234 replies to this topic

[FDL]

I don't really trust this yet at all, but according to this the new artbook being released will delve into the history of Zelda and include an official timeline. Again, not sure what "sources" have informed them of this so I'm not sure I buy it, but if it does end up being true I'd actually be excited about it. I know people can be very defensive of their timelines, but to me the 25th birthday of the series is the perfect time to explain everything that's happened so far in detail/give official word on the timeline so there can be 25 years of new timeline confusion. I personally don't think timeline theorizing is fun because of the ambiguity, just fun figuring out how it all fits together. And learning officially how everything fits together would be more satisfying/enhance the fun of the games in some ways. I know a lot of people will be displeased with any timeline that doesn't match their own but personally I like the idea of finally knowing for sure(unless this ends up being in no way based on the official timeline document Aonuma always goes on about).

[Sir Turtlelot]

I agree, this would be a great thing to do for the 25th anniversary of the series, so I really hope that it's official. Sure, it would put mess up a lot of people's theories and put an end to a lot of the debates (hopefully), but I really would like to know the official timeline of the games with explanations of how everything connects.

[Nerushi]

If it turn out to be a genuine timeline and not just some development timeline, then we can finally enter a new phase, namely discussing how much the official timeline sucks. ( though people already do this for the split timeline ) My only concern with this is that Aonuma haven't as much as hinted at releasing an official timeline anytime soon, so far. Before SS he kept going on about how much of a secret the timeline is and now all of the sudden they are releasing it? Well, here is hoping.

Also, also wouldn't it be funny if the release of the official timeline coincided with Miyamoto's so called 'retirement'

Edited by Nerushi, 15 December 2011 - 12:58 PM.

[Sir Turtlelot]

After googling the book, I didn't see anything from Nintendo about it, but I did see this quote floating around various sites.

Quoted from Neogaf user Duckroll
Here’s a breakdown of what’s in the book based on the table of contents:
Detailed Skyward Sword stuff broken into various sections: 67 pages
The World of Hyrule detailed in several sections including a timeline: 70 pages
Artwork for the individual games:
Legend of Zelda – 4 pages
Link’s Adventure & Link to the Past – 2 pages
Link’s Awakening – 1 page
Ocarina of Time – 6 pages
Majora’s Mask – 3 pages
Wind Waker – 10 pages
Oracle series – 6 pages
Twilight Princess – 32 pages
Phantom Hourglass – 4 pages
Spirit Tracks – 22 pages
The rest of the book contains an evolution of Link’s character designs over the years, a catalog of Zelda games, and some other extra stuff.

[FDL]

If it turn out to be a genuine timeline and not just some development timeline, then we can finally enter a new phase, namely discussing how much the official timeline sucks. ( though people already do this for the split timeline ) My only concern with this is that Aonuma haven't as much as hinted at releasing an official timeline anytime soon, so far. Before SS he kept going on about how much of a secret the timeline is and now all of the sudden they are releasing it? Well, here is hoping.

This would be why I have my doubts as well. Aonuma seemed pretty firm on the fact that he didn't want to reveal the timeline, but I guess it's possible he was lying.

[Crimson Lego]

After googling the book, I didn't see anything from Nintendo about it, but I did see this quote floating around various sites.

Quoted from Neogaf user Duckroll
Here’s a breakdown of what’s in the book based on the table of contents:
Detailed Skyward Sword stuff broken into various sections: 67 pages
The World of Hyrule detailed in several sections including a timeline: 70 pages
Artwork for the individual games:
Legend of Zelda – 4 pages
Link’s Adventure & Link to the Past – 2 pages
Link’s Awakening – 1 page
Ocarina of Time – 6 pages
Majora’s Mask – 3 pages
Wind Waker – 10 pages
Oracle series – 6 pages
Twilight Princess – 32 pages
Phantom Hourglass – 4 pages
Spirit Tracks – 22 pages
The rest of the book contains an evolution of Link’s character designs over the years, a catalog of Zelda games, and some other extra stuff.

Twilight Princess – 32 pages

[Fëanen]

I'm not getting my hopes up for the "big reveal" (although, really, there's only a few placements that strongly need clarification - mostly Capcom stuff) but either way it looks like a damn fine book. I think we have a very good shot of getting it in the West, since from what I've heard Zelda's bigger here than in Japan. If not...the Zelda community translators will be working overtime. I'll gladly chip in to donate some coffee and Mountain Dew.

[MikePetersSucks]

From what I've seen, it doesn't look like it's anything timeline related, just developmental stuff. Which is cool.

[ganonlord6000]

From what I've seen, it doesn't look like it's anything timeline related, just developmental stuff. Which is cool.

I agree. After all, Nintendo has made it very clear over this past year that they are not revealing the timeline anytime soon. They know it will kill the fandom. I'm guessing either one or two things. A) they are only revealing what we already know, or B) they will release the timeline and release another game that completely screws with us.

[joeymartin64]

It could just be a few pages of "BOY GUYS THE ZELDA TIMELINE SURE IS A CLUSTERFUCK HUH LOL" with no real answers. Of course, this is from Captain Crazypants who has his doubts that the so-called "secret document" is even a thing.

[FDL]

From what I've seen, it doesn't look like it's anything timeline related, just developmental stuff. Which is cool.

What about the alleged "history of Hyrule" stuff? It should be interesting regardless but I am hoping it has something to do with the storyline.

[MikePetersSucks]

That looks like a history of the game series, from what I can tell.

[Person]

If it is a timeline, then it might just be the set-in-stone 3D games order. Really, the only debatable parts of the timeline now involve the older games and the Capcom games.

[SOAP]

I think it could be a timeline. 70 pages on the world of Hyrule. Sounds like an in-universe look at Hyrule's history and culture. Might even explain some geographical changes not that even important. There better be a damn timeline.

[FDL]

That looks like a history of the game series, from what I can tell.

In that case it's too bad random fan sites are reporting otherwise, now it seems like around the internet people are expecting something they won't get.

[Nerushi]

In that case it's too bad random fan sites are reporting otherwise, now it seems like around the internet people are expecting something they won't get.

Well, it seems to me that it is only those who don't really care/know much about the timeline ( and its history ) that actually expects anything out of this. Most serious timeline debaters I have seen seem skeptical at the notion of getting the 'official timeline', to say at least. Well, I expect this to be meaty in any case, even if there is no official timeline. Bunch of art and development information? Yes, please. A good Christmas present to the Zelda community.

[Snow]

I've seen someone post this translation of the second section of the book's index on another forum:

"History of Hyrule
~Finally Revealed, The Genealogy of the [Legend]~
The Timeline of Hyrule, Kingdom of the Gods......................................68
The Legend of Gods and the Hero of Time...........................................70
The Downfall of Hyrule and the last Hero...............................................92
The Twilight Realm and the Hero's Descendant................................. 110
The Hero of Wind and the new World.....................................................122

It does seem to imply that the chronology will be explained, but judging by these subsections it'll only include the

SS - OoT - WW/PH -ST
::::::::::\MM - TP

part of the timeline.

Edited by Snow, 16 December 2011 - 08:05 PM.

[MikePetersSucks]

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaha!

[Jarsh]

"Hero's Descendant," huh? That would seem to mean that TP Link is related to the Hero of Time from where I'm standing. I'm really hoping it'll clear up where ALttP goes (so the rest will fall in place) and it's not just the confirmed timeline of the 3D games we already know.

[FDL]

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahaha!

Are you laughing because the translation's inaccurate or because it is accurate but it seemingly covers the mostly unambiguous parts of the timeline?

"Hero's Descendant," huh? That would seem to mean that TP Link is related to the Hero of Time from where I'm standing. I'm really hoping it'll clear up where ALttP goes (so the rest will fall in place) and it's not just the confirmed timeline of the 3D games we already know.

I think the game itself implied more than any other game that the hero of the story was of the same bloodline as at least one other hero. Although either way they probably shared the same spirit.

Edited by FDL, 16 December 2011 - 09:38 PM.

[MikePetersSucks]

I'm laughing because it's a complete cockblock to everyone who thought this would revolutionize everything. It's almost like Nintendo is trolling.

[FDL]

I'm laughing because it's a complete cockblock to everyone who thought this would revolutionize everything. It's almost like Nintendo is trolling.

Yeah, that's amazing. Well, maybe it'll explain some of the smaller plot points we've argued about for years like exactly how and why the "divine prank" happened, what happened to the Hero of Time after Termina, etc. Not holding my breath on that, either, but I think if manuals can have some value then 22 pages describing OoT and MM might have something interesting to it. Even if it's just clarification. Hell, the title of the TP chapter already sort of reveals something if that translation is accurate.

[Jarsh]

Also, I thought the whole timeline thing was supposed to cover 70 pages? Pgs. 68-122 doesn't quite seem like 70.

[FDL]

Also, I thought the whole timeline thing was supposed to cover 70 pages? Pgs. 68-122 doesn't quite seem like 70.

122 is the beginning of the section, for all we know that section ends at 138.

[Jarsh]

Also, I thought the whole timeline thing was supposed to cover 70 pages? Pgs. 68-122 doesn't quite seem like 70.

122 is the beginning of the section, for all we know that section ends at 138.

Oh, right. Can't believe I didn't think of that. Uh, anyways, maybe there will be a chart of the timeline after the section somewhere? Or maybe the other games will get an off-hand mention somewhere in there? I'm really hoping it just doesn't go over what we already know. At the very least, I hope it confirms at which point in time OoT Link is sent back to in the child timeline, and how the divine prank happened.

[joeymartin64]

I am gonna laugh so fucking hard if this thing's timeline doesn't split. Not counting on it at all, though. Considering Zelda fans' propensity for rumor-mongering and shadow-jumping, I'm unconvinced that there even is a timeline in this thing.

[Jarsh]

Actually,

The Timeline of Hyrule, Kingdom of the Gods......................................68

Maybe a chart/explanation of the timeline will be in this section? Seems pretty stupid to call it the timeline of Hyrule if it's not a complete one. I know I'm reaching, but I really don't want to believe all 70 pages will just delve into stuff we already know, or already supposed.

[MikePetersSucks]

Japanese doesn't differentiate between "a" and "the", so that argument's useless.

[Jarsh]

Even if it's a timeline of Hyrule, it's stupid if it's not even a halfway complete one. I'm aware I'm just being stubborn about it.

[MikePetersSucks]

Yea, well, tough. There's no obligation to keep a complete timeline whatsoever.