Telltale Games

Alf Fly · 10/10/2010, 04:40 pm

I've played a fair amount of poker in my time. I know the way the game works (although I still suck at it), and I have some theories as to why Telltale might have chosen the characters that they have and what roles they'll play during the game.

Poker is as much about personality as it is about luck; you're playing the people as much as the cards. Now, consider the personalities of the characters involved:

Max is crazy. You'd worry about going into a heads-up with him, because you get the feeling he might just bet on anything just for the sake of it. He'd be a total wildcard, utterly unpredictable. He'd play loosely and aggressively, although not through any kind of tactical knowledge. In fact, with these types of players it can be tough to know if they've got any idea of what they're doing at all.

Strongbad is arrogant. He'd talk a lot, bet heavily and bluff big, while being unlikely to flat-call - he's a born raiser. The ego-driven approach of these players tends to make them fairly predictable, so if you can figure out a tell when they're bluffing then you should be able to beat them.

The Heavy is the strong silent type. He's likely to hold onto his chips until he gets a good hand and then bet big. The rest of the time he'd be a cautious player, playing conservatively and guarding his chips ferociously. It can be difficult to dislodge that kind of player off a hand.

Tycho is a tricky one. In the Penny Arcade comics he comes across as the more sensible of the two characters, so I suspect that on Poker Night he'll be the calmest and most skillful of the opponents. Essentially, he'll take on the role of the Shark, and will probably be the hardest character to beat.

So essentially, each of the characters Telltale have chosen is fairly close to a known poker archetype; Max as a Maniac, Tycho as a Shark, the Heavy as a Rock and Strongbad as a Loose-Agressive type.

I might be overthinking this, and of course Telltale might have chosen their characters for entirely different reasons, but if so the similarities are remarkably close. Any thoughts?

koiboi59 · 10/10/2010, 04:46 pm

You hit the nail on the hammer!

Clord · 10/10/2010, 09:45 pm

You nailed it pretty much.

However I'm almost certain that their playing styles will not entirely match with your post.

LowMoralFiber · 10/12/2010, 09:13 pm

The Heavy always struck me as being kind of loud and boisterous when playing TF2...

RAnthonyMahan · 10/13/2010, 07:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowMoralFiber

The Heavy always struck me as being kind of loud and boisterous when playing TF2...

That's because the Heavy's caught up in the excitement of battle. He's a lot calmer when he isn't fighting. (As seen in the Meet the Heavy and Meet the Spy videos.)

In fact, from what little we've seen of them outside the battlefield, the whole team seems more relaxed when they're not at work. Except the Soldier. He's crazy 24/7.

GeorgeC · 10/13/2010, 09:32 am

Sounds pretty much it, now we just wait for the game to be released!

Gman5852 · 10/16/2010, 08:36 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAnthonyMahan

That's because the Heavy's caught up in the excitement of battle. He's a lot calmer when he isn't fighting. (As seen in the Meet the Heavy and Meet the Spy videos.)

True but I have a feeling he wont be calm in this game even if he isnt in the heat of battle.

BiggerJ · 10/22/2010, 10:27 pm

Heavy: PLAYING CARDS IS JUST LIKE KILLING PEOPLE! SOLDIER SAID SO!

Tycho: Yes, but he also said that Sun Tsu is the reason a collection of animals is called a zoo.

Heavy: UNLESS IS FARM!

10/10/2010, 04:40 pm	#1
Alf Fly Master of Disaster Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 74	"Poker Night" Personality Traits I've played a fair amount of poker in my time. I know the way the game works (although I still suck at it), and I have some theories as to why Telltale might have chosen the characters that they have and what roles they'll play during the game. Poker is as much about personality as it is about luck; you're playing the people as much as the cards. Now, consider the personalities of the characters involved: Max is crazy. You'd worry about going into a heads-up with him, because you get the feeling he might just bet on anything just for the sake of it. He'd be a total wildcard, utterly unpredictable. He'd play loosely and aggressively, although not through any kind of tactical knowledge. In fact, with these types of players it can be tough to know if they've got any idea of what they're doing at all. Strongbad is arrogant. He'd talk a lot, bet heavily and bluff big, while being unlikely to flat-call - he's a born raiser. The ego-driven approach of these players tends to make them fairly predictable, so if you can figure out a tell when they're bluffing then you should be able to beat them. The Heavy is the strong silent type. He's likely to hold onto his chips until he gets a good hand and then bet big. The rest of the time he'd be a cautious player, playing conservatively and guarding his chips ferociously. It can be difficult to dislodge that kind of player off a hand. Tycho is a tricky one. In the Penny Arcade comics he comes across as the more sensible of the two characters, so I suspect that on Poker Night he'll be the calmest and most skillful of the opponents. Essentially, he'll take on the role of the Shark, and will probably be the hardest character to beat. So essentially, each of the characters Telltale have chosen is fairly close to a known poker archetype; Max as a Maniac, Tycho as a Shark, the Heavy as a Rock and Strongbad as a Loose-Agressive type. I might be overthinking this, and of course Telltale might have chosen their characters for entirely different reasons, but if so the similarities are remarkably close. Any thoughts? __________________ "I think therefore I am," I told the prostitutes. Talk about putting Descartes before the whores.

10/10/2010, 09:45 pm	#3
Clord Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 300	You nailed it pretty much. However I'm almost certain that their playing styles will not entirely match with your post. Last edited by Clord; 10/10/2010 at 09:47 pm.

10/12/2010, 09:13 pm	#4
LowMoralFiber Mighty Gamer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Basement Posts: 241	The Heavy always struck me as being kind of loud and boisterous when playing TF2... __________________ Low Moral Fiber: An important part of an unbalanced breakfast.

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10/10/2010, 04:46 pm	#2
koiboi59 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 324	You hit the nail on the hammer!

10/13/2010, 09:32 am	#6
GeorgeC Thread killer! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 487	Sounds pretty much it, now we just wait for the game to be released!

10/22/2010, 10:27 pm	#8
BiggerJ Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 360	Heavy: PLAYING CARDS IS JUST LIKE KILLING PEOPLE! SOLDIER SAID SO! Tycho: Yes, but he also said that Sun Tsu is the reason a collection of animals is called a zoo. Heavy: UNLESS IS FARM!