Brian David Gilbert (BDG), the eccentric internet personality known for his work with Polygon and his “Unraveled” series, might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of game design. Yet, over the years, his unique insights, strange skits, and occasional deep dives into game lore have inspired a loyal following. While BDG may have moved on from traditional gaming content, his legacy lives on—and not just in memes. Fans of BDG have developed a surprising number of fan theories around his game-related content and characters, and some of these theories might just hold water.
Here are the BDG game fan theories that might actually be true.
1. The Unraveled Universe Is a Single, Connected Timeline
One of the most prominent BDG Game fan theories is that all of his “Unraveled” videos exist in a single, branching timeline. This theory suggests that BDG’s descent into madness—seen in episodes like “Which Pokémon Would Be the Best to Have as a Real-Life Partner?” and “Can You Beat Skyrim With Only a Fork?”—isn’t just for comedic effect. Rather, it represents an ongoing narrative about a man slowly losing touch with reality due to the burden of overanalyzing game logic.
According to this theory, the clean-cut, reasonable BDG from early episodes is a different timeline variant than the bearded, twitchy BDG who emerges later on. Fans point to costume continuity, increasing video chaos, and thematic repetition as “evidence.” In short, BDG has crafted his own multiverse—and he didn’t even need Marvel to do it.
Could this be intentional? Given BDG’s love of theatrical structure, it’s not impossible. After all, he’s a performer at heart—and nothing performers love more than a dramatic arc.
2. BDG Was Subtly Critiquing Capitalism Through Game Mechanics
Another compelling fan theory argues that BDG was using game analysis to make deeper points about real-world systems—especially capitalism. In the “Ranking Every Animal Crossing Villager Based on How Likely They Are to Commit Tax Fraud” video, BDG isn’t just joking about villagers’ shady ethics. According to some fans, he’s actually critiquing how video games (and by extension, real life) incentivize profit over morality.
Similarly, his obsessive focus on min-maxing, item hoarding, and breaking in-game economies may reflect a satirical take on late-stage capitalism. Games like Skyrim, Pokémon, and Animal Crossing allow players to exploit systems for gain—so BDG did exactly that, highlighting how absurd those systems become when pushed to the limit.
While BDG never explicitly says “capitalism is bad,” the fan theory is that his videos serve as performative allegories. Whether or not you buy it, the idea that his content was secretly radical political commentary is both intriguing—and very on-brand.
3. BDG Is a Canonical NPC in The Elder Scrolls Universe
This theory is less serious, but oddly plausible. BDG’s iconic “Skyrim with only a fork” challenge left a mark on the internet. Some fans now jokingly (but persistently) theorize that a future Elder Scrolls game will include a hidden NPC—perhaps an eccentric, disheveled scholar—who wields only a fork in battle and references obscure combat theories.
Why might this be real? Bethesda developers are known to include cheeky Easter eggs referencing internet personalities and fan moments. BDG’s fork run was influential enough to inspire imitators and appears in several Skyrim mod lists. Fans believe that if a future Elder Scrolls installment features a quirky character called “Gilbert the Gourmet” or “Brian the Forkmaster,” it will be confirmation that BDG has officially become part of Tamriel canon.
Would Bethesda do it? With the right fan push—they just might.
4. The “Perfect Pokémon Team” Is a Psychological Portrait
In BDG’s infamous video “I Created the Perfect Pokémon Team to Make My Friend’s Life Miserable,” he constructs a team specifically designed to annoy and frustrate. On the surface, it’s a hilarious dive into competitive trolling. But fans have a darker read: the team is a metaphor for BDG’s own emotional state.
Each Pokémon represents a different aspect of mental strain—stalling, denial, overthinking, spite, avoidance, and repression. The meticulous detail in which he explains their function suggests personal identification. This interpretation posits that the video, beneath its surface absurdity, is a performance of anxiety through gameplay systems.
Is this theory a stretch? Maybe. But knowing BDG’s flair for mixing comedy with uncomfortably honest moments, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. After all, his comedy often walks the tightrope between silly and sad.
5. BDG Predicted Modern Game Design Trends
Another popular theory is that BDG’s analyses weren’t just humorous—they were prophetic. In videos where he invents fake RPG mechanics, critiques systems like morality meters, or proposes bizarre but oddly functional features (like “bird dating simulators” or “leveling up charisma by yelling compliments”), he unintentionally predicts real trends in game development.
For instance, his suggestions about immersive storytelling through unconventional mechanics have appeared in later indie titles like Disco Elysium, Citizen Sleeper, and Pentiment. While BDG wasn’t directly involved, fans speculate that game designers inspired by his content have subtly woven his chaotic brilliance into their work.
Some developers have even tweeted about loving BDG’s videos, lending credence to this theory. Whether it’s coincidence or influence, it’s clear that BDG’s gaming concepts had reach far beyond their comic origins.
6. BDG’s Final Polygon Video Was a Metaphor for Creative Burnout
In BDG’s last official video with Polygon, “Breaking Every Lore Rule in the Legend of Zelda to Create the Perfect Timeline,” he embarks on a chaotic quest to reconstruct the notoriously convoluted Zelda timeline. The result is part masterpiece, part fever dream. Fan theorists have since suggested the video is more than a sendoff—it’s a metaphor for BDG’s creative exhaustion.
By the end, BDG is visibly frayed, both narratively and emotionally. He fights off shadow versions of himself, breaks multiple timelines, and eventually “wins” by abandoning all logic. Many see this as a representation of trying to make order from chaos—something creators often face when passion becomes pressure.
This theory is backed by the timing: BDG left Polygon shortly after, transitioning to independent projects and more personal creative endeavors. Whether intentional or not, the video stands as a perfect allegory for letting go and starting over.
Conclusion: Madness or Method?
BDG’s game-related content walks the line between parody and profundity. While many of these fan theories may seem like overreaching interpretations of comedic content, they speak to a deeper truth: BDG’s work resonated because it was layered, thought-provoking, and, at times, uncomfortably real.
Whether you believe he crafted an interconnected universe of self-aware timelines, predicted indie game trends, or simply made goofy videos for fun, one thing’s certain—his impact on the gaming internet landscape is real. And maybe, just maybe, some of these theories aren’t so far-fetched after all.
