Multiple Timeline Splits?

[Coffee]

So, we know through 'Word of God' that there is a timeline split at the end of OoT. But does anyone else think it's possible that there could be more then one such split in the Zelda series?

(Or has 'WoG' said that there was one, and only one, time split?)

I think it may be possible, as my way of thinking is if there is one time split, what would stop the universe of the time split from making more alternate times?

*Mods, I thought this would be where this post would go, however, if you feel it would be better in 'mysteries' please feel free to move it.

[Justin]

Yes, very much so. I took the time to create an elaborate thread (with images!), explaining what I thought about multiple time lines. Its based of the Chaos Theory and Butter Fly Effect (not the movie).

Link:
http://zeldadungeon.net/forum/showth...Paradox-Theory.

[Pinecove]

It's possible, but the problem is that there's only one place where the timeline CAN split. And that of coarse is Ocarina of time.

[Xinnamin]

Ever heard of Occam's Razor: the simplest solution is always the best solution. While that is not a philosophy I typically endorse, I think it's really the only way to explain time travel and its effect on the timeline in the Zelda world. You see, trying to logically think through the time travel in the Zelda games would just result in one heck of a headache. There was an article somewhere (ZU maybe?) about how the Song of Storms in OoT is an impossible paradox. There's Cooldogs's thread that exposes a paradox with the gameplay involving the Silver Gauntlets, which can apply to every single instance in OoT where you travel through time. Frankly, OoT and MM's gameplays would be impossible if we try to explain time travel logically.

The thing about timelines is that logically, there are already an infinite number of timelines. Every action a person does theoretically splits the timeline. Say I have a choice between whether or not to eat the last apple in my house. There would be a timeline where I decided to eat the apple, a timeline where I decided not to, a timeline where I decided to eat half the apple, etc... Applying that to the Zelda world, yes there are multiple timeline splits. In fact, there's an infinite number of timeline splits. But as OoT and MM show, the timeline doesn't quite work that way in the Zelda world. How does the timeline work then? I haven't the slightest clue. That's where I like to bring in Occam's Razor: we have one confirmed timeline split, so let's just assume that's the only one.

[Caleb, Of Asui]

I wouldn't say that the idea of infinite timeline splits based on every little decision wouldn't apply to the Zelda universe any less than it applies to the real universe. It's a simple logical occurrence in nature. I wouldn't, however, say that the creation of infinite timelines has anything to do with the "Zelda Timeline." There might be millions of different little universes created whenever a character has a decision to make; however, the games follow just one split in the timeline.

The idea of infinite splits is usually used to create a "what if?" story that explores the possibilities of what would have turned out differently had someone made a different decision. The Zelda games don't function this way, though. Ocarina of Time illustrates the idea that Link (of OoT/MM) experiences one side of the timeline as a reality, then goes back and spends the rest of his life experiencing the other side of the timeline as a reality.

I like this because, were they to use the "what if?" formula, we wouldn't get that sense of solidity; the scenario of one timeline is real to those people while the scenario of the other is real to the people on that timeline, and the people on both timelines are real to Ocarina of Time's Link, even once he's long dead. This gives Nintendo the opportunity to expand each timeline with multiple games, whereas the "what if?" formula can't do that very easily.

[Zemen]

Multiple timelines would be too problematic. The games are mostly E rated games that are made with all gamers in mind, even those who don't pay attention so much to the timeline. With that in mind, it's way too difficult to make multiple splits work smoothly. They have enough trouble trying to make one split work smoothly. The only game that gives us a clear split is OoT. Other than that it's a huge stretch to say what is a split and what isn't. You would basically be guessing.

[Smertios]

So, we know through 'Word of God' that there is a timeline split at the end of OoT. But does anyone else think it's possible that there could be more then one such split in the Zelda series?

(Or has 'WoG' said that there was one, and only one, time split?)

I think it may be possible, as my way of thinking is if there is one time split, what would stop the universe of the time split from making more alternate times?

*Mods, I thought this would be where this post would go, however, if you feel it would be better in 'mysteries' please feel free to move it.

Who is WoG??

And, as someone already said, Occam's Razor makes any additional splits unlikely... (finally someone using Occam's Razor correctly...)

[athenian200]

Who is WoG??

Some Japanese guy named "Aonuma."

Timeline theorists place way too much emphasis on what some random person thinks the timeline should be, IMHO.

[Zemen]

Who is WoG??

It's supposed to stand for Word of God, and it was in reference to Aonuma or Miyamoto.

Timeline theorists place way too much emphasis on what some random person thinks the timeline should be, IMHO.

I somewhat agree with that. I usually take developer quotes with a grain of salt. If it's something that makes perfect sense then I can agree with their statement but if it's something that is completely contradicted by what the game, itself, says then I am cautious to believe what a developer says.