Saturday, January 22, 2000
Absolute Jedi Returns - Slug
Well, Absolute Jedi has returned, now hosted by OD-34. Here's the press release..
Well, Absolute Jedi has now moved to a new host, Outpost-D34. They now have a new feature called 'Feature 14' which picks out the best level reviewed every two weeks and has a spotlight for the level and also interviews the autor. Absolute Jedi has many other things cooking, and wants your levels to review! So go pay them a visit!
Etc. - Brian
Some computer problems. IE: I'm re-isntalling Windows 98 and all my programs from scratch... It's taking me longer than I thought, I should be back in business tomorrow.
Friday, January 21, 2000
New JK MOD: Ultimate Weaponz Pak 2 - Kedri
File: Ultimate Weaponz Pak 2
Author: ID_Junkguy
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: Ultimate Weaponz Pak 2 (UWP 2) is a mod for Jedi Knight which makes the weapons way better and more powerful. New features include a hookshot, new sounds, and new weapons. There are classic weapons from the original UWP like the Godsaber and Bunny Bombs. Some new weapons are the Tazer, Destruction Rifle, Fast Fists, and more.
New JK Multiplayer Level: The Lost Space Port - Kedri
File: The Lost Space Port
Author: Mantissa
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is a rather large, open level with MANY concussion rifles and other weapons for a real blast-fest, as well as some good places for saber battles. There are many traps and secrets to watch for. Since it is so large, it's better with more than two people.
New JK MOD: Illusions Saber Pack 1.2 - Kedri
File: Illusions Saber Pack 1.2
Author: Jedi_Lord_Dhi
Screenshots: No Screenshots
Description: A saber pack offering 46 cool sabers with super effects. It doesn't delete any normal JK sabers; just adds the new sabers with fixed bugs from version 1.0. BFP 2.1 isn't necessary to use this saber pack.
New JK MOD: Illusions Saber Pack 1.2 for BFP 2.1 - Kedri
File: Illusions Saber Pack 1.2 for BFP 2.1
Author: Jedi_Lord_Dhi
Screenshots: No Screenshots
Description: A saber pack offering 46 cool sabers with super effects. It doesn't delete any normal JK sabers; just adds the new sabers with fixed bugs from version 1.0. This pack offers full BFP 2.1 support.
CaliGirl Bids Farewell - Slug
I noticed over at Jedi Legacy that CaliGirl, of JK.Net is leaving the LucasGames network, among others, to work exclusively for the Xtreme Network. She'll be missed, as she's been JK.Net's only news poster as of late.. We wish her luck with the Xtreme Network, and we wish JK.Net luck with their new staff members..
Yet More Reviews @ TACC - Ryan
The Admiral's Command Chamber has updated with two new MotS level reviews. Today, drop by the site to read reviews of the levels "A Jedi's Quest" and "The Force Works in Mysterious Ways." Also feel free to drop by the site's forums to discuss the reviews, levels, or Jedi Knight in general.
Thursday, January 20, 2000
New MotS Multiplayer Level: Mantis's Hideout - Kedri
File: Mantis's Hideout
Author: Mantis_OTNJC
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: A good little level, lots of hidden areas and very cool. It is basically the hidden lair of Mantis, the greatest killer alive. Has all the weapons, a few cool traps, and lots, lots more. A good sniper level, also good for guns/sabers, FF or NF.
New JK MOD: Saber Spray - Kedri
File: Saber Spray
Author: LEGiON_double_t
Screenshots: No Screenshots
Description: This MAT changes the lightsaber's blade to a splash of colors. It has a real neat effect.
New JK MOD: The Prototype - Kedri
File: The Prototype
Author: KnightSpider
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This skin is my version of a prototype Dark Trooper experiment that went horribly wrong. Now this insane creation is yours to control.
New JK Multiplayer Level: Force Warrior's Battle Cruiser - Kedri
File: Force Warrior's Battle Cruiser
Author: FW_anty_kryste
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is a light-class battle cruiser in space. Simple enough, eh? Highlights are the bridge and the reactor core. Force is not a necessity in Cruiser as it was in AntHill, so I hope you NF guys will enjoy it. However, certain areas will be off limits to you, such as the vents, and unfortunately the upper levels of the core. Once again, fellow Jedi, enjoy the level, and happy hunting.
New JK/MotS 3do: jkcd2.zip- Staff
Download: jkcd2.zip
Author: Joey Turcio
View: Screenshot
Description: The second JK disc. Thats all there is to it.
New JK MOD: CyberKnights - Kedri
File: CyberKnights
Author: KnightSpider
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: These are the next prototypes in the line of my Cyborg Series Knights. This pack includes two skins. The Dark Knight and the Iron Knight, two killing machines ready to lay waste to the Empire. So download them and kick some Imperial butt.
New JK Multiplayer Level: Shadow's Keep - Kedri
File: Shadow's Keep
Author: Kaminari
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: Shadow's Keep is a medieval fortress surrounded by magic, the sun is starting to set and the shadows creep upon walls and minds. The items you need for confronting this realm lay in order, the fortress courtyard holds the basic soldier needs, while in the inside of the Keep's halls you will find a few scarce valuable items. The arena for battle leaves you room to wander around but the fighting area is limited due to where the items are placed so, even if big, this setting will prove to be fast paced if fought with two more comrades of war. Duels against one man alone will satisfy stalking predators. The fortress defense systems can be summoned by warriors and aid them in battle. Let it begin.
DFA Review @ TACC - Ryan
The Admiral's Command Chamber has posted a review of the Death From Above demo. In addition, reviews of A Jedi's Quest and Alert Red should be posted soon, so be sure to visit the site to keep updated on all the SP news, levels, and reviews.
New Network Site: Hardnews.org - Brian
That's right folks, the latest site in the "Massassi Network" (we're still working on a portal site to replace "Massassi" as the network name). Anyway, Hard News is a site that focuses on (you guessed it) computer hardware. They actually released the site a couple of days ago, but I've been ultra busy, so didn't get to post here. So what's the deal? They've got TONS of gaming hardware related news (I mean a *lot*). They also post reviews of their own, as well as some pretty funny articles (check out JeffK's NextGen Video Cards).

Since their release, here is a run down of the reviews they've posted.


As with all our network sites, they've got a killer forum system (http://forums.hardnews.org/) to discuss anything related to computer/gaming hardware.

Welcome to The Network Ken, Dave and Pat!
Texture Packs - Brian
I mentioned a couple of days ago that we were looking for some people to convert the free textures over to .mat format and send them to us. A ton of people have replied, but Ping_Me has been kind enough to finish them up (ultra-fast, I may add) and upload them to the server. You can download the complete texture pack (containing .mat files) here: http://www.massassi.net/~ping_me/. It weighs in at 3.2Megs, but there are a ton of quality textures, so I recommend this download to all level authors who are sick of the JK texture sets!

While you're at it, download Ping_Me's template re-organization files. These arrange all the 3do's in Jed so it's easier to find what you're looking for. This file can also be found at the above link.
Wednesday, January 19, 2000
New MotS Multiplayer Level: Prison Ship Docking Bay - Kedri
File: Prison Ship Docking Bay
Author: HolocronKeeper
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is a smallish multiplayer level set in and around the docking bay of a prisoner transport. It consists of a docking bay - converted for fighter support, prisoner holding cells, a control room, and a few other areas. There are internal defences and atmosphere fields in place, making a wrong move a dangerous thing. This level is intended for 2-4 players. Well-placed weapons and powerups make for fast play.
New Reviews at Hyperview - Kedri
The head honchos at Hyperview have posted a pair of new reviews: NorthChaos's JK MP level Town Square and David McHale's MotS SP level The Emporer's Reach IV. How'd they fare? Go see for yourself!
New Level Review @ TACC - Staff
The Admiral's Command Chamber has updated with a new review for the level "Dark Tide I: Wasteland Survivor." Several other reviews are in the works and should be posted over the next few days.
Tuesday, January 18, 2000
Bah, Humbug! - Kedri
Yep, the spirit of Christmas has finally worn off among the staff (okay, so it was my idea) and the Massassi Temple logo has been restored. A massive amount of thanks and appreciation goes out to everyone who sent in their Christmas logos for the contest. Really, it would be an injustice to pick only one as "the best." They all rocked! It's safe to say we'll be holding on to the logos for next Christmas. For a look back at all the great holiday artwork, click here.
Feature Update at the Command Chamber - Ryan
The Admiral's Command Chamber posted new screenshots and status information for another one of its featured levels, "Burning Pride." A review of "Dark Tide I: Wasteland Survivor" should be posted shortly, so be sure to drop by the site to check out the new content.
Free Textures - Brian
Graphtallica offers a ton of free downloadable textures. Of course, they will have to be converted to .mat files, but a lot of them really rock. After over 2 years of using JK's textures, they're getting a bit boring, try some of these sets! If anyone can volunteer to convert them all to .mat files, please do it and send 'em our way.
Monday, January 17, 2000
New JK Multiplayer Level: Temple of the Nexus - Kedri
File: Temple of the Nexus
Author: Magilk
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This is a fairly small sized map (more vertical than horizontal). It consists of four areas: the starting area, a big circular area above the starting area, a "rift" below the starting area, and a dark abandoned set of halls below the rift.
New JK MOD: TCP Skin Pack v.1 - Kedri
File: TCP Skin Pack v.1
Author: Black Phoenix /SRA_Phoenix
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: TCPv.1 is a skin pack with 26 skins and 22 sabers which has been in the works for quite some time.
New JK MOD: Ultimate Weaponz Pak - Kedri
File: Ultimate Weaponz Pak
Author: ID_Junkguy
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: The Ultimate Weaponz Pak (UWP) is a mod for Jedi Knight. It changes the weapons to make them much better and more powerful. The new weapons include a fast-swinging godsaber, mines which look like cute little bunnies, rapid-fire concussion rifle which shoots destruction balls, and much more! This patch makes any game non-stop action packed!
New JK Multiplayer Level: Starlight Oasis - Kedri
File: Starlight Oasis
Author: Mantissa
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: This level is like Canyon Oasis in many ways, about the same size, underwater tunnels, etc. only this is at night. It's quite dark, so field light is a must (batteries are found throughout the level). Plenty of weapons, some hidden. Best for 2-4 players.
New JK/MotS 3do: jkcd.zip- Staff
Download: jkcd.zip
Author: Joey Turcio
View: Screenshot
Description: The JK CD\'s front and back on a 3do.
New JK Multiplayer Level: FW-DM: Cliffhanger Arena - Kedri
File: FW-DM: Cliffhanger Arena
Author: Spider AL
Screenshots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2
Description: My second released effort, once more devised for my clan, the Force Warriors. This is an unusual little number I cooked up with the intention of making some sort of training arena for NF sabres. It consists of a deep chasm with an intricate platform structure in the centre, the main battleground, and it WAS Christmas when I made it, so in the spirit I thought I may as well give people who fall off a chance to live, hence the teleport sector at the bottom. It all comes together to give an interesting dynamic feel to the level. Hope you enjoy.
Showcase Forum - blujay
There have been a ton of killer shots posted on the Showcase forum, just today! If anyone thinks JK is dead or dying, tell them to take a look here. They will be amazed and stupefied and stunned and....  (c;
New Jedi Knight Levels @ TACC - Ryan
The Admiral's Command Chamber has updated with two new Jedi Knight levels for your playing enjoyment. The levels, "Abilities of the Empire 2" and "Shalla Fortress," as well as screenshots and plot information for both missions, are available at the site.
PA Book! - Slug
Ok, so it's far from JK related, but Games Matrix has a poll up asking what kind of merchandise people want, and one of the choices is a Penny Arcade Book.. For those of you not familiar, Penny Arcade is a hilarious gaming-related cartoon that every gamer should read and enjoy and worship.. If you're already hooked, go vote for the book (I rythmed!), and if you're not hooked, go get hooked, and then go vote..

By the way, loyal slug fans (They're out there, I swear it to be true! Don't look at me like that, I'm not crazy!) may have noticed my lack of news updates lately - I haven't had the username/pwd for the servers ever since CuteFTP decided to stop working - I'm still waiting on server access, so until then, you'll have to settle for news posts from the rest of these fools..
I Hope You Were Paying Attention - Kedri
At least, Hideki over at Millennium does. He's added a new feature to his site, a weekly COG Quiz, where he'll post three questions to visitiors, each at a different level of difficulty. At the end of the week you can confirm your COG prowess, as well as scope out a new batch of questions. Think you know your stuff? Prove it!

Oh yeah, and he's posted a new poll on Millennium's homepage too, so go check out the site, but remember: no one's forcing you to do it. You must choose to walk the path alone...
Dungeons and Dragons Movie - Brian
Found on Slash Dot, a geek news site... IGN.com has posted an interview with Corey Solomon, director of a soon-to-be released D&D flick. I'm not into D&D at all, but I love fantasy movies. It looks to be a great movie (lots of info and pictures on the interview), and a lot of the characters are apparently modelled after those in Star Wars. Anyway, I thought this was interesting, so I posted it - if you're not into it, don't click the link!
Phantom Menace TC Screenshot - Brian
Outpost D-34 announced that The Phantom Menace TC has posted a new screenshot of Theed Palace. They've also announced that they're dropping Glowsaber from their mod due to conflicting resource files...
Etc. - Brian
Kiramin, a good friend, sporadic staff member here, and creator of Wayrest Landing (a level released in our level pack), has moved down here from his former home in Oregon. He should be showing his face around here a lot more often (probably more so on Watto's and our other network sites).

So what's up with the site? As usual, a LOT. Slug and the rest of the staff are still deciding exactly what we want to do for the upcoming level contest. I am toiling away at our new news script. It will be used across the network when it's finally done (right now it's almost there, it's in the testing/polishing phase right now). What does this mean to you? Probably not much, but we will be freed from the burden of manually archiving the news, which leaves more time for other stuff.

We're also working on our much delayed Massassi Player's Group - the design is in it's final stages (as a few of you probably saw when we jacked the news page over recently), and the scripts are almost done. Thanks to Dragonfly (of JK Depot) for the initial design. He will be running the site once it's open. I'm looking for a launch next weekend.

After that comes our ULTRA-delayed review section. It has actually been talked about since we started posting levels, but it should soon become a reality. I'm programming a "generic" review script that will interface with our levels and news scripts. We are going to launch it on Shadar Logoth before Massassi, though. This is because I have to re-program our levels section from scratch, as well as make a converter to convert the old format to the new. The new will sort the levels by alphabetical order, as well as allow you to search by author or sort by date. I really hope to roll this out on Massassi within a month, but with so much stuff going on offline, I don't know if I can meet that deadline. I will do my best.

Finally, I would like to give a huge thanks to the staff that have been keeping the site up. Also a big thanks to blujay for keeping up on the Screenshot of the Day, as well as his work to program a script for it.
Sunday, January 16, 2000
The House That Funk Built - Kedri
Last night Mehab4—of Irrelevant Skins notoriety—surreptitiously (look it up) posted an announcement on our Discussion Board last night announcing the grand opening of the International House of Funk, a site dedicated to, what else, all things flowing with funk. You'll find all kinds of stuff that's nothing less than chest-achingly funny. Head on over to http://jedilegacy.net/funk and check 'em out!