#tcw screen shot edits

[darth-maul-of-dathomir]

I very faintly recall this man being a neighbor when I was a child. Now, he is the village head. Supposedly the oldest and wisest nightbrother in the conclave.

Care to take a guess how old he is now, hnn?

My estimates are around late thirties, early forties. Zabrak can live to see two centuries. Hmph. Draw your own conclusions.

[dathomirdumpsterfire]

(now we know where savage got that coffin nail mani from)

[skyboxeye]

Capturing the ambience of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2002)

This action game, which preceded Pandemic Studios' better-known Battlefront titles, takes players to prequel-era Star Wars locales.

Extracting sounds

TCW was released on all three 6th-gen consoles, each of which offers different audio files to extract. Xbox offers the highest quality in terms of bit- and sample-rate; its assets are readily available as WAV files. They can be extracted using a tool like extract-xiso. I also explored the Tetris Worlds multipack version of the game; it is identical for our purposes.

Gamecube offers very similar files, also in WAV format. Dolphin emulator can be used to explore, and extract, the file system of a compabile ISO image.

PS2 assets are in a very different format - MSB/MSH pairs. There is a dedicated tool called SoundFMVExtractor which claims to support extracting these, but I couldn't get it working. I noticed that vgmstream could play the SFX samples. I wondered where the game longer (i.e. ambient) streams were located, but soon gave up. In fact, from some playtesting, I don't believe this version has ambient streams.

Running the game

TCW has a password menu, with different codes for each version of the game. On Gamecube, enter FRAGFIESTA and GASMASK to unlock all multiplayer and singleplayer maps respectively. There are also Gecko cheats to accomplish the same unlocks but I couldn't get them working.

Capturing footage

Widescreen

Be sure to enable Widescreen display from TCW's in-game menus. I also recommend disabling the crosshairs and specifying first-person mode.

(Mostly) Removing the HUD

Since Dolphin emulator offers texture modification and free camera features, I recommend using it for capturing TCW's scenes.

We can almost entirely replace the HUD using this method - geometric elements like the green blips on your radar won't be affected. Since those elements disappear while the game is paused, we could theoretically create an invisible menu texture mod in a very similar fashion, and combine (i.e. chroma key) a pristine paused screenshot with our real-time captures.

Be warned that the textures used for the radar and the level's surface texture will look very similar. You can paint over them, and then load these modded versions, to easily identify which is which.

Staging your shots

Capture during ground segments, as air objectives place you into a constantly-moving craft. I experimented with capturing frames from fixed-camera cutscenes, but these are letterboxed, seemingly via vertex-colored orthographic overlays.

As a last resort you could capture the post-death screen, as it offers a few seconds of uninterrupted environmental footage. The post-victory screen is another option - it stays up for as long as we like, but obviously can't be triggered in as many locations.

Appendix 1: Abandoned HUD removal ideas

Perhaps you could create a Dolphin Graphics Mod to achieve this - but I couldn't get this feature working, and Discord chatter implied it's about to be overhauled soon anyway.

We could try editing the TCW's game files (look inside the Data/Interface folder). I also investigated modifying Dolphin's source code to skip all orthographic draw calls, but got stuck.

[nerdgatehobbit]

5/12/21

I got my second shot on Monday, so that’s exciting. Tuesday was mostly spent on a mini-binge of Ultra Legends for three reasons. 1: I didn’t feel well enough to watch anything closely enough for later reviewing. 2: To check that the three DVD sets were all working. 3: To stay awake, which admittedly ties into the first reason.

Ultra Adventures has been pretty laidback so far, which I’m enjoying as I really love this in-depth look at day-to-day life in the Alola region. But I’m very excited for the Ultra Wormhole subplot! :D

For May the Fourth, I saw TCW’s “Revival” and some of Droid Tales. I’ve since seen “Eminence” & “Shades of Reason”. So that just leaves “The Lawless” to watch. Uh-oh.

Three episodes into Princess Tutu, and I’m really enjoying it. The upcoming reviews on my blog will be short because I’m struggling what else to say beyond that. Especially since I don’t know much about ballet.

Just 15 episodes left in PRLG (aah). Andros & Leo got most of the spotlight in “To the Tenth Power”. That wasn’t unexpected but it was still mildly irritating. The title apparently leaves out Mike despite him appearing in it. I really need to do justice to the next episode’s review, given its contents, but first I need to watch it.

I’ve started the fifth & final season of BBC Merlin. My mixed feelings continue, which aren’t fun so I’m putting The Flash on the back burner as a result. Arrow’s 2nd season will get reviewed next autumn for the show’s tenth anniversary. I don’t know when LOT will be watched but I do want to get around to it.

I still need to get back to XWP as well as start reviewing ST: TOS and OUAT. The issues are that XWP’s 1st season finale freaked me out, I’m nervous with TOS’s iconic status, and I am well aware of OUAT’s uneven quality even in the better seasons. But I really want to get a buffer of posts over the summer, so I need to get over my hang ups.

Because I do want to watch all three shows. I like XWP’s characters and it’s ‘everything & the kitchen sink’ take on things; there’s a lot of fun in OUAT’s first 2 seasons (and so many gorgeous outfits); and I want to see TOS for the first time as I’m sure it’ll explain a lot about later sci-fi.

Furthermore, I have obtained the first 3 seasons of DS9 to watch as well. With my track record, those reviews will probably start in January for its 29th anniversary. If I enjoy them, I’ll look into getting the later seasons.

Now that I’m done with Traders (it got rather soap opera-y at the end), I want to see Legend since it stars Richard Dean Anderson & John de Lancie. Weirdly, with Traders, I think Patrick McKenna’s character was my favorite since he was by far the most energetic character. And he did get more screen time than Hewlett’s character.

There are also several films to want to see, one for the first time (Ever After) and others for a rewatch: Atlantis the Lost Empire, Barbie as Rapunzel, 1991’s Beauty and the Beast, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. In the overlap, I want to see the extended versions of LOTR for the first time.

Next up in my mini SG-1 watch is “48 Hours”. I’m planning to read Blood Ties later this week, and I’ll eventually get around to Do No Harm. Odds are that I’ll start a ‘one episode a month’ rewatch of SGA because I miss it. Even though I ought to prioritize other shows. But I do really miss my favorite show and with the recent rumblings I want to keep Stargate front & center.

... Yeah, I’m still using media as a coping mechanism. Oh well. Anybody (re)watching something fun?

Edit: Though I also need to get some more reading in after the 2 Stargate novels. Probably rereading since I don’t have a lot of mental bandwidth for new stories, which is mostly used up by TV right now.

[legobiwan]

So it’s been probably 2 years since I’ve watched the Hardeen arc, and I was reading Hard Deviations, and I thought that you’d made up that Anakin kneed Hardeen in the crotch. But I just saw a gif set from that arc on my dash!!!! I can’t believe Anakin went for the low blow!!!

You mean this?

Hahahaha! I don’t think I could have made that up if I wanted to, gods bless the TCW team. 

Edit: I’m sorry, but I have to add not only did Anakin crotch-shot Obi-wan, but the brilliant minds behind TCW did a zoom-in, ready-for-my-close-up at that precise moment, I mean, what More Can I Say? (*cackles forever*)

And the Hardeen arc is something else. I mean, all of Season 4 is, to be honest…

Let’s recount. Obi-wan…

is whipped on screen bloody hell I will never be over that

gets crotch-shot by his former Padawan

gets his ribs kicked in by his mortal enemy

is slammed so hard into a floor, the floor cracks

stabs a dude in the hand and threatens to eat him

admits he is enjoying “playing the villain”

gets to his knees and begs for someone else’s salvation

comes close to Dark-siding it 

works with a war criminal and lets her go free

It was…quite the ordeal for our favorite Jedi Master. If Obi-wan was going to turn at any point, it would have been Season 4 or 5, no question. 

[annashipper]

Re: TCW. Maybe the Greek cinemas decided to not help the last production of a rapist making any €€ by not renting the film itself so nobody sees it. Who would go see it anyway? The name of Weistein being erased from it doesn't change the fact he stained it by mentioning TCW when he got arrested.

Greek cinemas, like all other businesses in the world, are all about making money.  So yeah, I’m sure they’re gonna be screening the film, and I assume there’s been a change in scheduling, but no one bothered updating the release information on IMDb.

As far as Weinstein goes, he makes no money off this (or any of the other films that were in TWC’s portfolio) anymore.

Also, I don’t know what part of “they’ve shot 5 different scenes that have been added to the film and have re-edited the Weinstein version to make the film’s flow better” you don’t understand.

To answer your question:  I will go see it.  Happily, and with no prejudice directed at the director or the rest of the crew and cast because they simply worked in a Weinstein project.

What I don’t understand is why you’re so petty about the film in the first place.

[ilikemymendarkandfictional]

controversial star wars asks

legends or new canon? Don’t know a lot about legends so new canon

worst special editions change Changing the Ewok song

best special editions change I actually like the Hayden ghost since that is what he looked like as Anakin technically

clunkiest george lucas dialogue SAND

most overrated character Darth Vader

most underrated character Qui-Gon Jinn

popular ship you can’t stand Finnrey-I like them as friends

unpopular ship you love Reylo

who shot first? Han

thoughts on yoda? He makes a lot of crappy decisions and is hypocritical

thoughts on qui-gon jinn? Love the man

is it time for the jedi to end? The old Jedi order? Yes a new more functional one is needed

thoughts on the prequels? I don’t understand all the hate

most evil character Palpatine or Snoke

most heroic character Ahsoka

prequels anakin or TCW anakin Definitely TCW

popular fan theory you can’t stand That Rey is a Solo/Skywalker

silly/weird fan theory you secretly like Not sure. I like the Korkie being an Obitine baby theory

thoughts on TFA? Love it

what spin-off film would you like to see next? OBI-WAN

worst star wars actor Sorry but I have to pick Felicity

best star wars actor Ewan or Adam

thoughts on the ewoks? I love those little teddy bears!

jar jar binks: harmless nuisance or sith lord? Harmless nuisance

character you wish had more development/screen time CODY

best star wars movie Revenge of the Sith or Return of the Jedi

worst star wars movie Never been a big fan of Empire

worst type of fan The ones that bully people based on their ships

stance on the rey parentage discourse? I want her to be a Kenobi

if you were president of lucasfilm your first act would be to _________? Get an Ahsoka movie started

[authorjcalamy]

legends or new canon? - legends for the comic books. But NOT ALL LEGENDS ONLY SELECT LEGENDS THAT I CHOOSE

worst special editions change

best special editions change

clunkiest george lucas dialogue- the entirety of Attack of the CLones?

most overrated character

most underrated character

popular ship you can’t stand- Reylo. Sorry. Cannot. I’m not an anti but I just cannot.

unpopular ship you love

who shot first?

thoughts on yoda?

thoughts on qui-gon jinn?

is it time for the jedi to end? - UUUURG I DONT KNOW!!! I’m so old school... I was a jedi for halloween, I have been a jedi my whole life- all the discourse and drama around the jedi actually being these screwed up monsters is such a giant pain my ass- BUT ITS TRUE. I am glad they cleansed Legends because of exactly this but nothing will ever replace the moment in the original trilogy when Luke casts aside his saber and says “I AM A JEDI, LIKE MY FATHER BEFORE ME-” 

thoughts on the prequels?

most evil character

most heroic character- LEIA ORGANA

prequels anakin or TCW anakin

popular fan theory you can’t stand- ummmm not sure- i live in such a small corner of the fandom... 

silly/weird fan theory you secretly like

thoughts on TFA?

what spin-off film would you like to see next?

worst star wars actor

best star wars actor

thoughts on the ewoks?

jar jar binks: harmless nuisance or sith lord?

character you wish had more development/screen time

best star wars movie

worst star wars movie

worst type of fan

stance on the rey parentage discourse?

if you were president of lucasfilm your first act would be to _________?

@sl-walker AND @son-of-dathomir asked me these and i can;t get the damn list to unlist so i just highlighted them?

[darth-maul-of-dathomir]

The plan carries on apace.

My next step is a mildly uncomfortable one. I have avoided all of the nightbrother enclaves which surround the nightsister's temple. I have especially avoided the one where my brothers live. Will they recognize me? Will they disdain me? These are questions I have not bothered to waste time on.

In order for Asajj and I to fake a Selection well enough, I must integrate with one of the villages and show up to the occasional Selection. Participation in a few, and subsequently destroying any sisters that try me, will make it seem... more natural, when we stage ours.

Despite not wanting to deal with it, I have returned to the nightbrother village where I lived briefly as a child. In order to smooth the way, I have brought a freshly killed verne. A large buck.

We shall see if this tribute is sufficient enough for me to be welcomed in.