Game Theory: Sonic's Rings Are A SCAM!? (Sonic The Hedgehog)

I miss these old school Game Theory videos. It goes back to what they were intended to be, teaching math and science by explaining video games. It's how I learned so much about science, and understood how game companies abuse addiction, loot boxes, and pretty colors. It's also how I learned about color theory and my love for understand more about them

funfact: the reasons gas station registers have the sonic ring sound because SEGA had sold some aspects of their IP to Sammy Holdings, who make ‘Pachinko’ machines in Japan. In turn, Sammy have been licensing out these to the Chinese manufacturers who make these registers.

Matpat doesn’t need an Oscar, he needs his sanity

I’m convinced that matpat has an ever expanding, infinite pocket dimension in which he keeps all of his theories

I’m happy to see the theorists delving back into science-based theories - when I was younger my favorite episodes were the lore theories, but as the brand expanded I felt that the science theories got kind of phased out, and all I ever saw were lore theories - but this episode and the last seem like a nice return to form :)

Did MatPat just pronounce Hydro City as hydrocity? Who is he, Megamind? Actually, that makes a lot of sense...

I’d just like to point out that, even if the size of the rings get smaller, the weight cannot decrease, due to matter not being able to be destroyed. Sonics rings would still weigh the same and have the same amount of metal, they just appear to be smaller.

This is the type of theory I used to love from back in the day. This feels like a classic theory. Thanks. Love the throwback :')

and then you realize that recent SEGA confirmed that the rings aren't even currency in the first place
like in the IDW comics (the best source for modern Sonic world information)
the characters can just get a chili dog from a stand, no payment required
or join a Chao race tournament, no cash price for the winners

No matter how much they’re worth, considering it’s been canonically stated in Tails tube (the official sonic the hedgehog YouTube series where they answer lore questions) that Sonic most likely doesn’t own a house since he’s the kind of guy who is too busy adventuring to ever have a personal residence. As such, Sonic either find the grassy field to nap at or he crashes at Tails’s workshop.

What does in mind, his expenses would be significantly lower than the average person since he doesn’t have a house payment or electric bills to deal with. And considering the only clothes he wears, are sneakers, socks, and gloves, I imagine his spendings for closes also relatively low. So really the only thing he has to worry about financially is food. (Which considering chili dogs aren’t that expensive, I think 999 rings every zone or two should more than cover it.)

8:50 8-BIT MATPAT IS BACK😮

In Sonic Dash there is also an in game shop where you can buy rings from real money. You could also use this game for your calculations.

What little lore we get for the gold rings throws a big wrench into the theory no matter what kind of metal you want to go with, as rings are the solidified run off energy from the chaos emeralds. So its likely the rings aren't a metal to begin with, they just look like one.

I have a feeling Matpat excluded the rings properties in the movies (and the huge ones that can teleport you in the games) because their basically a portable, wireless, oddly telepathic teleporting rings. That has near impossible logic as of today.

I love that we're coming back to OG math theories and pixel measurements! Who else has flashbacks to the similar Mario episode 😂

Lol, I'm so glad you talked about the size issue. I was all ready to post "Um... Actually, the visual size of the rings in the games is probably just a gameplay feature for the player's benefit, otherwise Sonic wouldn't be able to carry so many of them..." but you actually covered it.

Of course, the real explanation is that they're magic.

Ironically, there is a lore quote (from rogue I think?) That mentions how rings are basically worthless because they are so abundant. Which in turn makes the low conversion cost pretty accurate to the lore.

So are we treating the whole ring as if it's neodymium or as if it's 18 karats gold with the remaining 6 karats being neodymium? Because then the prices would probably change drastically. I mean, if Gold retains its magnetism till 18 karats and neodymium is super magnetic, then it would stand to reason that the Neo-Gold rings would be fairly magnetic and still worth a pretty decent settlement irl.

Anytime I see a game theory video that isn’t just explaining the story of current mascot horror game, I regain a tiny bit of faith in humanity

For those interested, that image of brown sonic was from the Fleetway Publications "Sonic the Comic", which was a Sega comic produced in the UK, and not under Sega of America's aegis. It was thier attempt of Sonic's "Origin Story", and the gentleman with him is Dr Ovi Kintobor, the Jeckyll to Eggman's Hyde.

I always assumed that the Sonic rings acted as a Petrodollar equivalent, in that they're not accually a currency, but a form of energy-matter that functions as a currency.