History Headscratchers / ZeroTimeDilemma

** [[spoiler:If Sigma had done any of those events, it would have prevented a StableTimeLoop. Basically, warning the first responders doesn't guarantee that the outbreak is prevented, [[ForWantOfANail but it would still proceed differently]]. As for the Axelavir, that was impossible to do at the time, as it requires the antibodies of people who were immune to Radical-6, which is very hard to determine when people have not been required to make antibodies for Radical-6 yet, as the spread and subsequent pandemic had yet to exist. Also, testing for Radical-6 antibodies ''with'' Radical-6 would risk causing the outbreak they're trying to prevent, since it spreads so quickly. Even if they were able to make the Axelavir, they'd have to make enough to cure ''everyone'', which takes a lot of time, meaning they'd still lose a lot of people. Plus, Sigma knowing the cure for a viral pandemic that has yet to happen is kind of suspicious. I got nothing for the cryo option though, other than the timey wimey.]]

* This is extremely minor, but: Akane ''instantly'' solves multiple incredibly-long anagram phrases with the exact correct answer, when even a computer would struggle or would come up with dozens of possible solutions. And yet she can't figure out what word might be made by the letters AEDLT?

* Why does Gab have a HundredPercentAdorationRating? I kept expecting a good explanation for why he seemed to be practically mind-controlling people at points, because of course in ''Zero Escape'', there can be no coincidences... but then nothing.

* Delta says that not one of the [=SHIFTers=] took a linear path to the Force Quit ending. While this appears to be true--Carlos's knowledge of the alien cards suggests that this was still the same Carlos that made a tour of every other timeline, and all of D-Team remembers their familial relationship--what caused them to SHIFT into that timeline? For that matter, when would Phi have learned that information?

*** StrawmanFallacy - This is a point that while valid by its own merit, does not address the actual points put forth, namely the comparison between how information is hidden/not hidden from the player, instead sidestepping them with an unrelated issue regarding the plot twist with Sigma.

*** There's also the fact that [[spoiler:Sigma was almost near death after losing both his arms, Phi was unconscious, and Diana (at best) might have only ''heard'' about the CAS treatment pods, but would have no idea where to get one, let alone so quickly.

* How does D-Team learn the passcode to the Door of Truth? As the omniscient player, we find out that it's the twins' birthday via Q-Team reading the hint from the other side of the door. However, even with timeline jumping powers, D-Team wouldn't have access to this information since they never directly experienced the hint. Nor could they have overheard Q-Team since they arrive at the door after Q-Team has fallen asleep. Lucky guess using knowledge from the "trapped for ten months" timeline? Sigma using Akane's "experiencing events through the eyes of another" power from Nine Doors? The omniscient player mind-hacking Sigma?
* Delta says that not one of the [=SHIFTers=] took a linear path to the Force Quit ending. While this appears to be true--Carlos's knowledge of the alien cards suggests that this was still the same Carlos that made a tour of every other timeline, and all of D-Team remembers their familial relationship--what caused them to SHIFT into that timeline? For that matter, when would Phi have learned that information?
** According to Sigma, [=SHIFTing=] is at least sometimes reflexive when a [=SHIFTer=] has a near-death experience -- he remembers being run over by a car as a kid but woke up in his own bed, prior to learning how to consciously [=SHIFT=] in VLR. All of the characters experience several deaths in the course of ZTD, so each "soul" in the Force Quit timeline could easily come from one (or all) of the doomed timelines, without intending to. Phi knowing that she's Sigma and Diana's daughter is less clear. Akane was able to experience the events of 999 through Junpei's eyes. In each of the ZTD timelines where a team is executed, one of the characters has a vision of the doomed team's last moments. It seems [=SHIFTers=] have at least a limited ability to perceive things through the perspective of others.

** According to Sigma, [=SHIFTing=] is at least sometimes reflexive when a [=SHIFTer=] has a near-death experience -- he remembers being run over by a car as a kid but woke up in his own bed, prior to learning how to consciously [=SHIFT=] in VLR. All of the characters experience several deaths in the course of ZTD, so each "soul" in the Force Quit timeline could easily come from one (or all) of the doomed timelines. Phi knowing that she's Sigma and Diana's daughter is less clear. Akane was able to experience the events of 999 through Junpei's eyes. In each of the ZTD timelines where a team is executed, one of the characters has a vision of the doomed team's last moments. It seems [=SHIFTers=] have at least a limited ability to perceive things through the perspective of others.

** Continuing on from the above point, the "ton of virtually-identical timelines" explanation makes the most sense. The timelines branch whenever someone makes a decision. Each probability-based outcome ultimately depends on some degree of decision-making. "Which locker do I place the gas mask in?" "Which box does the antidote go in?" "Which of the six bullets sitting in front of me do I load into the first chamber of the revolver?" "How hard do I toss this coin/die, and at what angle?" Each of these result in the creation of slightly different timelines on a common trajectory until they reach a branching point dependent on the original choice, then split off to their common outcomes. SHIFTers probably lack the fine-grained control to jump to specific threads ("I chose a box and the mask was in box 4") rather than the common branch ("I chose a box"). The "Who killed Mira?" branch is an example of this. Sean can suggest a variety of culprits leading to slightly different responses, but they all lead to a single outcome, his death.

* Delta says that not one of the [=SHIFTers=] took a linear path to the Force Quit ending. While this appears to be true--Carlos's knowledge of the alien cards suggests that this was still the same Carlos that made a tour of every other timeline, and all of D-Team remembers their familial relationship--what caused them to SHIFT into that timeline? For that matter, when would Phi have learned that information?