WH40K Lore Problem - Is it a Retcon or is Nobody Driving the Bus?
INTRO A while ago I posted this on the Advance Tau Tactica forum, posing the question as to what’s really behind all the inconsistencies in WH40K lore. At bottom of this post is link to the complete discussion thread. If any of you are Tau players, or are interested in Tau lore, the A.T.T. forum is great place to visit.
EXCERPTS Proposition: It's not a Retcon, Nobody is Driving the Bus! Much of what we think of as retcon of WH40K lore is just some author not doing do diligence; or just not caring enough about the subject to even bother. Only rarely do I think someone knows what the lore is, and then goes ahead and does whatever they want to anyway. Much less, do I ever think there is a wilful "overturning" of lore; just because some editor or game designer wants to remake the WH40k universe.
What Games Workshop and Black Library Authors have said about the subject.
"Here's our standard line: Yes it's all official, but remember that we're reporting back from a time where stories aren't always true, or at least 100% accurate. If it has the 40K logo on it, it exists in the 40K universe. Or it was a legend that may well have happened. Or a rumour that may or may not have any truth behind it." Marc Gascogne, chief editor Black Library
"With Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000, the notion of canon is a fallacy. [...] Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 exist as tens of thousands of overlapping realities in the imaginations of games developers, writers, readers and gamers. None of those interpretations is wrong." Gav Thorpe, Lead Designer GW
"It all stems from the assumption that there's a binding contract between author and reader to adhere to some nonexistent subjective construct or 'true' representation of the setting. There is no such contract, and no such objective truth." Andy Hoare, Game Designer GW
"There is no canon. There are several hundred creators all adding to the melting pot of the IP." Aaron Dembski-Bowden, co-author Horus Heresy series
Please take a look at the discussion thread, or at least give your opinion on the status of WH40K lore as it stands today.
A.T.T. Discussion Thread: WH40K Lore Problem
