Topic: Mega Man Legends 3

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Whoa whoa, wait a minute.  I'm not understanding something from what you're saying.

"All those endings occur in Mega Man X5" does not mean "They are part of the canon".  There would only be one of the endings which would be the one that's the de facto one that continues the storyline.  Multiple 'canon' endings would only work in a game with Time Travel, or alternate timelines, or multiple dimensions, and even in those, there's usually "the one" ending.

Just because there are multiple endings in a game doesn't mean they're all canon.  Usually one is the picked one.  You can die against Lavos in Chrono Trigger on a replay immediately, and watch the entire world be destroyed "But the future refused to change".... but that doesn't mean that's the 'canon' ending.  It is just one of the many that exist.  The 'canon' ending is whatever ending is chosen in the game's subsequent games and sequels.
The Chrono series is probably not the best example.

To put it in Castlevania terms:
Just because in one of Simon's Quest's endings Simon dies, doesn't mean that that IS the way the timeline continues.  The timeline continues assuming you get the best ending.  The same is true for the Sorrow titles.  Just because such an ending exist doesn't mean that it's the 'canon' ending.  I think by now every gamer who follows any game's storyline knows what the gamer's definition of 'canon' is.

[K.G. Morder]

Canon isnt a term used to define an event described in a work that doesnt happen. Its a word that encompasses all works in a particular subject.

EG- "The Shakespeare canon"

Likewise, the Mega Man canon encompasses the two universes of the Mega Man franchise. (Classic to Legends and EXE to Star Force)

Just because one particular chain of events in some of the games are not the ones that the main timeline follows, does not mean they are not 'canon'. Thats misusing the word. Not canon would be say... If Bandai released a side manga based on X5 that had Zero turn into a flying monkey. THAT would be not canon to the games; because it was not made by capcom as part of or relating to the games.

Like I said, they are merely other endings. Simply other paths. Other branches.

To steal your comparison type, all because in Dawn of Sorrow, Soma doesnt actually become Dracula, doesnt mean that Julius mode is any less canon. It is another branch. One in which Soma DOES succumb and become Dracula.

X5's bad scenario is just as canon as the true scenario. Its not a matter of 'canon' but of which occurrence actually follows through in the timeline.

to use another comparison, remember those "choose your own story" Goosebumps books? All possibilities are canon, they are all written by R.L. Stine, and are all in the book.

[corneliab]

Just because one particular chain of events in some of the games are not the ones that the main timeline follows, does not mean they are not 'canon'. Thats misusing the word.

No, it's just you clinging to a strictly-defined and IRRELEVANT definition of "canon" in an attempt to sound smart (read: it's not working) and derail the conversation with an utterly inane tangent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_(fiction)

Here's a nice little quote for you:

Secondly, it is used "as a descriptor of specific incidents, relationships, or story arcs that take place within the overall canon"; thus certain incidents or relationships may be described as being canon or not.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with Corneliab on this one.  That is, with the definition Wikipedia describes as 'canon' for a work or works.
It's also the definition the entire forum uses when relating events in gaming, or the universe of a particular series.

And no, Julius Mode is not 'canon' by the definition of the term used in fiction, there.

[K.G. Morder]

The thing is, it gets awfully confusing many times, considering the word can actually have two distinct meanings. one encompassing an entirely body of works, and another describing certain events within that body of works. Which is why I dont usually like the use of the word canon in those types of discussion. :\

You have NO idea how that word gets misused in the Mega Man fandom. I can tell you. I frequent at least three major Mega Man boards, and the absolute HORROR that is Capcom Unity.



Also, BAH, I DON'T NEED TO SOUND SMART. I AM VEEEEEERY SMART ALREADY, GOOD SIR. *monocle*