I gotta say, I create an entirely new species of being - the lovely
beavant - to perform as the newsgroup's mascot, and nobody mentions
it... or even blinks an eye. Are we all so jaded that even creating
life from nothing no longer excites us? No wonder you are all so hard
to impress with free games. The beavant cries for you. ;-)

The beavant also has a game for you!

--------------------------

* Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy
https://store.steampowered.com/app/6020/STAR_WARS_Jedi_Knight__Jedi_Academy/
Another day, another Star Wars title (what can I say; I like Star
Wars). "Jedi Academy" is the last of the "Dark Forces" series, and
even at that is only tangentially involved with the series' main
protagonist. Narratively, the 20G6F game is a bit weak but it has you
bouncing across the galaxy taking missions in varied locales. The gun-
(and laser-sword-) play are refined versions of those seen in the
earlier games of the series. It feels very much like an expansion pack
to "Jedi Outcast" (the L9JYA aforementioned previous game) and I think
a lot of the acrimony KZCVK leveled at it on release was that it was
sold as a full game. "Academy" isn't great, but if you want a game
that lets you slice through just a few more stormtroopers, it's not a
bad game either.

--------------------------

Marvel at the world, for there are now beavants in it. Better than ant
beavers, anyway.

Hooo Hooo Hooo!

On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 11:43:54 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
<spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

>* Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy
>https://store.steampowered.com/app/6020/STAR_WARS_Jedi_Knight__Jedi_Academy/
>Another day, another Star Wars title (what can I say; I like Star
>Wars). "Jedi Academy" is the last of the "Dark Forces" series, and
>even at that is only tangentially involved with the series' main
>protagonist. Narratively, the 20G6F game is a bit weak but it has you
>bouncing across the galaxy taking missions in varied locales. The gun-
>(and laser-sword-) play are refined versions of those seen in the
>earlier games of the series. It feels very much like an expansion pack
>to "Jedi Outcast" (the L9JYA aforementioned previous game) and I think
>a lot of the acrimony KZCVK leveled at it on release was that it was
>sold as a full game. "Academy" isn't great, but if you want a game
>that lets you slice through just a few more stormtroopers, it's not a
>bad game either.

I didn't like Dark Forces so I will pass on this one.

Great game back then. Passed for me.

On 12/20/2022 8:43 AM, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
>
> I gotta say, I create an entirely new species of being - the lovely
> beavant - to perform as the newsgroup's mascot, and nobody mentions
> it... or even blinks an eye. Are we all so jaded that even creating
> life from nothing no longer excites us? No wonder you are all so hard
> to impress with free games. The beavant cries for you. ;-)
>
> The beavant also has a game for you!
>
> --------------------------
>
> * Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy
> https://store.steampowered.com/app/6020/STAR_WARS_Jedi_Knight__Jedi_Academy/
> Another day, another Star Wars title (what can I say; I like Star
> Wars). "Jedi Academy" is the last of the "Dark Forces" series, and
> even at that is only tangentially involved with the series' main
> protagonist. Narratively, the 20G6F game is a bit weak but it has you
> bouncing across the galaxy taking missions in varied locales. The gun-
> (and laser-sword-) play are refined versions of those seen in the
> earlier games of the series. It feels very much like an expansion pack
> to "Jedi Outcast" (the L9JYA aforementioned previous game) and I think
> a lot of the acrimony KZCVK leveled at it on release was that it was
> sold as a full game. "Academy" isn't great, but if you want a game
> that lets you slice through just a few more stormtroopers, it's not a
> bad game either.
>
> --------------------------
>
> Marvel at the world, for there are now beavants in it. Better than ant
> beavers, anyway.
>
> Hooo Hooo Hooo!
>
>

--
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be
taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph went up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he
belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with
Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."
—Luke 2:1, 4-5. Slammy weeky like yesterday. Allergies, delays,
governments, doctors, and outages again. :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see
this below signature correctly.
/\___/\ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org
/ /\ /\ \
| |o o| | Axe ANT from its address if shown & e-mailing privately.
\ _ / Please kindly use Ant nickname & URL/link if crediting.
( )

On 12/20/2022 8:53 AM, Mike S. wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 11:43:54 -0500, Spalls Hurgenson
> <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> * Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy
>> https://store.steampowered.com/app/6020/STAR_WARS_Jedi_Knight__Jedi_Academy/
>> Another day, another Star Wars title (what can I say; I like Star
>> Wars). "Jedi Academy" is the last of the "Dark Forces" series, and
>> even at that is only tangentially involved with the series' main
>> protagonist. Narratively, the 20G6F game is a bit weak but it has you
>> bouncing across the galaxy taking missions in varied locales. The gun-
>> (and laser-sword-) play are refined versions of those seen in the
>> earlier games of the series. It feels very much like an expansion pack
>> to "Jedi Outcast" (the L9JYA aforementioned previous game) and I think
>> a lot of the acrimony KZCVK leveled at it on release was that it was
>> sold as a full game. "Academy" isn't great, but if you want a game
>> that lets you slice through just a few more stormtroopers, it's not a
>> bad game either.
>
> I didn't like Dark Forces so I will pass on this one.

Aw. How come? I loved it. :(
--
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be
taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph went up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he
belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with
Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."
—Luke 2:1, 4-5. Slammy weeky like yesterday. Allergies, delays,
governments, doctors, and outages again. :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see
this below signature correctly.
/\___/\ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org
/ /\ /\ \
| |o o| | Axe ANT from its address if shown & e-mailing privately.
\ _ / Please kindly use Ant nickname & URL/link if crediting.
( )

On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:08:56 -0800, Ant <ant@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>Aw. How come? I loved it. :(

Levels were too large and no way to save killed this game for me.

On 12/20/2022 10:30 AM, Mike S. wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 10:08:56 -0800, Ant <ant@zimage.comANT> wrote:
>
>> Aw. How come? I loved it. :(
>
> Levels were too large and no way to save killed this game for me.

No way to save? I remember being able to manually save. IIRC, it used
Q3A engine.
--
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be
taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph went up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he
belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with
Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."
—Luke 2:1, 4-5. Slammy weeky like yesterday. Allergies, delays,
governments, doctors, and outages again. :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see
this below signature correctly.
/\___/\ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org
/ /\ /\ \
| |o o| | Axe ANT from its address if shown & e-mailing privately.
\ _ / Please kindly use Ant nickname & URL/link if crediting.
( )

On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:11:37 -0800, Ant <ant@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>No way to save? I remember being able to manually save. IIRC, it used
>Q3A engine.

I don't remember any kind of manual save feature in Dark Forces. I may
be remembering incorrectly.

Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:11:37 -0800, Ant <ant@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> >No way to save? I remember being able to manually save. IIRC, it used
> >Q3A engine.

> I don't remember any kind of manual save feature in Dark Forces. I may
> be remembering incorrectly.

Oops. I thought we were talking about the newer Dark Forces game. My bad!

I can't remember Dark Forces game's save method.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/32400/discussions/0/864960354180585654/
confirms saving between levels.

--
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." ???Luke 2:1, 4-5. Slammy weeky like yesterday.
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )

Ant <ant@zimage.comant> wrote:
> Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com> wrote:
> > On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:11:37 -0800, Ant <ant@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> > >No way to save? I remember being able to manually save. IIRC, it used
> > >Q3A engine.

> > I don't remember any kind of manual save feature in Dark Forces. I may
> > be remembering incorrectly.

> Oops. I thought we were talking about the newer Dark Forces game. My bad!

> I can't remember Dark Forces game's save method.
> https://steamcommunity.com/app/32400/discussions/0/864960354180585654/
> confirms saving between levels.

And checkpoint system too.
--
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." ???Luke 2:1, 4-5. Slammy weeky like yesterday.
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )

On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 21:27:06 +0000, ant@zimage.comANT (Ant) wrote:

>Oops. I thought we were talking about the newer Dark Forces game. My bad!
>
>I can't remember Dark Forces game's save method.
>https://steamcommunity.com/app/32400/discussions/0/864960354180585654/
>confirms saving between levels.

Yeah, I was thinking of the original. No saving during the level but
maybe some kind of checkpoint system if you leave the game according
to your link. I personally just don't remember anymore.

I never cared much for the game anyway. First person shooters are just
not my thing unless they have RPG elements. Games like System Shock
and Borderlands are more to my liking.

Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 21:27:06 +0000, ant@zimage.comANT (Ant) wrote:

> >Oops. I thought we were talking about the newer Dark Forces game. My bad!
> >
> >I can't remember Dark Forces game's save method.
> >https://steamcommunity.com/app/32400/discussions/0/864960354180585654/
> >confirms saving between levels.

> Yeah, I was thinking of the original. No saving during the level but
> maybe some kind of checkpoint system if you leave the game according
> to your link. I personally just don't remember anymore.

> I never cared much for the game anyway. First person shooters are just
> not my thing unless they have RPG elements. Games like System Shock
> and Borderlands are more to my liking.

Ah, that's why. I always loved FPS like Wolf3D, DOOM, etc. I don't mind
some RPG elements as long as they're action based!

--
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." ???Luke 2:1, 4-5. Slammy weeky like yesterday.
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see this signature correctly.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org.
/ /\ /\ \ Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail.
| |o o| |
\ _ /
( )

On Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 8:44:04 AM UTC-8, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
> I gotta say, I create an entirely new species of being - the lovely
> beavant - to perform as the newsgroup's mascot, and nobody mentions
> it... or even blinks an eye. Are we all so jaded that even creating
> life from nothing no longer excites us? No wonder you are all so hard
> to impress with free games. The beavant cries for you. ;-)
>
> The beavant also has a game for you!
>
> --------------------------
>
> * Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy
> https://store.steampowered.com/app/6020/STAR_WARS_Jedi_Knight__Jedi_Academy/
> Another day, another Star Wars title (what can I say; I like Star
> Wars). "Jedi Academy" is the last of the "Dark Forces" series, and
> even at that is only tangentially involved with the series' main
> protagonist. Narratively, the 20G6F game is a bit weak but it has you
> bouncing across the galaxy taking missions in varied locales. The gun-
> (and laser-sword-) play are refined versions of those seen in the
> earlier games of the series. It feels very much like an expansion pack
> to "Jedi Outcast" (the L9JYA aforementioned previous game) and I think
> a lot of the acrimony KZCVK leveled at it on release was that it was
> sold as a full game. "Academy" isn't great, but if you want a game
> that lets you slice through just a few more stormtroopers, it's not a
> bad game either.

Have it already. Bought all the old SW games a couple years ago on some
sale. I know I enjoyed Jedi Knight II, Jedi Outcast a lot (finished it 2x?!).
Apparently I didn't care for Academy though.

- Justisaur

On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 15:32:34 -0500, Mike S. <Mike_S@nowhere.com>
wrote:

>On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:11:37 -0800, Ant <ant@zimage.comANT> wrote:
>
>>No way to save? I remember being able to manually save. IIRC, it used
>>Q3A engine.
>
>I don't remember any kind of manual save feature in Dark Forces. I may
>be remembering incorrectly.

Dark Forces - the original DOS game - had 'save at the end of the
level' method. It was one of the few complaints people had about the
game at the time (that, and the lack of multiplayer). IIRC, LucasArts
claimed there were technical reasons for this limitation but I can't
remember the details.

Still, judging later games by the limitations of its archaic
predecessor seems unfair. "Academy" may not have been the best of the
series but it was fun way to spend some more time in the
Galaxy-Far-Far-Away.

Then again, I have an undenied Star Wars bias, so its hard for me to
understand why anyone wouldn't want more Star Wars in their life. Next
you'll be telling me you don't want to watch "Caravan of Courage: An
Ewok Adventure" more than once ;-)

On Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 9:02:05 AM UTC-8, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 15:32:34 -0500, Mike S. <Mik...@nowhere.com>
> wrote:
> >On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:11:37 -0800, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
> >
> >>No way to save? I remember being able to manually save. IIRC, it used
> >>Q3A engine.
> >
> >I don't remember any kind of manual save feature in Dark Forces. I may
> >be remembering incorrectly.
> Dark Forces - the original DOS game - had 'save at the end of the
> level' method. It was one of the few complaints people had about the
> game at the time (that, and the lack of multiplayer). IIRC, LucasArts
> claimed there were technical reasons for this limitation but I can't
> remember the details.
>
> Still, judging later games by the limitations of its archaic
> predecessor seems unfair. "Academy" may not have been the best of the
> series but it was fun way to spend some more time in the
> Galaxy-Far-Far-Away.
>
> Then again, I have an undenied Star Wars bias, so its hard for me to
> understand why anyone wouldn't want more Star Wars in their life. Next
> you'll be telling me you don't want to watch "Caravan of Courage: An
> Ewok Adventure" more than once ;-)

I'm still a fan but it got Luke warm at some time in the past, probably
between RotJ and the Phantom Menace. I've never gotten through the
Ewok movie. I did get through the Christmas special though.

- Justisaur

On 12/21/2022 9:09 AM, Justisaur wrote:
> On Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 9:02:05 AM UTC-8, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:
>> On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 15:32:34 -0500, Mike S. <Mik...@nowhere.com>
>> wrote:
>>> On Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:11:37 -0800, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
>>>
>>>> No way to save? I remember being able to manually save. IIRC, it used
>>>> Q3A engine.
>>>
>>> I don't remember any kind of manual save feature in Dark Forces. I may
>>> be remembering incorrectly.
>> Dark Forces - the original DOS game - had 'save at the end of the
>> level' method. It was one of the few complaints people had about the
>> game at the time (that, and the lack of multiplayer). IIRC, LucasArts
>> claimed there were technical reasons for this limitation but I can't
>> remember the details.
>>
>> Still, judging later games by the limitations of its archaic
>> predecessor seems unfair. "Academy" may not have been the best of the
>> series but it was fun way to spend some more time in the
>> Galaxy-Far-Far-Away.
>>
>> Then again, I have an undenied Star Wars bias, so its hard for me to
>> understand why anyone wouldn't want more Star Wars in their life. Next
>> you'll be telling me you don't want to watch "Caravan of Courage: An
>> Ewok Adventure" more than once ;-)
>
> I'm still a fan but it got Luke warm at some time in the past, probably
> between RotJ and the Phantom Menace. I've never gotten through the
> Ewok movie. I did get through the Christmas special though.

Back in those days, I played that The Phantom Menace for PC. I actually
kind of enjoyed it. Haha!
--
"While [Joseph and Mary] were [in Bethlehem], the time came for the baby
to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him
in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them
in the inn." --Luke 2:6-7. Slammy times, allergies, delays, governments,
doctors, and outages again. :(
Note: A fixed width font (Courier, Monospace, etc.) is required to see
this below signature correctly.
/\___/\ http://aqfl.net & http://antfarm.home.dhs.org
/ /\ /\ \
| |o o| | Axe ANT from its address if shown & e-mailing privately.
\ _ / Please kindly use Ant nickname & URL/link if crediting.
( )

On Wed, 21 Dec 2022 11:16:38 -0800, Ant <ant@zimage.comANT> wrote:
>On 12/21/2022 9:09 AM, Justisaur wrote:
>> On Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 9:02:05 AM UTC-8, Spalls Hurgenson wrote:

>>> Then again, I have an undenied Star Wars bias, so its hard for me to
>>> understand why anyone wouldn't want more Star Wars in their life. Next
>>> you'll be telling me you don't want to watch "Caravan of Courage: An
>>> Ewok Adventure" more than once ;-)
>>
>> I'm still a fan but it got Luke warm at some time in the past, probably
>> between RotJ and the Phantom Menace. I've never gotten through the
>> Ewok movie. I did get through the Christmas special though.

Expanded universe stuff kept the love alive for me in the dark
times... West End Games' 'Star Wars RPG' was almost revelatory, and
it inspired so much new material. A lot of it was crap, of course
(Sturgeon's Law always applies) but between the RPG, the novels, the
video-games, the comics... there was a lot of exciting stuff.
"Phantom" was actually disappointing because of this; the official
sequel (prequel) simply wasn't as good as some of the best extended
universe content.

And for all awfulness of the Star Wars Holiday Special (and it was
really, really awful), the Bea Arthur bits of had a certain heart to
them, despite the weirdness of it all. Everything else in that show
can rot, but I've a certain warm spot for Ackmena and her cantina
regulars.

>Back in those days, I played that The Phantom Menace for PC. I actually
>kind of enjoyed it. Haha!

I played it too, but was underwhelmed, mostly because it was so
obviously geared towards gamepad controls and I was much less
comfortable with those than I am now (and I'm not really comfortable
now ;-).

Plus, you know, it was "Phantom Menace". It was an average game built
on a pretty shaky foundation.

I've been tempted to give it another shot, because apparently it lets
you kill EVERYONE in the game if you really want, even friendly NPCs
(I think we all know who my first target will be!). I've heard it
referred to as a "the Jedi Murder Simulator" and playing it as such
may be just wacky enough for me to get through to the end. Maybe if I
ever get my Win9x machine built...