Jedi Academy: Shadows of the Empire Mod

Well, I've been on a SotE kick for a while, reading the book & comics, borrowing the soundtrack CD.

I've decided that it would be a nice idea to make a Shadows of the Empire mod for Jedi Academy. So being a proactive sort of guy, I'm gonna do it. Slowly.

What I propose is a mod that more or less follows the SOTE game, but possibly expands in some places with the storylines from the Comic and Book. It would still follow Dash Rendar, but perhaps could flick over to Luke, Leia or Chewie for certain scenes if necessary.

Perhaps, with permission, the Hoth Siege map Emon is working on could be converted into 2 (or more) SP levels, a snowspeeder / outside one (without tow cables!) and an indoors Echo Base one. Other vehicle levels would be the swoop chase on tatooine, and the trains leading into the scrapyards.

The space flight levels could be replaced with expanded Ground missions, or just shown in cutscenes to make the story flow.

Here's something I whipped up quickly to whet your appetite;

[image=http://www.hansen.net.nz/skins/sote-jo-loadingscreen.jpg]

I'll try and get a basic website up sometime before next week to begin to co-ordinate the mod (but I have other projects to work on that take priority - the DF mod for one, plus some model skinning) so don't expect to see much progress in the short term.

 

Consider my appetite well and truely whetted!

Ahh hell, now I can't wait for the game even worse than before.

 

Shadows of the Empire Mod "checklist"

Characters

Rebels
Dash Rendar
Leia
Leia (Boushh)
Chewbacca
Chewbacca (Snoova)
Lando Calrissian
Luke Skywalker
Han Solo (in carbonite)*
Leebo
R2-D2*
C-3PO*

Imperials
Emperor*
Darth Vader*
Emperor?s Royal Guards*
Officers
Stormtroopers
Probe Droids

Black Sun / Other
Prince Xizor
Guri
IG-88
Gladiator Droid
Boba Fett
Coruscant Guards
Jabba etc*

Locations
Echo Base, Hoth
Mos Eisley / Beggar's Canyon, Tatooine
Scrapyards, Ord Mantell
Gall Spaceport
Suprosa (Imperial Freighter)
Sewers, Xizor's Palace, Coruscant
Skyhook Battle*

Vehicles
Swoops
Outrider
Milennium Falcon
Trains
Jetpack
AT-AT
AT-ST
X-Wing*
Tie Fighters*
Black Sun fighters*
Star Destroyers*



* Probably for cutscenes only


I will utilise existing models and maps as much as possible (where permission is given), and try and concentrate on the story and mission structures.

Where existing models are not up to standard (eg. Xizor), I will try and make ones from scratch or recruit others who may wish to help.

My strategy will be to work on one level at a time, finishing and releasing before moving on to the next level. The levels will be released as they're finished, and in "correct order". At the end of the project they will also be released in a bundle.

My first task is to contact model authors (Rendar, Boushh, Fett, Solo, Chewie, etc) and ask permission to use them in the mod.

 

Looks good, hopefully when the game is released you will have a larger grasp on which models need to be made

Also, the levels could come first and just have the models replaced later.

and the train battle would be neat might be hard to do

 

Cool. Thanks.

 

Who knows, there could be Space Battles in the SotE mod after all. It would require someone figuring out how to use the MP code for SP missions of course...

This magazine scan looks all the world like the seige mode HUD from JA.

[image=http://www.metralla.net/naves.jpg]

(compare Radar and clock HUD to this)

[image=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/screenshots_library/dir_211/vortal_pic_105998.jpg]

Unconfirmed as yet, but amazing if it comes through!

This screenshot & discussion was posted at the jediknightii.net JA forum.

 

Sounds ambitous.(SP?) I like it. If it turns out as good as the current JO mod for Dark Forces looks to be going you have a sure fire hit. I'll support however I can. Though that is limited to time and skills. I have every part of the Shadows's line minus toys and trading cards. Another cool thing with this is after you make the mod you could go on to make an orignal expanison with Shadows of the Empire:Evolution playing as Guri or maybe a few levels for Shadow Stalker, a one-shot comic with Vader's henchman from Shadows.

 

Sounds like a great idea! I would help, but I don't know the first thing about modding

 

Cool.

*ahem* Maybe Xizor could be a playable character too. *ahem* (Well, in fact, he's quite a master of martial arts, so something along the lines of the kung fu mod for Max Payne would be possible - and anyway there's several acrobatic moves already programmed in JA if I'm not mistake.) On the other hand, I don't know exactly where it could fit in the story.

I'd done a Xizor skin for JO, but I'm afraid it's not quite good enough for the Dark Prince.

 

Yeah, and that's about it. And the guy's supposed to be a wimp... Talk about an exciting level.

 

I assume you've talked to Hapslash about the models? (Is he on the DF team?) Anyway he appears to have tons in development.

 

I have, and he is.


Haven't heard back as yet.

 

Sounds cool JP. Hope you don't neglect your children though.


lol

 

You Know, its times like These that make me wish my Computer could handle ANY Games.

 

I've been doing some reading about JA as well as looking at some screens. This game is perfect for a Shadows mod. To start with the hoth level actualy has you inside Echo base and the graveyard of BOH. The second thing is there are jet pack troops,not to mention Boba Fett, that would take care of Dash's jet pack. Finally you have the swoop level that is almost perfect to change to Begger's Canyon. It even uses the same music. All you'd need to do is narrow the path. The only thing that'd be a challenge is space combat and the second part of the battle with Boba Fett when he's in Slave 1.

 

Nice one JP, sounds like an excellent idea

Now, don't think I'm bringing things down at all, but... Will you be able to 'legally' make all those levels?
We all know there are quite a few SP levels for Outcast, but I seem to recall a lot of people saying the more advenced things they wanted couldn't be done because Raven wouldn't release the source code for SP. Could this problem run as far as Swoops and Jetpacks in JA? I freely admit I know nothing about coding, so I could be worrying you over nothing.

I'm not knocking the project at all. I love SotE, and I'd love to play an 'updated' version of the game. I only hope it can be done, that's all

B.
{||||| ?||} -----------------------------

 

> but I seem to recall a lot of people saying the more advenced things they wanted couldn't be done because Raven wouldn't release the source code for SP.

That's the beauty of using the JA engine. It already supports jetpacks, vehicles etc, so you wouldn't have to program that sort of thing in (and hense, hopefully, won't need the SP source code).

 

heh, sounds like it's all sorted.

 

Can anyone tell me what Shadows of the Empire is about.

 

Sounds nifty, even though I don't plan on getting JA.

I'm not really familiar with the JA engine (though I've played the demo), but does it allow the player to initiate branching conversations with NPCs? I prefer some NPC interaction to straight action games.

Also, do you plan on making level designs as accurate as possible, based on footage (and supplemental material) from the movies (where available)? The SOTE game's depiction of Echo Base left much to be desired.

And since you're doing a Tatooine level, maybe you could work Mat Rags in there somehow...

 

> I'm not really familiar with the JA engine (though I've played the demo), but does it allow the player to initiate branching conversations with NPCs? I prefer some NPC interaction to straight action games.

No conversations as far as I'm aware, but (friendly) NPC interaction should be possible.

Also, do you plan on making level designs as accurate as possible, based on footage (and supplemental material) from the movies (where available)? The SOTE game's depiction of Echo Base left much to be desired.

I plan on utilising other's handiwork as much as possible (ie. HapSlash's models! ) - IG-88, Fett, Snowtrooper, Vader etc. I have yet to ask other modellers if I can use their Boushh, Dash, Solo etc.

And I will cautiously approach Emon and see if he would be willing to allow his huge Hoth MP Seige map to be converted to 2 or 3 smaller SP levels.

So yes, accurate where possible.