marr0w> Just a reminder everyone, you need to PM your questions to Darkwolff, Exulus or myself, and we should be just about ready to begin...
DarkWolff> Baron asks "Why is Atmosfear: The Gatekeeper only 49 minutes long instead of the traditional 60 minutes?
Exulus> Sorry guys, we haven't drifted off. Just awaiting Phillips Response. After a few minutes it should all get faster! Please bear with us.
Phillip_Tanner> Firstly because we figured that people would ask this question as 49 minutes is an odd time but more interesting than a round number like 45 or 50 minutes. We did want to make the game shorter in terms of time and as the Gatekeepers favorite number is 7 and including the six harbingers you have 7 characters we decided to use 7 X 7 as our final duration.
Exulus> Wickio asks "Are there any plans for a new Atmosfear computer game?"
Phillip_Tanner> We are looking at every opportunity at this stage though any new computer game would have to be much better than the last game.
marr0w> Jokerr wants to know, "is the rules if this Atmosfear going to change from the others?
Phillip_Tanner> While there are similarities with the original and some of The Harbingers it also has lots of new features and some new rules.
Exulus> Mangaboo asks "Much debate has risen over the purpose of the mysterious 37th key and it's place in the game. Are you able to tell us it's purpose?"
Phillip_Tanner> All will be revealed in the new game but I can tell you it is a cursed key and can be used strategically to help you either win the game or stop someone else from winning it.
Exulus> Exulus asks "How far into production was Khufu? Was it even made at all?"
Phillip_Tanner> No, we had not even started on production though it may be a sequel to the new game depending on the success of The Gatekeeper.
Exulus> Archerave asks, "archerave> are there going to be any variables with the new game ie. difficulty
Phillip_Tanner> Atmosfear has always been a game of chance and a lot of luck. The Harbingers certainly had more strategy to it than the original and this new game also gives players the chance to be more strategic in terms of play. It has been designed for frightening fun more than hard core gaming. Certainly because there are some interactive segments it has a lot more variety.
Exulus> DarkWolff asks "Could you give us a list of all the games/expansions for the series?"
Phillip_Tanner> Hi DarkWolff, everything is dependent on the success of this game. The original game had 3 sequel games and hopefully this new version will be just as successful and sequels can be spawned from the characters already created.
Exulus> Trapic Mercenary asks " Is there going to be a new dueling system for the new game?"
Phillip_Tanner> We found that was one of the most successful components of The Harbingers was the dueling so that is in the new game but not using the Card system.
Exulus> Wickio asks, "Are there any expansion packs planned for the new game?"
Phillip_Tanner> It is more likely to be a full new game sequel rather than an expansion pack.
Exulus> archerave asks, "what happened to the source book, and what was in it?" Exulus adds, "will it be released?"
Phillip_Tanner> This was never released and will never be released in that last form. We might do something similar for the new game.
Exulus> marr0w asks, "I'd like to know if the same guy who did the artwork for Atmosfear is involved in the new project..."
Phillip_Tanner> Hi Marr0w Daniel Burns who helped design the original game and components of The Harbingers worked on the new game but Richard McKenna who did alot of the work on The Harbingers did not work on this new game.
DarkWolff> Baron asks " Who is the host for the sequel to Atmosfear: The Gatekeeper going to be?"
Phillip_Tanner> No decision has been made at this stage as it is too soon.
marr0w> Mangaboo asks "Will the Gatekeeper change his location? How will his environment change exactly? Will we see him further explore the six provinces of the Other Side?"
Phillip_Tanner> This is one of the great things about new technology. Yes the Gatekeeper does change locations quite often and all the backgrounds are computer generated. They look great.
Exulus> marr0w asks "Will there still be a 'Chosen One' and will they have more influence over the game than in the past?"
Phillip_Tanner> Yes the Chosen One is back. It depends on the personality of the individual chosen as to the influence they have. In this new game The Chosen One is given the job of being the Gatekeepers eyes and ears and can punish anyone caught cheating. It can be a lot of fun if the person is into it.
DarkWolff> "Why didn't everyone get 2 booster tapes for Harbingers?"
Phillip_Tanner> I can't answer this because I don't know what happened OS, a marketing decision I expect. In Australia it was released as two tapes.
Exulus> archerave asks, "what was your favorite game to work on and favorite game to play?"
Phillip_Tanner> I loved the adventure of the original. When ideas like that strike and people around the world get the bug it is an amazing time. The Harbingers was a great game to play because it wasn't that easy to win but this new game with its interactive components is great fun and more diverse.
DarkWolff> Mangaboo asks, "Hey Phillip, being Australian my fellow American and British fans are skeptical as to the truth behind the Barons eyeball. Put the record straight and tell them the legends are true. Why was the video and the box altered for it's release overseas?"
Phillip_Tanner> Legends are true. As for the altering overseas that again I don't know as the marketing people in each of our distributors normally make decisions based on their own markets. While we can often argue the point with them we have to trust that they know their markets.
Exulus> Bear with us again people. Chat will be back very soon! Sorry for the random pauses.
Exulus> Baron asks, "Why is Nightmare not mentioned in the official press release?"
Phillip_Tanner> Throughout Europe the original game was known as ATMOSFEAR (because we couldn't register NIGHTMARE in Europe) It would be too confusing to say The Video Boardgame NIGHTMARE/ATMOSFEAR on the release.
marr0w> Archerave asks, "will the fate cards in the new game be more like nightmare or Atmosfear?"
Phillip_Tanner> More like Nightmare.
DarkWolff> Wickio asks, "Are there any plans to bring the soul rangers back into the new games?"
Phillip_Tanner> No, the Soul Rangers will not be making an appearance.
Exulus> archerave asks "will there be more than one "special" players, like frog, toad, and wart from NM3"
Phillip_Tanner> No, on this new game there are lots of new elements but no other 'special' players.
marr0w> Just to let everyone know, we're having another slight delay here... please be patient. And please, don't forget to keep sending in those questions!
DarkWolff> marr0w asks "Can we get a heads up on what to expect for the US release? Will there be TV and radio commercials or will this just come out silently?" Exulus adds, "Same question for the UK and Australia please!"
Phillip_Tanner> They are talking about a reasonable size release though I can't tell you the exact details as I don't know. I can tell you that television commercials have been created by a guy called Dave Tracey and they look great.
marr0w> Blair Beveridge asks, "When they launched the 4th tape they did a big event @ Skydome in Toronto (I was there :) ), will there be any such event for the release of this game, home or abroad?"
Phillip_Tanner> I have video footage from that event and it was great. The original distributors of the game in Canada (in fact outside Aust/NZ Canada was the first country to pick the game up) called Chieftain did a great job of marketing the game. That event was terrific. At this stage I can't say what events they have planned for the launch. I have licensed to game to a company called Yoram Gross EMTV, who have an interactive division called Forest Interactive that is run by Karen Horne. They produced this new version and the people at Yoram Gross along with the distributors in each country are making the major marketing decisions.
Exulus> Mangaboo asks, "In the new game how will the clock be displayed? Will it go up or down?"
Phillip_Tanner> It will count down to zero. We have found that the drama builds better counting down.
DarkWolff> Baron asks "What is the release date, I have heard several and want to hear from you."
Phillip_Tanner> Sorry, I am unable to answer that at this stage though it is not far off.
marr0w> archerave asks, "how much money was spent in the production of each of the games?"
Phillip_Tanner> Sorry, I can't tell you that except to say that this is an expensive game to produce.
Exulus> Please bear with us. We have not stalled! ;) Normal service resuming shortly.
Exulus> Mangaboo has gone crazy and asked 4 questions in a row! Here's the first (greedy bugger ;) ) "Who is the new Gatekeeper? Or is his identity still under wraps?"
Phillip_Tanner> His identity is still under wraps.
DarkWolff> Next one from Mangaboo, "I recall a while back mention of a feature film in the works, or at least a script, has there been any development with that project?"
Phillip_Tanner> We have completed two drafts of the script. At present it is in a holding pattern because if the game is a hit then I expect there will be a lot of interest in the script. We do have a Hollywood Producer talking about it at the moment but will wait and see what happens.
marr0w> Aaaand another from Mangaboo, "Will the Gatekeeper select the Harbingers for the players to assume control?"
Phillip_Tanner> At the beginning of the game the players get to choose who they want to be. The Gatekeeper may or may not talk directly to those characters at times during the game. As this is interactive there are over 300 individual games that may or may not be activated in any one game.
Exulus> Last one from Mangaboo for a while (promise!), "Will the DVD have any added extras?"
Phillip_Tanner> Forest Interactive have included a few added extras but we haven't gone overboard with these.
Exulus> People, Phillip will have to be leaving soon! So its last orders on questions. Send them in now, or else they wont get asked.
DarkWolff> archerave asks, "do you ever visit the well of fears site?"
Phillip_Tanner> At times I have visited all the sites and they are all great. As I have said before I really appreciate the support you guys have given the game throughout the years and admire the work you all put in your sites.
Exulus> Baron asks "Will the new DVD game have special features, like difficulty or time settings, old commercials, or previews from previous games?
Phillip_Tanner> As I mentioned before we have a few special features but nothing that relates to the previous games are included. We haven't put anything onto the disc that relates to alternative time setting etc as this is a big deal in terms of programming.
marr0w> TragicMercenary asks "Have you ever considered releasing figurines of the Harbingers/Gatekeeper etc.?"
Phillip_Tanner> We have certainly considered many marketing ideas including figurines etc. The success of this new game may provide us with the opportunity to put more stuff on the market around the game.
Exulus> OK that's it guys. No more questions to be sent to us please. However the remaining few that did get through will be answered.
Exulus> Baron asks, "Are there any places in particular we can expect to find this game? Like Toys R Us, etc.?"
Phillip_Tanner> From what I understand most of the major retailers are stocking the game this year in all territories where it will be released this year.
DarkWolff> archerave asks, "will there be any rewards for winning, and will there be a sequence for winning.?"
Phillip_Tanner> There is no specific reward expect the opportunity to boast but the good thing about this new game is that The Gatekeeper knows when you beat him (as you don't hit STOP on your remote) and he doesn't like losing. There are a number of different closing sequences whether he wins or you do.
marr0w> Mangaboo asks, "last one, there has been much debate in the forums as to whether Soul Rangers and Numb Skulls are the same thing, I was wondering if you could shine some light on the matter."
Phillip_Tanner> The Numb Skulls were used as playing pieces for The Soul Rangers but they are not Soul Rangers. Numb Skulls was generic term before you became either a Harbinger or a Soul Ranger but like the Harbingers all the Soul Rangers had names and personalities.
Exulus> Mangaboo also quickly asked, "And was the Soul Rangers released in Australia?"
Phillip_Tanner> I believe that it was but honestly can't recall.
DarkWolff> Simo asks, "are there any plans to re-release the Atmosfear single?" Wickio adds, "Will any more music be released, like "Thrill Me"?"
Phillip_Tanner> Simo: Not at this stage and I doubt whether it will be. Wickio: As Yoram Gross EMTV have a major sound division it is possible they may create an ATMOSFEAR album but I don't know at this stage.
DarkWolff> Final question! Wickio asks, "Will the new game have more insight into the harbinger's pasts?"
Phillip_Tanner> This is a good question. We provide a brief back story on each of the characters in the Special Features. This helps explain how they came to be under the guardianship of The Gatekeeper. As the sequels are released these back stories will fill out a lot more.
Phillip_Tanner> Thanks all and I hope that this has been helpful. Thanks again for your support and I look forward to hearing your comments on the new game.
Exulus> On behalf of everyone here, we want to say a very big THANK YOU to you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to fit this in. We look forward to seeing the new game!
marr0w> STOP!!!!!! ANYONE WHO IS IN THE BLACK HOLE... is now released... ...I hate that...