivalry scene with Mario grinding Luigi's shoe in ''VideoGame/MarioPowerTennis'') is not that different from the way most other people build their theories from (even referencing how Cassie's father being the now grown up [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4 Bonnie-masked bully]] used the same logic as Gregory being the reborn Crying Child).

** He isn't proud of his ''VideoGame/Persona4'' episode, both due to it being intensely rushed, and his intro, which came off as both demeaning to the fanbase and intensely defensive to his own faults. In his apology statement for that, he compares it to another episode he isn't fond of for the same reasons: the ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney'' one.* DearNegativeReader: During his ''{{VideoGame/Undertale}}'' video about [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wzxbR5vfjE W.D. Gaster]] he spends four minutes at the start addressing how his Undertale videos have became his least favorite videos due to the excess of hate he's received for them (when previously, both of the videos should have been his favorites, and were prior to the criticism). He states that he understands that there are a lot of people who don't like him, but he expresses his personal hurt over people attacking him when he strives to be as reasonable as possible and advertise imagination and critical thinking when it comes to video games.

** Food Theory included a video about, how all things, the Grubhub universe in it's animated commercials was a future version of the Jimmy Neutron universe. A couple months later, Grubhub sent Mat and Steph a package with a mix of blatant and subtle hints that Mat was on to something.

* DearNegativeReader: During his ''{{VideoGame/Undertale}}'' video about [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wzxbR5vfjE W.D. Gaster]] he spends four minutes at the start addressing how his Undertale videos have became his least favorite videos due to the excess of hate he's received for them (when previously, both of the videos should have been his favorites, and were prior to the criticism). He states that he understands that there are a lot of people who don't like him, but he expresses his personal hurt over people attacking him when he strives to be as reasonable as possible and advertise imagination and critical thinking when it comes to video games.

* OldShame:
** [=MatPat=] feels this way about his boobs episode. It's one of the two you can't watch on the mobile app, along with "Zelda, Potions, and Power Bands", his embarrassment is obvious in his [=GTLive=] stream reacting to old videos. [=MatPat=]'s wife Steph is also very ashamed of the boobs episode as he actually showed it to her before he uploaded and she said go for it.
** Any theory made during the early years of the channel (generally the first 3 or so) are, with some exceptions, this.
** The "Sans is Ness" episode has also become this due to [=MatPat=] both realizing how ridiculous it was and receiving large amounts of hate when it was released.
** He isn't proud of his ''VideoGame/Persona4'' episode, both due to it being intensely rushed, and his intro, which came off as both demeaning to the fanbase and intensely defensive to his own faults. In his apology statement for that, he compares it to another episode he isn't fond of for the same reasons: the ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney'' one.

* TheWikiRule: [[http://matpat.wikia.com/wiki/The_Game_Theorists_Wiki The Game Theorists Wiki]].

** His "The cars from ''WesternAnimation/{{Cars}}'' are insects" video was intended to be the start of a series where he tried to fix elements from the infamous Pixar Theory[[note]]In this case, the part about BNL sending humans to space and leaving machines to rule the world is used as a thinking point[[/note]], but it never really got past that "pilot" episode.

** The likely reason why he posted his ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' video (theorizing that Mike Schmidt is the murderer, that the evil animatronics don't exist, and that the entire game is his guilt-ridden nightmares in his final days on death row) two days after the trailer and Steam greenlight information for the sequel rendered it impossible. He seems to have since quietly abandoned the theory entirely and makes no mention of it at all in his ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2'' video.

* AnimationLeadTime:
** The likely reason why he posted his ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' video (theorizing that Mike Schmidt is the murderer, that the evil animatronics don't exist, and that the entire game is his guilt-ridden nightmares in his final days on death row) two days after the trailer and Steam greenlight information for the sequel rendered it impossible. He seems to have since quietly abandoned the theory entirely and makes no mention of it at all in his ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2'' video.
** It happened ''again'' with the ''same franchise'' when Part One of what was supposed to be a unified, loose-ends-tied-up theory for the trilogy went up 24 hours before [[TrilogyCreep the creator confirmed]] ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4''.

** An episode on getting the most out of All-You-Can-Eat Buffets was meant to be the Food Theory pilot, but when Food Theory launched a year after that episode was filmed, the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns were in full swing; and it was decided an episode on restaurants was in poor taste at that point in time. It eventually aired in July of 2021, as things were beginning to re-open and thus the episode was a bit more relevant. The episode also includes a bit of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness, such as a different intro and a live-action [=MatPat=] on a greenscreen with motion tracked props.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: His "The cars from ''WesternAnimation/{{Cars}}'' are insects" video was intended to be the start of a series where he tried to fix elements from the infamous Pixar Theory[[note]]In this case, the part about BNL sending humans to space and leaving machines to rule the world is used as a thinking point[[/note]], but it never really got past that "pilot" episode.

* ApprovalOfGod: Surprisingly enough, given the episode's rather mixed reception from the fanbase, as well as the fact that many viral game creators (even ones he's friendly with, such as Creator/ScottCawthon) usually tend to correct [=MatPat=] on any mistakes he's made in the theories, [=ninjamuffin99=] [[https://twitter.com/SavedYouA_GT/status/1398787984837820420 had nothing but good words]] for his ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'' theory, stating that he enjoyed seeing the speculation about the game from [=MatPat=]'s point of view and also appreciated him for compiling footage of many of the livestream lore-drops within the video, even outright defending him by shooting down any theories that his appreciation was ironic or that [=MatPat=]'s ideas were too far-fetched.

** [=MatPat=] feels this way about his boobs episode. It's one of the two you can't watch on the mobile app, along with "Zelda, Potions, and Power Bands", his embarrassment is obvious in his [=GTLive=] stream reacting to old videos.
*** [=MatPat=]'s wife Steph is also very ashamed of the boobs episode as he actually showed it to her before he uploaded and she said go for it.

* AccidentallyCorrectWriting: When making a theory for ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' [=MatPat=] throws out a joke theory that would later become true. Specifically that [[labelnote:spoiler]] [[spoiler: Detective Pikachu was Tim's father all along]] [[/labelnote]].

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: His "The cars from ''WesternAnimation/Cars'' are insects" video was intended to be the start of a series where he tried to fix elements from the infamous Pixar Theory[[note]]In this case, the part about BNL sending humans to space and leaving machines to rule the world is used as a thinking point[[/note]], but it never really got past that "pilot" episode.

* AccidentallyCorrectWriting: When making a theory for ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' [=MatPat=] throws out a joke theory that would later become true. Specifically that [[labelnote: [[spoiler: Detective Pikachu was Tim's father all along]]]].

* AccidentallyCorrectWriting: When making a theory for ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' [=MatPat=] throws out a joke theory that would later become true. Specifically that [[spoiler: Detective Pikachu was Tim's father all along]].

* AccidentallyAccurateWriting: When making a theory for ''Film/PokemonDetectivePikachu'' [=MatPat=] throws out a joke theory that would later become true. Specifically that [[spoiler: Detective Pikachu was Tim's father all along]].

** He isn't proud of his ''VideoGame/Persona4'' episode, both due to it being intensely rushed, and his intro, which came off as both demeaning to the fanbase and intensely defensive to his own faults.

** It took Mat over 2 years to publish [[TV/DoctorWho Doctor Who]] Part 3.