Cyberpunk 2077’s timeline, which begins to diverge from ours in the 90s, sees the vast proliferation of nukes following the end of the Cold War a US government “deep state” soon helps engineer an economic crisis, leading to trade wars, proxy conflicts and a resurgent Europe, fighting against a U.S. Today’s gaming newcomer may be one of the most cleverly conceived, in terms of modern-day politics and society. Giant metal dinosaurs: more likely than you think. “ Horizon Zero Dawn is a good example of stretching things a little bit too far–the idea that we're worshipping machines one day? Not so likely, but then again…” Smitherd is, however, cynical about the concept of robot dinosaurs.

It might sound like a ridiculous possibility, but Smitherd highlights just how far technology can develop over the next millennium: “Ask yourself: how many people do YOU meet that know how to build an iPhone? A PC? Even a basic car engine? Now ask yourself how we’d look at the tech of today if we got blown back to the stone age?” Large, dinosaur-like robots roam the Earth, for the most part peacefully, until the “Derangement” causes them to turn on humanity–while larger, deadlier mechs increasingly appear.

Welcome to the 31st century, in a world where humans are scattered into tribes, with limited access to technology. He also conceded that gene manipulation and advanced AI would likely be due “within the next two decades, so 2077 seems more than reasonable” for those to exist in a dystopia of our own. I think it’s such a common set-up in post-apocalyptic fiction because it’s such a terrifying concept. It nails the set-up: a nuclear apocalypse due to world conflict has always felt likely since the Cold War and the awareness of military tensions. Smitherd said: “Post-nuclear war civilisation, yes 1950’s setting, no. However, the universe’s influences are still drawn from the retro-futuristic stylings of a United States that appears to have remained heavily isolationist for the 125 years prior technology has certainly evolved enough to develop genetics, laser weapons, and incredibly artificial intelligence, but still within the limitations of 1950s technology, like vacuum tubes and atomic power. Fallout 4's Commonwealth may have charm, but not necessarily likelihood.

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