pepscob

◾ Paul is being taken to or driving to the ghost rooms (S tier): This seems like the most cohesive theory to me. I personally subscribe to the idea that Paul is at least semi-willingly being taken to the ghost rooms, which would explain why he's seemingly able to move in and out of the car freely. It's actually entirely possible he's driving himself (which is why we can't hear anyone else in the car with him).

This not only explains why he'd be playing Petscop in his car (he needs to take Petscop with him and can't unplug the PlayStation) but also why he would lie to Belle (the family likely made him agree not to tell Belle where he was/was going) and how Paul ends up in the ghost rooms. I personally find this the most straightforward, cohesive explanation and stays in theme with cars being these dooming forces while contrasting the ending where he's described as being taken in a car by Lina.

◾ Paul is just playing in the garage (A tier): Definitely my second favourite theory, but was more common in early theorisation. I've seen some people even theorise that Paul is paranoid and is playing Petscop with his car door open in preparation to leave in case of an intruder. This would make sense since it's heavily implied that Paul is playing Petscop in the garage and turns his "lie" towards Belle into more of a half-truth. Additionally, there appears to be the shadow of a car model in the garage, perhaps implying that in the modern day, a car is present.

This, however, feels like a somewhat non-explanation for why Paul would lie to Belle. While some people do claim it doesn't sound like Paul is exiting a car to them, to me, that's a lot like what it sounds like (plus, VERY confidently incorrect people early-on claimed there was just no way the car door sound could be a car door sound, so I don't exactly 100% trust most audio analysis). Overall, probably my second favourite theory, but I feel it doesn't tie in well with the overarching themes and imagery surrounding cars in-series, and doesn't do a great job of explaining why Paul is lying (or at least being misleading) to Belle.

◾ Paul driving is indication of non-live gameplay (A tier): Yet again a really good theory, but I feel as though it needs to be paired with something else, because alone it doesn't explain why Paul would lie to Belle about not playing Petscop live. It would make sense for Paul to want to lie to the family at large, but lying to Belle doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I think, however, this is totally possible and does pair with the fact that Paul mentions earlier recording audio over demo sessions. Barring that it doesn't explain why he would lie to Belle, it would be interesting if these are possible indications that Paul's audio is not actually live at certain points. Solid theory, but has pretty much the same issues as the Paul playing in garage theory.

◾ Paul is traveling to in-game locations (B tier): I can see why this is one of the more common theories, but for me, it doesn't land much. This would explain why he's in a car, why he's playing Petscop, and why he'd lie to Belle is possibly the most surgical way, but not really in a thematically or evidently satisfying way.

My #1 issue with this theory is that Paul and Belle discuss traveling to in-game locations together. It's not a secret that Paul is keeping from Belle. It makes the assumption that Paul wouldn't tell Belle about doing something they are already implied as doing together and him openly talking with her about. The only reason we know Paul is traveling to in-game locations is him talking to Belle about it-- why would he suddenly be embarrassed?

There's never any indication in the series he's embarrassed about playing Petscop extensively either; in fact, there's good indication he wants to stop playing Petscop and is forced into playing further by the family. The idea he'd willingly start taking Petscop with him everywhere over his "obsession" with it feels like a weird reading of Paul's relationship with playing Petscop. It's an okay theory to me but feels like an attempt to apply what we already know (i.e., Paul and Belle are searching and comparing real life locations to Petscop) onto something else.

◾ Car door sounds are front door sounds (C tier): This theory was much more popular before the subtitles were added, but I have continued to see it repeated with the claim that the subtitles are purposefully made to be misleading. This is, at best, a headcanon and, at worst, actively disconfirmed by Tony himself (as he's made tweets talking about trying to make the car door sound like a car door that I link later).

I put it in C tier because without OOC information, I can see at least why this theory could be constructed, especially if someone watches without the subtitles. However, it's basically dead in the water and anyone still latching onto this theory is honestly being disingenuous. At no point ever have the subtitles been implied to be part of the story itself or meant to be misleading. This would be the literal only instance where the subtitles are incorrect on purpose with no hints of indication. Outdated theory, basically can only exist as a headcanon.

◾ It's a meta-joke (D tier): So not only has the idea of this being a meta-joke been disconfimed by Tony himself, this just feels like the laziest possible analysis. There is a major theme of cars and driving within Petscop, so it's more than reasonable to conclude it's meant to be significant. Presuming an element that is not presented in a joking manner at all in-series is a joke feels extremely strange, especially since the other throwaway "joke" that is actually described as a joke in-series (i.e., not being able to open doors) is arguably thematically relevant.

Barely even a theory atp. There are very few theories that Tony himself has disconfirmed and this is one of them.

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