A classic returns
Okay, so I had high hopes that we'd get a contest in before October, but the main reason that didn't happen is because we are trying to implement small incentives into the forum software itself so that you can show off your contest awards more easily. That is on hold for now, so I figured we should just go ahead with the Halloween contest, since so many people love it and request it. The poll I posted a few weeks ago was enlightening, however, and those that are wanting those contests will still get them eventually! For now it's time to get spooky. 🦇
 
Y'all vote
Unlike our last contest, but like our previous ones, you will have the last week of the month to vote on your favorite submissions. This month works out perfectly where Halloween (and coincidentally the last day of the month) falls on a Saturday. If you're not familiar with our past contests, essentially how it works is you create a mod related to the established theme and everyone votes on their favorite. If you want to see our past Halloween contests, check out those from 2017 & 2016.

Rules:

• All submissions must be Halloween-themed (so scary, spooky, frightening, etc. 🧟‍♂️)
• You can only enter your own creations.
• You may enter more than one file.
• Already existing files cannot be submitted. The goal is to encourage new creations!
• Any content is welcome, including skins, models, maps, weapons, menu mods, etc. Just make sure it abides by the rules.
• Files can be for Jedi Academy and/or Jedi Outcast. We will assume files are for JKA unless specified otherwise.
• The deadline for submitting content is October 25, 2020, after which a poll will be opened.
• The poll will be closed by the morning of October 31, 2020.

How do I submit my mod?
Our goal is to make it as simple as possible for everyone involved. The way you submit your file for this contest is to upload them as normal files in our file section, but using the category called Contest Entries.

Click the button below, and submit your mod as you normally would. The category should be set to Halloween 2020 already. If you don't enter it there, your file won't be entered until you do. If you realize that you didn't do that, PM a staff member and we can change it for you. Good luck and happy sp00ky season! 🎃

SUBMIT TO HALLOWEEN 2020

For you people that still adore physical copies, Limited Run Games is releasing brand new copies of Jedi Outcast and Academy. For those unfamiliar, Limited Run Games is a company that makes exactly that: prints limited runs of select games. They announced a bunch of Star Wars games awhile ago, including Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, Jedi Outcast, and Jedi Academy. Unfortunately we missed the DF2 order window, but luckily I noticed the JK2 and JKA ones were announced today. Orders will begin on April 24th at 10am EST and then later at 6pm EST.

There are a couple editions to choose from that come with some really cool collector's editions items. Also of note, is there are PC, PS4, and Switch options, which is nice for those that wanted the new console ports, but were wanting a physical copy instead of digital.

Check out the news posts for both games here: Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy. Orders will take place on their website.

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Oh yes, another console release. We knew this was coming after it was announced back in September, and we got Jedi Outcast during that time. The launch of JK2 was a success overall, with only a few minor complaints and one big one: save states don't overwrite, so you have to periodically delete them as you go. Apparently we still have save storage restrictions, even in 2020. Other than that, as primarily as console player, it was a big treat to be able to play as Kyle Katarn on my big screen.

Jedi Academy launched on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch today, at the price point of $19.99 USD in both digital stores. This time they include both singleplayer and multiplayer experiences, which is worth noting because the Jedi Outcast release only contained singleplayer. No doubt this was to consolidate servers to just one game. We also get a fancy new trailer for this, which is also interesting because it features almost exclusively multiplayer footage. Check it out below.

Both versions of the game are basically the same except for some obvious differences. The PS4 version has trophies (achievements) which can be fun to obtain. The Switch version will have motion controls to help with aiming, though I don't think it really helps that much, personally. If you're trying to decide which version to get, just keep in mind those two features, but also that the Switch version can also be played in portable mode (of course), and that you will need PS Plus and Switch Online to play online. There are cheats, just like in the Jedi Outcast port, however it has a different button combination. I updated my tutorial for that here. Also take note that there is no split-screen in these versions. Lots of people assumed there would be, since that feature existed in the original Xbox and GameCube versions, but not this time.

Speaking of online, it's a bit interesting to me. There is no server browser, there is only matchmaking and solo bots for offline. We haven't seen this, even in mods for the games. Obviously matchmaking is popular these days because it's more user friendly in terms of sitting down and playing a few games, rather than worrying about finding a server to play on. This also means there are no custom server settings. From my tests, it looks like all servers have all weapons and force powers enabled, with Jedi Master force settings. This is probably good for casual players to be able to use all of the features, however any veteran knows the Force powers are obnoxious and the saber combat is where the game shines. Many people suspected the Switch version to use P2P matchmaking, since the majority of Switch games do, however I can confirm that both versions use dedicated servers, not P2P.

I also noticed that they fill the servers with bots, disguised as players. This is not uncommon, even in modern games (Battlefront II does it, as a Star Wars related example), however it's painfully obvious in old games like this. The bot AI is just obnoxiously bad. You can immediately tell a player is a bot by the way they constantly swing with blue/fast style, while running backwards on a predictive path, sometimes even glitching in the same four-step vicinity. I get why they did this, because it's the same reason why clans and big servers have been doing it on PC since 2003: to fill servers to attract real players and keep them playing. For matchmaking it makes a lot more sense, than it does even for server browsers. 

I don't expect this to be a game where suddenly everyone is playing it again on consoles. When I played it, it was laggy. Hopefully that's just due to the influx of new connections today. There's no group or party system, but there is a new invite button I noticed, but you can only use it when you're in a server. It's simple features like that, that we have in modern games, that will hinder any chance of success this game will have in a modern environment. However, it's going to be a great way to hop in with some friends and have some saber-clashing fun every once in awhile. I also noticed they added the ability to turn off your lightsaber. That was a much needed feature we all asked for in Outcast and they never added it. Looks like they listened and added it!

I recorded a clip of my first boot of the game on PS4. I know a lot of people here will be interested in seeing how the menus work on console. They are extremely clunky, which just shows how minimal work went into this port, but it works good enough. You'll notice the matchmaking button instead of join a server, and how it searches and throws you in. It's odd seeing it this way, after 17 years of seeing it another way.

If you're not from around this community and don't know which game to get, Outcast or Academy, I think everyone would recommend Outcast in this case. Not only does it come first in the story, it has an overall better story and level design. However it does not have multiplayer. You also don't get a lightsaber until halfway through the game, which is a big turn-off for a lot of people, apparently. If you're one of those people, you could just use cheats to give you a lightsaber from the start, or you may want Jedi Academy instead. You could also just get both. I recommend getting both, but I'm clearly biased.

Which version are you getting, if either? Did you get Jedi Outcast on either platform yet? If so, how do you think these ports hold up? Buy Jedi Academy at the links below on your respective console's store!

Buy Jedi Academy on PlayStation 4

Buy Jedi Academy on Nintendo Switch

 Buy Jedi Outcast on PlayStation 4 

Buy Jedi Outcast on Nintendo Switch

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