Which books and games are in the same time line as X4?

[ThreePounds]

Hello forum! I'm new to this forum so please excuse me if this isn't posted in the correct section.

To better understand the X universe, I've been playing the older games. I've just finished X2 (my introduction back when it was released) and started playing X3: Reunion. I've also red Farnham's Legend (in German). Recently I learned that X3: AP isn't considering to be "in the same timeline" as X4 and that the gap between X3: TC and X: Rebirth are filled with a novel instead.

Is there a definite list of games and novels which are considered "in the same time line" as X4: Foundations? I'd like to play / read them in chronological order.

Thank you very much and have a nice Saturday.

[X2-Illuminatus]

The notion of X3AP not being in the same "timeline" as X4 probably stems from the fact that some dates in written lore and games are different. But I would not call that a different timeline rather storytelling from a different point of view. So all X games play in the same timeline.

This youtube video provides a good overview of the lore of the X game universe, and the games and books leading to X4.

[ThreePounds]

The notion of X3AP not being in the same "timeline" as X4 probably stems from the fact that some dates in written lore and games are different. But I would not call that a different timeline rather storytelling from a different point of view. So all X games play in the same timeline.

This youtube video provides a good overview of the lore of the X game universe, and the games and books leading to X4.

Thank you for your reply! It was this very video which got me confused. Because at the beginning of it, there is a timeline with the two novels "Nopileos" and "Yoshiko" drawn off to the side while what I assume must be "Wächter der Erde" in line with X4.

Maybe I'll ask this another way: which game / novel does X4 effectively retcon?

[X2-Illuminatus]

there is a timeline with the two novels "Nopileos" and "Yoshiko" drawn off to the side while what I assume must be "Wächter der Erde" in line with X4.

Nopileos and Yoshiko just tell different stories that have nothing or very little to do with the plot of the game they were released with.
"Hüter der Tore" and "Wächter der Erde" are the two novels that haven't been translated into English yet, and describe the events leading to the gate shutdown in the X-Universe.

Maybe I'll ask this another way: which game / novel does X4 effectively retcon?

None.

The story in the X3 games and novels ends when the gates are shutting down. About 25 years later X Rebirth starts with the gates being reactivated again, and again another 22 years later X4 plays.

[ThreePounds]

The story in the X3 games and novels ends when the gates are shutting down. About 25 years later X Rebirth starts with the gates being reactivated again, and again another 22 years later X4 plays.

Great, that's the info I was actually after. It makes some sense now. Thank you so much.