KyleKatarn's quest leads to the center of the galaxy to find the knowledgenecessary to mount a desperate rescue operation. Katarn will soondiscover that only the Empire possesses that knowledge in the databanksof a behemoth technological eye hovering far above the teeming populaceof Imperial Center.
Screenshots
December 23rd, 2005 - The final update of this year. I decided I at least needed to finish up level 2. I would say that my previous estimate of its completion rate was overstated. It was probably at 75%, but its now 99% done with goals in place, enemies placed, INF and VUES done as well. I am just waiting for my beta tests from Matt and Barry, and then I will begin on the final two mini-levels. After that, its off to do the cutscenes and briefings.
July 27th , 2005 - I have started the final push with renewed vigor! Although I wonder if the most of the original fans of the series remain, I will be finishing this bugger by the end of summer. I have worked through most of the issues in OS X Classic mode, and after some OS X updates and a new install of Virtual PC, I am making great progress. The whole of level 2 was scrapped after an unrecoverable bug, but I am happy to report that the new level 2 is far superior and almost finished. The downside is that the existence of Arno Pryus is in question. The upside means there are only the last two mini-levels to complete so that Matt can complete cutscenes. New screens coming soon!
August 20 , 2004 - Patrick here --I am working now on my new Power Mac G5,and it seems MacOS is finally not DF friendly. Playing in Classic modeis choppy. I guess my love for the game will help me through it though.
I amworking out a script for NPCs in this Episode, and hopefully thevisitors of DF-21 will help us out as actors. The main baddie in thisone is Arno Pryus, an eccentric Imperial scientist.
I willcurtail the whole original story for Episode III and just release thisthing with only the last loose ends tied up. I am starting to look athow long it has taken me to get to this point- and if Barry and Matt'sgood work is ever to see the light of day then this might all benecessary. I am now thinking that...
UPDATED7.27.05 !
Mission I/Invisor Docking Bay Ring/ Past the Perimeter
(full level- 99% completed)
Mission II/ISO Monitoring Center /The Brain Clones
(full level- 90% completed)
MissionIII /Droid Control Center /Remote Possibilities
(mini-level- 60% completed)
Mission IVInvisor tether lift platform Dangerous Descent
(final mini-level- 0% completed)
And I'monly posting these here so I will commit to them.
I will bepestering Matt and Barry for more help, especially with objectcomponents, etc.
December 13, 2002 - Most of the first levelarchitecture is complete now. I hope to have the first level completedby the end of January. Katarn runs about trying to reach a tram systemto take him further into the core of the Invisor away from the hangarbays. The tram remains to be constructed, and I am finding it difficultbut possible to limit the size of the first level. We are working on aspecial explosion effect now also.
August 5, 2002 - Work on DT3 keeps on going.We had fun revealing our reflective floor technique to people, as wellas Patrick's diagonal opening blast doors. In addition to my recent DT4work, I've also been developing some architectural techniques for somewinding passages deep within the interior of the Invisor. And Patrickis continuing to construct the level from his end.
May 25, 2002 - Matt H and I haven't done muchin a while. I have done some INF tweaking and am slowly creating somehuge new textures. I thought I should at least add the latest screenhere. A cutscene animation can be viewed in Quicktime athttp://www.thedarktide.net. I have been busy with Jedi Outcast morelately.
December 1, 2001 - As Matt recently remindedme, my vacation is over, and this means that work has officially begunon The Dark Tide III. My first step is to create exterior texturesreminiscent of (and sometimes identical to) the Death Star. I haveborrowed some existing textures used by Ryan (of TACC) in his upcomingJK Death Star level, and I have adapted and improved upon them
for the Invisor space station. I am also creating fully renderedtextures based upon the original small scale module drawings created byJoe Johnston for the original Death Star surface modules seen in thefilm. An example follows on this page. I am still trying my hand at 3drendering to create a decent 3D model of the Invisor for use in thecutscenes. Meanwhile, Matt is already putting together some of theopening cutscenes for this installment.
Matt will also be using Murgo's wonderful new palette editor to give usmore new colors to work with when creating the art for this level. Iaim to have only all-new control panels inside the Invisor, and thesepanels will have many new brite-mapped colors, inluding purples, blues,and oranges.
May 7, 2001 - Moreextensive preliminary planning has begun on this "high tech" episode ofThe Dark Tide.
All of thework done on the series begins as a large number ofsketches, both forcutscene and in-game material. This time around, ourambition is tocreate 3D computer models as source material forcutscenes and in-gamegraphics. This Episode will include a highlydifferent "mini-level" thatwill provide a totally new playingexperience for Dark Forces fans. This"mini-level", a sort of interlude,has been tested in demo form andseems quite reasonable to create.