DP Chapter II Progress Update news - The Dark Pastime mod for Star Wars: Jedi Academy

This could have been a much larger news update on the mod, but we don’t release major posts like this (obviously making a good material also requires time). I guess putting all the efforts into the mod itself is better than posting pictures and texts for the sake of posting.

The next chapter is larger than the first one and includes several planets. Two missions take place on Dantooine and Sulon (these are mostly complete), but Yavin IV, Coruscant hubs and several Anarmar levels will also be available. Currently the latter one is in progress.

Coruscant includes the Briefing area as before, but as you progress, you can visit other areas in the New Republic Intelligence HQ, for example a room for analysis and a feedback on the latest mission.

For this chapter and later missions, we created several characters/NPCs, including the new faction of the Force users. In the past they looked exactly liked Reborn (reskin), but I didn’t like the way it established a direct connection to the enemy from the Jedi Outcast game. Thus a new apparel was made, suggesting, that these are completely different followers of the Dark Side of the Force.

Guobbo is one of the local merchants on Rutana, which you can talk to in order to find the solution. This Toydarian deals in weapons, items and stuff… well, you know. Located in the Outer Rim the Rutana Spaceport is open to all kinds of trade. Added a few details to the original model by Hans Moleman (he was genius in making Watto this way for JO).

When travelling to the remote world of Uffel, you get a chance to come across Sayira (screenshot below), while chasing your true opponent on the planet. Being a historian she is also a local observer, who feels cautious towards all the outlanders, and for good reason! Specifically for her we created a new model, using a few elements of the Twi'Lek robe, but giving her a new haircut. This is in fact a third version of this character, with previous ones based on Mara Jade and Gwethenea (by HapSlash).

Other NPCs might assist Kyle in his quest, and in many cases their appearance was adapted or even a new one was created from scratch. This includes new enemies as well, but we’ll reveal them next time.

JK series is a long one, counting several games, as well as showing Kyle Katarn differently every time. Most players remember him as a bearded scoundrel or as a “Just-A-Guy” with a lightsaber and some questions. In earlier games his appearance was based on that of Jason Court, so this look was chosen for DP. However from now on you can actually choose his appearance between DFII and JO.

It was apparent from the start, that we needed more actors, but the dialogs were made in such a way, that we could use all the help we could get from our friends. However last year we made a breakthrough here, as we got a bunch of new voices for all the characters, including Kyle Katarn himself.

Not only all the characters will have a new voice, often provided by professional or semi-professional actors, but their lines also got expanded. Previously silent NPCs also got their own unique MISC pack of sounds. In total more than 50 actors provided the voice for very different characters in the Dark Pastime mod.