Korben_Dallas
25-06-2003, 23:37
http://www.homelanfed.com/index.php?id=15092
The Dark Forces/Jedi Knight/Jedi Outcast series of first person action games from LucasArts have all centered around the character of Kyle Katarn but the latest and upcoming game in the series, Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy from developer Raven Software, has the player actually create his own Jedi Knight for the next chapter in this part of the Star Wars saga. HomeLAN got a chance to chat with Raven Software's project administrator Kenn Hoekstra to find out more about their plans for Jedi Academy.
HomeLAN - First, were Raven and LucasArts pleased with the notices Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast received from gamers and critics?
Kenn Hoekstra - Yes. Raven was very proud to have worked on a Star Wars game that critics and gamers felt was a worthy successor to Dark Forces and Jedi Knight. Activision and LucasArts were also quite pleased in that regard. We were happy to have the chance to work in the Star Wars universe again on Jedi Academy.
HomeLAN - When the decision was made to make yet another Jedi Knight game what were the development team's main goals?
Kenn Hoekstra - What we really wanted to do was expand on everything that worked well in JKII and to add new game elements to bring another dimension to the series. Thus, we added new lightsabers, new force powers, more recognizable Star Wars characters, and more levels based on what was well received in JKII. We also wanted to allow the player to create their own Jedi experience in the game rather than follow a pre-determined character like in past games. We allow the player to create their own Jedi character, choose their own force powers as they progress through the game, and really decide how they want to play through the game by allowing them to choose their own missions. Also, by including more episodic and less linear missions allowed us to go to more locations with varying gameplay
HomeLAN - Kyle Katarn is still in Jedi Academy but as a non-playable character. Does this mean we have seen the last of his considerable character arc in the game?
Kenn Hoekstra - As the player’s mentor, Kyle is still a big part of Jedi Academy. As for his future in the series, we have no information on that.
HomeLAN - Jedi Academy will allow the player to make his or her own character for the single player game. Can you go into more detail on how this RPG-like feature is handled in the game?
Kenn Hoekstra - During the initial creation process, players can choose to play as a Human male or female, Rodian male, Twi’lek female, Kel Dor male and Zabrak female. Once they’ve chosen the species, they can mix and match a variety of heads, legs, and torsos along with their corresponding costumes (including color changes) to create the exact look of the character they want. Once players have their look down, you can choose your weapon from a variety of saber handles and blade colors. Eventually the player will be able to adopt different fighting styles and sabers (you start with a single saber).
HomeLAN - We have heard that the single player campaign will have some non-linear elements. Can you talk more about the storyline and how it will be presented?
Kenn Hoekstra - The bulk of the storyline is still being kept under wraps because there are a number of surprises in store for the player along the way.
As to how the story will be presented, Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn will send the player on missions to further his or her Jedi training. The player will be presented with a series of missions and can complete them in any order they wish. You can choose the mission you want to undertake, the force power you want to train in, and the weapons you want to bring with you. You can complete all of the missions available to you, or skip some (at the cost of the ability to gain or advance in more Force powers). At certain points you will advance in the Jedi Academy hierarchy and new missions, saber styles and fighting styles will become available to you.
HomeLAN - What new weapons and Force powers will be featured in the new game?
Kenn Hoekstra - In addition to the double-bladed lightsabers and dual lightsaber, we have added the DL-44 Heavy Blaster and Stouker Concussion Rifle. For new force powers, we’ve added Sense, Absorb, Protect, Rage and Drain.
HomeLAN - What recognizable Star Wars characters will make appearances in the new game?
Kenn Hoekstra - Confirmed faces include Luke Skywalker, Kyle Katarn and Chewbacca. There are a few more surprise appearances as well, but we want it to be a surprise. From a more general creature standpoint, you’ll also see a Rancor, Tauntauns, Jawas and Sand People, among others.
HomeLAN - What multiplayer modes will be featured in Jedi Academy?
Kenn Hoekstra - Jedi Academy multiplayer will feature Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Duel, Power Duel and Siege game types.
HomeLAN - What new modifications will Raven make to the Quake III engine for use in Jedi Academy?
Kenn Hoekstra - Quake III engine modifications implemented for Jedi Academy include, but are not limited to:
Character customization system - allows players to create their own Jedi in both single player and multiplayer. There are several thousand possible character combinations currently.
Ghoul II enhancements including the Ghoul infinite Model modification system - Allows for modular model enhancements, custom colorization, and expanded animation support
New ICARUS II scripting system for Single player and Multiplayer. Now allows for scripted events in multiplayer matches.
New map creation tools allowing for models to be used as in world objects instead of just textures to help create richer 3-D environments.
New non-linear mission progression system.
Raven’s ARIOCHE terrain system.
Portal skies
Rag doll skeletal system
Enhanced vehicle system. Allows for new ride-able vehicles in addition to previous drive-able ones.
Character and vehicle enhancements are designed to enable expanded mod support.
HomeLAN - What differences, if any, will there be between the Xbox and PC versions of the game?
Kenn Hoekstra - Vicarious Visions is developing the X-Box version concurrently with Raven Software’s PC version, so the games are essentially identical content-wise.
HomeLAN - What is the current status of the game's progress and when will it be released?
Kenn Hoekstra - We’re post alpha and pre beta right now. We are on track for a Fall 2003 release.
http://www.homelanfed.com/images/jcal/jedia1.jpg
The Dark Forces/Jedi Knight/Jedi Outcast series of first person action games from LucasArts have all centered around the character of Kyle Katarn but the latest and upcoming game in the series, Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy from developer Raven Software, has the player actually create his own Jedi Knight for the next chapter in this part of the Star Wars saga. HomeLAN got a chance to chat with Raven Software's project administrator Kenn Hoekstra to find out more about their plans for Jedi Academy.
HomeLAN - First, were Raven and LucasArts pleased with the notices Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast received from gamers and critics?
Kenn Hoekstra - Yes. Raven was very proud to have worked on a Star Wars game that critics and gamers felt was a worthy successor to Dark Forces and Jedi Knight. Activision and LucasArts were also quite pleased in that regard. We were happy to have the chance to work in the Star Wars universe again on Jedi Academy.
HomeLAN - When the decision was made to make yet another Jedi Knight game what were the development team's main goals?
Kenn Hoekstra - What we really wanted to do was expand on everything that worked well in JKII and to add new game elements to bring another dimension to the series. Thus, we added new lightsabers, new force powers, more recognizable Star Wars characters, and more levels based on what was well received in JKII. We also wanted to allow the player to create their own Jedi experience in the game rather than follow a pre-determined character like in past games. We allow the player to create their own Jedi character, choose their own force powers as they progress through the game, and really decide how they want to play through the game by allowing them to choose their own missions. Also, by including more episodic and less linear missions allowed us to go to more locations with varying gameplay
HomeLAN - Kyle Katarn is still in Jedi Academy but as a non-playable character. Does this mean we have seen the last of his considerable character arc in the game?
Kenn Hoekstra - As the player’s mentor, Kyle is still a big part of Jedi Academy. As for his future in the series, we have no information on that.
HomeLAN - Jedi Academy will allow the player to make his or her own character for the single player game. Can you go into more detail on how this RPG-like feature is handled in the game?
Kenn Hoekstra - During the initial creation process, players can choose to play as a Human male or female, Rodian male, Twi’lek female, Kel Dor male and Zabrak female. Once they’ve chosen the species, they can mix and match a variety of heads, legs, and torsos along with their corresponding costumes (including color changes) to create the exact look of the character they want. Once players have their look down, you can choose your weapon from a variety of saber handles and blade colors. Eventually the player will be able to adopt different fighting styles and sabers (you start with a single saber).
HomeLAN - We have heard that the single player campaign will have some non-linear elements. Can you talk more about the storyline and how it will be presented?
Kenn Hoekstra - The bulk of the storyline is still being kept under wraps because there are a number of surprises in store for the player along the way.
As to how the story will be presented, Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn will send the player on missions to further his or her Jedi training. The player will be presented with a series of missions and can complete them in any order they wish. You can choose the mission you want to undertake, the force power you want to train in, and the weapons you want to bring with you. You can complete all of the missions available to you, or skip some (at the cost of the ability to gain or advance in more Force powers). At certain points you will advance in the Jedi Academy hierarchy and new missions, saber styles and fighting styles will become available to you.
HomeLAN - What new weapons and Force powers will be featured in the new game?
Kenn Hoekstra - In addition to the double-bladed lightsabers and dual lightsaber, we have added the DL-44 Heavy Blaster and Stouker Concussion Rifle. For new force powers, we’ve added Sense, Absorb, Protect, Rage and Drain.
HomeLAN - What recognizable Star Wars characters will make appearances in the new game?
Kenn Hoekstra - Confirmed faces include Luke Skywalker, Kyle Katarn and Chewbacca. There are a few more surprise appearances as well, but we want it to be a surprise. From a more general creature standpoint, you’ll also see a Rancor, Tauntauns, Jawas and Sand People, among others.
HomeLAN - What multiplayer modes will be featured in Jedi Academy?
Kenn Hoekstra - Jedi Academy multiplayer will feature Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Duel, Power Duel and Siege game types.
HomeLAN - What new modifications will Raven make to the Quake III engine for use in Jedi Academy?
Kenn Hoekstra - Quake III engine modifications implemented for Jedi Academy include, but are not limited to:
Character customization system - allows players to create their own Jedi in both single player and multiplayer. There are several thousand possible character combinations currently.
Ghoul II enhancements including the Ghoul infinite Model modification system - Allows for modular model enhancements, custom colorization, and expanded animation support
New ICARUS II scripting system for Single player and Multiplayer. Now allows for scripted events in multiplayer matches.
New map creation tools allowing for models to be used as in world objects instead of just textures to help create richer 3-D environments.
New non-linear mission progression system.
Raven’s ARIOCHE terrain system.
Portal skies
Rag doll skeletal system
Enhanced vehicle system. Allows for new ride-able vehicles in addition to previous drive-able ones.
Character and vehicle enhancements are designed to enable expanded mod support.
HomeLAN - What differences, if any, will there be between the Xbox and PC versions of the game?
Kenn Hoekstra - Vicarious Visions is developing the X-Box version concurrently with Raven Software’s PC version, so the games are essentially identical content-wise.
HomeLAN - What is the current status of the game's progress and when will it be released?
Kenn Hoekstra - We’re post alpha and pre beta right now. We are on track for a Fall 2003 release.
http://www.homelanfed.com/images/jcal/jedia1.jpg