| Hello Carlos ! I have a theory, based on the illustrations and the crossing timelines, that states Keith Kaiel Sith was divided, because of Rah's machine and the relative failure of his own project before it, into an empty but powerful body that is Némésis, still recognizing Elhazzared as his mother of some kind, and an angry and unstable spirit of darkness called Lazarus that unleash its power from time to time. Are they really related ? With that kind of relation, or something else ? Thank you ! | It is very difficult to answer that question without revealing a primeval point of the story. However, at least I will tell you that you are correct in saying that there is a relationship between Khaiel, Nemesis and Lazarus, but not the way you imagine. |
| Isn't it the point of times like this to reveal important hidden things ? :p But if it's supposed to be explained in a future book, then I agree and just would ask, as a friend told me to: was Eljared/Elhazzared really Rah's wife and the mother of his children ? | I will give a cryptic answer. Yes and not, at the same time. |
| Hello Carlos! And thank you very much for this AMA and for being an amazing person :). I am a bit curious about the team behind GoM. Would it be possible for us to know more about artists, game designers, programmers, etc ?(and how did they come to work in this project) Thanks a lot! | Sure; |
| The development team of Gate of Memories is very small. That how we where able to develop the game with our limited budget. |
| The core team of Gate of Memories is composed by just three people; |
| Carlos B. García (Myself), who is the game and story designer, level designer, IA, Sounds and Effects. Well, I am somehow a jack of all trades. |
| Miguel Hernandez Galarza, who is the psychotic programmer of the team who answer with a "meh" to everything. |
| Sergio Almagro, a guy from Matrix who is in charge of 3D models and animations. Sometimes I think he lives in a fantasy world fed by touhou characters. |
| We are also very happy to have the external help of Wen Yu Li as character and monster designer (that guy is the real monster), Mike Salyer who help us with the voices, and Anastasia for the music (who has presented herself a few minutes ago). |
| Hello Carlos ! Me again. I couldn't help but notice the similar looks and style of appearance between ID in the game Ark of Sinners and Millenium. Are they the same kind of entities, but on different levels of existence/supervision (Ark for one, Gaïa for the other) ? My theory is that both are some kind of materialization from the "security/balance/randomizer system's IA" of both systems that are the big weird clock in the Ark and the Yggdrasil clock. Is any of this correct ? Thank you again ! | Almost correct. In fact, both are the same entity. Id is one of the many identities / faces of Millenium. In fact, in the Iphone version of the game, if you finish it on the Hardest level, you obtain an Easter egg equence in which ID reveals herself as Millenium. |
| There are a lot of people very excited due to the awesome-looking story of Gate of Memories, specially with The Messengers inclusion. Can we expect to learn a lot about them? Will other entities and important characters/organizations have a place in Gate of Memories. | Thanks for your words. Yes, In Gate of Memories you will learn everything about the Messengers who appear in the story; their past, their lives, the motivations that make them become what they are now... In fact, that is one of the central points of the story of Gate of Memories. |
| By the way, can you give a little advance about the Perfect World Guide? | About the Perfect World Guide, it includes a detailed background of everything related to the game story; detailed explanation of all places, characters, legends, weapons... A complete story of everything, along with why everything is there and the visual designs and evolution of places and characters. Oh, and for the RPG lovers, we will include the stats of everything. |
| Wonderful to read that :D. Only if you can answer: Is Memitim's story in your plans for GoM? | Yes. |
| Will you someday release something like a sketchbook ? With some forgotten sketches like the ones Wen Yu Li have done for the Gear pilots, the ones preparing for the actual concepts and illustrations of each game, and such things ? It's actually pretty good RP material even if it's unfinished or not used in the final products. But maybe it's mostly Wen's property, or up to him to share them or not ? | In fact, we will anounce next week an sketchbook as an Add-On in the Gate of Memories KS campaign with all our unused design and evolution of character along the years. |
| Hi again ! Have you decided who are the 13th Cardinal and the real Shadow of the Emperor, or is it amongst the things you let every GM decide for themselves ? If you have, can you give us names or at least hints ? Thank youuu ! | Yes; the Cardinal is decided (in fact, you will obtain a glipse of who he / she could be in Gate of Memories), but in general, we always want to give each GM the chance to decide by themselves. |
| We all know that, and most of us respect dearly this decision. For me, it's one of the great advantages of this role playing game, along with the freedom of character creation, choice of settings and styles of play (supernatural levels and visibility, rules about reputation, sanity, adventures or intrigues...). But it has always tickled me and many Anima fans: in your mind or perfect campaign that you would make play as a GM: what would be the fate of Elisabeth ? Would she marry, in your personnal preference that is absolutely not meant to be canon: nobody ? Lucanor ? Matthew ? Magnus ? Nemesis ? Eltheldrea ? Malakias ? Malekith ? Celia ? Someone else my twisted mind can't think of ? | I agree with you. |
| what about 0 Messenger? | This is will be the last answer for today; in Gate of Memories, you will get a little glimpse of Zero. |
| How is the Alpha version coming along? Do you have a estimated date on when you will be ready for testing? | If there is no problem, next week we will send the all the alphas. |
| Thank you :D and have you an idea about the date when who walked with us vol 2 will be released? | Not yet. |
| of all, I'd like to thank you for creating a world so vast and rich as the Anima one. I know it isn't easy, and I cannot imagine how much care and work went into its completion. I really hope the second campaign will be a success as well, it sure deserves it. My questions are: 1) Gate of Memories will have a linear story or the player will be able to decide which path to follow, like the order to challenge the Messengers? 2) Will there be replay gifts, like unlockables or secret bosses or a "nightmare" difficulty settings etc.? 3) Anima RPG this one: will you ever release Nemesis stats? Verrry curious about those. | Thanks for your words. Answering to your questions, Gate of Memories will allow you to follow very different routes to complete the story. The funny thing is that decisions substantially alter the course of history to follow; even the final enemy is the same, and may even completely ignore some enemies; you can even choose unexpected allies. There is also a “secondary story” (I really don’t want to talk too much about it, since it would spoil an important story point) that is only open after a Game+, so yes, there is a lot of replay value. And nope; no stats for Nemesis planed right now. |
| Hello there! I have a question related to the Beyond Fantasy RPG and that is what kind of books can we expect in the future? And will you ever try to work on making a campaign/module/adventure book? Would be really interesting to have an professional adventure to play. Thanks! | Our next Book is Beyond Light and Darkness. About the adventure, we really want it, but there is no time for us to do so. If someone is interested in helping us, jut mail us. ^ |
| Will you be okay with GM/writer fans sending you prototypes of little scenarios, that you could just correct, deepen a bit then release in PDF like Dramatis Personae ? :) | Sure. |
| We see a looot of characters and creatures in Wen-M's gallery. Do you know who all of them are, and in which book you'll use them ? In other words, do you always provide him backstories or sometimes just some "draw me a cool new empire dude/stylish and powerful girl" or something like this ? Do you sometimes tweak your stories and plans to match an illustration, like it would seem happened with the change of hair color for Eltheldrea between Gaïa vol.1 and vol.2 ? | I always give Wen a detailed description of relevant characters; I could have asked Wen to change Eltheldrea hair in minutes, but she had to have it with to represent her "alter ego". Of course, that don't apply to general chars; I can simply tell him "I need a muscular barbarian" without other description, and I know I will like his work. That guy is a monster. |
| Okay okay, so I think he shows you the sketches before validation ^ I really hope we will see all these "another dimension Lucanors" in the sketchbook ! Could be amazing to have these deformed reflects for a campaign featuring his counterparts from the Wake or something like that :D. | There is a private joke in the Studio who will always remember the first design of Lucanor that Wen sent us as "The adventures of the happy young Lucanor!", since it was very different from our concept. |
| Do you have a favorite Character in the fiction of the Anima world? If so, whom? | Difficult question. I love almost all them. Choosing one is impossible. I think that I could say that I would say one between Lucanor, Elisabetta, Millenium, Eljared, and one which has not make any appearance in the books yet. |
| Oh no... I just forgot so many others... Forget that list. I like too much of them. |
| Do you currently have a campaign going on (probably frozen because of work's madness, but still) ? Maybe GMing or playing other RPGs ? If so, what are your gaming style as a GM and/or a player ? | Yes; I am currently finishing a campaing based on the intereings which I have been playing as GM for two years. I never use relevant chars from the core story. Oh, and I like more than anything storytelling. |
| So, that means... you always create a lot of things for each campaign ? Do you plan on using these later in official productions like novels or add-ons ? Maybe like the Sirius chains of Ki, Celia, Lemures or Pazusu ? | I NEVER use official NPCs or player characters from my campaigns in setting books. The reason is because I like to think that the games I play are "official" somehow, and I would never compromise the story. So nope, I don't use powers or techs either. |
| Oh ! And what are the characters of your players like ? Current levels and classes at least ? :D. | Oh, they are currently Lv 8-9. |
| Aaaand maybe their categorias/social positions/raw concepts ? Like fire mage, demon summoner, paladin prince of Dalaborn, silver griffin, ancient-blooded teleporting thief with big ears and nose... XD. | Ahaha I can't say too much of them, in case some are reading this AMA XD. |
| My last Anima tactics questions (I promise!): When will we see Fate and/or Crimson Death? After the 2015 book will there be a Saga V or VI? Are any more Organizations planed for Anima Tactics? | Yes; i think that both will be released next year. |
| any more Organizations planned? :) | Not right now. Tol Rauko will be added later. |
| I can't really tell by your answers: Tol Rauko will be added later than the next book, later from now(=in the next book) ? | Later than the next book. |
| Are all the entities related to the Blood Legacies the same level of power and the same kind of things ? Will we know more about where they are and what they do than Rudraskha and the little bit about Kagustsuchi ? Maybe amongst the Aeons in the Anima Tactics next book ? | They will be explained in B. Light and Darkness. |
| There will be more to it than Beryls and Shajads then ! A global overview of all kinds of divine beings I guess ? | Yes; all things that could be considered "gods" or those who the people call "deities". |
| Aeon is the term for all Divine beings right? and the sleepers are the ones that their awakening would end the world? | Is a little more complex, but in general yes. |
| Hi Carlos ! Why a second ks campaign? As a 1st campaign backer, will i get extra benefits if this one is a success? Thank you! | That is correct; all upgrades from the second campaign Gate of Memories will be added in the game regardless of which KS you are from. |
| It seems that the system has deleted your second post since it has not any question mark. Can you repeat it as a question? |
| Are there any current plans to port over other character concepts from GoM to Anima Tactics after the Bearer, Ergo and the Nameless? | There is an aditional character from GoM that will be released in AT, but I will kept it as a secret until the game is released. _¡ |
| 1) Could you tell us about the Queen of Winter? 2) The same for Zerath? :) | I could pass a lot of time talking about those two characters... So I think I will pass or this will consume a lot of time and new questions appear like mushrooms. :) |
| Hi Carlos. I really love the World of Gaia with all its different Cultures and Nations. Shortly, i could take a glimpse at the 2nd Gaia Book, and i cant wait to get my hands on the english version. Can we hope for another Book, maybe about the Places in the Wake? | Let me give you a list of the planed books; |
| Between Light and Darkness -The Wake -The Lost Logias -Tales of Gaïa -The Worlds Beyond; Khalis and Lunaris -And at last; The Powers in the Shadow (Which closes the story of Anima). |
| Closes the whole Anima thing, or will you plan to do some more novels/comics/videogames/cardgames/scenarios supplement/campagin books/miniatures/Anima Tactics books ? | Closes the Anima RPG core line. I hope i will find time to do novels. It is one of my dreams. Of course, AT will go on working. |
| Wonderful thing to know ! Some of us are really looking forward to the opportunity to better understand Tol Rauko, Selene and maybe more (Consortium ? Yehudah ? Magus ? The Walkers ? Demonic circles ?) through minis and the related books. Oh, and... didn't you forget Los Que Caminaron Cos Nosotros volume 2 ? Or is it the same as Between Light and Darkness ? | I consider it a second volume, not a new book. |
| About where in the schedule ? ^ | Hehehe... I can just tell that next one is B. Light and Darkness. Oh, and that if Gate of Memories works, I think we will be able to increase the book releases a lot. |
| Is Iosara (from Anima Tactics) a man or a woman (or something completely different)? This character's gender has always been ambiguous. | That's the point of Iosara. It is a deliberately androgynous character. If you want to spoil the answer ... his / her current body is genderless. |
| Sorry that it's not really in the instructions but... what about Guilty Gods ? I liked that first two decks and it would be awesome to have more in the future. Maybe some kind of promotional "Arcane Deck" would work, with all the important characters, entities and enemies of Gate of Memories in it ? :D. | The cards are ready; we just need that the editorial release them. :) |
| Could we have a hint on the factions illustrated in the next batch ? I'm guessing something like Shephirah(or somebody else, as Phandemonium wasn't the dark one)/light and something related to the void/emptiness, as there are many of this kind of creatures and characters already illustrated. Am I close ? :D. | Hell and Justice. |
| A special miniature of Celia has been leaked a few weeks ago. (Link to scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net Will it be released later? As a "full-power" version of Celia? | Sorry; I really can't say anything about it. It is a secret. :) |
| Can we expect Guilty Gods English release? | Ask FFG in the forums, so they can see the people interest and release it sooner. :) |
| Ah ha! I knew it. My Anima Lore sniffing knew it had to be important, so much so that it didn't get mentioned as a small note in passing. Excellent. Amazing. Even more excited about this now. Another Question: Did Rah really die at the end of the story included in Gaia Volume One? | Yes / No. He was uncreated. He uncreated himself; destroying all traces of his existence and plans. That way, none, not even the powers in the shadow, could stop his legacy. |
| Oh ho. Well That is interesting indeed. In a recently completed RPG campaign I did he had been 'destroyed' by the system, but was quietly within Tol Rauko (spelling error?) pulling the strings slowly, until the Seventh gate was opened again, and he got the second chance to try what he did so long ago. I like however, that idea just as much. His Legacy is obviously a major piece of the current era! Another Question: Is there a single being (baring the obvious Powers in the Shadow, and the Shajhads and Beryils [My Spelling gets the feeling its wrong again]) that you would call the strongest in the world? | Yes. By far. But I will not tell who. |
| Lucanor. Got it. wink Next Question on my List: Have you seen the Fate/Stay Night and/or Fate/Zero (which may be too recent, but bleh) Anime and have they had any influence on Anima if you have seen them. (Type/Moon is one of my favorite storytelling companies.) | No just Fate; In fact, I took the inspiration of The Messengers that appear in Gate of Memories from Tsukihime. I just love natsu lore and story. |
| New Question Chain! So does Lucanor actually have an idea of what he's really getting himself involved in? | He is probably the most aware person of the world of the huge mess he is going into. |
| Hell'o ! My question is kinda about the first campaign of GoM : I remembered some people were able to get (as a very limited pledge) the next book from the RP series. Will it be release at the same moment of the game or later ? | Yes, the books will be sent when the game is released. ^ _ ^ |
| So, what role do Psychics play in the overall world? I've noticed they are fairly rare in comparison to many of the other classes, and even more so they seem to have the craziest power curve of all the classes as well. Any insights you can share about it? | In fact, they are quite minor “power” in the world scheme, since even if they have huge powers, their weakness are also great. Only Lucanor gives the psi the importance that it has. |
| will we know about his real grand scheme and its ramifications later ? Maybe the book about organizations ? Can you spoil us a little more ? | He is one of the main characters in the novels and more about him will be revealed in Lost Logias and Organizations books. |
| Cool. How do you know that the backer pledged for a book? For example my pledge included almost all addons from the first campaign but I haven't received any email. | Yes; You had to mail us when you decided the pledge. If you did, then your book is reserved. |
| Yeah, I can believe that. Its quite sad though, Psychics are my favorite classes to play, but there isn't a lot to go on with them. How do the various 'in-the-know' factions feel about them? Do they just consider them weird mages? Also how do you feel about 'balance' in RPGs? | Yes, those who know how the supernatural works knows very well how psi works and that it is a diferent power from magic. I think that everyone does its own balance. It is very important, but it depends of the gamplay style of each group. |
| Ironically, even though I asked about him...I didn't want to know too much yet. I use him a lot as a foil for my players who think themselves so clever. (Hint: they aren't. Ever. Ya know what I mean?) | It is better that way. So it can be exactly who you want him to be in your games. |
| Ugh, but I haven't sent any emails. Any advice? | Oh... The problem is that the book was a limited Add-On, and I think that all them where already reserved. Please, mail us once the second capaign is over (we are now really busy) and I will try to see if there is any book remaining. Don't worry. We will do something. |
| Interesting. I am planning my biggest game so far with six players, and I was curious if there were any groups out there that would support a Psi character, like the Magus Order does for mages? (It could even be the Magus order for all I know!) I could easily make my own, but I was curious as I like to use preexisting material where I can. Are we going to be getting a more in-depth description of the Inquisition and their stats, and deeper knowledge about how it and the church work? | No. There is no "organization" that teaches how to use psi since there is no "apprenticeship" in those powers. There are more "natural". Of course, a lot make use of them, like Wiss, The Church, Heavens Order, Samael... You will get all the info about the inquisition that you want in Organization, and some in Gate of Memories. |
| Can you confirm for me if mine is reserved please? Because i didn't receive any confirmation. | If you sent the mail before we anounced that the Add-On was close, don't worry, you have yours reserved. Please, mail us later with your KS name and tomorrow we will confirm it to you ^ |
| Ah. Alright. Sorry if I seem to be just taking up too much of your time haha. Like I said in our emails I tend to be very into Anima. Just let me know if you want me take a break okay? (for now, another question haha!) Next Question: In Gate of Memories we learn about the Messengers (Thus I assume Ergo as well.) Do we learn more about the Bearer, and why she was chosen (or chose) to do what she does? | I dare to say that it is the core of the story. You will learn everything about her. |
| Can you tell the email please? | [email protected]. |
| Will we ever have a map representing the world before the Barrier ? | In The Powers in the Shadow book. |
| As a curiosity, where does the Bearer go when you take control of Ergo in Gate of Memories? Does he take control over her body like some kind of "incarnation"? | Fun question. The thing is that Ergo consumes the essence of any person who has signed a pact with him. The fact that anyone who has carried him in the past loses its name becoming just "The Bearer of The Calamity" is a prof of that. Using Ergo's power consumes more power of existence, and to manifest Ergo in the World, creating a fake body for him, The Bearer must sacrifice a lot of existence power, and to from his body, she must cease to exist for a short period of time. |
| If the stretch goal of next gen consoles is not achieved, will the game still come to the consoles after the PC release? | If the extended campaign is successful, we hope so. |
| I have another question. Is there some ending planned for Gaia or it will be an open-end scenario where each gaming group can decide Gaia's fate? | I would HATE to decide the fate of Gaïa; it is a world for you and each of your games. Of course, that doesn't mean that we will not tell "a story" with an ending (the core story), but the world will always be open for you all. Gaia is very huge... |
| Ok. Let's hope it is, because the game looks awesome! :D. | Thanks. I am glad that you like it. |
| Oh, so these would be even further developped than in the novels of Gaïa 1 and 2 ? I'm very very happy about these not being stand-alones ! They were awesome ! :D. | Fast and easy answer; Yes. |
| Expanding and new optional rules produces new combination possibilities that can be more powerful than before, that's why I called it a boost. Even a revised basic system can be a boost when combined to other pre-existing options differently than the old system. But hey, after some heavy reluctance I finally found peace with most of the new magic system, so... why not a bit of diversity on this side too, after all ? | More than an optional system, it is a re calibration of the actual one, changing some elements and introducing new options in a new way. It is still in an early development stage, but I am happy so far. |
| A question I have is about Gaia Vol II. in english, I mean if it comes out with the game won't it have to have been translated first? I haven't seen word on it yet, and I have a reserved copy, but I only read english, so...yeah...I am sure there is a question here haha...and not just me worrying. | In fact, we are still waiting for FFG to finish the translation. Don't worry; even if it is released later by FFG (which I hope that is not necessary), you will have first the game and then the book. |
| Glad to read that it brings you joy ! Do you already know, well... where to put it ? The next book ? LQCCN 2 ? The Wake ? (as they're all kinda related to creatures) | Working on it too. Too soon to tell :P. |
| Hi. Why Wiss and Empire are clearly favoured in Anima tactics? For example Wiss have reactive AP recovery which was specifically denied by errata for Samael. | Mnn... Difficult question, but I honestly don’t think that those two factions are really overpowered. In any case, very soon we will publish an addendum to re-equilibrate forces. |
| Glad to hear that. This addendum will be like the previous one (level cost change and al'Djinn nerf) or it will affect actual abilities? As for these two factions, many see them as being favoured (and Azur being underdog). | It will affect skills too. |
| What are exactly the fairies and the faeric people in Anima's Universe? | The creatures that live from the fantasy as a very unique concept. The ones who are “closer” to the “lost imagination” of the mankind. |
| Silly question: are they quite similar to the fairies/changelings in "Changeling: the Dreaming" (a tabletop RPG published by White Wolf in the same universe as "Vampire: the Masquerade")? | Somehow, yes. |
| Then, are they the "fairy tales folk" of the related Interreign described in Gaïa 2, or something completely different that will be described in some other book like The Wake or Khalis ? | There are, in fact, just that. But elves an other similar creatures are considered part of them too. |
| Is Bringreus being Gaia's version of Alex Mercer? | Nope. In fact, there is not even a single thing similar in both characters. |
| Is Bringreus directly related to Nascal or his work, or is it a completely different entity ? | Absolutely unrelated. Nascal was just unlucky. |
| Their powers looked similar to me (and Alex Mercer is probably the most powerful VG character as for now, I mean real gameplay power). What do you think of [PROTOTYPE]? | Loved the first one. Hated the second. |
| Well, it seems that the storm has passed and the quiet came back. Thanks Carlos for all these precious answers and precisions ! If you have time, you've missed a few questions that sometimes were higher in the topics that your latest message, but I think everyone is pretty happy with all this. Don't forget to make recaps (or just post links) for your respective communities/forums/social and playing circles, and to make the most of this Kickstarter campaign that will benefit all and every one of us ! Cheers ! :D Maybe we'll share again about some more Anima soon ? ;) | In fact, we are going to go on answering questions for a few hours... |
| I really hope there will still be some good ones ! Just didn't saw them coming for quite some time, and maybe rushed my judgement. Could you forgive me ? ;) | No need to ask :) |
| When I saw Caliburn and Gae Bolg on the same page I smiled, when i read them I just lol sooo hard I´m still on the hold to do some sort of "fate" campain. My question is obvious... do you like jojo? | Only 1 and 3. The rest is not as good as those. |
| Hi again Carlos: Aeons were mentioned in the Anima Tactics Saga I & II rule-book, is there any news on these at all? (also still hoping my earlier questions get answered :) ) | They will be released in the next AT book :) |
| As well as Void summons? | Yes. |
| Are you planning to expand or add new optional rules for Summoning on future books? | Yes, but it is still in a early stage. |
| Can we expect your return on Cipher forums? Peoples are starving for rules clarifications there =) | Sure; just give me a few days. |
