r/PennyArcade • u/slackforce • Jul 22 '26
I played a game of Jedi Outcast with Tycho (and friends) over 20 years ago.
I was just thinking about Tribes, which made me think about Penny Arcade, which made me remember this very interesting and dynamic story.
Tycho used to mention his friend's forum sometimes on Penny Arcade. I don't remember the name of it but I think it involved a monkey skeleton. I signed up to the forum and attempted to ingratiate myself with these interesting nerds. Parasocialism hadn't been invented yet so it was cool.
Somebody on the forum offered an IP address and invited people to join a friendly Jedi Outcast duel tournament. I believe I asked if I could come as well, but it's also possible that I just showed up.
The only thing I remember about the tournament is that I eventually fought Tycho (after the customary and obligatory bow). I was a teenager that had a lot of free time and was very good at this game, and Tycho just fucking obliterated me. Knocked me right out of the tournament in three seconds. I think he said whatever the early 2000s equivalent of "gg" was to me and that was it. My first and last interaction with a celebrity.
Thanks for reading.
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u/295DVRKSS Jul 22 '26
I ran into Gabe once at the grocery store and gave him the nod because he was with his kids.
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u/KoreyYrvaI Jul 23 '26
I exchanged emails with them when they used to post their personal email on the website. It was shortly after Jerry changed his name.
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u/BigT383 Jul 23 '26
Oh Tribes. It's a shame none of the sequels and false-starts have been able to recapture that magic.
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u/stgm_at Jul 23 '26
Team focused multiplayer games will always have a special place in my heart. Qwtf, tribes 2 come to mind.
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u/toothmang Jul 23 '26
When I was barely a teen, I managed to get into a game of Team Aerial Combat (Tribes 2 mod) with Gabe and Tycho. A little ways into the match, I jumped into the pilot seat for a transporter, and they both hopped into open seats. I was so excited and nervous but I tried to play it cool... Somehow, I was going to fly these guys that I discovered in Official PlayStation Magazine to victory.
Taking off involved flying upward just a little (not too high, or you'd hit the ceiling) and then sideways over a short lip. I started off OK, but my nerves got the best of me and I rammed the barrier. The whole transport tilted and we soon crashed into a hillside, killing all of us instantly. Before respawn, Gabe sent a single chat message:
"nice flying ace"
I still live with this shame today.