User:Anwyll/IV/Timeline
This page is a personal attempt at a timeline.
Calibration
The opening of the game states:
| このゲームはフィクションであり実在の人物・団体との関連性はありませんまた。時代背景は1980年代の日本を設定し当時の時代考証に則り。現在では一部使用されていない表現が含まれておりますのであらかじめご了承ください。 | This game is a work of fiction and has no relevance to real people or groups. The setting is 1980s Japan and reflects the historical context of the time. Please note that this includes the use of kanji and phrases no longer used today. |
In the fan patch, this was replaced by this message from the developer:
| This game takes place in Japan, with native Japanese characters. There has been every effort to translate the game, but please be aware that not only will the characters be speaking in their native language, but the game will contain many cultural references. Please use Wikipedia to your advantage. - Tempus |
It appears that at some point, someone assumed that 1980年代 meant "the year 1980" and not "during the 1980s," as most Fatal Frame IV timelines that I've seen are calibrated to assume the Kiraigou took place in 1970, not "during the 1970s." My timeline is instead calibrated around the kiraigou taking place 1978. This decision was made based on three factors:
- It is the only year of the 1970s that an eclipse took place on September 16/17th
- Note that the game uses the same date for the eclipse 2 years later, which is not accurate.
- The later half of the decade makes more sense for aligning the plot, especially the resurrection of the Kaugra, with historical events in Japan, such as the Meiji Restoration, activity of Kunihiko Asou, and the World Wars.
- This in-game texture, which features a calendar for 1978 on the wall of Haibara Hospital.
- Note that some might argue that it would make more sense for the date on the hospital wall to be the Day Without Suffering rather than the failed Kiraigou. I would argue that one might expect the daybooks to be from year era, too, but here we are.
Meiji Era[1]
Dr. Kunihiko Asou's Visit
After developing several prototypes of the Camera Obscura, Dr. Kunihiko Asou comes to Rougetsu Island with the goal of advancing its technology.[2] The primary advancements made are on the film utilized by the camera. By utilizing ingredients used to make paints for the island's cultural masks, Asou is able to demonstrate not just that he can capture shadows on film, but subject them to exorcism-like effects.[2] Just prior to leaving, Dr. Asou donates one of his most recent prototypes, seemingly developed on the island due to its casing, to the lodgings where he stayed.
- Dr. Asou's Note 1; written just prior to his departure.