Why is UCN not canon?

Hey there FNaF fan! As a fellow fanatic who‘s followed the series from the start, I know how confusing the lore can get. With each new game, we try decoding every little detail to unravel the complex mythology Scott Cawthon has crafted. But not all games fit into the official continuity. Ultimate Custom Night – that chaotic clash of 50+ animatronics – is one of them. In Scott‘s own words, UCN is "not canon" to the core FNaF story.

I can imagine that‘s frustrating for hardcore fans invested in theorizing. But as a devoted fan myself, let me walk you through exactly why UCN drifts outside the canon timeline. My aim is to give you satisfying clarity, backed by plenty of evidence. Strap in for a comprehensive breakdown from a fellow superfan!

Defining "Canon" in FNaF

First, let‘s get on the same page about what being "canon" means for this franchise.

In long-running series with extensive lore like FNaF, the canon comprises the official continuity – the material accepted as part of the genuine story being told. For FNaF, the canon games are the core series entries – FNaF 1 through 4, Sister Location, Pizzeria Simulator. These all directly advance the official plotline from Scott‘s imagination.

The canon forms a cohesive narrative thread, with each installment adding to an unfolding story. The games fit together like puzzle pieces to form a complete picture. This central storyline focuses on the tragedy of the murdered children, the villainy of William Afton, the hauntings of the animatronics, and other connected events.

Meanwhile, non-canon material sits outside this official continuity, even if set in the same fictional universe. For example, the Fazbear Frights novels reimagine the FNaF story in an alternate universe – the events don‘t align with the games. So the books aren‘t canon, though they expand the franchise. Same goes for activity books or references in other games like Smash Bros.

Only Scott Cawthon can decree what is and isn‘t canon. As the creator, he decides what comprises the official continuity of the games. With UCN, he was quite clear in confirming its non-canon status. But looking closely, we can spot many signals that place UCN outside the storyline.

Clues UCN Doesn‘t Fit Canon

Let‘s reviewing the mounting evidence:

Non-Canon Characters

UCN‘s roster contains several prominent characters originating from non-canon sources:

• Jack-O-Chica: First appeared in FNaF 4‘s Halloween Edition update. But Scott has stated that non-canon DLC isn‘t meant to fit the lore.

• Nightmare BB: Also debuted in the FNaF 4 Halloween content, placing him outside canon.

• Nightmarionne: Ditto – introduced in the non-canon Halloween DLC.

• Old Man Consequences: Hails from the non-canon parody game FNaF World. His presence implies a non-serious tone.

Including these non-canon figures strongly suggests UCN itself lies outside the story proper.

Impossible Character Combinations

Groupings of certain characters directly contradict established canon from the games:

• Molten Freddy contains the remains of Funtime Freddy, Funtime Foxy, and Ballora all fused together. Yet those three animatronics also appear separately in UCN.

• Ennard was formed from the endoskeletons of Baby, Ballora, Funtime Freddy and Funtime Foxy. Having them exist individually alongside Ennard breaks series continuity.

• William Afton is literally the spirit possessing Springtrap. Springtrap and Afton cannot logically co-exist as separate entities.

These paradoxical combinations go against canon logic, positioning UCN as non-canon.

Afterlife Setting Doesn‘t Fit

A popular theory views UCN as William Afton trapped in an endless purgatory, tormented forever by his victims. However, the concept of any afterlife has never been established in the canon games universe. This supposed portrayal of one contradicts the tone and logic of the core series.

Voice Lines Don‘t Perfectly Align

Various voice lines reference events and ideas from canon games. But the allusions don‘t completely match up when examined closely. The lines come across more as playful, out-of-continuity interpretations of canon rather than inhabiting it properly.

Meta-Commentary on Gameplay

The characters openly break the fourth wall and refer to game mechanics like dying, difficulty levels, power-ups, etc. These constant meta-commentary and self-referential jokes jar against the serious unfolding drama of the canon games.

UCN as a Creative Playground

Clearly UCN doesn‘t neatly fit the canon – Scott designed it that way intentionally. But why? What purpose does a non-canon mashup serve? I see it as fulfilling a few key goals:

• It lets Scott Cawthon flex his creative muscles outside strict continuity constraints. Within canon, he must develop consistent backstories and behaviors for the animatronics. In UCN, Scott can interpret them any way he likes.

• It provides a dramatic grand finale for the original core series. UCN feels like a celebratory send-off, bringing together a "greatest hits" cast in one joyous uncontrolled clash.

• It allows more raw fan service with jokes and fourth-wall gags that would seem out-of-place in a canon entry. Canon games must advance the serious horror story. This frees things up.

• It links the original games with the new VR/AR reimaginings in a transitional work. UCN bridges two eras.

• It immortalizes the iconic FNaF cast by spotlighting them all in one glorious chaos. They‘ll live on forever through their UCN incarnations.

By stepping outside canon confines, Scott could craft the ultimate love letter to the FNaF franchise. It‘s a chance to encapsulate everything special about the series in one enthusiastic, irreverent, meta package. Not advancing the lore, but celebrating it with informal flair.

The Bottom Line

I know it can frustrate lore enthusiasts to have a major installment deemed non-canon. We want to fit all the pieces together into a single unified picture. But based on overwhelming evidence, UCN clearly lies outside the core FNaF continuity.

And that‘s okay! Canon or not, UCN remains a wonderfully chaotic and fresh experience. It pushes the boundaries of what FNaF can be and brings the characters to life in bold new ways unchained from strict canon depictions.

For me, it’s like the entire FNaF universe has gone on a crazy vacation outside their normal story! A chance for both them and Scott to cut loose. But the core canon remains intact for our theorizing pleasure.

So don‘t get discouraged, fellow superfan. We can still dream up epic theories connecting the mainline games. UCN just gets to be a whimsical "what if" side adventure – a freewheeling bonus stage to light up imaginations. And after a grueling canon storyline filled with darkness and tragedy, don‘t those poor haunted animatronics deserve some carefree fun too?

I hope breaking down exactly why UCN drifts from canon brings you the clarity and understanding you seek. We fans have to stick together supporting Scott Cawthon‘s incredible vision. And there are still more secrets left to uncover in this rich lore. So stay determined and keep hunting clues! Just remember: UCN is one big party that exists outside the lore. A delightful detour before the next canon installment. A chance to play without limits. And we‘re all invited to the chaos!

Let me know if you have any other canon questions troubling you! I‘m here to help.