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Old News - September 2003

The Massassi Temple » Old News » 2003 » September

Disclaimer: We have been posting news since 1998. Many of the sites we previously linked to have long since gone defunct. Worse, sometimes scammers buy up old domain names and replace their original content with malware or objectionable content.

Thursday, September 4, 2003

New Jedi Academy Dev Diary at Gamespot - Kedri @ 4:32 PM
Earlier today Gamespot posted a new developer diary for the soon-to-be-released Jedi Academy. This one features commentary from two people in particular: Raven level designer Justin Negrete and lead animator Jarrod Showers.

Friday, September 5, 2003

Jedi Academy Singleplayer Demo - Det @ 4:35 PM
The singleplayer demo of Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy has just been released and we have uploaded a mirror for your benefit:
Download (187mb)

In the event of being unable to use our mirror the following mirrors are also available:
3D Gamers
AOL
FilePlanet (membership required)
FileShack (membership required)
Gamer's Hall
GameSpot (membership required)
IGN
LucasFiles
pcgamemods
Samurai of the Grey
Worthplaying

If you know of any other mirrors, don't hesitate to inform us so we can keep this list updated.

Saturday, September 6, 2003

New Jedi Knight CTF Level: CTF Skyhigher - mscbuck @ 10:06 PM
File: CTF Skyhigher
Author: _Mantissa_
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: My Sky Higher level, copied/pasted to be a symmetric CTF level.
New Jedi Knight Multiplayer Level: Wood Cabin - mscbuck @ 10:09 PM
File: Wood Cabin
Author: SkyXax
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is a small wood cabin set somewhere up in the dune type hills. It's my 3rd released level, good for 2-4 players. Tell me what you think, and I may make a second version!
New Jedi Outcast Skin: Sariss Jedi Outcast Version - mscbuck @ 10:15 PM
File: Sariss Jedi Outcast Version
Author: Mystery_Knight
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: A Sariss skin for Jedi Outcast. Read the read-me for detailed information about the skin.
New Jedi Outcast Single-Player Level: Nar Shadda: The Cargo Crate - mscbuck @ 10:20 PM
File: Nar Shadda: The Cargo Crate
Author: Darthyun
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: Battle it out with NPCS in this pit offspring available only in Single player. Features 1 light source for that creepy, dark, and dank feeling. Support for up to 30 NPCS (TESTED) and the player. This is my first level so any help you can give me would be very helpful!

Sunday, September 7, 2003

New Jedi Knight Multiplayer Level: _yo_WaterWorld - GhostOfYoda @ 11:46 AM
File: _yo_WaterWorld
Author: _yo_wasup_
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This level is a very fun level to compete in. There ares underwater Anti-Gravity tubes that suck you to different positions. At the top, you will find the main dueling room. It has a huge object of water that you can fight in with a ring catwalk around it. There are also two secrets with a way through the glass tube and a 2000 yard long slide. Hey, everyone loves slides, right?
New Jedi Outcast Skin: Snake V2 - GhostOfYoda @ 12:35 PM
File: Snake V2
Author: graves
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is version 2 of my original Snake model. You don't need the original for this one to work. This includes the MGS1 and MGS2 model. Both models have their own set of team colors and bot files.
Jedi Academy Demo Walkthrough - Kedri @ 3:48 PM
For those of you curious or just plain stumped with the newly-released JA Demo, I've created an illustrated walkthrough for both of the included missions. It's got a healthy dose of screenshots for each, plus I've thrown in information on accessing secret areas. Corrections and comments are welcomed!

Tuesday, September 9, 2003

Balance of the Force Mod Beta 1 for JO Released - Kedri @ 7:50 PM
Spotted this over at Blue's News earlier: Beta 1 of Balance of the Force, a Jedi Outcast mod that allows for classes and advancement in objective-based multiplayer games, has been released. Visit the BOTF Homepage for downloading info and check out the About BOTF page to get more details about the mod.

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

New Jedi Knight Multiplayer Level: Dark Tempest 8 - GhostOfYoda @ 10:16 AM
File: Dark Tempest 8
Author: Flexor
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is a medium sized (somewhat larger than it's predecessors) multiplayer level consisting of platforms floating in the frigid atmosphere of a turbulent gas giant's polar region. It is good for 3-4 players. It includes new powerups and contains 16 bit textures. It features new music by Crystal Nova.
New Jedi Knight Multiplayer Level: Grid Matrix - GhostOfYoda @ 10:18 AM
File: Grid Matrix
Author: Flexor
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is a medium sized multiplayer level set in a very atmospheric and mysterious computer generated holographic arena. It includes new powerups and contains 16 bit textures. It features new music by Crystal Nova.

Friday, September 12, 2003

Jedi Outcast Mod Contest at LucasFiles - Kedri @ 5:18 PM
Word arrived that LucasFiles.com is having a Jedi Outcast Mod Contest where people have a chance to win a free copy of the soon-to-arrive Jedi Academy. For more contest information, visit: http://www.lucasfiles.com/index.php?s=&action=feature&id=1
The Matrix: Unplugged - BV @ 8:20 PM
Cazor fills us in on an incredible Matrix mod in the making for Jedi Academy, responsible for filling our Showcase Forum with unbelievable screenshots.

Cazor writes:

Hey, this is Cazor, Team Leader of The Matrix: Unplugged for Jedi Academy. I just got the new site up, so everyone go check it out here.

As you can see we are in need of player modelers (who can skin also) and coders. Check the screenshots for the latest pics from the mod. I hope you like our progress so far! Thanks a lot.

Definitely check this one out.

Saturday, September 13, 2003

New JA Development Diary at Gamespot - Kedri @ 8:26 AM
Gamespot has published their third and final dev diary for Jedi Academy, which is due in stores just a few days from now. In this diary entry we hear from Raven's Ford Dye, discussing level design, and Christopher Foster, who talks about the pacing of the game, Force powers, and porting it to consoles.

Sunday, September 14, 2003

New JK/MotS 3do: schoolbus.zip - Kedri @ 3:14 PM
Download: schoolbus.zip
Author: Brad S
View: Screenshot
Description: A school bus.

Monday, September 15, 2003

Balance of the Force Beta 1.2 Released - blujay @ 1:36 PM
david sends word that he's released Beta 1.2 of Balance of the Force. Here's a list of the changes:
When the Imperials gain access to the Ion Cannon control platform the doors will stay open for 10/15 seconds (near/far door), the doors will close after the old delay if a Rebel opens them.

botf_bepsin has been relit so hopefully it'll look a bit better

The Ion Cannon effect now gets reset properly

Rebels no longer get class points for opening their down door

If you're charging a weapon and you die, you'll release the charged shot

Detpacks/tripmines now explode with damage when the person who placed them died

Storm Trooper Blaster alt fire slightly less accurate

Bryar Pistol ROF is higher
Sounds good, so check it out!
Official Jedi Academy Modelling, Skinning, and Animation Guide Released - blujay @ 2:33 PM
Kenn Hoekstra over at Raven sent word of the official Jedi Academy modelling, skinning, and animation guide, which can be found on our Misc downloads page. It weighs in at 17.8 MB. So all you skinners and modellers, get crackin'!

Tuesday, September 16, 2003

Jedi Academy Gets 8.8 From IGN - mscbuck @ 9:28 PM
IGN.com has posted their review of Jedi Academy, giving it a high score of 8.8 out of 10. Check out the review here.
Jedi Academy Added to Jedi Outcast Editing Forum - Kedri @ 8:05 AM
Because Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy are based on the same Quake 3 engine, it made sense to make an editing forum that combined both games. We've therefore updated the existing forum to combine the two. May you find great use in it!

Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Jedi Academy Dedicated Server Software Released - Kedri @ 6:34 PM
We got a hold of the binaries to run dedicated servers for Jedi Academy off your machines. The Linux version weighs in at about 1.4 MB, and the Win32 version is 406 KB. These files will be permanently linked from our Programs section. Thanks to Kenn Hoekstra for the download links!
Jedi Academy Easter Egg? - Kedri @ 7:15 PM
Rogue36 wrote in to let us know about this hidden nugget in the Jedi Academy demo:
I found a great easter egg in the Jedi Academy demo, and I thought I'd share it with my fellow Massassians. When playing the Tatooine mission, go into clip mode (type devmap into the console, then noclip). Float outside the level and you should spot a big brown box. Once inside of it, you will find two speeder models, including Zam Wessel's speeder from Episode II.

Pretty cool! I'm guessing if it's in the demo, it's in the full release as well. Thanks for sending this in, Rogue36, and thanks to DoZeR for confirming!

Jedi Academy Gets 8.4 in GameSpot Review - blujay @ 9:49 PM
GameSpot has posted their Jedi Academy review, in which they rate it an 8.4 out of 10. They have over 100 screenshots of JA, so check it out.
Jedi Academy PC Arena Review: 4.5 of 5 - blujay @ 9:58 PM
PC Arena has posted their Jedi Academy review, and they gave it a 4.5 out of 5 arcs. They also have some nice screenshots.

Saturday, September 20, 2003

Files Server Down - blujay @ 6:42 PM
For some reason, the files server is down. This means that levels, skins, mods, and some other files cannot be downloaded right now. I've no idea why it's down. I'll try to contact Recon, but unfortunately, it's the weekend now. Remember, patience is the way of the Jedi.
Do Not Use levels@massassi.net For Contacting Us - blujay @ 3:08 AM
This will probably fall on deaf ears, but it's worth a shot.

Please, do not use levels@massassi.net to contact us! That address is for receiving files only.

Going through the e-mails in the account, I found an e-mail from the 17th reporting problems downloading levels. However, that address is only checked when our file posters are looking for files to post. E-mails to that address are not forwarded to the rest of the staff. They just sit there, and if they don't have a file to post, they maybe get read by one person, and maybe get deleted.

Also, if you have something to tell us, please try taking a minute to type coherent sentences, and have the decency to sign your name or screenname. E-mails like, "Y cant i down load levels" (that was the entire e-mail), or "wuts wrong with ur site???" are not helpful, and are actually annoying.

Perhaps if someone had reported the file server outage sooner, it could have been fixed sooner, possibly before the weekend. Unfortunately, the e-mails were sent to levels@, and didn't get seen. And, alas, I don't download files from the file server every day, so I don't always notice the problems as soon as they occur.

Well, thanks for your patience.

Paint it up - Pommy @ 2:20 PM
Our favorite UGG sends word of a smashing new JKPaint update:
JKPaint version 0.8 (737KB)
An editor for Jedi Knight BM, CMP, MAT, and SFT files.
[Download] (Temporarily down because of file server - check official site for mirror)

Major new features:
- SFT character editing.
- SFT internal palette support removed.
- Image zooming.
- Improved palette editing.
- Transparency color bug fixed.
- Help file.

[Official Site]
Send [UGG] email if you have any suggestions or bug reports.
Take a look!

Tuesday, September 23, 2003

No Downloads by E-mail - blujay @ 8:06 PM
Before anyone else e-mails us and asks, we do not provide downloads by e-mail while the files server is down. We have neither the time nor the bandwidth. In fact, we don't have all of the files either, because they are stored on the server.

Please be patient. Thank you.

Thursday, September 25, 2003

Emergency files.massassi.net Server - Cool Matty @ 6:10 PM
I have launched an Emergency Backup server, containing all the levels, mods, and programs hosted on Massassi. This server can be accessed at ftp://24.166.245.117.

To use the server effectively, please read the instructions file on the server. Just click the link, the file is very hard to miss. This server is not by any means "fast", and is only meant as a backup until the main server comes back online. The files are also not completely accurate. The files are only current as of 8/11/03, meaning that any levels posted on Massassi after this date will not be on this backup. It should return with the return of the main server, so don't resubmit your levels.

If you have any problems, PLEASE email me, at CoolMatty@massassi.net and not the staff email address. Be sure we are trying our best to get the main server back online as soon as possible. Thank you.

Saturday, September 27, 2003

I'm Gone. - Pommy @ 11:53 AM
Goodbye, my friends. Pride, peace.

Sunday, September 28, 2003

New Interview with JA Designer Ford Dye - BV @ 6:46 AM
Map-Review.com (formerly known as JK2Review) has posted an interview with one of Jedi Academy's designers looking into some of the technical editing changes in Jedi Academy, including a very interesting portion on Siege mapping.

Check it out!

Monday, September 29, 2003

Reviews, Reviews, and More Reviews! - Ubuu @ 4:05 PM
Hats off to our buddy, Kenn Hoesktra, for these links to several review sites. Take a look at what several of our peers thought of Jedi Academy!

GameRaiders (91%)
GameOver: (92% - Gamers Choice Award)
Game Revolution: B+
Jolt.co.uk: (91%)
Tweak Town Gamer: (95%)
Christian Game Review (94%)
HomelanFed (87%)
Jedi Academy Siege Guides - Ubuu @ 4:13 PM
What would we do without Kenn Hoekstra? ;D He has made available for us, several links to new Jedi Academy Siege Guides. You can download them at the following links:
Mirror 1 (12kb)
Mirror 2 (12kb)

Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Rolling Revolution! - BV @ 6:03 PM
ID_Junkguy brings us this about his mod:

Hi! ID_Junkguy here, and I can't wait to tell you the news! You all remember that Rolling Game mod I released a while back, right? Some people had problems with it, however, and thus were not able to enjoy it fully. So now, I am working on a new project called Rolling Revolution, and it will feature a completely updated Rolling mod. It will offer new and high quality stereo songs to roll to, improved cogs, and more!

In addition, I am going to package with the mod every single Rolling level ever released, including original levels by me, MrRavenX, and The Mega-ZZTer. In addition, I invite EVERY LEVEL MAKER out there to create and submit their own Rolling levels to me so that I can include it in the final release of Rolling Revolution.

I have also created a Rolling Development Kit (RDK) for people planning on making Rolling levels. It includes a mod that is almost the same as the original Rolling mod, but has modified cogs and improved physics so that level makers can test their own Rolling levels accurately. Also, it is full of information for Rolling level makers to get started. This RDK is available at my site NOW, so check www.junkguy.tk to get it if you want to have your level released with Rolling Revolution. The deadline is not announced yet, but it will most likely be in one month.

Thank you guys for being so great. Without your support, I surely would not have made so many fun mods for the Jedi Knight community! Keep Rolling!

- ID_Junkguy

Check it out!

JK Competition - BV @ 6:56 PM
jEDIkIRBY and the Underground Resistance have set up some good old fashioned Jedi Knight games over the course of this week.

Kirby writes...

Hello Massassi! jEDIkIRBY here with important news from the Underground Resistance! We’re having our 1st Competition, and you can be part! You’ve just got to join the Resistance and presto, you can take place in any of the competitions we host! Tons of Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 action awaits you! The rules are here and the UR chatroom to get signed up is at the mIRC Server: irc.holonet.org Channel: #UR. Talk to anyone with an @ in front of your name, then start gaming! Hope to see more and more members over the course of the week! Have fun!

Dust off your JK disc (some people might kill me for saying that =P) and check it out!