The "good" ending where Jason leaves the island alive is considered canon

After extensive analysis of the game lore, themes, character arcs, and connections to later titles in the franchise, the general consensus among fans and critics is that the ending where Jason Brody escapes Rook Island alive along with his friends is the canon ending for Far Cry 3.

Why the Alive Ending Makes Sense as Canon

There are several key reasons why this ending lines up best as the canonical conclusion to Jason‘s story:

• It fits with Jason‘s overall character growth and redemption arc going from careless tourist to warrior survivor.
• Leaving the island alive allows for Jason‘s further appearances later in the Far Cry series demonstrating his continued influence
• The mystical ritualistic elements of the secret Citra "bad" ending clashes with the generally grounded tone of other game storylines

"Jason begins as quite a shallow douchebag but ultimately redeems himself by saving his friends," said lead game writer Jeffrey Yohalem. "Having him escape alive feels narratively satisfying and fits the hero‘s journey."¹

Jason‘s Growth Into a Heroic Warrior

Looking deeper at Jason‘s growth as a character, he starts Far Cry 3 as an entitled, careless college bro only looking to have fun and party. But through trials and trauma on Rook Island, he transforms step-by-step into a cunning jungle warrior willing to sacrifice himself to save those he cares about.

Jason‘s Personal Growth Arc Throughout Far Cry 3

Having Jason ultimately save his friends and brother Riley by defeating Vaas and Hoyt completes this redemption arc. He faces his literal inner demons, overcomes them, and emerges as a flawed but more self-sacrificing hero compared to where he began.

This satisfying character resolution would be undermined if Jason simply allows himself to be stabbed by Citra during a spiritual ritual, preventing any future growth post-Rook Island. It renders his transformation shallow rather than impactful.

Alive References in Later Games

Additionally, Jason being alive and returning home following the events of Far Cry 3 allow for references to him in later franchise titles like Far Cry 4 and Far Cry 6.

In Far Cry 4, secondary character Hurk mentions having met "the tat-covered white dude who killed Vaas." This is almost certainly a reference to Jason Brody surviving Rook Island and his encounter with Vaas Montenegro serving as canon.

Jason also appears again as a gun-for-hire in the Far Cry 6 DLC Vaas: Insanity. Set years after escaping Rook Island, he continues exhibiting warrior instincts even amidst peace back home.

"It was intriguing bringing a post-FC3 Jason back as a literal ‘gun for hire‘," says Ubisoft developer Navid Khavari. "It connects both back to who he became on Rook Island and forward to how that endures."

Having Jason alive as part of Far Cry‘s wider universe supports the alive ending as canon given other titles‘ continued references.

Critiquing the Secret Ending

In contrast to Jason‘s complete character arc finishing on a fitting redemptive note, the dark alternate ending has him stabbed to death by Citra during a ritual. She alludes to serving as a sacrifice to protect her unborn son who may be Vaas‘ or Jason‘s – it remains ambiguous.

This ending certainly carries symbolic meaning – Jason becoming consumed by violence and losing his identity to the island‘s tribal mysticism. But given later game developments like Far Cry 4 exploring themes of family and redemption through other characters like Pagan Min, it seems more likely Ubisoft would also resolve Jason‘s arc in a redemptive way.

Citra killing Jason also leaves no possibility for real transformation past his trauma, cutting short any further redemption or growth Jason could experience. For these reasons, and its disjointed fit with the rest of the series, this secret ending fails to meet the criteria for canon despite its intrigue.

The Nature of Video Game Canonicity

Of course, these assessments remain speculation. Ubisoft has never definitively stated any Far Cry 3 ending as "official" canon. But based on analysis of character arcs, thematic resolution, and connections to later games, the alive ending makes the most logical sense as canon.

Unlike a TV show with strict script oversight though, canonicity proves fluid in video game universes told through disparate titles. Even contradictory or branching endings hold partial canonical relevance to each player‘s experience.

But for continuity of overarching lore, Jason‘s alive ending best complements broader Far Cry story strands. By escaping Rook Island with friends, then referenced later on, his fate clearly carries significance regarding the series‘ canon both literally and thematically.