One of the biggest problems with the basic SF3D genre is the history. As far as I can tell, there are two main histories floating around - the 'original' Japanese one that was started as a story in the Hobby Japan magazine and was expanded upon with the model kits, and the Twentieth Century Imports version, which was probably a translated version. However, it doesn't stop there. Both versions are modified and expanded upon by the addition of more kits and games, and in addition, I believe that there is a smaller third timeline out there as well. And here the problems arise. With all these editions and (mis?) translations, trying to get a single timeline is difficult. Believe me, I'm tried, and it just doesn't work. There are just so many discrepancies between the two histories (and within the histories themselves) that things get interesting real quick. So, what I've tried to do is to create two timelines that people can choose from. The first (and 'canon') timeline, is the main Japanese one. This is developed from a lot of sources - the Foundation story, the models, articles - and is one which is supported by almost everyone outside of TCI. Articles and models are still being developed with this timeline. The second timeline (the Combined/TCI timeline) is created mainly from the TCI timeline and was an attempt by me to combine the TCI timeline with the Japanese one. It didn't quite work out and is significantly different to the Japanese one in places. However, if you're a gamer who only has access to the SF3D I and II games, then this might be the one for you as the games are based on it. With this version, anything contradicting the TCI ideas were ignored. Please note, that with the timelines I have not created any facts here, but simply used all available information to make them. All dates and events have been specified somewhere. The Main Contradictions and Notes: The following is a list of the main areas to note when using either of the two timelines, and might be of some help to those who are still trying to get an accurate timeline. The War! Depending on which background you choose, the World War is either number III (TCI) or IV (Original Japanese [OJ]). Reports are sketchy on how long it lasted (6 months or 3 years can be gleamed from Japanese sources, no length is given for TCI), and then depending on who you talk to depends on how long the Earth took to recover. TCI states many centuries, while the Japanese say mere decades. In fact this is compounded further for the TCI history by the fact that the back of the back says WW IV, while the rulebook still states WW III! When did the colonists arrive? Again contradictions arise when the colonists started coming back. The TCI history says around 2807, the OJ states 2845 at the earliest. It's little things like this that make compiling the timeline so difficult! How does the war begin? We know that the Shutoral forces are the aggressors - that is confirmed by both histories. The reasons why are different though. TCI claim that the Shutoral Republic decide that the Earth is theirs and start taxing the population. It is not clear if this is with or without the support of the Milky Way Confederation. They impose their will by sending in the troops which the natives object to. The OJ is more precise saying that with the anarchy on the Earth, the Galactic Confederation decided that something should be done, and the job was given to the Shutoral Republic because they were one of the few states left with a sizeable military and police force (why is this?). Then things get out of hand and the war begins in earnest. Unit entry dates and extras: In the new unit lists, I've attempted to try and give an introductory date for most units, so that players can generate historical scenarios. While a lot of dates have had to be guesstimated, the two timelines make some other differences. For example, the Nutrocker in the TCI history makes its appearance on October 2884 with the 300th Airborne Regiment when it gets refitted off planet. In the OJ however, it gets produced and introduced on Earth when the Mercenaries are besieging New Canberra in June 2884. Also some reasons are different for the introduction of units. Again, with the Nutrocker, TCI thinks it is just a new heavy tank, while OJ says that it was a stop gap measure until the PKA suits came into operation. I'm also not sure how accurate the game stats for some of the units are. For example, the Sand Stalker is listed as having a laser weapon, and yet in the story and kit description, it's supposed to have a standard cannon. Which history goes with the game? To be honest? I don't know. However, I think it is more likely to be the OJ than the TCI, but it isn't as easy as that. For example, the scenario cards detail 'Operation Super Hammer', which is only described in the OJ history, but they also gives the dates as being the 11th January, 2885, yet according to the OJ, the Mercenaries were on the retreat at that time, and didn't do this until 25th September, 2885 when 'Operation Super Hammer' got started. So, is the translated TCI correct? Again, I don't know. It would be so easy to be rude about the translating staff who did the job, but that wouldn't solve anything or clear up on anything. I think it seems more likely that it was translated and then modified, but again I don't know. As there are some significant changes in the rules, it could be unintentional mistakes such as the translator or play testers thinking that the rule couldn't be right and 'correcting' it, or it could be a mistranslation, or something different. Maybe the background changes were intentional, I just don't know. Can anyone shed any light on this?