I couldn't agree more with KHH's post. I'm of the opinion that if Lady Alvane turns out *not* being April, then she *wasn't* April either when The Longest Journey was released (if we could look at Ragnar's notes of the time), so that would actually not be a *true* retcon, though it's easy to be seen like one by the players, given the ending of The Longest Journey. That's also one reason why I'm more critical of Alvane "candidates" that haven't appeared in the original game (like Zoe herself).
I also agree with KHH (and Vainamoinen) in that, regardless of Alvane's true identity, she was presented in such a way as to leave the vast majority of the players (and some translators apparently) *certain* that she was April, which gave an excellent feeling of full circle/closure (and self-containment), essential for a game that was not confirmed at the time of having a sequel. Aka, if she's not really April, I imagine the thought process being: "it's ok for people to think she is April, for now". And "if we ever *do* get to make a sequel, the truth would prove to be an astounding revelation that would stay in the mind of the players" (if executed well, I'd add)
EDIT: My hypothetical "thought process" above [offtopic: we need a "in the mind of Ragnar Tornquist" feature film, ASAP], *IF* accurate, may tick some people the wrong way (it's "dishonest!" "trickery!") but, if you think about it, it isn't. Because the purpose of the storyteller/game developer isn't to be honest with you (regarding the Story! not anything else) but to craft the most immersive and emotionally satisfying experience for you, which includes surprising the audience, playing with their expectations, etc., if the story requires to do so. I for one have always been incredibly happy to have the carpet pulled under my feet, in movies (e.g. 6th sense, Empire Strikes Back), books (e.g. Agatha Christie novels), video games (e.g. Knights of the Old Republic) or TV Series (e.g. Puella Magi Madoka Magica). I've never thought of a (well-presented!) twist as "ruining" what's come before, even if it shatters my long-built preconceptions to pieces. Now, for badly-executed twists ...
