Long time, no see. So... how's everybody? How's stuff in gaming land? Etc and so on.

Speaking of which, what's everyone playing these days?

Of COURSE you're the first person to post since the site's been back up ...

I've (somewhat obviously) haven't had time for lots of other things lately - *but* I have managed to sneak in a little Team Fortress 2 now and again. As for single-player, I muddled my way through Crysis and decided to start replaying StarCraft in anticipation of the SC2 release this fall. I've done about half of BioShock - but that was about 6 months ago.

I'll give you a better update on life in another post, but wanted to catch you with a quick hello - since you've been so kind to welcome us back.

JB

Hmmm, I've just been doing work, college, and whatnot. I have xbox live but rarely play online. I play World of Warcraft. It's addicting. I also have Force Unleashed on hold and I have Battelfield 2142 although I don't play much.

I'd like to mention I just got done shooting a full length feature film and have entered it in Sundance for 09, besides that everythings been pretty regular.

I'd just like to mention that JK2 has given me the best online experience to date and I don't know if it will ever be matched. But perhaps by sticking with you all we can migrate to a new game and have more good times like we did years ago.

Awesome! Good luck. *crosses fingers*

You said a furry mouthful right there, sir.

I am hoping we can find something else, at least to most of our likings. I'll take ideas.

JB

And so.. the hiccup was scared into reparation by the Baen himself. Bravo. What keeps an old Coot busy these days? Artwork. Loads of it. Inking, penciling, painting - the works. Helping my budget? Not yet. But my sanity is saved. I don't know how many of you know it, but I am an artist. (And am STILL gonna upload a drawing of us savvy Jedi someday SOON ) I create graphic novels and illustrations. However, I work two jobs and thusly draw up a storm whenever I can manage. As for gaming... here's the current list:

Call of Duty 4
Bioshock (same sitch as you Jay, haha)
Mass Effect
Counter-Strike: Source (occasionally)

I'm getting excited for the new Red Alert game, and of course Force Unleashed (presuming they don't blow it again). I don't game as much as I used to in the before time, but I am up for a romp in something new if it'll bring us crabs out to play. Something new... or even the old sabers Either way it's incredibly nice to know you blokes are still kicking and screaming somewhere in the Free World. I say... perhaps we can attempt another LIVE meeting again? I seemed to have missed out on the giggles last time cause of various inconvenient reasons, but I'd like to slap some of your faces fo sho. Ehh.. that's all for now.

[Psst... in case I raised an eyebrow or 3, here's a link to random works I've been active enough to upload (unfortunately nothing new yet ) Artwork Enjoy!]

Demo Available Now Trailer doesn't look so bad....

TYRANNUS! Very old friend - good to hear from you.

I did download the demo last evening, but didn't try anything more than the training. (It's unfortunate how much I dislike console controllers over KB/Mice combos (though, I am thinking of upgrading the console to get that functionality - I just haven't had a good reason too ... yet!)) Looks like it will be good - I'll fill you in once I play the demo level.

As far as JO goes, I would love to dance the dance with you sometime if you've got the inclination. Let me know your schedule.

JB

When the devs insist on using re-imagined to describe the same force powers players already know, makes you wonder. Sounded a lot like, "Just rebuild it?! How #%&$!* original!"
I'm sure your judgment on such things is sound, though, JB. Looking forward to the expert review, meself.

Egads. Could this mean I have to ask Santa for a console now? AUGH!

The Spike TV amped up force powers video is kinda funny. Watch the devmeister's expression drop when Spike guy calls it The Force... Out of Control...again

The demo is very fun, they put the new euphoria engine and DMM to the test and it works great. the controls are smooth and natural, even for a controller. (Yes I also prefer the ole' Mouse and Keyboard.)

I wouldn't go out and lay down 300 bucks for a console then another 60 for the game though. The main reason I think I will love this game is actaully the story. I bought the book and it is incredible! There are many tie-ins, camoes, and suspense all in one. If you don't want to check out the game, definently give the book a read.

If you still have an itch for the game though there are plenty of online videos from E3 and demos, although they don't do justice to playing through it first hand. All in all it's nothing revolutionary for the average gamer. Only to us Star Wars nuts!

I got a chance to play the demo since last, and it is VERY promising. The pestering voice of the Dark Side whispers to us all, even to this day. Never has it had such appeal as with a saber in hand and lumps of hurling metal at foes! I am indeed excited for some storyline now... and with the Furby's review, it should probably be okay.

Hmm... Three luminaries; three thumbs up. You sure it's not worth the $360 investment, "Furby"?



Dark characters have always been a touch more complicated and interesting than the good guys. (Actors LOVE to play bad guys and they always cite that reason for it.) It does sound interesting that the main character starts out a dark side apprentice. Where Kyle was just a little enigmatic, sounds like this guy's challenges will be a lot tougher.

Devs say the main female character provides a "through her eyes" kind of perspective on his journey through the game, which also sounds more interesting than Jan's tired quips. (I killed her twice and shot her in the foot more times than I could count in JO's SP mode.) The other main female sounds intriquing, too.

Ah, jeez. What am I... talking myself into it or something? Augh!

And, to add to it ... I did get through the demo level last night.

Tyr's comments on "lumps of hurling metal at foes" is right on. You do literally just that, and not just any metal ... Tie Fighters, if you'd like.

The most disorienting thing for me are (no surprise here) the controls, specifically the camera view. There's nothing more crippling than the "up and down look" being inverted - even more so when attached to a joystick where my brain so desperately wants to treat it like a flight control where pulling back looks up. I know there are some other options for input devices on the market. If I can solve that ...

... this will be a very attractive game, esp. to any of us JO'ers /methinks. For all those years playing on the other side of the force (well, most of us - Tyr ) - this really is a whole new angle. Added to that, the few times we'd ever Don the force-grip-clothing, there wasn't a lot to do with it - until now.

I think my favorite force power in the demo is the Force Push. This isn't your granny's JKO force push, either. The leveled-up, (that's right - force power effects increase proportionate to skill) charged-up Force Push is both destructive as hell and entertaining to boot. Watching the charged Push in combo with the physics engine is a down right work of art. If only we had that in JKO (of course, we would have never done any sabering)...

... which isn't quite what any of us want - but will do the job for the SP. True console junkies will find the sabering to act like any other find-the-right-combo-of-buttons-to-push-on-the-controller-and-you're-a-badass game character. For the rest of us who understand JKO's attraction that is it's sabering system, we'll use the saber as another item in the arsenal, but will likely be more enamored with the Force wizardry - which they've clearly concentrated on.

I give it a thumbs-up. Like Hammy - would I suggest buying a console *just* for the game - no. But if you were thinking about a Blu-ray player anyway ...

JB

Knew there was some reason I should've gone for that.

Is this game ONLY for consoles or is it going to make its way to actual computers, too?

Rugg

P.s. (I'm back too.)

Soooooooo good to have you back! (Hope your vacation was a good one, too).

I don't know that answer. I'd most definitely rather play it on a PC (for so many reasons).

See screenshot.

(though, I must admit ... the Wii seems to be the most appetizing of all if I can't play it on a PC - but, I own a PS3. Hammy may have to chime in here).

JB

Uh... welcome back Ruggi!



Alas, I've heard it will not, which makes sense. Seems if they planned to release it for actual computers (), they would have done so along with all the other platforms. Time will tell?

Consoles only, it's play style wouldn't really work with a mouse and keyboard IMO. I do wish they'd make a new Jedi Knight game for us to reunite on though.

Phooey. Thought so. There was a great disturbance in the Force when JB indicated "the saber would be just another tool in the arsenal" despite that "for the rest of us who understand JKO's attraction ... is it's sabering system".

So... are we talking "dance" or... "button-mashing" (as I've heard it described elsewhere)?

Lots o' mashing.

If you've played any of the Motal Kombat games, you know how to use the saber in TFU.

Some of the 'specials' do look pretty - but it doesn't take any more talent to wield them other than a good memory.

JB

How UNFUN is all this 'only release for consoles' stuff?

I wonder if the mods to JK3 have made it any better in terms of movement?

R

We tried a couple - there's likely a few more now.

What I don't know (simply because I've been out of that loop too long ... and really, never in the JK3 loop) is what the *community standard* has evolved to for that game. I'd certainly be willing to do some hunting.

Anyone interested?

JB

Boooo. (Sounds vaguely familiar.) I imagine it's a little hard to tell from just a demo, though, eh? Perchance, when a few of the console owners have had a chance to play the full game, they'll be able to size up the overall experience for the rest of us?

Thanks guys.

Here's some more info on the game from a recent GameSpy article.

JB

And, this one from the Playstation.blog.

JB

<---- doesn't and won't own a console.

Howdy folks! Glad to see the site is back.

I've been busy and I've started a new job which means I have tons of time to troll... err... post here.

I just found my Jedi disks last week after building a new system so if anyone is up for kicking my butt let me know.

I also play:

TF2 (PC)
DODS (PC)
COD4 (PC and Xbox)
Uno (Xbox)
Ticket to Ride (Xbox)
Rock Band 2 (Xbox)- out in a few days

On a side note:


Damn I feel old

... yeah - remember when Ham was 13?

@ Rugg - if it gives you any inspiration, my excuse was that I was buying a Blu-Ray player ... it just happened to be a console, too. And - it *is* a great Blu-Ray, something for which an artist would love the eye candy.

You know you want to force grip me ...

the thought has occurred to me..........

Anyone going to be in San Francisco anytime on Monday?

JB

13?! Woah, has it really been. . . 7 years we've spent here?

On a side note, My Xbox 360 got the notorious "Red Rings of Death"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360_technical_problems

My computer also crashed when performing a Windows Vista Ultimate update which corrupted my registry file so that I can't even use it. I am posting via laptop now, I plan to take my computer in tomorrow to get the hard drive backed up since it still has important footage to the film I made on it. After that I can reformat my Hard drive and start over. As well as purchase I new xbox before the Force Unleashed gets "unleashed" tomorrow at midnight!

P.S. I plan to give a full review for you all as soon as I finish PWNING stormtroopers til the break of many dawns!

P.P.S. Rugg, if you even think about bashing Windows or PC's and compare them to Macs I will give you my Wookiee wrath tenfold.

Close to that - this fun all started late 2002.

(Does your Vista machine boot, Ham?)

JB

Loads up to a black screen with white font saying 0x00000e9 Windows failed to load because the system registry file is missing or corrupted.

The first time it did this after a windows update. I used the original vista disc to do a system restore. after this worked I tried the update thinking it was a fluke and it updated and started up fine. Then a few hours later it froze and I had to manually shut it down. then it popped up with the first 0x00000e9 error again but the vista disc doesn't allow me to restore this time around.

You may want to get a new HD while you're at it (since you're rebuilding anyway ...)

JB

I built a new PC... which will probably be my last build. So now I have a quad-core AMD Phenom 9950. It uses an onboard AT Rodian 3300 which actually gets good FPS on older games.

See good FPS from a Rodian... and everyone here says they suck.

How do they fit him on there? Is he in some kind of cage? Call the ASPCR!

Silly Rodian. Look at your fingers. They work exactly like those little Garfields people stick on their car windows.

An early review of TFU.

(Looks like someone else has the same issues with the controls and camera that I do - though, is a bit more harsh on the overall. I haven't bought the full game yet).

JB

Well I got it! I beat it in less than a day, it took about 8 hours total without rushing through it. The story is amazing. The graphics are done well and polished. The controls are wierd at first, but once you get about midway through they start to rubb off on you. It isn't worth buying the console for but if you have a console already and are a star wars fan then knock yourself out. Aside from the game being really short they added in some nice unlockables such as costumes, lightsaber crystals, and a nifty leveling system to upgrade force powers, combos, and attributes. Again not a must buy, but definently worth the 60 bucks for me!

If you all have any questions, I'll do my best to answer.

A marathon session, eh? Sweet.

I heard on the grapevine that it was pretty buggy -- walls with turrets that suddenly turned into skyboxes; floating stormtroopers manning non-existent turrets; fighting staffs in mid-air a model suddenly materialized holding a few seconds later; etc.

Experience anything like that? What kind of rating would you give it? Was it ready for release?

Welcome back RJ

Thank you, sir. Glad to see you're still around.

JB

It's good to see your site/forums are back, I noticed them gone a few months or so ago and inquired about it on IM to one of the RJ members. I actually noticed the other day you guys were back when I was double checking my bookmarks before deleting the ones that were no longer good.

We lost our site/forums about a week ago, we never got a renewal notice and once our paid time was up, all our data was lost and someone else snatched up the url and built one of those search engine pages.

Anyways, lastnight, I created a new set of forums for Rising Order and am still building it up. It's free with limited space, unless we want to pay for more storage. the forums are located at Rising Order

The omgforum in the url is on purpose. The hosting site offers many different categories, such as gaming, movies or whatever, and gave many options for that portion of the url. I picked the omgforums for humorous reasons.

Thanks for the heads-up Darc. Good to see you're still trolling around with us ...

JB

We've pretty much turned into a forums clan. lol We haven't has a server in the jk series games in a long time, there just wasn't enough activity in the server to warrant having one.

I set one up on my newest gaming rig once in awhile, aside from some of us going to servers of our allies and friends. We've been tossing around expanding into other games as well, while trying to maintain our roots a bit, in the jk series.