This article is actually a compilation of posts I made about Norton on my Tumblr between July and November of 2025 so some things are a bit outdated but still rather relevant to where we stand with the lore and what we know of Norton as of right now. I also didn’t edit much because while I may or may not agree with what I said before, I still think it’s rather nice to have a record of what I believed then vs. now.
Considering how bloated this article was becoming, I decided to move the more lengthier posts into their own separate articles which you can read below which I recommend for a fuller picture of the man known as Norton Campbell:
Identity Switch Series #1: Norton Campbell
Affection System Quotes I Still Think About (Norton Edition)
It’s the Little Things About Norton Campbell
With that said, I’ll section this out as best as I can and I hope you enjoy the read.
My First Ever Post on Norton
(Originally posted on July 30th, 2025)
“That nasty smell of burned meat. Is that from you?” -Norton to Alice in the Affection system.
I felt so offended for her when he said this to her, but I was more confused than anything else. After discussing it with my friends, I wrote a whole little novel on my thoughts on this line which I’ll dump here:
Imagine you killed 13 other miners in an explosion…I’d assume (and excuse me for being a little graphic) but I can only assume the smell of fire, smoke, charred, uh…you know, bodies would be a clear sensory memory for Norton. Considering he was near the center of the blast, the smell was stuck on him too.
This may be a hot take, but despite acting pretty callous and cold towards the other miners, I don’t think Norton 100% is not remorseful towards his actions. Especially after rewatching his trailer, the mental back and forth he appears to have with himself (i.e. with Fool’s Gold) right before he lights the flame to cause the explosion, I think shows he wasn’t really fully control of himself. Or really, he succumbed to his corrupted and twisted desires and with it, his normal inhibitions which would have constrained him from acting out on doing such a heinous deed. This created some cognitive dissonance which we can subtlety see here and there with Norton.
I know a lot of people think he did it maliciously and…well, he did but people miss that his mind was literally in two different places. It’s kinda hard to explain but think of it like disassociating with yourself and becoming the watcher instead of the doer. It’s kinda scary because you still feel like yourself but suddenly realize there’s a whole other side of you that you didn’t know existed until all those emotions, all those experiences, you buried deep inside explode. I think that’s what happened to Norton in that moment which is symbolized by the “birth” of Fool’s Gold at the end of his trailer, where we see the rocks from the aftermath of the Golden Cave incident form to become Norton’s hunter identity—an identity he can longer suppress all too well anymore or escape from.
Season 29 Essence 1 Promotional Poster.
I think the IDV team made it pretty clear what’s going on with Norton with “Fool’s Gold’s” Limited S Tier skin, “Infernal Sin.” It literally says Prospector is Norton’s “repressed persona” while “Fool’s Gold” is “the complete eruption of hatred, desire, and malice.” Also, just look at how “Fool’s Gold” has possession of Prospector who looks as if he isn’t even conscious or at best is in a daze under the control of his more malicious self.
Prospector’s outfit, The Orphan of Goetia, has a press animation that does show Prospector mentally fighting against his darker impulses spurred by “Fool’s Gold” hovering over him like he’s the Devil on his shoulder.
Let’s give credit where credit is due, this isn’t the first time Norton fights with himself. The guy is trying and has been successful on suppressing his darker inhibitions for a LONG time but of course, that can only last so long until it boils over. I’ve heard and seen people demonize Norton but he isn’t as one dimensional as some think. I find it interesting that neither here nor in his background trailer, he just…gives in? Like he puts up a fight each time his darker side tries to crawl out of the darkness. I think that should count for something about his character, no?
Looks quite painful, too. Why endure the pain when it’s easier to let go?
Echoes of Summer Event Norton
(Originally posted on August 9th, 2025)
I don’t see a lot of people talking about Norton from this year’s summer event. I know this is another somewhat belated post but to be fair, I only joined Tumblr like two weeks ago. Anyways, I don’t know if it’s because I’m a new player (April debut player here) but I found Norton so…different here (if not quite handsome especially in the picture above *ahem*)
But who is this person?! Calling Luca his friend and buddy while smiling non-stop. The Norton Campbell I know would scorn the thought of labelling anyone a friend much less some receptionist he just met.
But here he is all smiles, leisurely tossing his frisbee as he engages Luca in some warm-hearted conversation. As someone who was introduced to Norton through the main story and the affection system, it was such whiplash that a part of me remained in disbelief for a good portion of the summer event story.
But in the video above, Luca asks Norton why he came to the resort. As Norton begins to explain, he appears to have trouble breathing as he starts to pound his chest as if he is having an attack of some sort. Even in this alternate universe where he is slightly better off, he can’t escape his lung disease. That felt very Norton-like to me. Also, his talk of wanting to stand in the sunlight again matches a few things he says to Alice from the affection system:
He mentions the sun a lot which is kinda a given since his dislikes are enclosed environments and the dark. He also gripes a lot about the gloomy rainy weather they are currently experiencing at the manor. Considering his summer outfit also has sunflower motifs, it’s pretty safe to say that Norton really craves the warmth of the sun no matter what universe he’s in.
Also, while we’re talking about it, I also believe that a lot of his cosmetics where it seems he gains a lil money has him dye his hair blonde. I have seen some IDV players express tiredness of the repetitiveness of it, but I believe it suits Norton quite well. It possibly represents the opposite of his more muted and gloomier natural black hair color which he probably associates with his impoverished and misfortune life. Norton dyeing his hair a lighter color is literally the equivalent of girls cutting their hair after a major change in their life (usually a break up so Norton’s breaking up with his former life).
Moving on, this part was also really interesting and when I first played it, I was actually taken aback by Norton’s sudden question. Was he that bothered that Luca may have seen him as poor?
It reminded me that Norton, for all his severe acerbic retorts and statements toward Alice in the affection system, there were plenty of times when he expressed confusion due to the fact that while he does have a bit of an ego about him, Norton is quite self-conscious of himself and his lower class status.
Lines like: “You? You wanna talk to me?” And “No, really, who gives a damn about a miner?” show us he seems genuinely perplexed over her being unrelentingly curious about him. Guess this self-consciousness carries over to this scene with Luca. If you’re curious, here is Norton’s response if you choose the first option:
And if you choose the second, Norton is less than impressed with you:
At the end of the summer event, you have to convince the group along with Norton to leave the island so you guys aren’t trapped there forever. I managed to convince Norton so I have no idea what he says if you fail to persuade him. And if I still, for whatever weird reason, doubted this was Norton Campbell, he literally says his full name in this scene:
Also, note he has his name printed out on the band of his underwear that you can see full well. This man is as flashy as ever with himself once he has his hands on even just a little bit more money than he’s used to. I will say despite being self-conscious about himself at times that does NOT stop him from respecting himself and having high self-esteem which is admirable given what he’s been through.
Anyways, I just want to do a little ramble on Echoes of the Summer Norton because of just how interesting I found him. I read from a Twitter post how Norton appears to always be this way in alternate universe stories NetEase ends up dropping on us here and there and that it’s a sign that if Norton hadn’t been given such an awful hand at life where he was fated to poverty, the mines, and diseased lungs, he’d be similar to the friendly and warm Frisbee Vendor we see from the summer story.
Quite unfortunate when you think about the OG Norton, what he’s been through, how he reacts to the others (like Alice) and he’s supposed fate at the manor…
Norton and Benny: A Lovingly Strained Relationship
(Originally posted on August 21st, 2025)
So this post is kind of belated since it was some ramblings I posted a while back elsewhere along with the mental struggle of Norton Campbell. This was about Norton’s relationship with Benny and my thoughts on it. I’ll just copy and paste what I said then and dump a bit more:
I wanted to talk about Benny as I recently reread Norton’s 2025 birthday later and his relationship with Benny is interesting. Like they definitely cared for each other but Norton eventually convinced himself it would be better to scamper off with Benny’s map of the treasure locations and I assume by the time he came back, empty handed from that futile treasure hunt, Benny was dead. Though I do wonder if the last location, the Golden Cave was AFTER Benny’s death?
If so, that also could be a contributing factor to Norton going off the edge and led him to cause that explosion in the cave.
On the other hand, that may not be the case as one of Norton’s deductions states: “Diary: Tomorrow, I will go to the last place recorded by the old man. If there’s still nothing, then I hope he…”
The last place being the Golden Cave, of course with the old man referring to Benny. But it is implied in this statement that Norton had grown fed up with finding absolutely nothing that could change his fate and blamed Benny for seemingly leading him on a wild goose chase. Similar to Benny who cursed Norton for being a “Fool’s Gold” and wished him a miserable end after he stole the treasure location list, Norton cursed Benny for apparently wasting his time and giving him false hope. A part of him wanted Benny dead.
It’s quite unfortunate actually. Norton’s 2023 Birthday Letter is actually written up by Benny who sends it to Norton’s father who he refers to as brother (there’s speculation Benny may have been Norton’s father’s actual brother or just a very close family friend). I suggest reading the whole thing but to summarize, Benny has come up with a plan to find gold in different mines he has scouted out and possibly wanted help from Norton’s father. Here is a bit of what he writes:
“It’s like you said. There are mines everywhere, and we can mine anywhere. Why is it that only the rich are allowed to mine for gold?
Just think about it. We’d get to live a better life. Our children will get to enjoy bread, cake, and dessert every day. That brat of yours can go to school and wear clean clothes like a rich man’s boy.
We can get a nice house with glass windows to enjoy the sun.
When the kids grow up, their memories will be filled with a comfortable life surrounded by servants. Mines? Coal? Bah!”
Obviously, this plan didn’t come to fruition. Norton’s father dies prematurely leaving little Norton alone while Benny eventually ends up in a hospice shelter for miners. It isn’t known what exactly occurs between Norton and Benny between the death of Norton’s father and Norton finally arriving at the shelter to do some volunteer work where he meets Benny, but it seems they may have become estranged from each other.
Personally, it seems as if Benny did truly care for Norton though. He calls him brat but it does come off as affectionate as you can tell from what Benny says in the excerpt above. He wanted a better life for Norton and his own kid/s. In the same letter Benny even mentions he found some work clothes that he’d get someone to “modify into a winter quilt for that brat of yours.”
I’m sure despite whatever happened that caused their supposed estrangement, Benny seeing Norton at the shelter must have moved the old man to bits. I say this as someone who has witnessed older folks abandoned in nursing homes by their families delight in visitors coming to simply talk to them. They know they don’t have much time left and want to be seen and heard–I feel Benny may have been the same way. Which is why, Norton’s betrayal probably stung even worse.
Looking back at Benny’s letter, a lot of his sentiments are echoed in Norton’s words to Alice in the affection system:
I wonder where that winter quilt went?
But the mentions of the sunlight, wanting to go to school, loving simple bread makes me wonder if Benny helped fill little Norton’s head with dreams like that?
Speaking of the affection system, I think it’s a little interesting how his relationship in the affection system develops with Alice since I do see a bit of Benny in Alice. Okay, I know it sounds bonkers but here me out. As I said before, Benny is perhaps the only person in Norton’s life who treated him as more than just some mere miner or a tool just good for labor.
I mean, the fact some of the things Norton says to her like “You? You want to talk to me?” and “What else do you think I’m good for besides labor?” and also “No, really, who gives a damn about a miner?” among some sorta points to his confusion and suspicion towards Alice’s unrelenting and patient approach to conversing with him. Eventually, at full affection, he becomes a yapping machine and answers her questions without his usual surly bitterness towards her (though he sure is bitter towards others he talks about like the other miners and his former/current bosses).
Truly though, I’m not sure how Norton actually feels towards Alice. I assume it’s enough to want to help her a bit during the final manor game (as we see in “Go Hunting”) BUT this dude has shown he is so polarizing in his facade and considering the way he left Benny, makes me wonder…
But perhaps, Norton doesn’t want to repeat the same mistakes with Alice as he did with Benny especially since the latter is dead and gone and he can no longer make amends with…
Norton’s Eyes
(Originally posted on August 26th, 2025)
From Norton’s Route in Cage of Yesteryear. Notice how his eyes are different colors in both shots.
This is a very quick ramble so take this with a grain of salt. At one point, I questioned why Norton has different colored eyes as a doll vs when we meet his human identity in the main story.
Doll Norton with black eyes despite his human form having shifting colors.
A lot of people have already speculated that “Orpheus” is the one who created dolls out of the survivors for various reason which I believe comes from the fact that one of his talents is “prop-making.” Anyways, let’s just roll with the fact it is him. If so, it’s even more weird that he didn’t remember what color eyes Norton had…actually, considering how awful “Orpheus” memory is and the unreliability of it has been said over and over–I suppose it’s not that far-fetched for him to get it wrong.
Still, what’s the point? Is there any significance? I mean, when you look at “Fool’s Gold,” he basically has heterochromia:
You can see it most clearly in the mini hunter version of “Fool’s Gold.”
Norton as a hunter has a black eye (that’s seemingly always covered) and a white eye shining right into our souls. So, what’s up with that?
Well, I think Norton having different colored eyes both as a survivor and a hunter is just further indication of his polarizing nature. He’s two-faced, a person with a dual personality that even someone as close as Benny claimed to not understand him in the end.
Norton in the single scene he’s in in Ashes of Memory (minus the “Fool’s Gold” scene)
Tell me, what color are Norton’s eyes in the above picture? Is it wrong to say green? Black? The scene is so well lit but it’s a little hard to tell, right?
All these examples are here to just confuse you. Just like with Norton’s personality in general. I’ve already mentioned how odd this man’s personality can switch or be represented in different stories across IDV, but I mean, just look at his hunter identity as well.
Consider the following translations of “Fool’s Gold’s” name in other languages as well (taken from the IDV wiki):
Bahasa Indonesia: “Bermuka Dua” (“Two-Faced”)
Bahasa Melayu: “Alim-alim kucing” (“Pretender”)*
Thai: “หน้าเนื้อใจเสือ” H̄n̂āneụ̄̂xcıs̄eụ̄x (“Specious”)**
*“Alim-alim kucing” is a Malay idiom that directly translates to “pious-looking cat” and refers to someone who is a pretender/pretending to be innocent.
**This is the direct translation, but หน้าเนื้อใจเสือ is a Thai idiom coming from the words for deer face and tiger heart. It means someone who appears good or kind, but is actually wicked or evil. The English word, specious, means someone who is misleading in appearance.
I love southeast Asian languages. Fun Fact: In Korean apparently his previous title was 사기꾼 같은 놈 (sagiggun kateun nom) which means swindler.
I love how the IDV team really wants to hammer in just how freaking two-faced this man is. Even between his survivor and hunter side, I sometimes still wonder if that is the same person.
Like…this gloomy and reticent man who was rude as heck to Alice and grumbles about his fellow miners like their inconsequential maggots? Well…yes.
This is the one time I feel like normal ole Norton here sounds even the remotest bit playful in the affection system with that little “Boom!” of his. Norton sounding a bit too blasé about an explosion in the mines. “Fool’s Gold”…is that you???
But anyways, this post took way longer than I thought and I need sleep. This was just a ramble anyway so sorry if it was incoherent at parts. You all have a good day/night! And remember, don’t get too hung up on Norton’s eyes, it’s not that important…right?
“Norton” in the Final Manor Game is Weird
(Originally posted on September 16th, 2025)
I’ve had this ruminating on my mind for a hot minute and kinda just wanted to ramble about how I feel there’s quite a bit of discrepancies about Norton on the day of the actual manor game he’s involved in. I focus on him specifically because there’s quite a few things wrong with him that bother me immensely.
(Note: I want to preface by saying this is just me rambling and not really an analysis/theory on what I believe happens during the “final” manor game.)
For starters, where is this man’s most notable physical feature:
From Da Capo.
1. His nose piercings…?
Like, I don’t think I’ve EVER seen Norton without his nose piercings whether it be in official art, cosmetics (save for the ones where his face his hidden behind a mask so think Orphan of Goetia or Ronald of Nice or “Two-Faced.”), or, well, in the main story.
They’re clearly missing. Heck, even when we see a close up shot of his hunter form in “Go Hunting,” they’re missing there as well. And yes, I do know that his hunter form is a FAR cry from the “Fool’s Gold’ we got, but remember, Norton didn’t lose his piercings when he became a hunter.
As you can see, no piercings. But guys guys! He has his miner’s hat on so it’s definitely Norton, of course~ But really, his piercings…which apparently were only confirmed as piercings rather recently with the addition of the Affection System…before that some believed they were shrapnel or leftovers from the Golden Cave incident (Listen, I just started playing the game the day AFTER the Affection system dropped…I just got here lol.)
Really though, why’d this little lad already have nose piercings? He’s barely 10 years old here probably? 😭
See, if these people can put those piercings on a little tyke, why’d they conveniently forget them during such an important event? Unless, y’know…Norton just felt like taking them off that day…Can…can you take them out? They feel like a part of him now…
2. Eye Color
2 years before we even see him in action in the main story/affection system, they were already messing with us.
Speaking of physical differences, I already went over how this man apparently has heterochromia and flips between having green eyes one moment and black eyes the next moment. This even reflects in his hunter form as “Fool’s Gold” has one white eye and one black eye. Again, I thought it was due to just emphasizing his dual nature and whatnot and I read some theories in the comments of said post, I won’t get too into again so just read the post if you want to.
Interestingly, in two of the images above from the lore videos, Norton is shown with red eyes! This man’s eyes are truly a rainbow at this point. Can’t help but think it’s end game, he has detention and Alice and “Orpheus” are cooked. But really it may just be for visual effect.
3. Weapon of Choice
I know it’s a small difference but still…why a normal axe??
I find it a bit odd that Norton’s weapon of choice here is just a normal axe…of the wood cutting kind. I guess it’s appropriate in getting through a door that looks like it’s made of wood but wouldn’t he have his pickaxe on hand?
Like, if he can so readily whip it out to scare Miss Alice here, then why leave his trusty pickaxe out of perhaps the most important event at the manor you’re going to experience? It’s the actual day of the game, so I’d think he would have it on hand especially since the games take place in the Dark Woods, an area that also has Bane’s cabin where Norton is speculated to be staying at (I only think this because his 2021 letter sounds suspicously like they’re telling him to stay elsewhere, away from the manor and from the others but I’m also a little confused by the wording).
Basically what I’’m trying to say in short words is if he’s pickaxe is in such close proximity, then why doesn’t he have it and where is it? Perhaps it was taken from him? Who knows at this point…
4. Propensity towards Violence
This is an interesting point, but I find it both interesting and amusing that when you put the three lore videos together, Norton seems to be fighting everyone…or really showing violence towards everyone.
See here:
He punches Melly (shown) and eliminates her later on (not shown)
He punches “Orpheus” (to be fair, I see this as a defensive/instinctual punch cause “Orpheus” shocked him or it’s a punch to snap “Orpheus” out of whatever drug stupor he’s in.)
He outright seems to be fighting this unidentified figure in “Memory” (it could be “Orpheus” but it seems just as likely it’s someone else. Some speculate it could be Frederick of Sam Bourbon…maybe it’s someone else entirely)
On the other hand, he doesn’t raise even a fist towards Alice from what we can see. Perhaps they thought it wouldn’t do to show a grown monster of a man punch a little girl, but obviously it’s probably something more than that. Many speculate that both Melly and Norton want to help Alice in the end and get her away from “Orpheus” and/or protect her.
I will say, clearly he snuck up behind them in order to target Alice. He just seems to try and grab her though, no punches thrown interestingly enough.
Guys, no, it’s the opposite…they’re trying to save “Orpheus” from Alice. Turns out she was the bad guy all along.
But on a serious note, you can really dissect these videos all day long (I know I’ve mentally run myself ragged) and considering I don’t want to do that cause that is not the focal point of this post, I’ll move on.
But I will say, the reason I feel that it is odd that he seems to violent is because Norton isn’t really inherently a violent person. Sure, as “Fool’s Gold” and sure, we can assume it may be because of the drugs but there’s something off about the whole thing.
If you watch this whole sequence in the video, after the initial punch I mentioned above, Norton becomes defensive as shown above until “Orpheus” eliminates him.
I also want to add this. From “Fool’s Gold’s” trailer we see he gets bullied. We also know this from letters/deductions and whatnot but regardless, we know that interestingly, Norton never really retaliates or fights back (I mean, look above. That’s sometimes enough to set off some people). That is, until the Golden Cave incident, of course.
But again, deep down Norton doesn’t want trouble and keeps to himself mostly because he just wants to focus on securing himself a better life.
He basically says this to Alice in the affection system: “I don’t want to be the center of attention, and I sure as hell don’t want trouble.”
Which is kinda ironic when you consider him in AUs.
Granted, another reason he may have been more defensive towards “Orpheus” is it is possible that Norton knows full well he doesn’t have the physical strength or prowess to completely subdue “Orpheus.” Considering Norton’s health after all.
But then, why does he seem to pursue Alice and “Orpheus” so relentlessly knowing full well his own limits?
5. “Orpheus”’ Norton vs. Alice’s Norton
Wow…truly a glow up…“Fool’s Gold” simps, you better thank Alice for this.
Anyways, this next section is going to state the obvious that I’m sure most people reading this have been saying since the beginning of this post. Well, duh Sundae…Norton is being seen through “Orpheus”’s eyes and we know how godawful that man’s memory is. And yes, you’re correct. All of this that I’ve rambled about is more than likely explained away by the fact that “Orpheus” is a horrible perspective to have.
As seen here from the conceptual ideas video for Journalist, if we trust their words (which I’m going to do for now because if I don’t, I’ll actually go insane), then Alice is our closest bet to what really happened.
Thus, we can conclude that Norton is a rather handsome devil in Alice’s eyes while in “Orpheus”’ eyes, he’s this big monstrous being who is…less than conventionally attractive (yeah, let’s put it that way).
I find it rather funny because it really kills me that Alice and “Orpheus” have such different perspectives on Norton despite how much of a complete jerk Norton is towards Alice (look, I know she sees him as a hunter before all that but give this to me).
I mean, considering this is her expression when Norton barely acknowledges her with a grunt, she has/had every right to imagine him uglier and more beast-like.
But Alice is too nice for that. I mean, look at how she imagines Frederick? A beautiful woman in a red dress despite his cold nature towards her AND pointing a gun at her? Yeah, okay…Alice, sure. At this rate, Melly is going to look like an actual angel since so far she’s been the nicest to our dear reporter here.
Notice how “Orpheus” is the only one who doesn’t look that conventionally attractive as a hunter?
But speaking of “Orpheus,” for his part, he doesn’t particularly like Norton at all. And I’m not just talking about poor drugged up Novelist who is trying to protect his dear loved one from this…this beast!
This frame goes by so fast in “Da Capo” that you WILL miss it if you blink so much as breath…
So, “Nightmare” comes out right as “Orpheus” launches himself at Norton who he proceeds to beat him up as if Norton is the one who owes him money. But in all honesty, it’s actually rather brutal to see how badly “Orpheus” punches out Norton. I always wondered why such a violence that seems to stem from a deep-seated hatred or something. Like, I know he’s trying to protect Alice, but it seems a bit much. Heck, Alice even slips away from “Orpheus” in this moment so clearly she’s not too comfortable sticking around him after that (understandable).
Considering Norton is full of so many discrepancies from his physical appearance to his very behavior, it makes one wonder about “Orpheus”’ perception of the prospector. Considering Norton technically helps out “Orpheus” like he’s just a tool for labor around the manor like aiding in scaring/corralling Alice towards “Orpheus” who causes her to pass out to having to drug her himself, what exactly does happen between Norton and “Orpheus” to apparently stop working together?
By the way, I always did wonder why “Orpheus” has Norton drug Alice back at the manor. Why not do it himself? Why trust someone like Norton with such an important task??
And we want to believe Norton has a ready change of heart to help Alice in the end?
But seriously, I do wonder what happens. I want to joke and say well, maybe Norton is out here still hoping he’s going to receive his money and that’s also another reason why he doesn’t hurt “Orpheus” but eliminates Melly (who some speculate is the woman he’s supposed to kill. Others believe it’s Alice). Then is there a reason to seemingly help Alice? Did she not pay him for a question during their interview and he wants pay back?? Literally??
Okay, now I really jest. But at the end of the day, just like the main story, I’m just going to end this post abruptly without any sort of satisfying resolution and will drive you mad with more questions than answers.
Because NetEase/Joker Studio hates loves keeping us in suspense for their lovely story which will certainly answer most, if not all of these speculations with the next part most likely coming in November (Hint: No, it won’t. We’re just going to have to wait another 2-3 years for a conclusion, if even 😭)