Kamigakari: God Hunters

End of Campaign: What's Next?
over 7 years ago – Tue, Nov 27, 2018 at 10:51:52 PM

Hi, everyone! Amy here. I know I said the final campaign update would be Wednesday, but I had this done, so I posted it.

This will be the last update for a while, so we can focus on the translation efforts and suchlike. I've said this a few times before, but all of us are completely floored by the outpouring of support and goodwill we've gotten, this has been a staggering success by every imaginable metric and we have you to thank. So, thank you, all of you! I mean it.

So, here's how things are going to go vis-à-vis the end of the Kickstarter campaign:
Your credit cards will be charged on Saturday. You need to have the money for whatever you pledged on that date. If you don't, you'll get automated e-mails for a week or two nagging you to update your credit card information, and if you don't fix it within those two weeks, your pledge will be retroactively canceled. I can't control that or help you if that happens.

BackerKit - I've talked about this a lot in comments and such, but I haven't really explained it, have I? BackerKit is a service Kickstarter campaigns can use to streamline the gathering of information from you guys so we can focus on making Kamigakari. In addition, all backer rewards from the Kickstarter campaign are available as à l a carte add-ons! You'll have to pay for them, of course, but everything is available in whatever quantities or packages you'd like! This is also where you'll enter your addresses for shipping.
On December 21, you'll all get a notification from BackerKit to come give that information and open the add-on store. You'll have until January 31 to enter the information and lock in any add-ons you might want, as well as update information if you need to change addresses or anything like that. After that, your address, add-ons, and payment information will be locked in, so be sure you got it right. If you purchase an add-on through BackerKit, it will automatically be added to your pledge in our database, and your credit card will be charged for that on June 12.

Starting on January 10, and again on the 10 of every month, I'll stop by to give you an update on how everything is progressing. I'll also try to answer comments if you have them, but it probably won't be as lickety-split as things have been during the campaign.

To answer a common question, despite the far-off ship dates for the expansions, we intend to release content as it's completed. That means even if you got a reward that we don't expect to ship until 2020, you'll get the PDF and PoD codes in July like everyone else, the print corebook and wallscroll next winter, etc. etc. These codes will be redeemable through DriveThruRPG and distributed through BackerKit.

It's been a heck of a ride, but the work is just beginning. We can't wait to show you something more substantial than this. Thank you, once again, from all of us at Serpent Sea Games. See you in January!

Expansion Two Unlocked!
over 7 years ago – Sun, Nov 25, 2018 at 05:24:02 PM

Hi. Amy here. Today was certainly a day, wasn't it? Saturday morning before bed, I said to myself, "It would be nice if we got to $38,000 tomorrow. Probably won't happen," and thank you sincerely for proving me wrong once again.

I have no idea what happened, but you've rocketed us to $45,000, and now Expansion Two: Machine God of Damocles has been unlocked!

It will be available for sale on BackerKit the way Expansion One is, and I've also added Complete PDF and God Hunter pledge levels which will give you digital copies the corebook and both expansions, plus a print copy of the core rulebook, for the God Hunter Complete tier.

There won't be any more stretch goals so as not to create too much pressure on our team, but every dollar you pledge will help make Kamigakari: God Hunters bigger and better! Also, I have five more books budgeted out, so I'll know exactly what's available and when.

I'll see you on Wednesday, when I'll be going over what will happen when the campaign ends and what further updates will look like.

Rikizo Interview Answers! Also, Expansion One Backer Tiers!
over 7 years ago – Fri, Nov 23, 2018 at 08:45:44 PM

Hi, everyone! Amy here, with a special guest! Rikizo, the author and creator of Kamigakari, is here to answer the fifteen best questions asked by backers about Kamigakari, Japanese RPGs, and...I should say "more" but it's basically those two topics. Let's dive right in!

Q1: Were you surprised to discover there's a foreign audience for Kamigakari?
A1: Yes, I was very surprised. However, even in the West, there are modern works that have themes revolving around myths, folklore, and urban legends. Remembering that, I felt it was right. 

Q2: What do you feel Kamigakari does best and what do you feel it does not? Do you have ideas for ways to improve the second?
A2: I think Kamigakari's strongest point is its numen mechanics. As for its weakest, probably that the rules are too complex? If I had the chance to modify them some, I'd like to make the rules a little simpler.

Q3: What anime/manga did you take most inspiration from when thinking up this game's premise? Is there an anime/manga that you feel is best reflective of it?
A3: I've provided a list of works I referenced for Kamigakari. (This is only a partial list, but these are the ones that had the strongest impact.) All of them are wonderful works. They formed the basis for my largest inspirations while making Kamigakari. (The following list is accompanied by commentary from me, Noelle!)

-Demon City Shinjuku (Author: Hideyuki Kikuchi) - Originally a novel that was then made into a movie (well, OAV), the film made it over to the West first through Central Park Media back in 1994, with Discotek Media picking it up for a re-release in 2011. The novel was also brought over by Digital Manga Publishing in 2011. Hideyuki Kikuchi is otherwise known for Vampire Hunter D and Wicked City. English DVD: http://a.co/d/2Sq74vY English Novel (omnibus with sequel): http://a.co/d/hRaK86W
-Darkness Hunter (Author: Baku Yumemakura) - This book doesn't appear to be available in English at the moment. Looking it up on Amazon, it gives the following description: "Standing six and a half feet tall, with a giant-like physique of over three hundred pounds, is a truly kind man. His name: Ranzou Tsukumo. Ranzou is a modern day onmyouji, who, accompanied by a nekomata (a kind of cat monster), works to seal away demons." You can check out some neat-o artwork at least at the link below. Baku Yumemakura has several works translated in English, as well, if you care to go looking! Japanese Novel: http://amzn.asia/d/aXZ7Yrt
-The Elric Saga (Author: Michael Moorcock / Translated by: Hitoshi Yasuda, others) - This one's actually in English. It's pretty popular. Give Wikipedia a go if you'd like more information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elric_of_Melnibon%C3%A9
-Demon Parasite (Author: Kei Kitazawa) - Demon Parasite is another Japanese RPG, though not one I'm familiar with. It's hard to get a hold of, since it was originally published in 2006 with Group SNE (who you might know from Sword World). It's billed as a "Henshin/Transforming Dark Hero" TRPG. Interestingly, I see Rikizo himself has a credit on it! Unfortunately there's little information about it.
-Rental Magica (Author: Makoto Sanda) - I don't know much about this, but the light novel started back in 2004 and continues to this day, so that's pretty impressive! There was an anime made of it in 2007, but I can't find it up for streaming anywhere. Wikipedia will do for now, then. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rental_Magica
-Ga-Rei (Author: Hajime Segawa) - If you watched Jess's stream, you might've noticed the use of a combat motorcycle. There's no way that wasn't inspired by Ga-Rei Zero, an anime series that is the prequel of Ga-Rei itself. (Of course it could've come from Kamen Rider but hush.) You can watch it streaming at FUNimation's website! I *mildly* suggest it. Mildly. https://www.funimation.com/shows/ga-rei-zero/
-Fate/stay night (Creator: TYPE-MOON) - Fate/stay night is a very obscure, little known property. You probably haven't heard of it. It absolutely doesn't have every conceivable form of media created for it, multiple anime series, theatrical movie releases, video games, or a wildly successful mobile game. Nope. New to me.
-Kamen Rider Ryuki (Author: Shotaro Ishinomori) - Naturally, it's a series that involves tokusatsu/henshin heroes, and who would've guessed, given Dragon Host?

Q4: What sort of games (tabletop or video games) do you enjoy most and did any one game influence the design of Kamigakari?
 A4: I've been influenced by many TRPGs and video games, but those that have had a particular influence on Kamigakari, I listed below. These are all masterpieces that I will forever respect. (No commentary this time, I could fill a book.)

GURPS (Creator: Steve Jackson Games)
Call of Cthulhu (Creator: Chaosium)
Vampire: The Masquerade (Creator: White Wolf)
Shadowrun (Creator: FASA / Translated by: Akira Egawa & Group SNE)
Sword World (Author: Miyuki Kiyomatsu & Group SNE)
Record of Lodoss War RPG Companion (Author: Ryo Mizuno & Group SNE)
Demon Night (Author: Shou Tomono & Group SNE)
Double Cross (Author: Shunsaku Yano & FEAR)
Night Wizard (Author: Takeshi Kikuchi & FEAR)
Chaos Flare (Author: Ukyou Kodachi / Miwa Kiyomune & FEAR)
Shinobigami (Author: Toichiro Kawashima & Adventure Planning Service)
Street Fighter (Creator: Capcom)
Devil May Cry (Creator: Capcom)
King of Fighters (Creator: SNK)
Final Fantasy Tactics (Creator: Square-Enix)
Metal Gear Solid (Creator: Konami Digital Entertainment)
Bayonetta (Creator: Sega) 

Q5: What do you feel are the strong points of Japanese tabletop RPGs compared to western games?
A5: The charm of Japanese TRPGs, I think, is that you can enjoy playing them in a (comparatively) shorter amount of time. There's not as much to prepare in advance, also. These things evolved, I think, because in Japan, playing space is small, and Japanese people are often busy, so there isn't much time to play. 

Q6: Is there one Japanese tabletop game you greatly admire/respect?
A6: I have respect for all Japanese TRPGs. Choosing just one would honestly be difficult. 

 Q7: Are there any rules or aspects of the game that you fear won't translate well to American culture? If so, what might you do to adjust them to better fit your vision?
A7: This is a tough question. I'm not very familiar with Western RPG culture. I guess that means I need to play with more Western RPG players! 

Q8: The core rulebook mentions you can have weapons with more than one form, but as far as we know none were printed. Was this dropped from the game?
A8: The quoted rule supposes that a character has the Ambidexterity talent. When you acquire this talent and equip weapons with different Forms (such as a sword with a spear), you choose which Form you'll use as your main for attacks. (Noelle's Note: I might've screwed up on that in the *cough* 'beta'. Whoops?) 

Q9: What is your favorite Style, and why?
A9: Archslayer. As for why, it's because it's the one most suited for using katanas!

Q10: The Kickstarter campaign mentioned an agreement with the translators to create original content. What sort of Western themes would you like to see added to a game as inspired by Japanese mythology as Kamigakari is?
A10: I want to see a Kamigakari world that's been shaped by the principles of other places across the world. For example, what do God Hunters from America do? What are their lives like? What kind of organizations do they form, and what are the natures of the Aramitama they chase? What kind of fights do God Hunters in Europe and South America get into? All of that should be told to me, especially in regards to the world's urban legends and occult lore. And I'm excited to find out! 

Q11: Replays are a big thing when it comes to Japanese TRPGs, and in some instances they can become full fledged stories in themselves (Like Slayers or Record of Lodoss War). First, do you have a favorite Kamigakari replay?
A11: The one I was in, "Slayers of the Black Sword" ... is what I'd like to say, but personally my favorite is "Tale of the Four Gods' Elegy." It's a very cool story set in Kyoto. If you get a chance, I'd love for you to read it. - Japanese Book: http://amzn.asia/d/bxffBjX "Slayers of the Black Sword" - Japanese Book: http://amzn.asia/d/5F7LbZu "Tale of the Four Gods' Elegy" (I'm translating these titles without context so take them with a grain of salt!) 

Q12: Second, related to the above, why do you feel Japan has Replays, while the West does not?
A12: This is just my personal opinion, but I feel it's rooted to [the West] having a sense of wanting to make their own games, or to try playing something themselves. If they have time to be reading a Replay, then they feel it'd be quicker to play themselves. So there's really no need for things like Replays. Myself, though, I'm introverted, so I'm jealous of people being active like that.

Q13: What was the most surprising thing a player did in a game session?
A13: I always feel surprised when an evil God Hunter that's about to be killed is instead spared and forgiven, and becomes a friend to the characters.

Q14: What do you have in mind for the future of Kamigakari? Do you have a sense of how many more supplements you would like to do, and if so what the subjects of them would be?
A14: How much I can do hasn't been decided yet, but next year I hope to make three books. I'm planning the following: a book of monsters I'm calling "The Night of Demons" which is entirely a book of Mononoke. Then I want to make the fifth expansion book, which will have the new Ancestries of Homunculus and Android, and three new Styles. Then the sixth expansion, which will have the Ancestries of Psychic and Modified Human, and three more new Styles.
(Noelle's Note: Rikizo has mentioned elsewhere he wants to put in rules for creating your own Mononoke, 'general use' Boss enemies you can just pull out of the book instead of having to make them, and other such things. I imagine that'll be in "The Night of Demons". Also, if you're curious, I suspect the six Styles he's mentioning here are as follows: Treasure Hunter, Aura Breaker, Soul Eater, Enigmatic, Lost Creator, Mastery. I have no idea what they do, though I have suspicions!)

Q15: Is there a reason Soul Crests are made of exactly 22 lines?
A15: There are two reasons that the Soul Crest has 22 lines. The first is that there's a concept in Asian culture called the meridians. Normal humans have 20 meridians, which govern their flow of power. Those who have awakened to magical powers have an additional point related to their connection to spirituality, and God Hunters have yet another one, connected to divinity.
The second is that it forms an image related to the Tree of Life found in Kabbalah. In addition to the 21 paths connecting the Sephirot, God Hunters have one additional, special, hidden path. Or at least, that's the image I'd like to convey.
Wikipedia on Meridians: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_(Chinese_medicine)
Wikipedia on the Sephirot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sefirot

Fun stuff, right? I know there were a few answers in there I didn't expect!

Anyway, we've added new Collaborator and God Hunter backer tiers that include the first expansion! If you don't want to mess with BackerKit, go ahead and switch your backer tier to one of those to add Requiem for the God Soul to your pledge! It's an additional $15 for Collaborators and $10 for God Hunters, because I made a mistake creating the backer tiers, and someone corrected me in a Kamigakari discord, and I didn't want to be like the teacher that forgets homework and then ruins everyone's weekend when someone reminds her.

Hey, here's something, There's only one week left in the Kickstarter campaign! There probably won't be any more deep dives from Noelle, since translation has begun proper and that'll suck up whatever time she can devote to this project. There'll probably be an update letting you guys know if Jess can schedule part 2 of her Kamigakari stream, but besides that you have basically me giving "what's next' details and such over the next week. You've all been amazing, but if we can go even further and lock down Expansion 2 at $45,000 that would be the best and I would die of happiness. You want me to die, right?
...Wait.

Expansion One Unlocked!
over 7 years ago – Wed, Nov 21, 2018 at 01:04:52 AM

Hi, Amy here! Happy turkey day!

Once you've either recovered from gorging yourself on Thursday, maimed three elderly people and injured several retail workers looking for the best deals on Friday, or both, you'll have something much better to watch than reruns. Check out Jessica Osbourne's Actual Play of Kamigakari: God Hunters guest starring Kamigakari editor C. Boucher, entitled, "Do Artificial Lifeforms Dream of Killing Gods?" here! Part 2 is coming soon!

Also coming soon, on Friday, to be exact, we'll be posting an interview with Rikizo, the original creator of Kamigakari, using questions submitted by our backers! That's you guys. He also took a picture where he wears a cool mask. It's great.

Oh, and something about a stretch goal...? I forget.

Wait, now I remember. We reached the astounding total pledge of $35,000, allowing us to translate Kamigakari Expansion One: Requiem for the God Soul! This will be available as a PDF/PoD-only pre-order on the Backerkit page following the Kickstarter's closure for an additional $20 on top of whatever pledge you have, and after that, will be on sale again for $25 on DriveThruRPG in about a year. Even if it's funded, we don't expect to begin work on this until after the core rulebook is complete, so as not to overload our team or release a bunch of products at the same time.

 See you on Friday!

Kamigakari Chapter 1: World Kickstarter Preview
over 7 years ago – Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 10:19:49 PM

Hello, everyone! Amy here. Today I've brought you something we've been working incredibly hard on. As you all know, this product was spawned form a sometimes janky, yet serviceable, fan translation of Kamigakari. A fair question then, is what will change from the fan translation to the official one? And Noelle's deep dive updates are great, but it'd be nice to see some content, you know?

Well, wait no more! I bring you, Chapter 1 of Kamigakari: God Hunters, World!
Much is subject to change, but for all intents and purposes, this is the 90% complete and edited raw text from the first chapter of Kamigakari: God Hunters! Enjoy, and please don't hesitate to leave feedback!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1apJLxwL_6BeCL5D3KQk2bjTh51xlt3ytJHtWwwx3rSE/edit?usp=sharing