Andrea: The first Zelda I played was Link to the Past, when I was 11. And I remember staring at the manual, because I loved the artwork. The items, the Links doing actions, the scenes, everything! In 1998, when I started working, I made a tribute-site to LTTP. I don't even remember the URL now, it was on Tripod. It had the items list, and some pictures. And then OOT came out, and the manual was even prettier! So I decided to leave the LTTP one behind, and make a OOT site (which was black, and it was on the www.zelda64.com.ar domain). In late 1999, Majora's Mask was announced, and I realized I didn't have room to place all the new game info! So I restructured the site, and it became Hyrule.com.ar, with the design most of the old-school's know :)

Many fans were upset when they saw the end of HCA.

TSA: It appears that Hyrule.com.ar had quite a cult following since so many people talk so highly of it. What do you think caused this phenomenon?

Andrea: That's a question I often ask myself. Maybe it was the community feeling that the site had, even when we were a few on the ezBoard. Or maybe the people could see all the hard work that was behind it. Even when Alania or Vanaja helped me a bit on the old sites, I was always the "mind" behind the site. Fabian (my bf) helped later me with the code in some of the newest sections, but I always were the one updating the site, coding most of it, scanning and fixing the images and making the layouts.

With every site I do, I try to give the best of me, either working on a nice layout, updating the content, or giving something "extra". I do not to create fights to gain popularity, because I don't want the people to recognize me because "I made a story about xxx up" or "I fought with site YYY and I won the right to post something".

TSA: From what I can tell, the community is what drove your site to such popularity. Do you personally think the community of your site was more important than the content on your pages? Do you think this holds true for Zelda sites today?

Andrea: Actually, I think it's a balance :) Content IS important. For example, if I have a site, and I never update it, even if I have the "cooler" forum, or the "best" images (to name something), but the site is always the same, the people will stop coming to my site looking for the "new", and eventually forget about it.

But, on the other hand, if I update daily (to give an example), but I don't focus on the quality of what I am updating, and I keep posting rumors about X or Y, or lies, that two days later turn out to be a lie, people will stop believing me at all. Or, another example, if I post the same that 50 other site posted the same day (this is what happens to the blogs: they ALL post the same!), I will become "just another site". And that's what I want to avoid. There are lots of other Zelda sites, why would you come to mine?

Well, first because we are a community, and that means that you will take part of it. You'd like to post a fanfic? A drawing you made? You can! (Well, you'll can in the future, for now you can post it on the forums :)) You want to talk about your day at school? Or how your boss annoys you? You have a place for that.

Second, because we actually CARE about the site, and we take the time to work on it. For example, if a new image has been posted on a magazine, I won't post it "as it came from the scanner". I take the time to clean it up, make it better, so we can all enjoy a more cleaner and nice image.

You have to love what you do.

TSA: Do you think the Zelda community has changed since the days of your first incarnation of Hyrule.com.ar? Do you think it has changed for the better or worse?

Andrea: I think the community has changed, mainly because it has grown up.

If you are a Zelda fan since the first or second Zelda, your age is next to 25-30. You won't start a stupid fight on a forum just to gain attention. You probably have a life, a job, or maybe going to college, and you don't have time for that. You want to talk about another things.

If your Zelda Love started with OOT, probably you are close to the 20s (I know they are younger Zelda players out there, I'm just making a general count).

I think it's great that this chance has occurred. However, I'm afraid of the amount of "new" young fans that Twilight Princess will attract :)

TSA: Which of the Zelda games do you prefer; the old school games or the newer ones?

Andrea: The old school ones! Being aLTTP my favourite game :D I don't feel that the sprite games are less-magical than the 3D ones.

TSA: Do you think Ocarina of Time will be surpassed by Twilight Princess in terms of its impact on the community?

Andrea: Yes, I think it will be mind-blowing; or at least I hope so :)

TP will mark the end of the Gamecube era, so I'm sure they want to break the belief that Gamecube is Childlike, Windwaker was the only Zelda on that platform.

TSA: It was just announced that Shigeru Miyamoto said Twilight Princess will utilize the new Revolution controller. Do you think this is a good direction for Zelda with this new innovation, or do you think the series should remain more conservative?

Andrea: I love the fact that the Zelda always use the "new thing": Majora's Mask used the Expansion Pack, WW used the GBA connection (although it had Tingle on it >.<), and TP uses the new joystick. I can't wait to be on the living waiving my "sword" at the TV!

TSA: Do you think Nintendo should put more emphasis on the "world" of Zelda, perhaps producing more artwork and reading material about the games as opposed to how dry and sparse the manuals and guides have become in recent years?

Andrea: Yes, please! There are so many theories about the timelines (some more valid than others) than it's starting to look almost silly :) It's not bad that the fans "fill" the gaps with histories and theories, based on images, manuals, texts on certain items and so, because it's great for the community to argue about the history behind the game itself, but I think Nintendo should give the fans a very-basic base to work on. Actually, I think Nintendo is as confused as we are in this timeline matter ;)

TSA: The Zelda manga seems to be a pretty popular form of content for many fans nowadays. Do you think Nintendo should release versions of these translated into other languages, or should fans continue to translate them? Should the even be translated from Japanese at all?

Andrea: I think Nintendo didn't realize yet the power of globalization. I mean, for example... I live in Latin America. I can't go to Nintendo.com to register my games if I don't lie about my address. How can this happen in year 2006? Internet goes way beyond the limits of X country.
They should release the comics outside Japan, because the fans would buy it. Even I would import it! If Nintendo makes things for the fans (let's say, official toys, posters, comics, Cds and such), the people WILL buy it, because they love the Zelda series! I think that's something that Japan has learned (the fan-service there is amazing!), but the rest of the world has not.

TSA: Alright, two more questions. When can we expect some site content for Hyrule.com.ar? Is it true you will only put up Twilight Princess material?

Andrea: Well... yes, the idea is to only hold TP content. But maybe I'll change my mind before launching ;)

TSA: Finally, do you think it is a possibility one of the major characters in the upcoming Zelda title could meet with a tragic fate?

Andrea: Mmm no, I don't think Nintendo would go that way. Even if this game is considered more "mature", I don't believe they will risk to loose some of the fans because they kill someone important.

TSA: Thanks!

Andrea: Thank you! ^_^