Editing Knights of the Force

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'''Knights of the Force''' (or simply '''KotF''') is a [[Single Player]] and [[Multi Player]] [[content pack]] for [[Jedi Academy]]. It was assembled by a Turkish developer who went under the nickname [[TimFx]] and featured a wide variety of skins, models and maps based on the Star Wars movies. The original goal of this mod was to include the most iconic scenes from the movies, in a similar fashion as what [[Movie Duels II]] and [[Movie Battles II]] entailed. The only difference was that [[TimFx]] also wanted to include a Single Player campaign. He mainly worked on the mod on his own. However, a large number of ethical and legal issues embattled the mod, including accusations that [[TimFx]] lifted most of the custom content used in the mod without the permissions by their original authors.
'''Knights of the Force''' is a [[Single Player]] and [[Multi Player]] [[content pack]] for [[Jedi Academy]]. It was assembled by Turkish developer [[TimFx]] and featured a wide variety of skins, models and maps based on the Star Wars movies. The original goal of this mod was to include the most iconic scenes from the movies, in a similar fashion as what [[Movie Duels II]] and [[Movie Battles II]] entailed. The only difference was that [[TimFx]] also wanted to include a Single Player campaign. However, a large number of ethical and legal issues embattled the mod, including accusations that [[TimFx]] lifted most of the custom content used in the mod without the permissions by their original authors.


The mod was also notorious for being frequently delayed, even on the day when it was about to be released. During the long development time, [[TimFx]] has released a demo and one of the originally planned two parts of Knights of the Force 2.0. The release of the second part was prevented by the cancellation of this project.
The mod was also notorious for being frequently delayed, even on the day when it was about to be released. During the long development time, [[TimFx]] has released a demo and one of the originally planned two parts of Knights of the Force 2.0. The release of the second part was prevented by the cancellation of this project.
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==Controversy==
==Controversy==


=== Donations ===
== Donations ==
To continue the development of Knights of the Force, [[TimFx]] requested that players donate funds to help him get a new computer. A large delay between the next content update and withholding of information from the backers (and subsequent deception from Tim) caused universal criticism and disappointment in the mod. During this time, [[TimFx]] and the mod itself lost much of their credibility.
To continue the development of Knights of the Force, [[TimFx]] requested that players donate funds to help him get a new computer. A large delay between the next content update and withholding of information from the backers (and subsequent deception from Tim) caused universal criticism and disappointment in the mod. During this time, [[TimFx]] and the mod itself lost much of their credibility.
=== Virus Warnings ===  
== Virus Warnings ==  
Not long after the release of Knights of the Force Part 1, many players reported several virus and trojan warnings that came from the mod. The amount warnings varied depending on the anti-virus software. TimFx clarified multiple times that the mod doesn't contain any actual viruses or trojans at all. He also stated that the "infected" files were actually programmed with a tool which happened to be used by hackers as well. Despite the installer executable not being confirmed for viruses, a number of Trojans appeared within the game uninstaller, which infected the computer of players who tried to uninstall the mod. The third version of the mod doesn't contain any of these viruses, however, as per a JKHub investigation.
Not long after the release of Knights of the Force Part 1, many players reported several virus and trojan warnings that came from the mod. The amount warnings varied depending on the anti-virus software. TimFx clarified multiple times that the mod doesn't contain any actual viruses or trojans at all. He also stated that the "infected" files were actually programmed with a tool which happened to be used by hackers as well. Despite the installer executable not being confirmed for viruses, a number of Trojans appeared within the game uninstaller, which infected the computer of players who tried to uninstall the mod. The third version of the mod doesn't contain any of these viruses, however, as per a JKHub investigation.
=== Copyright Violations ===
The original v1.0 release of Knights of the Force contained long clips from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones which could be seen as direct violation of copyright law. No formal action has been taken against Tim for this.
=== Plagiarism ===
Nearly all of the content from Knights of the Force was stolen from other mods. All missions were levels created by other people, with a simple [[ICARUS]] script added to it for cohesion and cinematics. Every player and weapon model in the game was stolen from other mods, and no proper credit was given in the original 1.0 release. The only assets confirmed to original content were the menus, load screens, installer executable, scripts, and translations.
== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==
=== Cancellation ===  
== Cancellation ==
Between late 2012 and early 2013, this mod was about to be released. The only thing [[TimFx]] required were the translation files, so he could release the mod in English as well as in other languages simultaneously. After several weeks, he changed his mind and decided to release the mod anyway, even if the translations weren't finished. But on April the 1st, [[TimFx]] announced the cancellation of this project and that he deleted the entire mod and all of its project files permanently from his hard drive. Many members thought it was an April Fools Joke, but they were proven wrong when [[TimFx]] stated that he couldn't work on this mod any longer, because he spent about 10 years of his life developing it. He also said that the project became an obsession for him, which also had a negative effect on his private life. Right after his announcment, his website remained online, but comments or forum posts have been disabled. Only the download section was fully functional, which contained links to the demo and the first part of KotF. Since 2016, the main website of KotF has been shut down.
Between late 2012 and early 2013, this mod was about to be released. The only thing [[TimFx]] required were the translation files, so he could release the mod in English as well as in other languages simultaneously. After several weeks, he changed his mind and decided to release the mod anyway, even if the translations weren't finished. But on April the 1st, [[TimFx]] announced the cancellation of this project and that he deleted the entire mod and all of its project files permanently from his hard drive. Many members thought it was an April Fools Joke, but they were proven wrong when [[TimFx]] stated that he couldn't work on this mod any longer, because he spent about 10 years of his life developing it. He also said that the project became an obsession for him, which also had a negative effect on his private life. Right after his announcment, his website remained online, but comments or forum posts have been disabled. Only the download section was fully functional, which contained links to the demo and the first part of KotF. Since 2016, the main website of KotF has been shut down.
=== KotF 2.1===  
==KotF 2.1==
In 2016, JKHub member [[Fire Phoenix]] revived this project, in the hope of repairing the mod's severely damaged reputation. He used the main assets of Knights of the Force 2.0 as a basis, but with the controversial content removed, including the CD menu and the custom content for which [[TimFx]] probably didn't have the permissions for. [[Fire Phoenix]] has collected a lot of content based on the Star Wars movies and made sure that every single file got the approval from their original authors. He also reedited the character selection menu to make room for the greater amount of characters. Another difference to the original mod is that this version now works without any installer. And unlike the original mod, where [[TimFx]] spent the entirety of the development alone, [[Fire Phoenix]] is supported by JKHub members.
In 2016, JKHub member [[Fire Phoenix]] revived this project, in the hope of repairing the mod's severely damaged reputation. He used the main assets of Knights of the Force 2.0 as a basis, but with the controversial content removed, including the CD menu and the custom content for which [[TimFx]] probably didn't have the permissions for. [[Fire Phoenix]] has collected a lot of content based on the Star Wars movies and made sure that every single file got the approval from their original authors. He also reedited the character selection menu to make room for the greater amount of characters. Another difference to the original mod is that this version now works without any installer.


An alpha version of [[KotF 2.1]] has been uploaded on JKHub in November 2016, with very positive feedback. As of 2020, the mod has been cancelled with most of the KotF 2.1 team going on to make a spiritual successor called Galactic Legacy.
An alpha version of [[KotF 2.1]] has been uploaded on JKHub in November 2016, with very positive feedback. As of January 2017, a beta version is still in development.


[[Category: Mods]]
[[Category: Mods]]
[[Category: Large Mods]]
[[Category: Large Mods]]
[[Category: Total Conversion]]
[[Category: Total Conversion]]
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