Why Book of Memories won't destroy Silent Hill's future

[Floodclaw]

I've been thinking about this idea recently, and this article just confirmed my thoughts and put them into a readable and honestly very convincing fashion:

http://www.bagofgames.com/2012/04/what-does-book-of-memories-mean-for-the-future-of-silent-hill/

Perhaps this person might open your eyes a bit if you're convinced the Vita-spinoff tolls a very grim bell for Silent Hill.

[what]

Wow. It's all the thoughts I have turned into an article, especially the idea of the series becoming a testing bed for independent ideas and the complete discarding of the constrictions of canon.

Well done.

[jam6i]

Whether or not BoM turns out to be an okay game is somewhat irrelevant towards the actual future of the series. Those who bite their nails at the thought of a bleak future for the franchise are completely ignoring the fact that the developers are fully aware of what it means to be a major installment in the series (downpour and sm being recent examples). BoM is not but a vessel for the devs and writers to test waters they normally wouldn't be allowed to tread. The ability to produce a relatively low key project exclusive for a handheld system gives the chance to test gameplay mechanics and tricks that normally would bring them public ostracization if tested on a major console release.

In reality, BoM could actually positively shape the future of the franchise, as they will be given feedback on what works, what doesn't, and what would make for good inclusion in future installments.

I admit I at first hated the thought of this game, but then I put on my official Sunglasses of Hope(R) and tried to fbd new angles to look at the possible implications this game can have for the future.

I remain optimistic (thought i hope not foolishly).

[keeps]

cool

[Yuki]

I'm really diggin' the article, but they get one glaring fact wrong: Book of Memories is canonical. It may not actually affect anything in the series proper, but it's not "non-canon".

I fully agree, though, with the idea that the series should turn into an experimental ground for ideas. Provided they're all still horror- and psychologically-themed, I think it's an absolutely fantastic idea.

[Q. Valintyne]

It is...? This is the first time I've heard this. Everything I've ever read suggests it is "non-canon."

Yep. Just checked my sources. It is supposed to be non-canon.

Unless this is a new development that I have somehow missed...?

[Floodclaw]

Apparently it is. A very strange though for sure, what with the reality-altering book, but I've heard that it is...

[Yuki]

It is...? This is the first time I've heard this. Everything I've ever read suggests it is "non-canon."

Yep. Just checked my sources. It is supposed to be non-canon.

Unless this is a new development that I have somehow missed...?

I'll have to dig them up, but posts by Tomm either here or on Silent Hill Forum have stated it is canon.

EDIT:
Looks like it might have been on the old HellDescent (and thus unreachable, unfortunately), because this post from here corroborates me:
viewtopic.php?f=3329&t=433159&p=7575785&hilit=canon#p7575785

[clips7]

They could probably craft it to be canon, but i think if not done right things can get a bit hokey and ridiculous. Trying to explain how creatures from past games are in this game and other past characters nightmare manifistations will kinda cheapen the whole experience since these creatures are supposed to be unique to the said character from it's respectful game in the series.

Still,.. i know this game isn't for me and there probably will be an audience for it and i think it's best if this game existed in it's own universe. I really can't see how they can canon this without me face-palmin myself. To me the game is literally an experiement or strickly for fun multiplayer type of game....(and yes i know all of these games are for fun) but i just don't really think this game was meant to really be part of the canon universe or to be taken seriously like that.

Lastly i don't think this game will destroy SH's future at all...most folks know the general formula and concept behind SH, so i don't think this one game, especially it being on a handheld will spell doom for the franchise...

[Q. Valintyne]

The other thread does nothing to corroberate your story. It's still a "he said, she said" kind of thing.

"Could be" considered canon and "is" canon are two different phrases altogether.

[Augophthalmoses]

If only there were more articles. Still, it won't change the insane minds of the fandom. Still, I don't see how it being "canon" to the overall storyline of the series means anything. Most of the games are standalone narratives anyway and the reality defying nature of Silent Hill opens up many possibilities to all kinds of crazy events that could happen.

Or if you really want to, you could say Book of Memories is canon in its own little universe like SM. Too bad there are still so many fans that are too thick headed to come to conclusions like this.

[poorjack]

If only there were more articles. Still, it won't change the insane minds of the fandom. Still, I don't see how it being "canon" to the overall storyline of the series means anything. Most of the games are standalone narratives anyway and the reality defying nature of Silent Hill opens up many possibilities to all kinds of crazy events that could happen.

Or if you really want to, you could say Book of Memories is canon in its own little universe like SM. Too bad there are still so many fans that are too thick headed to come to conclusions like this.

Actually, all silent hill games, excluding SHSM have been interconnected in some way or another.

REVEAL SPOILER

Silent Hill 2 mentions the cult, and the Valtiel sect, and a newspaper can be read that describes Walter from SH4, and in SH4, the super is James' father, and Walter was under the supervision of Dahlia from SH1. In SH3, Heather is Harry's daughter from SH1. In Homecoming, the cult is the main antagonist, and it is quite possible that Alex is Mary's cousin or nephew. In Downpour even, the cult is seen operating all over the background of the story. I don't even have to go in to how Origins is connected... Even if it does make the lore inconsistent to a fault.

[devil hunter]

REVEAL SPOILER

There's nothing implying that Alex is Mary's cousin or nephew. Don't really remember any cult mentioning in Downpour.

[Yuki]

The other thread does nothing to corroberate your story. It's still a "he said, she said" kind of thing.

"Could be" considered canon and "is" canon are two different phrases altogether.

It corroborates it because now I know that it's not just me that remembered Tomm saying it. I literally cannot get to the post on the old HellDescent; it's not even archived over at Archive.org, otherwise I would have pulled it up already.

Canon doesn't necessarily mean it'll affect anything else; if I remember correctly, that was also said. It's canon, but totally stand-alone.

EDIT:
http://www.tommhulett.com/?p=436

Found another source that I can actually link to; look at the comments. It's canon.

[Q. Valintyne]

Canon doesn't necessarily mean it'll affect anything else; if I remember correctly, that was also said. It's canon, but totally stand-alone.

Then it isn't canon to the main series. I mean, yeah... the other iterations can "lead up to it," so to speak. But if it's stand-alone, that means the outcome won't affect the main series.

I still don't understand how the game can go from "non-canon" to "canon" at the drop of a hat. Tomm said it himself here at the forums that its not canon, but now his tune has totally changed.

Tomm's response was kinda hilarious, however.

[Adam_WF]

Why so much focus on canon vs. non-canon? Will it make the game any more or less enjoyable?

Does the game contradict earlier games in the series? No. Will BoM factor into future SH games? Build a time machine and ask the next SH developers.

[Augophthalmoses]

Actually, all silent hill games, excluding SHSM have been interconnected in some way or another.

And you missed the point of my post. Point being, as I said, most of the stories of the games have been standalone and self contained. While they do have connections and references to other games, the mostly focus on their own narratives. SH4 is connected with SH2 and the cult, yet it still has its own storyline that is separate from the other games. Do you understand now?

[Yuki]

Why so much focus on canon vs. non-canon? Will it make the game any more or less enjoyable?

Does the game contradict earlier games in the series? No. Will BoM factor into future SH games? Build a time machine and ask the next SH developers.

I only make mention of it because it was simple fact-checking.

I still don't understand how the game can go from "non-canon" to "canon" at the drop of a hat. Tomm said it himself here at the forums that its not canon, but now his tune has totally changed.

Link to him saying that, please?

[Q. Valintyne]

Why so much focus on canon vs. non-canon? Will it make the game any more or less enjoyable?

Not really. I'm still going to play it once I get a Vita. However, I don't see how a game where you can so freely choose and shape a character can possibly be linked canonically (especially since everyone will choose and develop their character as they like). All reports earlier stated that it wasn't going to affect the main series. Now, all of sudden, it is. You could be the greatest person in the world and confirm the notion either way.

Does the game contradict earlier games in the series? No. Will BoM factor into future SH games? Build a time machine and ask the next SH developers.

Could that possibly mean that this game takes place earlier in the timeline? Thus, having the "main character" of BoM release all of these monsters into other people's psyches?

Hmm...

[what]

Why so much focus on canon vs. non-canon? Will it make the game any more or less enjoyable?

If you guys went and completely retconned random facts in the series and called it canon I would love you just because the ensuing shitstorm would be a thing of legend.