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When asked about the canonicity of Star Fox Command in relation to its predecessors (those in particular being Star Fox 64, Star Fox Adventures and Star Fox: Assault) in a Reddit AMA, Dylan Cuthbert had this to say:
In turn, many within the Star Fox fandom figured that he was implying that the game itself was not canon to the previous installments. However, years later, Cuthbert would clarify on what he really meant by Command being an "alternate timeline kind of game":
In reality, it seems what Cuthbert really meant was that each playthrough and story path is meant to represent an alternate timeline, not that Command itself was in a separate timeline from 64, Adventures, and Assault. Nintendo Dream's guidebook for Star Fox 64 3D from 2011 would actually include an entire chronological timeline of the series up to that point, beginning with Star Fox 64 and ending with Star Fox Command.
Essentially, all of the game's branching story paths are canon and non-canon at the same time, as there's said to be no true ending as it's up to the players to decide how Command, and perhaps the entire series' chronology as it truly began in 1997, ends. A 2011 Nintendo Dream magazine interview with Dylan Cuthbert, as well as Takaya Imamura, would reiterate this sentiment.
Canon is something the fans like to try to follow but Command was meant to be an alternate timeline kind of game, hence the choices you make. It let us have a lot more fun with the characters.
In turn, many within the Star Fox fandom figured that he was implying that the game itself was not canon to the previous installments. However, years later, Cuthbert would clarify on what he really meant by Command being an "alternate timeline kind of game":
Each play through is an alternate reality, play through multiple times until you get the reality /you/ want. In this sense none of them are canon and they are just a few possible realities based on your subjective experience and choices.
In reality, it seems what Cuthbert really meant was that each playthrough and story path is meant to represent an alternate timeline, not that Command itself was in a separate timeline from 64, Adventures, and Assault. Nintendo Dream's guidebook for Star Fox 64 3D from 2011 would actually include an entire chronological timeline of the series up to that point, beginning with Star Fox 64 and ending with Star Fox Command.
Essentially, all of the game's branching story paths are canon and non-canon at the same time, as there's said to be no true ending as it's up to the players to decide how Command, and perhaps the entire series' chronology as it truly began in 1997, ends. A 2011 Nintendo Dream magazine interview with Dylan Cuthbert, as well as Takaya Imamura, would reiterate this sentiment.
Which of the endings in "Command" is considered the canonical one?
Imamura: I think that's going to be up to each person who plays through the game.
Dylan: But the ending picture you drew, Imamura, had an impact. Like the one with Fox crying (laughs).
I definitely figured that was Imamura-san's work. That means that whenever you make the next game, I assume that one of these endings will end up being canon.
Dylan: I'm pretty sure that one will be picked when that time comes.
Fox's son, Marcus, could also potentially be the main character in that case?
Imamura: Yeah. But really, part of me does want to end Fox's part of the story with "Command." So, going forward, if we made a sequel it might be set between "64" and "Adventures," or maybe even a prequel to "64." With "Command," there's no "this is it, it's over" moment, which I think makes for a better video game experience.
Imamura: I think that's going to be up to each person who plays through the game.
Dylan: But the ending picture you drew, Imamura, had an impact. Like the one with Fox crying (laughs).
I definitely figured that was Imamura-san's work. That means that whenever you make the next game, I assume that one of these endings will end up being canon.
Dylan: I'm pretty sure that one will be picked when that time comes.
Fox's son, Marcus, could also potentially be the main character in that case?
Imamura: Yeah. But really, part of me does want to end Fox's part of the story with "Command." So, going forward, if we made a sequel it might be set between "64" and "Adventures," or maybe even a prequel to "64." With "Command," there's no "this is it, it's over" moment, which I think makes for a better video game experience.
Dylan Cuthbert Reddit AMA comments:
https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/8mu1pp/comment/dzqkhn8/
https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/63w1lw/comment/ibwzvl7/?context=3
Nintendo Dream interview:
https://www.ndw.jp/starfox-game-230221/
English translations of above interview:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfox/comments/1151lkd/nintendo_dream_republishes_some_of_their_old_star/
User's English translation of official Japanese Star Fox 64 3D guidebook:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfox/comments/wv6lzm/heres_a_treat_for_you_all_translationsphotos_of/
https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/8mu1pp/comment/dzqkhn8/
https://www.reddit.com/r/nintendo/comments/63w1lw/comment/ibwzvl7/?context=3
Nintendo Dream interview:
https://www.ndw.jp/starfox-game-230221/
English translations of above interview:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfox/comments/1151lkd/nintendo_dream_republishes_some_of_their_old_star/
User's English translation of official Japanese Star Fox 64 3D guidebook:
https://www.reddit.com/r/starfox/comments/wv6lzm/heres_a_treat_for_you_all_translationsphotos_of/
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