1Hey Mr. Farshtey, there's something I've been wondering recently, regarding the winners of the Makuta contest. Do you have legal rights to decide what happens to their likenesses once they're submitted, even if they weren't the grand prize winner? What I'm getting at here is, would it be possible to put the runner-ups in the recent Makuta contest to use as the appearances of existing Makuta--say, Kojol? Or Miserix's smaller form that he used during the Convocation in Mutran Chronicles? Or perhaps other Makuta who are outside Karda Nui, who might show up in the OOMN-BOM serial?
2On another note, you recently told me in a PM that you had very few names left on the approved list. Why, then, did you use one for Niazesk, a single combiner model, when there's still three serials' worth of unwritten storyline left?

3To answer your second question first, I am not going to need that many names for the rest of the serials as I am not planning to introduce loads of new characters.
4As for the first, we could, if we chose to, designate those models as characters. We just can't produce them as sets. But if we did that, it would sort of water down the grand prize, don't you think?

5(For simplicity's sake, I'm responding in the order you responded in.)
61. Fair enough. Can you at least say if you're thinking of introducing any of the surface Makuta in any serials?
72. You're right, that does make sense. However, since Makuta are shapeshifters, would you see anything wrong with people using these models to represent Kojol and/or any other Makuta that may or may not show up?
83. This is concerning the recent info about the Makuta curse that's come up in the OGD. Just to make sure I've got this right: 9a. The Curse is the Makuta's never-ending lust for power, and the overconfidence to constantly act upon this lust. Is this right? 10That said: 11b. Is this just a metaphorical curse, in that it's a personality trait shared by all Makuta that will bring about their downfall in a decidedly curselike fashion? Or is it a literal curse, just more subtle, put on the Makuta by their creators or by some other outsider? 12c. Does anyone in the Bionicle universe see it as a curse? 13d. Does this curse factor into the Plan in any way? I know the Plan was inspired by it, but is there any special provision for dealing with its effects? 14e. So what's up with Miserix then? Was he able to resist the curse's effects or something?

151) Surface Makuta? I don't understand. 162) Fans can do whatever they like, C. I can't control that. 173) Their curse is ambition, pride and arrogance. 183b) Metaphorical, it's part of their nature 193c) Most likely, yes. 203d) It's not something you plan for, it's a part of who they are. 213e) No. Miserix's ambition simply takes a different form. He saw a surer path to power by staying obedient to the will of Mata Nui rather than rebelling.

PhantokaNorik May 14, 2008, 9:07 PM

1THe curse wasn't a horrifying effect or anything.. it is anticlimatic.

1Hey Greg, some questions of things I just noticed: 21. In the 'Bohrok and Balta' picture, I notice that there is a BOM insignia on the wall behind it. But what is the BOM insignia doing on Daxia? 32. There is also a insignia of what looks suspiciously like the island of Mata Nui on the wall as well. Is this of any significance? 43. Just for clarrification - since most of the Dark hunter codenames (E.G 'Seeker' or 'Vengence') can be found in any dictionary, is it safe to assume that the pronounciation of them is the same as the Dictionary's pronounciation? 54. Speaking of pronounciation, how do you pronounce Hordika? (for the wiki) 6That is all for now.

71) Well, the carving is ancient and the BOM only rebelled a little over 1000 years ago 82) Yes 93) Yes 104) Hoar-dee-kah

Taka Toa of Twilight May 15, 2008, 9:11 PM

1So wait. What do you guys think the curse is?
2

Cathexis May 15, 2008, 8:07 AM

33. This is concerning the recent info about the Makuta curse that's come up in the OGD. Just to make sure I've got this right: 4a. The Curse is the Makuta's never-ending lust for power, and the overconfidence to constantly act upon this lust. Is this right? 5That said: 6b. Is this just a metaphorical curse, in that it's a personality trait shared by all Makuta that will bring about their downfall in a decidedly curselike fashion? Or is it a literal curse, just more subtle, put on the Makuta by their creators or by some other outsider? 7c. Does anyone in the Bionicle universe see it as a curse? 8d. Does this curse factor into the Plan in any way? I know the Plan was inspired by it, but is there any special provision for dealing with its effects? 9e. So what's up with Miserix then? Was he able to resist the curse's effects or something?

103) Their curse is ambition, pride and arrogance. 113b) Metaphorical, it's part of their nature 123c) Most likely, yes. 133d) It's not something you plan for, it's a part of who they are. 143e) No. Miserix's ambition simply takes a different form. He saw a surer path to power by staying obedient to the will of Mata Nui rather than rebelling.

4I have a few questions about the Makuta's curse.
51) You stated that it was their pride and over-confidence. Seeing that Teridax overthrew Miserix to achieve the goal of overthrowing Mata-Nui, was the curse implemented in Teridax first/only?
62) Has it affected Miserix?
73) Have we seen/heard the being/thing that implemented this curse?
84) Did this curse affect the change from biomechanical to energy?
9Thank you.
10[=-Midnighter-=]

111) No, it was always present, it was a flaw in their nature from the start. 122) Yes. 133) It wasn't someone going, "I now curse you ." It was simply a part of the nature of their species, the same way many humans tend to be cursed with the idea that we are the only species that matters. 144) No.

1Hello Mr. Farshty, I have a few more questions for you, plus one more thing but I'll do the questions first.
21) How close were Nidhiki and Lariska? I mean she seems pretty heartless but she was the only dark hunter to run away when TSO had Roodaka mutate him? I have a hard time believing that someone like her could understand friendship (the only Dark Hunter I would expect that from is Mimic but he's a special case) but I can't think of any other explination. 31a) If she was friends with Nidhiki then that would mean that she actually understands the meaning of friendship and comraderie, so would that imply that she is perhaps not as evil as some other villians (such as Teridax, TSO, or the Barraki)?
42) The organic masks that the Inika wore were obviously alive to a point considering that they recoiled when touched by anyone other then their wearer, but were they alive in the sence that an animal is alive or something else, like perhaps a plant? 52a) Could you kill them? And if so would it take away their powers? 62b) Did the Ignika kill them when it turned them into non-organic, non-living masks?
73) Was Venzon sort of based off of Deadpool from Marvel comics? I have yet to see Vezon break the fourth wall but besides that their insane brand of humor seems pretty similar.
84) Do most Makuta have a 'favorite' form that they generally stay in so that the others can quickly recognize him?
9Once again thank you for your time. Everyone at BZP apreciates all that you do here

101) DH are not like Makuta -- they are not all wholly and completely evil. Some are, certainly, others are simply mercenaries -- in the case of Lariska and Nidhiki, she is the one who talked him into betraying the Toa, so naturally she felt responsible for the monstrous thing that happened to him.
112) I saw them as a very primitive form of pseudo-life 122a) You could destroy them, as you could any other mask 132b) No, simply transformed them into a different state 143) Since I have never read Deadpool, no. 154) Not necessarily, no

16Thanks. I have a few responces though, and one more question.
171) So then she is someone who had the potential to be better but turned out bad (as apposed to the Makuta who are naturally bad)?
182) Like a plant, or even less alive? 192a) Obviously I figured you could smash them or something, but could you kill them by drowning them or starving them or something? My theory was that, if they were alive then they eat by draining tiny amounts of the Inika's lightning energy. Just not enough for it to be noticable to the Toa. Would this make sence?
206) You said you have seen Mazeka and that he is an Onu-Matoran. Does that mean he is black or some other Onu color? I'm still hoping for a purple set.
21I sent this already but that was a few days ago so if you have already got this before then I apologize.
22Thanks again.

231) I would agree with that 242) Yes 252a) Not to my knowledge. 266) I think he's black, but it wasn't a great pic.

293) He's never read Deadpool....... I mean seriously, Vezon is SO similar it's wierd......I thought for sure he must have based Vezon at least partially off of him......

326) KING WANT PURPLE . . . .

1Got this today. A theory blasted to bits by Greg himself .

2Hi once again, Greg . I sent this earlier, but it has been a while and you haven't replied yet so I'm sorry if you have already gotten this. I was thinking about something one day, but didn't know if it had been answered before. So my question is:
3Was it Teridax that told Matoro to put on the Ignika?
4I was thinking that if it was Teridax in his Antidermis form, he could "hitch a ride" on the energy released by the Ignika taking him to Mata Nui, explaining why he is about to find out where he is. Hope you can answer it .

5-/\/\ajor /\/\arvelous-

6No. Teridax was not in the core and never has been, so could not have "hitched a ride" on that explosion. Had he been present in his antidermis form when that explosion happened, it's quite likely he would have been badly wounded if not incinerated.

Cap’n Bionicle May 15, 2008, 2:10 AM

1I know you can't give me a straight answer on this one but if you can just tell me if I'm warm or not I would be very grateful.
2You said that the trouble with finding Mata Nui isn't actually finding him, it's knowing that you've found him?
3You also said that when Mata Nui died and the Ignika went grey it symbolized his death? Correct?
4And there is a connection between Mata Nui and the Toa-esque shape on the Ignika?
5Is is possible that Mata Nui resides within the Ignika? Or perhaps that Toa-esque shape represents MN's form?
6Doubt I'm right, but I figured I'd ask before I forget.
7Thanks for your time.

8Actually, I can give you an answer on this.
9We know Mata Nui has a physical form. We know that, outside of Tren Krom, just about all the intelligent life we know of has what we would call a "humanoid" form. We know the Ignika is used to restore Mata Nui's life. So it is perfectly reasonable to assume that the carving of a "humanoid" figure on the mask would represent Mata Nui, since he is is the intended recipient of its power.

10Awesome answer.

12And I like the BOM curse. It isn't something life threatening or major but it oddly reminds you of 2001. Things were simpler back then

1There's been some buzz over at the OGD about this, so I thought I'd ask and make sure.

2So it looks like the curse on the BoM is that they constantly lust for power, never satisfied with what they have and believe they are entitled to the power they lust for.

3Would you say this is an accurate description of the BoM's curse? Or is there more to it than that (not asking what I might be missing, just if there is indeed more)?

4The curse is pride, arrogance, and ambition -- a curse that resides within many humans as well.

1Hey Mr. Farshtey, there's something I've been wondering recently, regarding the winners of the Makuta contest. Do you have legal rights to decide what happens to their likenesses once they're submitted, even if they weren't the grand prize winner? What I'm getting at here is, would it be possible to put the runner-ups in the recent Makuta contest to use as the appearances of existing Makuta--say, Kojol? Or Miserix's smaller form that he used during the Convocation in Mutran Chronicles? Or perhaps other Makuta who are outside Karda Nui, who might show up in the OOMN-BOM serial?

2As for the first, we could, if we chose to, designate those models as characters. We just can't produce them as sets. But if we did that, it would sort of water down the grand prize, don't you think?

31. Fair enough. Can you at least say if you're thinking of introducing any of the surface Makuta in any serials?

41) Surface Makuta? I don't understand.

5Sorry, by "surface" I meant "above Karda Nui." Will we see any of the Makuta who aren't currently stationed there?

6Most likely, yes

Cathexis May 15, 2008, 12:34 PM

1Hey Mr. Farshtey, there's something I've been wondering recently, regarding the winners of the Makuta contest. Do you have legal rights to decide what happens to their likenesses once they're submitted, even if they weren't the grand prize winner? What I'm getting at here is, would it be possible to put the runner-ups in the recent Makuta contest to use as the appearances of existing Makuta--say, Kojol? Or Miserix's smaller form that he used during the Convocation in Mutran Chronicles? Or perhaps other Makuta who are outside Karda Nui, who might show up in the OOMN-BOM serial?

2As for the first, we could, if we chose to, designate those models as characters. We just can't produce them as sets. But if we did that, it would sort of water down the grand prize, don't you think?

31. Fair enough. Can you at least say if you're thinking of introducing any of the surface Makuta in any serials?

41) Surface Makuta? I don't understand.

5Sorry, by "surface" I meant "above Karda Nui." Will we see any of the Makuta who aren't currently stationed there?

6Most likely, yes

7Here's the conclusion to that particular line of inquiry.

Midnighter May 15, 2008, 10:55 AM

Cathexis May 15, 2008, 12:34 PM

1Hey Mr. Farshtey, there's something I've been wondering recently, regarding the winners of the Makuta contest. Do you have legal rights to decide what happens to their likenesses once they're submitted, even if they weren't the grand prize winner? What I'm getting at here is, would it be possible to put the runner-ups in the recent Makuta contest to use as the appearances of existing Makuta--say, Kojol? Or Miserix's smaller form that he used during the Convocation in Mutran Chronicles? Or perhaps other Makuta who are outside Karda Nui, who might show up in the OOMN-BOM serial?

2As for the first, we could, if we chose to, designate those models as characters. We just can't produce them as sets. But if we did that, it would sort of water down the grand prize, don't you think?

31. Fair enough. Can you at least say if you're thinking of introducing any of the surface Makuta in any serials?

41) Surface Makuta? I don't understand.

5Sorry, by "surface" I meant "above Karda Nui." Will we see any of the Makuta who aren't currently stationed there?

6Most likely, yes

7Here's the conclusion to that particular line of inquiry.

8That's good news. 9More Makuta...we might see them in BL11...
10[=-Midnighter-=]

11Greg said that only the 2008 sets will be in Karda Nui, so I kinda doubt it.

1You've probably recieved a ton of entries for the Makuta cintest, just like the Rahi contest and Dark Hunter thing as well. As in those, do you think there's any chance of making a book about the many BM Makuta entries you recieved?

2Unfortunately, no. Scholastic does not intend doing any more guidebooks.

1Hey Greg, I have a couple questions:
21: Someone said that you said that all the 2006-2008 Matoran would become Toa, I assume this isn't ture, but just to make sure... 32: In my LEGO magazine there was this offer for a "Birthday surprise" do you know what it is? 43: How much detail to you plan ahead for years? I mean when do you make the little details like masks, powers, etc. 53a: And when do you make the major plans?
6Thanks in advance.
7~DB

81) There are no plans for any 2006-2008 Matoran to become Toa. We aren't in this universe next year, so what would even be the point of doing that? 92) I can ask around, I don't have up to date info. 103) We make major plans for years about two years ahead of time. Things like mask powers and such, usually a year or so ahead of time when the sets are in prototype.

1Kind of a weak curse.

Cathexis May 15, 2008, 4:25 PM

1Ah, another clue...so he's humanoid, and he's a lot bigger than Tren Krom...

Shark May 15, 2008, 6:06 PM

11.Who is bigger, Mata-Nui, or Tren krom (physically)
22.Does the the order the Domed Islands are in relevant to they story (like if they form a shape or something)?
33.Will we possibly find out the Hagah's mask powers and their weapons names in their serial?
4-Shark

51) Mata Nui 62) I can't discuss this 73) I would assume you will find out their weapons and mask powers, I doubt BIONICLE names for the masks as I don't have that many available names left

81. How much bigger, like it's hard to even imagine how much bigger for us members or just really big?
92.Is there a storyline reason as of why there is nobody living in the Southern Islands related to Mata-Nui?
103.How Mutran Chronicles going?
114.Will we kick ourselves once we find out where Mata-Nui location is?
125. Is where good ole Teri(dax) a dome or a part of larger dome?
136.Is what the Vortixx do good for Mata-Nui? or bad?
147.Would you say the end of this year is the climax of all the story arcs we've had so far? Like Ignika saga, wake Mata-Nui up saga, what ever other unfinished sagas there are...
15-Shark


161) A lot bigger 172) Pretty much the same reason there are islands in our world where no one lives 183) It goes 194) I have no idea. 205) It's within an existing dome 216) Neither, really 227) It is the close of the first chapter of BIONICLE
23-Shark
241. Is Mata-Nui omnipresent in the domes?

25Hard to be omnipresent when you're asleep

26-Shark

Koji: Archangel of Ice May 15, 2008, 7:58 PM

1Bigger and the dome order seems to be important...anyone else thinking the domes are parts of his body as is my ongoing theory?