Behind the Theories: GameOver Jesse Explains the Methods Supporting His Zelda Theories

There are great number of amazing Zelda theorists out there, and it can be hard to find one with real dedication to accuracy and research. This week, we have the pleasure of interviewing one such theorist about his work, the inspiration he finds in Zelda, and what is truly behind the theories. You might know him from Zelda Informer’s recently posted articles about the Golden Goddesses or how the Gerudo became Twili – they certainly sparked a lot of debate in our comment sections! Today you can learn more about the man behind it all in our full interview below:

Disclaimer: This article was written by a member of the Zelda Informer staff unless otherwise stated. The thoughts, opinions, and information presented strictly belong to that of the author and do not represent Zelda Informer on the whole.

Zelda Informer: Thank you so much for coming to talk with us! Would you mind introducing yourself and the work you do with Zelda on your channel?

GameOver Jesse: Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’m Jesse or GameOver Jesse on YouTube. I’ve always had a passion for the Zelda series, so it just seemed natural to turn to it once I started uploading content regularly. I was inspired and encouraged by Macintyre Productions on YouTube who also creates a lot of Zelda videos. Taking advice from him, I started interviewing various internet celebrities and people known in the video game industry about Zelda and their experiences with the franchises. I then started uploading Zelda Wii U news and rumor videos. When the game was delayed and news slowed down, I went back to the interviewing people, this time on a podcast with guest hosts, Simon and Amanda. I’ve recently started uploading Zelda theory videos and will soon start doing a series of Let’s Plays with various Zelda games.

ZI: If Hyrule Warriors was an experiment in multiplayer, as you suggest in your first Zelda Wii U News episode, would the upcoming Tri Force Heroes be along a similar vein? Do you think it will be perhaps the more developed and focused version, before they decide incorporate its elements into the Zelda Wii U?

GOJ: My thoughts on Hyrule Warriors have primarily remained the same. I know Nintendo didn’t have direct development of the game, but Aonuma still stayed in charge. When asked if they could implement dungeons, I believe I remember the quote being something along the lines of Aonuma wanted them to make the Zelda game that he wouldn’t be able to.

The multiplayer aspect of the game is a key element that I think Nintendo was experimenting with. When details of Zelda Wii U were first given, one of the key notes said a new focus on multiplayer was priority. We’ve seen small drops of multiplayer with Wind Waker HD, the DS games, and now Tri Force Heroes.

With Hyrule Warriors, gameplay was the focused on fighting with no dungeon. We see the exact opposite with Tri Force Heroes, instead of fight, fight, fight, its dungeon, dungeon, dungeon. If I remember correctly, Tri Force Heroes is said to have over 30 dungeons. So with both games releasing on 3DS soon, fans will have both aspects to look forward to.

I think Zelda Wii U may feature an item such as the four sword to split Link in two or possibly more for multiplayer. Even a separate character entirely could join in as we see in Hyrule Warriors. I think Hyrule Warriors and Tri Force Heroes are both testing grounds for what they want to do with Zelda Wii U. If Tri Force Heroes proves successful, we may see something similar added to Zelda Wii U.

ZI: Will your increase in recent popularity inspire you to make more videos?

GOJ: I only started uploading Zelda content a few months ago and with help from sites like Zelda Informer and other YouTubers, I have managed to reach well over half a million views and close to 3,000 subscribers. As my fan base increases, so does the desire from the viewers for more content. I plan on continuing to make Zelda Theories a priority and also start creating Let’s Plays with commentary about the history and facts of the series.

ZI: Lately, you’ve collaborated with a lot of other YouTubers; is that something you really enjoy doing?

GOJ: A lot of people look at others providing similar content as competitors and I prefer to look at them as collaborators or partners. Macintyre Productions, Commonwealth Realm, HMK, NintendoBox, Hylian Bandicoots, and many more. The list could go on and on. I’ve been fortunate enough to have made so many great friends in the YouTube community.

ZI: What is your all-time favorite Zelda game and why?

GOJ: I absolutely love Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, I’ve spent countless hours discovering every little secret both games have to offer. Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess are also both great games as well.

That being said, I would have to say my all time favorite game is A Link to the Past. Some of the very first memories I have are of the game. When I was three or four years old, I have vague memories of playing, or trying to play, the game with my Mom and Dad. As I grew up and was able to play the game for myself, I still remember going to them for help. Now, twenty years later, I can thank them for introducing me to the series.

ZI: What inspires you to theorize about Zelda?

GOJ: Not just with Zelda, but other favorite franchises of mine, I love exploring the depth of the stories. A lot of the material in the games leave us with questions that go unanswered by Nintendo. I like connecting the dots they leave behind and coming up with my own answers.

ZI: Do you think some of your theories are supported more by causal correlations rather than cause and effect evidence?

GOJ: I do this for fun. I enjoy coming up with theories, discussing rumors, and just talking about the games in general. I look at Zelda theories as just that, THEORIES. As much hard work and research we put into them, they are no more correct than someone coming up with something off of the top of their head. No matter how many things line up perfectly with our theories, they will never be Zelda Facts, just theories. For that reason, I just look at theories as having fun and trying to provide the viewers with the content they want.

Having fun with the theories is a priority for me. I have two theories that completely contradict each other. The theory on the Happy Mask Salesman being Link’s counterpart in Termina and one about the Fierce Deity being Link’s counterpart. Both theories hold up to debate on their own, but at the same time they both contradict each other. In the end, neither are canon, so its up to you as a Zelda fan to choose which theories you want to believe and come up with your own conclusion.

ZI: How do you form a theory when you are working with very little information?

GOJ: As I previously stated, I look at Zelda theories as having fun with answering the questions left behind after finishing the games. Sometimes those theories come together easy, such as Groose being an ancestor to Ganondorf and the Gerudo. Others take a lot more research, such as the theory on the Gerudo becoming the Twili. The research put into the theory doesn’t make it more correct than another. As long as the theory can hold up to debate, than it can always be a possibility.

ZI: How do you try to get around using too many causal correlations in situations with too little information?

GOJ: I try taking a look to see if other theorists have already covered a theory I have an idea on. I want to try to have mine as original as possible. Zelda fans get tired of seeing the same “Is Link Dead Theory” from 50 different YouTube channels. With that said, they also pass harsh judgement on theories that lack information or seem like nonsense. So with the research I do for my theories, I try my best to find as much information as possible to prove my point and come to the conclusion that I can agree on as a Zelda fan. Sometimes, not much information is available and you just have to choose to pursue the theory with limited facts or start a new theory that will have more facts to rely on. My theory on the moon’s aura being a portal to the realm Majora was sealed was one with very little facts, but it was an interesting and fun one to do.

ZI: Any advice for struggling game theorists out there on the subject of casual correlations?

GOJ: All I can say is to do as much research as possible to become knowledgeable of the content you want to create and bounce ideas off of your friends or other Zelda fans for their ideas. Have them help you develop the theory and even have them try to break it apart. This way you can bring in more facts to help back up whatever weak points others will point out.

ZI: Any advice for struggling game theorists in general?

GOJ: Whatever you decide to do, just remember at the end of the day your theory will never be considered canon or fact and will remain a theory. Again, just have fun with your theory and make sure it can stand up to a little debate. Do research and be knowledgeable of the theory. If you come up with a theory or someone else’s theory contradicts your theory, don’t worry about it. Continue to pursue the theory. I’ve had people comment on and say “This theory can’t be true because of the Link is dead theory”. I just laugh them off, you can’t use a theory to disprove another theory and this can often lead to people giving up on what could become a popular theory among Zelda fans.

Image Source: Zelda Minimalist Poster, comic strip from XKCD