- Joined
- May 16, 2008
- Location
- Kentucky, USA
This guide will help to understand a few important things about the Zelda Timeline. First, we'll look at how to construct a timeline within text that others can easily read and understand. Second, we'll list some important things to consider before posting a timeline, such as theories and game placement that has been confirmed by the developers and backed up by in-game evidence. Third, we'll take a look at some commonly used abbreviations when discussing/debating timelines.
Constructing Your Timeline
This is basically to help everyone to learn how to post a timeline theory in a fashion that has become pretty widely used throughout this and various other forums (or so I hear). This method makes it easier for other people to read your timeline and is actually quite simple to do. I decided to post this here after seeing so many of our theorists use this method and realizing that is well organized, while keeping it simple enough to understand.
Getting Started
I'll start by using a sample split timeline that I have seen often. We'll say that I'm going to post the timeline after this paragraph. The first thing you'll do is space down 4 times after you finish typing the paragraph. That puts a space between the paragraph and the timeline, and also makes 3 spaces to put your information. You may also add a Fifth Space if you want to start a new paragraph below the timeline.
(First Space)
(Second Space)
(Third Space)
(Fourth Space)
(Fifth Space)
Now, you can simply use the direction keys to move about your timeline while putting in the information. Since this is a split timeline, you will need to put the games before the split first. They will go in the Third Space. Then, move up to the Second Space and use Periods (.) to space over to the end of the "T" in "OoT", and make a Forward Slash (/) to represent the next game after OoT on the Adult side of the Timeline. Do the same in the Fourth Space with a Downward Slash(\) to represent the next game on the Child side of the timeline.
............/
MC--OoT
............\
Now, we have the start of a Split Timeline with Minish Cap first, followed by Ocarina of Time. The rest is just filling in the remaining games in the timelines. Remember to add Two Dashmarks (--) between generational games, such as in the example above.
Filling in the Rest
So now we can finish the timeline. Whenever you come to a set of games that are Direct Sequels of one another, do not use two dashes. Instead, use the Forward Slash between them.
............/--WW/PH--ST
MC--OoT
............\MM--TP--FS/FSA--ALttP/LA--OoX--LoZ/AoL
Now remember, this isn't a timeline debate, only an example. But you see how I used the Forward Slash to represent the Direct Sequels. This shows that the games with those slashes contain the same Link and/or Zelda from the previous title. It indicates that the title is within the same generation of the first one after the (--) from the previous game. Link's Awakening would be a sequel to A Link to the Past, so --ALttP/LA--.
In conclusion, the example seen above is what your timeline should look like. Some people may use different notation, such as only one dash mark between generational games. This is fine, however I feel that two separates them better for viewing purposes. It doesn't have to look exactly like this, but as long as you make it somewhat in this order, using the correct notation between games, it will make your theory much easier to read and also save a wall of text trying to explain your timeline. You may explain certain points to your timeline in other paragraphs as well, but try to keep this order to help others understand the timeline clearly.
Timeline Notation Key
(--) - Indicates next generational title
(/) - Indicates a split to the Adult Timeline and/or a Direct Sequel
(\) - Indicates a split to the Child Timeline
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important Things to Consider
Although the Zelda timeline has been all but revealed, the developers have stated things over the years that have helped to place certain games. There are also things that we know just by playing the games, such as direct sequels. Below, I'll list a few things that will help to create a timeline based on these facts.
The Split Timeline
Eiji Aonuma has developed the storylines for most mainstream Zelda titles since Majora's Mask. He has stated that he wants to try and make the titles fit together. Since then, he has given us many important quotes that have helped to place the games, especially the more recent ones. The biggest key element in creating a timeline would then be to have it split. The Split Timeline is caused be OoT's ending, where Zelda sent Link back to his childhood. This left two timelines: The world that Zelda remained in, where Link had defeated Ganondorf, and the world that Link was sent back to. Since learning this, we have also been told by Aonuma the placement of TP and WW on what is called the CT and AT. The timeline, then, has been proven to include this structure:
...../--WW/PH
OoT
.....\MM--TP
It is important to include this in any timeline, then work the other titles around it (since most all of them are up for debate as far as placement goes). If you don't at least include this setup, it will be likely that no one will even consider your timeline.
Direct Sequels and Confirmed Placements
Many games have obvious direct sequels. Others have what most consider direct sequels, but since their release, many theorists have debated that those games might not be direct sequels anymore. Here's the list:
LoZ/AoL - Confirmed as direct sequels. AoL takes place "several seasons" after LoZ.
WW/PH - PH is clearly a direct sequel of WW.
OoT/MM - Majora's Mask is a direct sequel of the Child Timeline ending of OoT. It occurs shortly after Link is sent back to his childhood.
FS/FSA - FSA's intro speaks of two events. The first tells of a "hero" and does not give him a specific name (which are the events of MC). The second (which tells of the events in FS), speaks of Link personally, and signifies that he is the same Link as in FSA.
ALttP/LA - Just for recognition. Originally, LA was quite obviously a direct sequel of ALttP. Now, some theorists put OoX in between them, and use different variations of which is a direct sequel, and which takes place ages later. ALttP/LA can still work, but just to note, it is not a 100% certain order.
Other titles have had their placement confirmed, either by a developer or by text within the game itself.
Spirit Tracks (after PH) - Revealed to take place about 100 years after WW/PH prior to release. In the game itself, we learn that Tetra and Link settled in the new land of Hyrule, but have apparently died over time. Certain nods to the founders can be seen throughout the game, such as art of Tetra in Hyrule Castle and her name being mentioned once by Anjean. The only character from WW/PH left is Niko, who appears as a very old man.
Skyward Sword (before OoT) - Prior to its release, much information about SS was revealed. In particular, that it would detail the backstory of the Master Sword itself, having started out as the Skyward Sword and, apparently sometime during the game, will become what we know as the Master Sword. Eiji Aonuma also confirmed that this game takes place before Ocarina of Time, which is rather obvious being that the Master Sword already exists in that game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abbreviations
Most people on this forum also use various abbreviations to shorten large words, game titles, items, or popular locations among the games they are referring to. Some of them can be confusing if you don't know what they are. Below, you will see a list of these abbreviations.
Game Titles
LoZ - Legend of Zelda
AoL - Adventure of Link (Zelda 2)
ALttP - A Link to the Past
LA - Link's Awakening
AST - Ancient Stone Tablets
OoA - Oracle of Ages
OoS - Oracle of Seasons
OoX - Refers to OoA and OoS both.
OoT - Ocarina of Time
MM - Majora's Mask
WW - Wind Waker
MC - Minish Cap (sometimes used as TMC, for THE Minish Cap)
FS - Four Swords
FSA - Four Swords Adventures
TP - Twilight Princess
TRR - Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
PH - Phantom Hourglass
ST - Spirit Tracks
Popular Items, Places, and Events
BS - Backstory
**Sometimes, this may also stand for Bandai (or Broadcast) Satellaview.
AT - Adult Timeline
CT - Child Timeline
ToC - Triforce of Courage
ToP - Triforce of Power
ToW - Triforce of Wisdom
MS - Master Sword
ToT - Temple of Time
GS - Great Sea
GDT - Great Deku Tree
IW - Imprisoning War (details the events spoken about in ALttP's backstory)
SW - Seal War (same as IW, but was called the Seal War in Japan)
Constructing Your Timeline
This is basically to help everyone to learn how to post a timeline theory in a fashion that has become pretty widely used throughout this and various other forums (or so I hear). This method makes it easier for other people to read your timeline and is actually quite simple to do. I decided to post this here after seeing so many of our theorists use this method and realizing that is well organized, while keeping it simple enough to understand.
Getting Started
I'll start by using a sample split timeline that I have seen often. We'll say that I'm going to post the timeline after this paragraph. The first thing you'll do is space down 4 times after you finish typing the paragraph. That puts a space between the paragraph and the timeline, and also makes 3 spaces to put your information. You may also add a Fifth Space if you want to start a new paragraph below the timeline.
(First Space)
(Second Space)
(Third Space)
(Fourth Space)
(Fifth Space)
Now, you can simply use the direction keys to move about your timeline while putting in the information. Since this is a split timeline, you will need to put the games before the split first. They will go in the Third Space. Then, move up to the Second Space and use Periods (.) to space over to the end of the "T" in "OoT", and make a Forward Slash (/) to represent the next game after OoT on the Adult side of the Timeline. Do the same in the Fourth Space with a Downward Slash(\) to represent the next game on the Child side of the timeline.
............/
MC--OoT
............\
Now, we have the start of a Split Timeline with Minish Cap first, followed by Ocarina of Time. The rest is just filling in the remaining games in the timelines. Remember to add Two Dashmarks (--) between generational games, such as in the example above.
Filling in the Rest
So now we can finish the timeline. Whenever you come to a set of games that are Direct Sequels of one another, do not use two dashes. Instead, use the Forward Slash between them.
............/--WW/PH--ST
MC--OoT
............\MM--TP--FS/FSA--ALttP/LA--OoX--LoZ/AoL
Now remember, this isn't a timeline debate, only an example. But you see how I used the Forward Slash to represent the Direct Sequels. This shows that the games with those slashes contain the same Link and/or Zelda from the previous title. It indicates that the title is within the same generation of the first one after the (--) from the previous game. Link's Awakening would be a sequel to A Link to the Past, so --ALttP/LA--.
In conclusion, the example seen above is what your timeline should look like. Some people may use different notation, such as only one dash mark between generational games. This is fine, however I feel that two separates them better for viewing purposes. It doesn't have to look exactly like this, but as long as you make it somewhat in this order, using the correct notation between games, it will make your theory much easier to read and also save a wall of text trying to explain your timeline. You may explain certain points to your timeline in other paragraphs as well, but try to keep this order to help others understand the timeline clearly.
Timeline Notation Key
(--) - Indicates next generational title
(/) - Indicates a split to the Adult Timeline and/or a Direct Sequel
(\) - Indicates a split to the Child Timeline
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important Things to Consider
Although the Zelda timeline has been all but revealed, the developers have stated things over the years that have helped to place certain games. There are also things that we know just by playing the games, such as direct sequels. Below, I'll list a few things that will help to create a timeline based on these facts.
The Split Timeline
Eiji Aonuma has developed the storylines for most mainstream Zelda titles since Majora's Mask. He has stated that he wants to try and make the titles fit together. Since then, he has given us many important quotes that have helped to place the games, especially the more recent ones. The biggest key element in creating a timeline would then be to have it split. The Split Timeline is caused be OoT's ending, where Zelda sent Link back to his childhood. This left two timelines: The world that Zelda remained in, where Link had defeated Ganondorf, and the world that Link was sent back to. Since learning this, we have also been told by Aonuma the placement of TP and WW on what is called the CT and AT. The timeline, then, has been proven to include this structure:
...../--WW/PH
OoT
.....\MM--TP
It is important to include this in any timeline, then work the other titles around it (since most all of them are up for debate as far as placement goes). If you don't at least include this setup, it will be likely that no one will even consider your timeline.
Direct Sequels and Confirmed Placements
Many games have obvious direct sequels. Others have what most consider direct sequels, but since their release, many theorists have debated that those games might not be direct sequels anymore. Here's the list:
LoZ/AoL - Confirmed as direct sequels. AoL takes place "several seasons" after LoZ.
WW/PH - PH is clearly a direct sequel of WW.
OoT/MM - Majora's Mask is a direct sequel of the Child Timeline ending of OoT. It occurs shortly after Link is sent back to his childhood.
FS/FSA - FSA's intro speaks of two events. The first tells of a "hero" and does not give him a specific name (which are the events of MC). The second (which tells of the events in FS), speaks of Link personally, and signifies that he is the same Link as in FSA.
ALttP/LA - Just for recognition. Originally, LA was quite obviously a direct sequel of ALttP. Now, some theorists put OoX in between them, and use different variations of which is a direct sequel, and which takes place ages later. ALttP/LA can still work, but just to note, it is not a 100% certain order.
Other titles have had their placement confirmed, either by a developer or by text within the game itself.
Spirit Tracks (after PH) - Revealed to take place about 100 years after WW/PH prior to release. In the game itself, we learn that Tetra and Link settled in the new land of Hyrule, but have apparently died over time. Certain nods to the founders can be seen throughout the game, such as art of Tetra in Hyrule Castle and her name being mentioned once by Anjean. The only character from WW/PH left is Niko, who appears as a very old man.
Skyward Sword (before OoT) - Prior to its release, much information about SS was revealed. In particular, that it would detail the backstory of the Master Sword itself, having started out as the Skyward Sword and, apparently sometime during the game, will become what we know as the Master Sword. Eiji Aonuma also confirmed that this game takes place before Ocarina of Time, which is rather obvious being that the Master Sword already exists in that game.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abbreviations
Most people on this forum also use various abbreviations to shorten large words, game titles, items, or popular locations among the games they are referring to. Some of them can be confusing if you don't know what they are. Below, you will see a list of these abbreviations.
Game Titles
LoZ - Legend of Zelda
AoL - Adventure of Link (Zelda 2)
ALttP - A Link to the Past
LA - Link's Awakening
AST - Ancient Stone Tablets
OoA - Oracle of Ages
OoS - Oracle of Seasons
OoX - Refers to OoA and OoS both.
OoT - Ocarina of Time
MM - Majora's Mask
WW - Wind Waker
MC - Minish Cap (sometimes used as TMC, for THE Minish Cap)
FS - Four Swords
FSA - Four Swords Adventures
TP - Twilight Princess
TRR - Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
PH - Phantom Hourglass
ST - Spirit Tracks
Popular Items, Places, and Events
BS - Backstory
**Sometimes, this may also stand for Bandai (or Broadcast) Satellaview.
AT - Adult Timeline
CT - Child Timeline
ToC - Triforce of Courage
ToP - Triforce of Power
ToW - Triforce of Wisdom
MS - Master Sword
ToT - Temple of Time
GS - Great Sea
GDT - Great Deku Tree
IW - Imprisoning War (details the events spoken about in ALttP's backstory)
SW - Seal War (same as IW, but was called the Seal War in Japan)
Last edited by a moderator: