History WebVideo / GameTheoryWebShow

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/game_theory_2017_logo.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin A show about theories - and games.]]]]
->''"Hello, Internet. Welcome to'' Game Theory''."''

[[http://www.youtube.com/user/MatthewPatrick13 Game Theory]] is a comedy AnalysisChannel created by Matthew Patrick, where he engages in WildMassGuessing by analyzing video games to provide answers on a wide variety of questions, from scientifically determining if something in a video game could be achieved in real life (example: could someone survive being headshot a la ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas''?) to tackling some of gaming's biggest questions (example: what is [[VideoGame/TeamFortress2 the Pyro's]] gender?) to some game changing accusations. (example: should [[VideoGame/MegaManClassic Dr. Light]] be considered a villain?) The show is accompanied by pictures and diagrams, which often aid with what he is saying, or they are just there for {{visual pun}}s. There are a lot of puns.

On June 2nd, 2015, [=MatPat=] created another channel named [[https://www.youtube.com/user/FilmTheorists The Film Theorists]] which has a SpinOff to Game Theory, which is called Film Theory. It tackles theories on not only the subject of film, but television shows as well. Other related shows on the channel include Did You Know Movies (a spin-off of Did You Know Gaming?) and Frame By Frame (which examines film techniques used by famous directors).

On September 14, 2015, [=MatPat=] created yet another channel, [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaegDUlb7doIKo0Rc1F08g [=GTLive=]]], which posts live streams of Matt and Stephanie [[LetsPlay playing video games]].

In 2016, [=MatPat=] started another show called ''Game Lab''. This series is similar to {{Series/Mythbusters}} by having [=MatPat=] going on camera to test the episode's topics. The series is currently exclusive to the subscription-based Website/YouTube Red, with the pilot episode available for free.

Game Theory is a part of the Game Theorists, a group of game-based shows that analyze video games for a certain reason. For more members of the group, see ''Game Exchange'', ''Digressing And Sidequesting''. Not to be confused with the fanfic of the [[Fanfic/GameTheoryFanFic same name.]] Nor should it be confused with [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_theory the study of strategic decision making]].

----
!!Tropes found in ''Game Theory'':

* AcceptableBreaksFromReality: Touched upon in his ''VideoGame/WarThunder'' Tanks video when he finally reveals a real life attribute that is ''not'' accurately represented in the game (that being [[spoiler:the very significant rates at which the real tanks break down just from locomotion without even seeing combat]]), only to then state that the developers ''did'' spend some time deliberating as to whether or not they should add that trait into the game and ultimately decided that [[spoiler:having your tank cripplingly malfunction at random]] was not fun.
* AddedAlliterativeAppeal: Downplayed, lampshaded, and later subverted here.
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac''. Man, this game is depressing, disturbing, dark, even some adjectives that don't start with D, like uh… baffling, obtuse, just plain weird.
* {{Adorkable}}: [=MatPat=] himself. The entire show resolves around analyzing video games. It was bound to happen.
* AllJustADream: [[spoiler:One of his final FNAF theories suggests that the entire tetralogy is the coma-induced nightmares of the fourth game's protagonist]].
* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Hoo boy. [[invoked]]
** [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]] is actually paying Bowser to kidnap her.
** In a two-part episode, he described Mario as [[spoiler:an animal abuser, misogynist, sadist, and mass murderer.]]
** He theorizes that ''WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd'' (the character, not James Rolfe, who plays him) has a serious mental condition.
** In his Toad's Deadly Secret episode, he proposes that [[spoiler:Peach is the true BigBad of the Mario franchise, using her parasitic followers to run the goombas out of their native homeland, with Bowser as the tragic, reluctant BigGood just trying to combat a parasitic threat.]]
** Handsome Jack of ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' already got a decent amount from fans, but Matt also theorizes that [[spoiler:Jack actually has borderline personality disorder and gives examples meeting 7 of the 9 criteria]].
** Bowser's habit of kidnapping Peach is actually an attempt to [[spoiler:give his son and seven adopted children the complete family Bowser wishes he'd had growing up]].
** In his analysis of ''VideoGame/UntilDawn'', he comes to the conclusion that [[spoiler:Josh has been experiencing poor mental health care, and, based off his symptoms, should be treated for schizophrenia.]]
** In general, he does a lot of this in his videos. [[DethroningMoment/GameTheoryWebShow Of course, not many people like when he tries to do that.]]
* AndNinetyNineCents: Coincidentally, his calculations for the cost of ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}''s Diamond Armor and ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBros2'''s Gold Banzai Bills both end with 98 cents.
* {{Angrish}}: Says this out during the ''Humans are Pokémon'' theory, during his reaction to the Wheel of Gaming's flipper lands on "Pokémon" the [[RuleOfThree third time]].
* 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''.
* ArmorIsUseless: In the ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' episode, diamond armor turns out be AwesomeButImpractical. Sure, it looks awesome, but it would weigh about 1100 lbs (over 500 kilograms)… and because of the fact that it would be very easy to cut the armor by slicing it along 90–degree planes relative to the surface of the armor, due to the diamond's cleavages (that all crystals also have), making it easier to slice through the hard armor, you would risk wasting a few billion dollars when hit with a sword.
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking:
** In the episode "Video Games Predict YOUR FUTURE!":
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Whether it's [[VideoGame/DeadSpace dismembering Necromorphs in the Singna System in 2508]], [[VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved fighting off the dual onslaught of Flood and Covenant on a Ringworld in 2525]], or [[VideoGame/SpaceChannel5 wielding the power of a well-executed Macarena against extraterrestrial Teletubbies in 2499]], I think we can all agree opening the door to space simultaneously opened a dangerous can of worms.
** In ''VideoGame/WatchDogs2'', he mentions how hackers can shut down your car, black out power grids, and slightly increase your home temperature, making it really hard to sleep.
* ArtisticLicenseChemistry: Matt pointed out that the ingredients for [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist human transmutation]] do not match up with the actual mass of elements found in the body as well as the cardinal sin of scientific calculations -- inconsistent measurement units (going between grams and kilograms in the same list).
* ArtisticLicenseLaw: Zig-zagged - In [=MatPat's=] video about ''Franchise/AceAttorney'', he starts off looking at it from the perspective of the US courts. The ''Ace Attorney'' series' legal system is based on the Japanese one, with elements of the US system. Since he brings this up part way through, and debunks his previous points, it's clear that he did it on purpose to add a twist. However, he then goes on to accuse Phoenix of tampering with the crime scene in 'Turnabout Sisters' despite the fact that he disclosed all of his actions to Gumshoe and so wouldn't get in trouble.
* ArtMajorBiology: Lampshaded in Matt's video on ''Film/JurassicWorld'', regarding the Indominus Rex's ability to hide it's body temperature (due to tree frog DNA) ''and'' change color to camouflage itself (due to cuttlefish DNA). He points out that these abilities work ''opposite'' of each other: the tree frog's body heat regulation works by making it's skin tone lighter-and thus ''more'' visible. Matt instead posits the idea that the I. Rex's escape was due to [[spoiler:Dr. Wu sabotaging the camera's, so that he and Hoskin's can have a chance to showcase the I. Rex as a weapon]].
* AssShove: The line "Let's diagnose" in the AVGN episode is accompanied by a picture of the host giving the Nerd a prostate exam.
* AuthorTract: The UsefulNotes/WiiU-centric theories are this regarding [=MatPat=]'s opinions on the console, although a more obvious example would be the sociopathic Mario theory.
* BerserkButton:
** [=YouTuber=] "The [=JWittz=]", having done 375 videos about ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' at the time, was furious when [=MatPat=] complained to him about having to do more than six Pokemon videos.
-->'''[=JWittz=]''': Six? '''''SIX?''''' Try three-hundred and seventy-five! Video after video, week after week. Creepy Pokémon, cool Pokémon, sexy Pokémon, weak Pokémon. Pokémon games, Pokémon manga, Pokémon CARDS. Blue, red, white, black, X & Y? PURPLE!? I can't talk without saying Pokémon puns anymore!
** [=MatPat=] wasn't necessarily happy about the secret wall code in ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3''.
* BigBadFriend: The theory posted that [[spoiler:Phone Guy is the Golden Freddy Murderer after seeing ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2'']]. Despite ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3'' supposedly refuting that theory, [[spoiler:he instead managed to solidify his theory with it, though the "Golden Freddy" part is disprove]]. After later games further refuted the theory and it was eventually that [[spoiler: the killer is William Afton, one of the founders of Fazbear Entertainment]], [=MatPat=] dropped it, however.
* BlahBlahBlah: Downplayed, when Mat is reading out complex math formulas, he speeds up the talking to give the viewer a general idea without boring them.
* BigLippedAlligatorMoment:
** {{Invoked|Trope}}. [=MatPat=] calls Scott Cawthon out on making the key-pad tiles in ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3''.
--->'''[=MatPat=]''': Scott, ''seriously? Seriously, Scott?'' Oh look! Here's a ''wall.'' Let me just dial in my ''phone number.'' Beep boop boop beep boop boop! What?! When did we jump from a point-and-click horror game to magical fantasy? This thing is like Platform 9 and 3/4, I expected ''[[Literature/HarryPotter Harry effin' Potter]]'' to Apparate into Pirate's Cove or something.
** After [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2 FNAF2]] was announced, [=MatPat=] never brought up his [=FNAF1=] Theory.
* BigNo: Suffers one in the Stinger for the second half of the part two of his [=FNAF=] 3 video when he learns how ''Videogame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4'' was announced just a day after posting the first part of the video.
* BoomHeadshot: There's a scientific look into how [[VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas the Courier]] survived their headshot. Long answer: Yes, but only under certain conditions and the Courier likely wouldn't be the same afterwards. Short answer: Doesn't matter, because Benny actually fired ''[[DoubleTap twice]]'', with the second aimed at the temple, aka the squishiest, most vulnerable part of the head.
* BreakTheCutie: [=Matpat=]'s experience with ''Five Nights At Freddy's'' became this as he spoke fondly of the lore in his FNAF 2 episode but he jokingly states under the title of the playlist "All the theories on Five Nights at Freddy's, FNAF 2, FNAF 3, and FNAF 4, AKA: Why [=MatPat=] has developed an anxiety disorder".
* ButtMonkey: Ronnie of ''Digressing and Sidequesting'' is frequently mocked in Game Theory videos and end slates.
* CallBack:
** The ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' episode connected back to the Modern War Crimes video.
** The episode on ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' (A.K.A. the BoomHeadshot video) and specifically the tale of Phineas Gage was brought back to the limelight in the episode on ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4''.
** Game Theory's latest opening references various previous episodes, like [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze_uxxFJTvE Mario outspeeding Sonic and in turn being outsped by Eggman]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSQcPIt1BQU Peppy directing to do an aileron roll]] (instead of the inaccurate "barrel roll"), [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFPPKz6Y2hY Majora's moon]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S1SVkysIRw Link's gravestone]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUOMDODEBk0 the failure of the]] [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Leap of Faith]], the [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOl4b517qn8jl4Lw8H8cDrDkGwf1FtC7I locked box, a TV with Golden Freddy's head]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avCB6HOjsG4 a picture of Isaac]], and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA_24zLyKdI the Pyro's mask]].
* CannotTellAJoke:
** Happens in the "Surviving the ''Assassin's Creed'' Leap of Faith" Episode after disproving its chance of survival. [[spoiler:Which also somehow involves the AC world's gravity being greater than ours.]]
-->'''[=MatPat=]:''' Leap of faith? Hah! They wish they had the chance! More like tumble of… fatigue. I don't know, I can't come up with any good punchlines this week.
** And again in episode about ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'' moon.
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': It's really just a little baby moon, little moon-in-training, Literature/GoodnightMoon, Moon Jr… Junior Mints, Film/MoonOverMiami, [[OverlyLongGag moon, moon…]] there's a joke here, and I can't figure it out.
* CatchphraseInterruptus:
** In the video on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDXSr8jjpVk Polybius and MK Ultra]], where [=MatPat=] changes to "a conspiracy theory!" before cutting out the video with static.
** In his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPugMe4ePEw 102nd video covering Part 1]] of him solving the mysteries of ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'', cutting off his "Thanks for watching!" is the Phantom Freddy from the third game before static, then his advertisement of [=NatureBox=].
** With Australia Zoo, kinda. Part of the episode on [[VideoGame/LEGOAdaptationGame Lego Jurassic World]] is hosted by Robert Irwin, the son of [[Series/CrocodileHunter Steve Irwin]].
* CriticalResearchFailure: [[invoked]] [=MatPat=] claims that Scott Cawthon did not do proper research when creating ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4'' in regards to frontal lobe damage and its effects on dreams specifically nightmares.[[note]]This was followed up by Scott pointing out that Mat, himself, had screwed up while researching for the video.[[/note]]
%%If you're looking to add another one of [=MatPat=]'s mistakes, please put it under DanBrowned/GameTheoryWebShow
* {{Crossover}}: There are a number of guests that appear in various episodes.
** The ''VideoGame/RainbowSixSiege'' episode features LetsPlay/{{Strippin}}, Mari and Jovenshire of ''WebVideo/SmoshGames'' and Kellie AKA [=TheNationalDex=].
* DamnedByFaintPraise: [=MatPat=] was extremely pleased to appear in ''Website/YouTube's'' 2015 rewind for "a glorious 22 frames, 0.92 seconds".
* DeadAllAlong:
** The center of the ''Link is Dead'' episode.
** ''Rosalina Unmasked'' suggests this of [[spoiler: Princess Peach, or at least an alternate version of her]] as well.
* DealWithTheDevil: The ''VideoGame/HelloNeighbor'' theory is that the Neighbor is committing unholy rituals with victims trapped in his basement as payment for whatever he got in exchange for such a deal.
* {{Demythtification}}: Does this to ''Disney/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs''. He gives real world answers as to how the poisoned apple worked how Snow White woke up instead of magic and [[ThePowerOfLove the power of love]].
* DeusExMachina: Repeatedly lampshaded in the Composite Superman episode.
* DistractedByTheSexy: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpUs8oNjuV8 This episode]] argues the biological advantage in the ''VideoGame/DeadOrAlive'' franchise's skimpy costumes, and their capacity to create imbalance in tournament play.
* DrunkOnMilk: Well, more like "addicted to milk", in the ''VideoGame/CandyCrushSaga'' episode he claims to have an addiction to Diet Coke.
** Has reached the RunningGag status by now. "[=#NotSponsored=], [=#JustAnAddict=]."
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: [=MatPat=] says outright that the show was inspired by ''WebAnimation/ExtraCredits'', and before he found his own voice, artifacts of that style can be seen in the presentation.
* EpilepticTrees: [[invoked]]The whole purpose of his theories.
* EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory: [[invoked]]In many theories, [=MatPat=] uses obvious or supposed symbolism as evidence.
* {{Expy}}: The speculative theory on ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedSyndicate'' is that the game's recurring enemy The Blighters, are modeled after various real world London gangs of the time such as the Elephant and Castle Mob and Forty Elephants Gang.
* FakeBoobs: There is an ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCYqk3-lUTY entire episode]]'' about which video game characters have fake breasts and which ones have natural breasts.
* FakeOutOpening: The satire before the [=FNAF=] video.
* FanDislikedExplanation: [[DiscussedTrope Discussed.]] [=MatPat=] suspects that, based on strong evidence, Scott's original plan regarding ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys4'' was that it and most of the series was AllJustADream, only to ultimately leave said point unrevealed and discarded due to the likelihood of fan backlash.
* {{Fetish}}: When The [=JWittz=] rants about all the different types of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' he's made videos about, he mentions "Sexy Pokemon". [=MatPat=] promptly types the phrase into Google.
* FreezeFrameBonus: In his ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' Diamond Armor theory, after he talks about crystals having four planes of cleavage and says "we're not talking about the Creator/PamelaAnderson Bermuda Triangle brand of cleavage here," two "editor's notes" briefly appear on screen, the first saying "Wait!? We're not?" and the second saying:
--> Matt, I just spent, like, 25 minutes Photoshopping Music/KatyPerry's pom-poms onto crystalline solids and you're telling me we aren't even talking about ta-tas?
--> My roommate walked in on me! Imagine having THAT conversation...
* FreudianExcuse: Part of the "Bowser's Broken Home" theory posts that Bowser is villainous because he grew up an orphan, using real world studies regarding criminals with parentless upbringing.
* FreudianSlip: Matt sure has a hard time saying "[[VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry1 Kremcroc]]."
* GoshDangItToHeck: [=MatPat=] actually ''apologizes'' for saying the word "poop" in one episode. This "Political Correctness" hasn't been quite received well by other [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HC6ZCIJNldU people]].
* HappilyMarried: To his wife Stephanie.
* HiveMind: The [[VideoGame/StarCraft Zerg]] episode focuses on the functions of a hive mind, or swarm intelligence, and goes on to theorize that [[spoiler:humans operate on the same mentality as the Zerg thanks to the Internet]].
* HostileShowTakeover: Subverted. While ''WebVideo/PeanutButterGamer'' interrupts an episode about ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]'' ([=MatPat=] blames [[TakeThat a YouTube glitch]]), it's by no means hostile, or even intentional[[note]]In-Universe, anyway[[/note]] on PBG's part.
** In fact, the only real moments of hostility (if you can call it that) are when [[spoiler:[=PBG=] jumps the gun and trys to say "[[SigningOffCatchphrase A Game Theory!]]" before the proper point]].
* HurricaneOfEuphemisms: At the beginning of the [[OldShame boobs episode]], he sings a song of these to the tune of Offenbach's "Orpheus In The Underworld Overture".[[note]]The can-can song.[[/note]]
* KindheartedCatLover: [=MatPat=] has a cat named Skips, though he also nicknames it [=CatPat=] in the livestream.
* LateArrivalSpoiler: If you saw the thumbnail for the second part of the ''Rosalina Unmasked'' theory before watching the first, then [[spoiler:Princess Peach being DeadAllAlong won't come as much of a surprise to you.]]
* NothingIsScarier: [=MatPat=] acts terrified in the satirical beginning of the ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' episode, but once he actually gets jump-scared, he stops being scared of it in the slightest. [[spoiler:Until Golden Freddy shows up, at least.]]
* MagicFeather: One of the ''Zelda'' episodes focused on the various strength and health items, and then goes on to explain the PlaceboEffect.
* MassivelyMultiplayerCrossover:
** [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blaX_eMz3Qw This]] episode attempts to prove that all video game characters share one universe, which is also ours via [[VideoGame/PunchOut Mike Tyson]] and [[VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater Tony Hawk]].
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWSWjN6n_UQ This later episode]] then goes on to claim that [[VideoGame/WatchDogs A number of]] [[VideoGame/FarCry Ubisoft's more]] [[VideoGame/SplinterCell realistic franchises]] all share a universe, using [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreed Abstergo Industries]] as a linchpin.
* MessianicArchetype: Discussed in ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' episode, where [=MatPat=] claims that the whole game is actually a retelling of [[Literature/TheBible the Bible]].
* {{Metaphorgotten}}: In "Batman + Superman + COW = ???":
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': And it looks like now I've finally become the comic nerd I was always destined to be. Not the comic nerd I deserved, but the comic nerd that I thought that I needed to deserve to have... Batman dark knight!
* MetaphorIsMyMiddleName: In his first FNAF video:
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Hello, internet! Welcome to Game Theory, where fear is our middle name. Matthew '''Fear''' Patrick! It's a very strange name.
** Also in the video about the WesterAnimation/BeeMovie meme where he says that "impossible" is his middle name. "Matthew Robert Danger Impossible Patrick".
* MissingStepsPlan: [[https://youtu.be/gHwPYrMA0z0?t=593 Here]] in the dating sim episode.
-->STRATEGY
-->1) Spa
-->2) Bathing Suit
-->3) ....
-->4) PROFIT
* MontyHallProblem: Half of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbX6-iNp3-Q Monty Hall, Plinko, and Probability]]" concerns this and how [[spoiler:by switching your door, you're 2/3rds more likely to win]].
* MoodWhiplash:
** The ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' episode. [[spoiler:Who expected him to bring up a ''real life murder incident'' that took place at a Creator/ChuckECheese?]]
** At the end of the 2nd part of the ''Watch_Dogs'' episode, where he ends on a dark note about how vulnerable we are to hackers, so much so that they could ''kill'' people… immediately follows it up with a light-hearted advert about a shaving website.
* NineOutOfTenDoctorsAgree: In one episode, he calls ''GT'' the show "Ten out of ten doctors agree...[[SubvertedTrope they don't watch]]."
* OverlyLongGag: In an episode discussing whether ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' supports animal abuse, the screen stops on a shot of a cricket match. While [=MatPat=] is talking, the subtitles comment that he's never stayed on one shot so long before. They then go off on a random tangent for about a minute, before reminding you that [=MatPat=] is still talking in the background and you should probably rewind to hear what he said.
* ParanoiaGambit: Claims in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1kw1RmzrPc&t=48s a FNAF video]] that he's not going to use any more {{Jump Scare}}s, before invoking the trope.
* PathOfInspiration : One episode was dedicated to examining the religion-themed antagonists from the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games.
* PoesLaw: While they tried to defy this with the opening of the ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' episode, (where [=MatPat=] deliberately made it blatantly obvious that he was faking it), some people who failed to sit through the first two minutes apparently believed it.
-->'''Game Theorists''': WebSite/YouTube Rule #13: Make sure all obvious satire in a video comes with a large red label on screen that says "OBVIOUS SATIRE." *cough* first two minutes *cough*
* RealityEnsues: The focus of some episodes is to determine if some concepts, like [[VideoGame/BioShockInfinite a flying city]], [[VideoGame/{{Minecraft}} diamond armor]], or [[Franchise/{{Metroid}} the Morph Ball]] are actually feasible.
* TheReveal: Subverted. Near the end of the two-parter concerning Rosalina, Matt thinks a little more and starts to think that [[spoiler:she isn't Peach and Mario's daughter, but Peach and ''Luigi's'']]… before dismissing it. Though his latest Mario Timeline episode seems to imply he accepts this theory.
* RhymesOnADime: Performed whenever the Wheel of Gaming is involved.
-->'''[=MatPat=]''' Wheel of Gaming, spin around, give a franchise that is profound.
* RunningGag: [=MatPat=] is really fond of them.
** Ever since the episode where it was the main topic, [=MatPat=] has frequently used his claim that "Wario is 10 feet tall" to highlight inaccuracies in his videos, and also for general SelfDeprecation.
** He frequently expresses his goal of beating LetsPlay/PewDiePie in subscribers.
** As of his theory on Video Game Movies, he also likes to randomly throw a fez on characters and graphics.
*** Though, supposedly, this is done not as a random joke, but for copyright reasons - by doing this to the images, he avoids any potential lawsuits that might occur from using them in unaltered form.
** His fear of, out of all the scary things in there, ''the fan'' in his ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' theories. Moreso when it's now ''purple'' in the fourth game.
** And before ''finally'' doing it, mentioning the dating sim episode.
** In the ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys'' videos, "Psychic Friend Fredbear" has it's own jingle, sometimes played multiple times in one video.
* RuleOfSexy: Mentions the controversy about ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' and its original character model for Kali (and other characters) being overly sexualised to draw the attention of males.
** Justified, as [=MatPat=] goes on to argue, in that most mythological art of female goddesses are practically half-naked. Kali's already been showing her boobs since BC times, so ''Smite'' isn't really giving us anything we couldn't have seen after a quick search on the internet.
* RuleOfThree: During his ''Humans are Pokemon'' theory:
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Wheel of Gaming, spin around, to give me a franchise that is profound.
-->''(Wheel of Gaming lands on'' Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'')''
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Huh. Uh, sorry, no, we've done more than enough Pokemon episodes, thank you very much. Let's try this again. Wheel of Gaming, Spin, Span, Spun, land on a series that's super fun.
-->''(Wheel of Gaming lands on ''Pokemon'' again)''
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Ha Ha, very funny, Wheel of Gaming. Wheel of Gaming, I'm getting weary, give me a game to do a theory.
-->''(Wheel of Gaming lands on ''Pokemon'' the third time)''
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': ({{Angrish}})
* SandInMyEyes: [=MatPat=] goes through this when bringing up [[Anime/PokemonHeroes Latios' death]] in the Raticate episode.
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': That Latios scene man... oh... seems someone is always cutting onions when that scene is on. (tearing up) So strange how that works. I don't even like onions!
* SelfDeprecation:
** In his ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' video, after saying that 10 percent of people shot in the head survive, he remarks that "you have better odds of surviving a headshot than I do of writing a decent joke for this show."
** This gem from "Problems with [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]]" episode:
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Hello, Internet, welcome to ''Game Theory'', hailed by critics as "Fast edits with mildly impressive Photoshopping".
** He's repeatedly referenced his CriticalResearchFailure in evaluating [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Wario's]] {{fartillery}}, in which he says that Wario is ten feet tall.[[invoked]]
** Ronnie while talking during ''Digressing and Sidequesting'' has a GreekChorus calling out most of the flaws in what he says.
** Game Theory's 2015 rewind was just a montage of [=MatPat=] saying "FNAF", "Freddy", "Creator/{{Scott|Cawthon}}", and "Purple Guy".
** In the Film Theory episode on ''WebVideo/DontHugMeImScared'' he jokingly compares himself to the crazy uncle [[ConspiracyTheorist that thinks everything's a conspiracy]].
* ShipperOnDeck: Throughout the streams of VideoGame/LifeIsStrange [=MatPat=] is desperate for Max and Warren to get together. Stephanie on the other hand is desperate for Warren and 'Drone Girl' (Brooke) to end up in a relationship.
* ShoutOut:
** In the "What gender is the Pyro?" video, [=MatPat=], after "ending" the video about halfway through, says that his end-cards are long, [[TakeThat but he's no]] WebVideo/{{Yuriofwind}}.
** He has name-dropped WebVideo/GameGrumps, WebVideo/{{SMOSH}}, and LetsPlay/{{Markiplier}} in an episode regarding "What Gamers Want".
*** Mark also appears in the beginning of "Why [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys FNAF]] will never end"
** Really, his videos are full of references to other works, including non-video games like ''{{Manga/Naruto}}'', ''Manga/DragonBall'', ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', ''Literature/TheCatInTheHat'' (for his early {{visual pun}}s on "Here's the thing.")
* ShownTheirWork: The whole point of the show.
* SigningOffCatchphrase:
** "But hey! That's just a theory: ''A [[TitleDrop Game Theory]]!'' Thanks for watching." He also sometimes uses variations of this when mentioning other theories like "string theory", "scientific theory", "crime theories", and so on.
** When doing two-parters, he ends with "In the meantime, that's just a theory!"
* SoftWater: {{Defied|Trope}} in "Surviving the VideoGame/AssassinsCreed Leap of Faith", where he notes that the surface tension of water makes hitting it at high speeds just as bad as hitting concrete, and [[RealityIsUnrealistic hay would actually break the assassin's fall better]].
* StockEpilepticTrees: Many of his theories are some of these:
** Link being in purgatory.
** Mario being the villain.
* StylisticSuck: The opening of his video on ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' plays out like a really bad LetsPlay.
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': ''(whispering quickly)'' I am so scared right now, I am so scared, can't you tell how scared I am right now?
* SubvertedCatchphrase:
** The first being the video on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDXSr8jjpVk Polybius and MK Ultra]], where [=MatPat=] changes to "a conspiracy theory!" [[CatchphraseInterruptus before cutting out]].
** He changes it the most [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A9Iu-E80-w at the conclusion]] of his ''VideoGame/WatchDogs'' theory duology.
--->'''[=MatPat=]''': '''That''' is the world of Watch_Dogs. That is ''our'' world. And that ''isn't'' a theory. It's a fact.
* SubliminalSeduction: Proven to be laughably ineffective in an extremely early episode on ''{{VideoGame/Pokemon}}'' with his main evidence being "GottaCatchEmAll" and "I Love Satan" aren't even close to having the same syllables whether forwards or backwards.
* SympathyForTheDevil: Matt's thoughts about [[spoiler:Josh]] from ''VideoGame/UntilDawn''.
* TakeThat:
** The AVGN episode has one towards WebVideo/TheIrateGamer.
** The laser blade episode has one towards certain ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'' fans.
* TakeThisJobAndShoveIt: [=MatPat's=] reaction to the wheel of gaming insisting he make a seventh video about ''Pokémon''.
* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: [[invoked]]One of the videos shows that the games that sell best are usually not too different from the ones we've already tried, and that the games praised for being "innovative" rarely sell as well.
* ThisIsGonnaSuck: From the beginning of "Is Link dead in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask Majora's Mask]]''?" episode:
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Wheel of Gaming, turn, turn, turn, tell me the fanbase I should burn…
-->''(wheel stops on ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'')''
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Oh geez…
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: [=MatPat=] loves Diet Coke.
* TwoFirstNames: The host of the show, Matthew Patrick.
* UnfortunateImplications: Invoked when [=MatPat=] made an episode on how many LGBT characters are portrayed; as villains, mentally unstable, inhuman.
* UnrealisticBlackHole: "The Pokédex is Full of Lies!" is dedicated entirely as an analysis to debunk this trope.
* UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom: According to the "Who is VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}'s TRUE villain?" theory, due to Dr. Light's inability to program roboethics, Dr. Wily managed to [[VideoGame/MegaMan9 manipulate the robots]] into serving him, by convincing them that by the time they have finished their work, [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness they would be scrapped]], and thus, joining him in his quest for world domination is the only way to survive, resulting in the events of the original ''Mega Man'' series.
* UpToEleven: If you thought [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Aerith's]] [[ItWasHisSled death]] wasn't tragic enough, [=MatPat=]'s [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEJ_3_wYROc&index=85&list=PL35FE5C4B157509C9 Game Theory]] manages to make it ''much worse''.
* VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory: Half of the "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th_LYe97ZVc Five Nights at Freddy's]]" episode posits that [[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys the game]] is based off of [[spoiler:[[http://component.geolearning.com/courses/smb2_46_lms/caliber/vathtml/vspoverview/Rebecca%20Oakes%20testimonial.pdf a real life incident]] that took place at a Creator/ChuckECheese on December 14th, 1993]].
* VisualPun: Multiple ones per episode too.
* VoiceOfTheLegion: During the final episode of the FranBow livestream, when [[spoiler: Mabuka, Queen of Darkness appears,]] Matt and Stephanie spontaneously decide to SpeakInUnison. [[https://youtu.be/CbmEApQLADU?t=1h22m7s The effect is very unsettling.]]
* WorthyOpponent: [=MatPat=] and Scott Cawthon can be considered this as both sides have had an impact on the other. ''Five Nights At Freddy's can be seen as [=MatPat=]'s magnum opus and both him and Scott have mentioned the other with [=MatPat=] trying to solve the mystery and point out flaws while Cawthon adds more complications to the lore and does credit Game Theory in a post about FNAF 4's ending.

!!Tropes found in ''Film Theory'':

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation:[[invoked]]
** He theorizes that Christian Grey is brainwashing Anastasia into going along with BDSM, pointing out all the times the movie coincided with the steps of real life indoctrination process.
** He also speculates that [[WesternAnimation/FindingNemo Dory]] is ObfuscatingStupidity to hunt prey especially since her species does that in nature...only for another, very crucial part of his theory [[note]]being that Dory remembers the boat despite that being long-term memory[[/note]] to be disproven in the first five minutes of WesternAnimation/FindingDory. This and the one on Film/TheForceAwakens probably proves that it's probably best for him to avoid making theories on stuff that hasn't come out yet,[[VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddysSisterLocation not that it stopped him]].
** He theorizes that WebAnimation/SaladFingers was an abandoned child who went insane after losing everyone in his life and projects himself onto Hubert Cumberdale.
** The [[Series/StarTrek United Federation of Planets]] is a fascist government. Matpat also theorizes that the entire franchise is based upon [[UnreliableNarrator unreliable narration]] due to the frequent framing device of the "Captain's log".
* BittersweetEnding: His interpretation of the ending of [[Creator/ThisIsIt Don't Hug Me I'm Scared]]. [[spoiler: Essentially, Roy no longer sponsors Red's show, but Red has finally pulled the plug on Roy's influence on both the show and his son (Yellow Guy) and the characters can finally have the freedom of their show back, even if they're on a smaller budget.]]
* DontExplainTheJoke: The entire point of Matpat's video on the controversy surrounding WebVideo/PewDiePie's supposed anti-semitism.
-->'''[=MatPat=]''': Nothing ruins a joke faster than analyzing it. Sooo let's do that!
* FailedASpotCheck:
** One episode of justifies this in ''Series/TheWalkingDead'' by showing that spending a large amount of time shooting loud guns in places with echoes (which the characters do constantly) would result in them starting to lose their hearing, allowing Walkers to constantly sneak up on them.
** Lampshaded in the video for ''Film/HitmanAgent47''. [=MatPat=] discovers and discusses a plausible material for creating bulletproof sub-dermal body armor only to realize by the end that Agent 47 specified that John Smith's bulletproof skin was titanium.
* NoOSHACompliance: His analysis of ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD83QaWy8LI Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory]]'' states that Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, if inspected, would land him in serious trouble for the myriad of health and safety violations, especially given his blase attitude towards worker and visitor safety. [[spoiler: In fact, given the timing of when OSHA was implemented and when [[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory the movie]] was set, [=MatPat=] theorizes that Wonka was trying to pawn off his company to an unsuspecting rube that could take the fall for him.]]
* SigningOffCatchphrase: "But hey! That's just a theory: ''A Film Theory!'' Aaaaaaand, cut!"
* SpoilerOpening: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] with his Film Theory opening in regards to ''Film/TheHungerGames''. The opening shows Katniss next to a chart that shows her chances of winning the hunger games are very low. However, when he actually did the theory on Hunger Games, Katniss was actually slated to win.
* ToServeMan: The theory on WALL-E is that the co pilot Auto had been given direct commands from the president in 2110 to keep the humans in space as earth has become uninhabitable. Since there is a large disappearance of corpses and not enough food to last seven hundred years, Auto had resorted to secretly converting the corpses into food in order to have enough for humans to survive for decades.
* WhosOnFirst: [=MatPat=] deals with this at the start of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ksiM7LTPU his second]] ''Series/DoctorWho'' episode, when someone calls to tell him that there's a TV marathon of famous fictional doctors, and says "No" when asked who's on first, because Doctor Who is on second (and ''Film/DrNo'' is on first).


----
-->But hey, that's just a theory! A ''Game'' Theory! Thanks for watching.

* NoOSHACompliance: His analysis of ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD83QaWy8LI Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory]]'' states that Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, if inspected, would land him in serious trouble for the myriad of health and safety violations, especially given his blase attitude towards worker and visitor safety. [[spoiler: In fact, given the timing of when OSHA was implemented and when [[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory the movie]] was set, Mat theorizes that Wonka was trying to pawn off his company to an unsuspecting rube that could take the fall for him.]]

* NoOSHACompliance: His analysis of ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD83QaWy8LI Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory]]'' states that Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, if uncovered, would land him in serious trouble for the myriad of health and safety violations. [[spoiler: In fact, given the timing of when OSHA was implemented and when [[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory the movie]] was set, Mat theorizes that Wonka was trying to pawn off his company to an unsuspecting rube that could take the fall for him.]]

* NoOSHACompliance: His analysis of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD83QaWy8LI Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory]] states that Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, if uncovered, would land him in serious trouble for the myriad of health and safety violations. [[spoiler: In fact, given the timing of when OSHA was implemented and when [[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory the movie]] was set, Mat theorizes that Wonka was trying to pawn off his company to an unsuspecting rube that could take the fall for him.]]

-->'''[=MatPat=]''': It's really just a little baby moon, little moon-in-training, Goodnight Moon, Moon Jr… [[OverlyLongGag Junior Mints, Moon Over Miami, moon, moon…]] there's a joke here, and I can't figure it out.

In 2016, [=MatPat=] started another show called ''Game Lab''. This series is similar to {{Series/Mythbusters}} by having [=MatPat=] going on camera to test the episode's topics. The series is currently exclusive to the subscription-based Youtube Red with the pilot episode available for free.

%%If you're looking to add another one of [=MatPat=]'s mistakes, please put it under CriticalResearchFailure/GameTheoryWebShow

* BigBadFriend: The theory posted that [[spoiler:Phone Guy is the Golden Freddy Murderer after seeing ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2'']]. Despite ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3'' supposedly refuting that theory, [[spoiler:he instead managed to ''solidify'' his theory with it, though the "Golden Freddy" part is disproven.]] After later games further refuted the theory and it was eventually that [[spoiler: the killer is William Afton, one of the founders of Fazbear Entertainment]], [=MatPat=] dropped it, however.

* BigBadFriend: The theory posted that [[spoiler:Phone Guy is the Golden Freddy Murderer after seeing ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys2'']]. Despite ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys3'' supposedly refuting that theory, [[spoiler:he instead managed to ''solidify'' his theory with it, though the "Golden Freddy" part is disproven.]]