TWO PLAYERS, ONE PROJECT, INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
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Hello everyone! If you're reading this, it means you're one of the brave souls who has decided to join our adventure. First of all, thank you. Secondly, you've made an excellent decision. At 8bits Legends, we believe that the best experiences, like the best games, begin with a proper introduction. So before talking about miniatures and game systems, we want to introduce ourselves.
We are Ricardo (Ric) and Ignacio (Nacho), the founders of 8Bits Legends MiniForge. And this is our story -- the culmination of years of playing, designing, and dreaming.
From Fantasy Worlds to Arcade Miniatures: A Designer's Journey
The first time I held a fantasy book (I was 12 and it was "The Neverending Story"), something changed in my brain. I had discovered a portal to other worlds, and I was never going to close it again.
My adolescence in Barcelona was a constant search for geek subculture: I spent my weekly allowance in arcades, devoured every animation series I could find, and immersed myself in role-playing manuals that detailed worlds with hypnotic thoroughness.
"At that age I played RPGs, but I was always more interested in the manuals that described fantastic worlds than the combats or treasures in the actual game."
Everything changed with Magic: The Gathering. Do you know that feeling when you find something that seems specifically designed for you? A year and a half after my first deck, I was representing my country at the World Championship in Seattle in 1997. For a 17-year-old kid, that was like touching the sky with your hands.
What captivated me about Magic was its perfect trinity: competitive strategy, rich background, and vibrant community. Later I would discover Malifaux, a miniatures game with card-based mechanics. Something clicked in my mind.
Video games have also been my constant travel companion: from the worlds of Final Fantasy and the adventures of Mario and Sonic, to losing myself in the universes of League of Legends and Lineage 2. It wasn't just about the gameplay - it was about those fantastic worlds I could inhabit.
For years, that interest led me not only to play, but to organize tournaments, referee matches, and build communities. Seeing the rules not just from a competitor's perspective, but from a designer's, changed the way I understand games.
Without knowing it, I was developing the skills I would need to create Relic Masters.
From Metal to Pixel: Confessions of a 3D Modeler
If my story begins with manuals and cards, Nacho's begins with a chariot of wolves pulled by metal goblins. He was 7 years old when he painted it without having any idea what he was doing, but his excitement was infinite.
Years later he would discover his first hobby store in Madrid: a basement full of painted armies, dice rolling on tables, and shelves stacked with blisters of beautiful metal figurines. It was a temple, and he had found his religion.
"Many talk about love at first sight. Few refer to goblin miniatures, but that's my story."
His relationship with video games began like that of the classic younger brother: with a disconnected controller while his brother played Sonic. Revenge came with Final Fantasy, where he became an undisputed master after hundreds of hours of dedication.
Grom, who after devouring a troll became a great goblin leader, was his first miniature hero. Meanwhile, movies like Conan, Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element, or Kurt Russell in Escape from L.A. shaped his preference for the stereotype of tough guys who solve problems the hard way.
At 8Bits, he's in charge of 3D modeling, monsters, and those "tough guys" he likes so much. Since childhood, he has been a natural "recruiter," convincing friends to buy figures just to have more people to share the hobby with.
"Only when I'm designing do I forget even my hunger. And anyone who knows me knows that forgetting about food is almost impossible."
What Nacho loves most is creating living worlds where people can immerse themselves, escape, and dream. Worlds like those that Tolkien and Warhammer Fantasy offered him.
Press Start: The Birth of 8Bits Legends
Every great story has its origin, and ours couldn't begin any other way: at a tournament. It was an ordinary day at a Malifaux table. What neither of us knew then is that, ironically, we were playing a card-managed skirmish game, exactly the type of game we would end up creating years later.
After that chance encounter, we kept in touch. When Nacho temporarily moved to Córdoba, we became part of a group that experimented with all kinds of miniature games, including homemade systems that we improvised.
During those sessions the spark arose: "What if we create our own game?" The idea was left floating, but we weren't ready. We lacked skills, time, resources. The group ended up dispersing when Nacho moved north.
"The seed had been planted, and I had no idea how deep its roots would grow."
We continued evolving separately: Nacho perfecting 3D modeling, me developing rule systems and building narrative universes. Until one day, years later, we met again at an event and that old idea resurfaced with renewed strength.
"The best ideas are like Easter eggs: they can be hidden for years until someone with the right combination of skills discovers them."
One month after that reunion, 8Bits Legends MiniForge was a reality.
Why "8Bits Legends"?
Many have asked me about the name. "8Bits" evokes that retro-gaming and arcade aesthetic that we're so passionate about. "Legends" reflects our hope that these characters will become small legends within the Relic Masters universe.
And speaking of references, we can't help but include them in our designs. Erika's sword, for example, gives a direct nod to Cloud's iconic weapon in Final Fantasy VII. These details are our way of honoring the games that shaped us.
Yukari: The First Character
Long before the project began, the first design emerged: Yukari, a kitsune with a fascinating duality. Her choice wasn't random -- we wanted a visually attractive character that would immediately catch attention, but also contain nods to gaming culture.
Her arcade version, with orange hair and a very characteristic ring-shaped bracelet, makes an obvious nod to a certain two-tailed fox that you all know from video games. These subtle references are in many of the details of our creations.
The initial challenge was clear: without funds, we needed to generate designs to eventually create at least ten models to launch Relic Masters. Our solution was to release individual miniatures in the store, gradually generating income. That's why you'll see figures like Yukari, Erika, or Ailena that seem independent -- but they're characters that will eventually be on the Relic Masters boards competing for relics!
Relic Masters
And now we come to our main project: Relic Masters. What is it exactly? Imagine a skirmish game for two players with MOBA aesthetics, no dice, and on a hexagonal board. A game where strategy weighs more than luck.
The game has gone through multiple iterations. It has had other names, different board configurations (we even tried square tiles!), and versions with and without dice. The only thing that has remained constant from the beginning is the deck of 25 cards, the game board, and the character stat cards with their button and energy system.
"Sisay has always been my favorite character. She has literally been my avatar in MMORPGs for over 10 years. I've lost count of how many times she's had to be nerfed in playtesting. And yes, her name is a clear homage to a certain kidnapped captain who owns a flying ship."
Currently, the project is in an advanced phase:
-More than 60% of the models for the initial two bands are completed
-We're in full playtesting with five different kingdoms involved
-Developing a rich background that intertwines the characters and their kingdoms
Want to be part of this adventure? We plan to present the prototype during the third quarter of 2025 for community testing. And if everything goes as planned, we'll launch a crowdfunding campaign at the beginning of the second quarter of 2026.
Secrets to Discover
A detail that few know: many Relic Masters models are nods to characters we've interacted with in role-playing games and MMORPGs over the years. Some represent old friends with whom we no longer keep in touch. It's our little tribute: life may have separated us, but our characters will live adventures eternally in the world of Noah.
Now that you know a little more about us and our project, we hope you'll stay to see how it evolves. In upcoming newsletters, I'll share details about the game system, the background of RelicMasters, and, of course, more miniatures.
Remember that, as subscribers, you'll have access to all this exclusive content several weeks before it appears on our social networks. And some things... well, some things you'll only see here.
"I have seen and heard much here. There are secrets within secrets. I will show you."
~ Keiga to Ehlas.
Until next time, thank you for joining our game.
Ric and Nacho, Founders of 8Bits Legends MiniForge