Questions & Answers

This regularly-updated article contains a list of questions and their answers as they are e-mailed to me. -Setementor

Recent Questions

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January, 2009

How many bots would it take to crash the server with the academy_v3 map? I mean the npc spawning thing where you push a button and a floating robot comes out. Not that I'm spamming it or will or anything like that, just interesting to know. 30-40?

It's not just to do with it crashing the server, but also lagging it for other players and using vast amounts of resources very quickly, eventually forcing the servers down.

Will the time lines of the JA ever be updated/started again?

We are actively looking into getting the site updated. Meanwhile, while the holocron may be slightly outdated it remains relevant in many areas. The archives may also provide more up-to-date information.

As I am curious to know, whats happened since 2003?

Read the holocron and the news archive for this information.

What are the correct procedures / channels for reporting someone in-game / server who does not listen, lames and / or shoots at you without any need, warning etc, if more senior members are not available at the time, and to other members of the JA the perpetrator is spoiling the experience of playing at that specific time, yet the other members are unprepared to leave the server? As standard students, is there something extra we can do without being put at risk by higher ranking members of the JA?

When somebody breaks the rules, remain calm and do not retaliate. Remind them kindly of the rules and if they persist, contact a staff member. You can usually find one on MSN, IRC or other mediums if they are not on the server. Regardless, it is important to remember that in order for an admin to impartially dicipline and warn somebody they need proof or a confession. Screenshots (/bind ctrl screenshot silent), condumps (/condump troublemaker.log) and demos (/bind 0 "g_syncronousclients 1; record myDemo; g_syncronousclients 0" and /stoprecord to stop) all help especially if they have stopped by the time an admin arrives and they don't admit to it.

After recent events and the inclusion of Maher to the JAK rank, is this merely a sign of things to come? Or, no offence intended, is this act simply done because, yes Maher does possess skill, but appointing him would simply placate the other active members into a belief that more is being done in the awarding of JAK status, rather than this is as far as the JA plan to do at this present moment in time?

We promoted Maher to the Jedi Knight rank because he passed his trials. We plan to do and are already doing a lot more and would regardless.

What does the '+' symbol after 'JAK' mean?

JAK+ means Jedi Knight and above ranks. It's another term for the JA staff to avoid confusing with the 'Staff' rank given to students who do extra tasks for the academy.

Why isn't SaZabi a Jedi Knight?

Because he didn't pass his trials yet.

Most of the teachers here in TJA share the same methods, program, style. Dont you think that if that style they share has an ultimate weakness (lets say movement) then every student is damned to have the same weakness which will make them extremely vurnerable when fighting more skilled opponents in pubs?

Yes, that is a possibility. Many of our staff specialise in movement and know various aspects of the single saber as well as other areas of the game and in any areas that the staff fail to cover student or personal help is encouraged as well. The reality, however, is that the majority of students turn out as skilled as the classes that are taught. These are being worked on as we speak.

While most of JAK+ are skilled in sabering I cant say Ive seen anyone with particulary great red stance skills. Can we expect any red stance classes? Any new JAK+ from lets say JAA level of skill?

Yes, we can expect some red classes. There is a popular demand for them and I am actively looking into getting some.

Do you wear pajamas?

Only when it's cold.

I am sure you could get information from someone about how many people visit TJA.net. What are the real stats? Are they growing ?

The reality is that a lot of people still visit the website. There are many old members who visit but don't post a lot; many fairly new members who have become less active but still visit often; many who visit and only post in hidden areas, like profiles; many old members who actively post on the forums; many newer members who actively post on the forums; many people who just lurk and never post; and many who lurk and don't have an account at all. We still get a lot of new members and applications on a regular basis and there are often older members who come to get their accounts reactivated. According to Solutide, who handles most of the applications, we get approximately 20-25 of them every week.

What do you think about current state of TJA community and TJA: JKA ? What is it compared to what it was lets say... 3 months ago? Is it changing? Growing? Dieing?

I was on the classes server earlier with 14 other people, which I would say is a great improvement from 3 months ago. The servers are very active at the moment and it seems to be growing rather than dying. The forums are as active as ever, IRC has discussions regularly and the servers are active very often. While there are still some deficiencies to work out I think the state of the academy is pretty good for its age.

Where is Virtue?

Virtue visits the website and checks his e-mail every single day, but rarely posts. You can still bug him if you need anything.

Do you think TJA could work in a MMO? If so what is your vision on that?

Yes, I believe it could definitely work in an MMO. My vision would depend on the mechanics of the MMO in question, but I'm sure I could visionise something for it. I have only played one MMO, Star Wars Galaxies, so my vision for that would perhaps be to teach game mechanics in a player city in a similar way it is done in Jedi Academy. In any other MMO, the same could be so in any appropriate area or player city, provided they have that feature. A guild may even be an option for helping eachother further in the game.

Various staff have suggested moving onto another game and also believe it could work. We will have to see what the future brings but it is definitely a consideration among the staff.

Some day TJA will have to move on from JK:JO/JK:JA traditions. Does that mean our current JAK+, staff members etc will go to the hall of fame and some new people who lead/teach/guide will arise and replace the current members completely?

The academy may move on to another game someday, but it won't abandon the two games it currently supports: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy. The systems and staff in place for a game will remain until it dies off (like, admittedly, Jedi Outcast has).

Staff are not essentially placed in the hall of fame when they step down, however. This is reserved for people who do exceptional tasks that would not normally be required of a JAK+ and is maintained by the council.

Is there a way we could better publicise tja.net to get more people to join?

A lot of people already apply on a regular basis. The server names bare the URL for this purpose and apart from the members spreading the word, the Aurochs help to spread the word by representing the academy during their matches.

Where do babies come from?

This varies depending on the type. I suggest you do a google search. You may find it...interesting.

What kind of a single question could stir up enough controversy in HERE to start a flamewar?

Clearly a lot of them as you can see below.

If people have been voicing their queries why make them secret? There are no secrets amongst friends. Why not voice them here?

The idea is that they will be voiced to everyone but without the associated flame war demonstrated below.