AngelModder

Opened up the last layer of it all... This layer is massive. This will give the RP lovers a chance to finally have that feeling in JKA that perhaps you're the first to stand right there and see it from this angle.. Yes you will be able to interact and use that massive layer, I've turned this if you will into sort of the Jedi Variant of the Valley of Kings. This will be shown and explored more in-depth later.

Let me pose a question to you all. The V2/3 are well known and loved and while I have my own ideas about what would've made them better I'd like to hear yours.. I'll list below the changes to the concept I've made. Again it should be stated this is not a critique of Virtues work rather a look forward @ what we expect from V4. 1 - Rend 2 Compatible as well as at least a vanilla variant. 2 - Larger. I wanted and have expanded on the original by 8X the scale of what version 3 was. While not upscaling familiar elements. I took the concept that all of what we saw was either on top of the building or some of the interior of a larger Mayan-like structure. I chose one of the Mayan square pyramids for inspiration of the structure. However, I wanted it to go further with large walls around the structure that contained a massive paradise-like garden filled with ancient secrets. 3 - Secrets. Something I felt the Academy series always lacked was any secrets. In this map every room, hallway etc have at least 1 secret and one interactable. 4 - A story, but less a specific clan-orientated one. While somehow still honoring those the community chose to. This area still is yet to be built, I bet it'll be the last room I build. However, I have considered a set of memorials for some of the most influential modders of all time. The ones who really changed JA. 5 - Last but certainly not least. Training areas up to snuff for even the stingiest base players.. This includes but is not limited to a mountain.

A note these were without the world fog as I later discovered. Still gives you the right vibe but missing that blended feeling it should have. I'll do a video soon and start linking the progress vids here. AngelModder

The project is going fine, I spent some time tonight cleaning up some of the statue meshes. Cut out about 15% of the polys. I managed to remap the texture they are supposed to use back on, however, I went back to the default copper as in the end it just looked better so that was 45 minutes wasted haha... To avoid burnout, I am working on some other various maps but mainly The Academy V4 at the moment. I bounce around to avoid getting fed up So be sure to go over and check that out! It's quiet a different design type then this. However many of the elements of it's build have given me idea's for the JT to go even further than before. What if we go over to the senate building as well???

Which server do you run my friend? ^_^ I am looking for alpha testers... <:D The open feel this map has is incredible, you can explore and find all sorts of ways to different spots you normally can't in maps.

Sooner than you'd expect... Update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A few textures still need their normal's created such as the smaller obelisk's base.

Nope this is just a break.

Well after talking it over with the community I am proud to announce the Academy IV - continuing on Virtue's work. A much expanded on rebuild of the idea.

It should honestly run fine for most people. I've improved the fps issues that were going on with the exterior only at celebration; to be fair that was last minute and rushed. I personally would love to create an SP story for/with this. A lot of painstaking research has gone into this. The next update of photos will begin to show the true direction of graphics this project will showcase. However I am taking my time with the development not just to make sure I get it right but there are certain developments with other mods I am hoping will continue and allow me to exploit all of the latest renovations in JKA's graphics. It's good to see you back Railback!

No pics tonight, but good news. Thanks to adjustments made we've now finally found a way around the maxmapsurfaces issue. The most recent compile now has all the area's I've built for this back in it which means, the rest is a skys the limit thing as long as I keep it balanced. The next week will be spent sewing all of these areas together and cleaning up the expansion of the great hall. It now runs the entire length it should and lead into the Kashyyyk sort of room and the other end to the hall of a thousand fountains. The fountain will be a closely guarded secret until official alpha release @ the 21rst anniversary. Where official hosting will be is still up for debate. However you will get glimpses and peaks, but some of this map I want you all to just experience on your own or with your clan and just be floored. Whether you run base or Rend2 I promise this will be a map like you've never seen before! I am considering bringing on someone to help design some pbr textures. SP/SD are just not my thing.

Well after about 2 dozen compiles and adjustments the lighting in general for the Jedi Temples Lobby is finally where I want it. Still a lot of work to do, the models are acting up etc but it'll get there!

Well I wouldn't go that far, I'm just a nerd with a computer and a love for architecture that never got to be used irl. XD But thank you! ^_^ Sorry it's been a minute since ya'll got an update. Some good news finally came and it has finally allowed the map to more than likely reach the full potential I wanted for it!

Update on the archives, lightings allot more balanced got the chairs and tables coming along, the archive texture replaced. need altered a bit on each shelf to not repeat but it looks good. Still working out some shader issues, trying to get the shade angles right here and there etc. Like the pillars look like blocks and well ill get it lined out eventually. Step by step.

The Archives so far, a long ways to go but coming along nicely!

All in good time. Right now I'm doing an important step. Clean up. Which in the end the cleaner the bsp the more I can do.

Started on the archives. ALL STILL VERY EARLY WORK IN PROGRESS, TEXTURES ARE DEFINITELY NOT FINAL.

Been working on the holographic heads, statues, and busts for the various areas of the map. I'll be starting on the Archives and Council room this week so I needed these prepped.

Started the work in the lobby tonight, hoping to have it mostly ready in the next 48 hours, at least enough I won't be embarrassed to show you guys in the newest alpha. This room still has quite a ways to go but here's a short video of it so far. I really got to let my imagination for with this one as we only see 3 angles of it live in one episode. Everything outside of those camera angles I based of lore material legends and canon combined along with a bit of madness.

Jedi Temple Update of the day, I'm working like a mad man to get done what I want to be done in the next alpha release Tuesday, got the very finale statues into the great hall, damn this room is filled with statues, even one dedicated to quigon.. O_o that one took a moment to get working just right and looking the way I wanted it to. A note for those seeing the JT atm, later I will go back in probably before finale release a year or so from now, then I will probably add in a lot of false shadowing and bloom to make both vanilla and Rend2 really shine that much further. What I'd really like is to add some atmosphere to the air, a dust look or some thing, think it'd be dope to put some rays from the windows with all the beautiful colors they give off. Lots of idea's for later though. First build. Any ways heres some pic of the greatest Jedi of his era...

Well here's a little sneak peak in Netcustom of the Jedi Temple Lobby, luckily so much of this room was not shown in the movies so crossing that with any references I could find and a bit of creativity I came up with some thing I think will wow and provide easy map access. This will be the room players will spawn in, and from here can navigate via elevator to probably 6 sections. To be determined as of yet. I went with a multi floor design since we have no canon or eu ref of the roof or back wall I figured give it a wow factor as a lobby. 360 feet of vertical space for you platformers, yes I will create ways for you to get up there, yes some of it will be needed, some may not. I can 100% confirm you'll need the very top floor. This room will use banisters and railings based on the Jedi Temple Archives for the upper floors as that seems to be another consistent piece of the older areas. This room will definitely blend the two styles, along with a sudden clash of sheer mountain side that gives perspective as to the size of this temple when you walk back through the lobby and great hall. As for the two camera angles we do get of this room, I will first start with nailing those areas, then everything else blends and is styled from that.

There we go, a 95% complete great hall of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.