I fixed Fallout’s music by creating a totally new genre | Unraveled
Brian David Gilbert, creator of Polygon’s “Unraveled” video series, has examined a fundamental inconsistency in Fallout’s lore: the franchise’s music hasn’t evolved despite centuries passing within its universe’s timeline. This disconnect between narrative and soundtrack represents a missed opportunity for world-building, as one would expect the wasteland’s culture to have developed its own distinctive musical identity over time.
To address this lore gap, Gilbert created an entirely new musical genre specifically designed for Fallout’s post-apocalyptic setting. Rather than relying solely on pre-war era music and licensed tracks, his approach imagines how music would organically evolve within the game’s wasteland. This creative experiment demonstrates how sonic identity can reinforce and expand upon a game’s narrative world.
The analysis highlights how video game soundtracks often operate independently of narrative logic. By proposing a wasteland-specific genre, Gilbert explores what authentic post-apocalyptic music culture might sound like—a consideration most games overlook. The piece is part of Polygon’s “Unraveled” series, which regularly deconstructs video game narratives and mechanics to identify inconsistencies and creative possibilities within game design.