Yosemite in OpenGOAL: Part 3 - Red Eco Vent Switch, Entrance Cave, and more!

[@bonju360]

Seeing a whole new part of my favorite game that i know by heart is a insane experience, it's like finding a secret door in your own house and realising there a bunch of rooms you never knew about, thank you so much for this, keep up the good work ❤

[@Matt_19-89]

I can't explain the weird feeling that seeing an original cut level in a game that at this point I've finished way too many times, gives me

[@kintustis]

What impresses me most is getting daxters red eco vent line into there. Didn't even know that line was in the game files.

[@LuminarLight]

All Jak games have tons of unused voicelines. It does not necessarily meant that they were ever used though (though it is possible). Most likely they just recorded lots of dialogue that they thought they could potentially use in the game at some point. Some are documented on TCRF. But it is certainly not complete - documenting unused audio takes a long time, and not many people have the motivation and time.

[@NateDaMan5]

The amount of work done on restoring this cut content is insane, especially if you saw it when it was first discovered. This is starting to look really good!

[@EVILBUNNY28]

In some alternative universe there is a world where this level was never cut, and all the rest that went with it. It’s so exciting to see what could’ve been. I just hope someday someone will be able to create their vision/Interpretation of it

[@TaliabobMair]

Please, don't abandon this, its badass!

[@FrickClown]

Please keep this up. You're making dreams come true. I can't wait until this is possible to just release as a mod. I could spend hours here.

[@Jarno_Shadowy]

Just wait till we get full on fan games and when Jak 3 gets ported a fan sequel with fan levels which will have dialogue etc. Can't wait seeing this can already be done with 1 now on PC!!! If naughty dog won't then OpenGoal will. It's very much gonna be like Sonic, Rayman, Mario mods. Where the story is like a either progressive one or the main game with new added parts to the map. And maybe even JAK 1, 2 AND 3 COMBINED!!! 🤔 Now that would be awesome to finally be able to connect haven city properly to Jak 1's map.

[@Rowlet216]

My biggest hope for a Jak and Daxter remake would be to include at least this cut level, maybe even one or more of the levels that were planned for Stilt Village or Underground Village

[@charliegriffey7773]

Initially there were supposed to be 5 villages (as opposed to the 2.5 we got) and 20 full levels as opposed to just 12.

[@FlashX212]

Seeing this gives the inner child in me an overwhelming sense of joy

[@Yahavogdan]

THATS AMAZING! Much respect! Seems like there is not a lot of work left for it and most of the structure is there. Also I really like the original soundtrack for this

[@electronstudios1411]

it warms my heart to know that there is still more to see in the original jak and Daxter! 💓

[@floraltrinket3404]

It's super cool to see how this level just exists and the work and care you've put into the effort of reviving that level. This is so fucking cool. Even just watching you show it off is super exciting. So hyped to see how it looks in the future!!!

[@jamesduvall6237]

Its looking so good dude like a finished JnD level almost, wish they hadn’t cut this level I really like the design and vibe of it would’ve fit in perfect and love seeing the huge progress with each video great job 👍🏻

[@Scorpion1995100]

Yeah either budget or deadline cuts... feels like the entrence towards it is where the miners are... just put a wall up where the player cant go to, and put 2 people in the front... seems like for me, thats where the entrence to yosemite wouldve been

[@french_fried420]

The fact this game was supposed to be longer still makes me a little salty to this day. This is my absolute favourite game of all time. I'd love to see it as what it was supposed to be.

[@RatchetAndClank14]

Fun fact:Two villages were cut from Jak and Daxter The Precursor Legacy,Stilt Village and Underground Village,and their levels,Precursor Ruins,Savannah,Cave Under Falls,Precursor Foundry and Underground Forest

[@Eddy-l2h]

This is amazing. Thank you very much for your work.

[@ITSHIM1294]

Ever since 2001 I always asked to myself “Why are there only TWO levels when you reach the Red Sage hut? ” and “Why is there no Red eco vent?”

[@ryuuakiyama3958]

Impressive stuff. As far as the Red Vent switch goes, I expect it was originally meant to at least open some vents in the stage (the original planned world, according to the series Bible, seeming much larger, I suppose there might've been an idea of closed vents elsewhere, but that might've been scrapped much earlier in development). Maybe there were things you would need Red Eco to break or defeat planned for the stage?

[@unuseableb]

My guess would be the snowy mountain vents. It would make the volcano hub a lot more back and forward to complete first time.

[@ryuuakiyama3958]

​ Presumably you would do Rock Lake before Snowy Mountain, then. I want to say it's possible to go through everything with minimal backtracking if you do Forbidden Jungle first (to unlock Misty Island and the vents on Sentinel Beach), Lost Precursor City (open the route with the Warrior and talk to the Gambler on your way), Boggy Swamp, then Precursor Basin last of that set; then Snowy Mountain before Spider Cave. Presumably, if Rock Lake were done before Snowy Mountain, you would still be able to complete the game without much backtracking.

[@theblah12]

Speaking about the Design Bible, it’s interesting that the map seems to suggest a much more interconnected world then the hub-and-spoke model the final game uses, notably it seams like the goal was to make the whole game passable on foot, with levels containing branching paths into other levels, almost Dark Souls-esque. In the final game the villages are almost like Crash Bandicoot-style warp rooms connected to each other by very linear vehicle segments. I wonder if that was due to technical limitations with their level streaming tech - playing about with it in debug mode the game is technically capable of loading between arbitrary levels seamlessly (it’s possible to travel between Misty Island and Forbidden Jungle back-to-back so long as you hit the trigger boxes correctly) but doing so makes the game very unstable.

[@ryuuakiyama3958]

@@theblah12 My guess is that the wheel-and-spoke thing was because they found too many loading things between areas like that did make the game unstable. From the design bible, it's clear that the vision was much larger than what was practicable, but what we did get was good (I think it's a shame the sequels went in the direction they did rather than fleshing out the world further, but the time was what it was, I suppose). Doing what restoration work we can now is probably the best we'll be able to do.

[@Retrovin_Youtube]

This looks so good, nice job on it

[@Iotatheprotogen]

I do truly wonder why this level was scrapped it seemed like it was heavily developed before it got scrapped. Maybe the developers just weren't happy enough with the level that they made.

[@joenerdiusmamaiv]

Probably wanted to get the game out before Christmas but the level was still unfinished so they scrapped it and used their remaining time to remove any traces of it from the retail release

[@NateDaMan5]

I think in an interview they mentioned that they started implementing it too late in development, meaning they would have had to “shoehorn it in” last second, which led to it ultimately being cut.

[@LuminarLight]

It was originally made as one of the first levels for the game, most likely to test their renderers? I heard they made a few environments like this. Late during development they wanted to rework and improve it to fit into the game world, but they didn't have enough time.

[@NarraJoker12]

@@LuminarLight Makes sense. This level feels quite out of place. To similar to the real world when compared to the other levels.

[@theblah12]

A big issue with this level is that it seems way to big and spread out, with not a whole lot of platforming or verticality outside of a few places. Granted the lack of enemies doesn’t help but if you compare it to Forbidden Jungle or Snowy Mountain, those levels are far more condensed with much less empty space that has to be traversed by roll jumping. Most of the levels in the final game are built around a central landmark as one big loop that wraps around itself, but this level seems a bit meandering and easy to get lost in. Definitely feels like it would have needed a lot more work to get it up to the standard of the rest of the game.

[@lawrence_p]

THIS FREAKING GEM AT THE END! Probably connected with the back of the miner's big gem in red eco area?

[@LuminarLight]

As the description says, str-Luke made that cave. It is almost certain that the Miner cave was originally the path to Yosemite. That is why he put the gem there. Adds lore to the area.

[@LEONGAGIN]

This music is so cool

[@joenerdiusmamaiv]

WOOOOOOO yeeaaahhhh let's goooo babyyyyy

[@SirDuncan13]

it would be neat if this tied into the mountains area from jak 2!

[@AvitheTiger]

This is so neat!

[@irrafer8663]

Thank you for your work

[@4rl0ng]

Incredible

[@projectverna1937]

Looks like the level could have used some orb vents towards the end of the level, in those places where there are just orbs and nothing else

[@projectverna1937]

Outstanding work! I don't think the mainstream fanbase has seen the long tunnel at the beginning though: I don't recognise it... (Though you can tell from the aesthetics that it's very linked to Gordy's mining wall)

[@projectverna1937]

Ah it's a custom asset (see description)

[@Nico-the-Nacho]

I've recently downloaded the PC port and have my ear to the ground for new custom content. Super excited for you to finish recreating this level. I assume your plan is to release it to the public. One of the most immersive thing about vertical levels in Jak 1 such as the forbidden temple, snowy mountain, and the citadel, is that as you ascend them, you can see the rest of the game world in the distance. Is that a detail you'll add in once everything else is completed to make it truly feel like part of the world?

[@LuminarLight]

This project is already public technically, but it is useless because you need to add YOS.DGO from the Jak TPL Preview build. The owner of that build has not released it to the public yet. I hope he will do it soon. I do want to add "lod", similar to other high areas, so you could see low-detail versions of other areas of the game when you are on top of the mountain. Sadly it would require modelling, which I am not good at, so I am waiting for str-Luke to do it when he has time.

[@Nico-the-Nacho]

@@LuminarLight Would it be possible to cut a corner and import at least some of the low poly models that are already in the game for it?

[@LuminarLight]

That will probably be used yes. But modelling skills are still needed to make it nice.

[@Nico-the-Nacho]

You said in the description that you were working on finding a way to connect Yosemite to the game world via the cave and that the hole in the top would be the enterence. I may have another idea. That big blue gem at the beginning looks like the other side of Gordy and Willard's gem. The Jak 3 strategy guide says Gordy and Willard blew the gem up with dynamite. What if y'all put in a trigger to make Yosemite a post game level? After beating Gol and Maia (and / or after all Gordy and Willard's levels are completed) when you come back to the cave they'll be gone, and there will be a gaping hole in the wall leading to the cave with pieces of crystal everywhere. What was supposed to be in the empty section where the zoomer is? I'll be following for updates and am excited at the possibility of adding this, and other new levels made by other creators as well) to my game.

[@LuminarLight]

We can not edit existing levels. That is why we didn't just cut a hole in the miner cave. We added the crystal there as a cool detail. Since this video I added a warp gate for the level, and it will likely stay the only way to enter the level for a while. The big blackness near the Zoomer is supposed to be a big lake. Working on restoring it.

[@eugenegans4549]

Of course a cut level with a removed eco vent

[@charmanmugen]

I always wondered where the Red and Green eco vent switches were, and if there were a Dark and Light eco vent switches.

[@RatchetAndClank14]

Red was in this level, and Green, Dark and Light vent probably did not exist

[@goatman9998]

So cool

[@clankape]

nice job !

[@Gecko1993HogheadIncOfficial]

Personally, I think the FlutFlut could have been more needed in the Yosemite. She’s only used in Boggy Swamp, and Snowy Mountain. Seriously, there could have been a platforming segment using her if a little platforming challenge was added in there. I’d also suggest spreading out the Scout Fly boxes instead of them being congregated for easy pickings.

[@LuminarLight]

In the big lake (that is not restored yet), there were going to be dark eco drills, it is likely that the Zoomer was intended to be used for those: jadtech.miraheze.org/wiki/Research:Yosemite#/media/File:Dark_eco_drill_concept_art.jpg . Zoomer is there in the original level, I just readded it. Yeah for the next part of the restoration I do want to do something with the pickups. The original level has no scout flies, but it has 69 Precursor Orbs placed (I readded them all to their original locations).

[@Gecko1993HogheadIncOfficial]

@@LuminarLight nice!

[@projectverna1937]

Seems like there should be a power cell for reaching the peak of the level (second high point after the vent)

[@LuminarLight]

Yeah, I am planning to add one. Recycling an unused string for it.

[@RodniDemental]

Reminds me a lot of mountain pass... And wow, so this was probably supposed to be the path behind that giant gem?

[@LuminarLight]

As the description says, the cave was made by str-Luke. We tried to make it lore-accurate.

[@RodniDemental]

@@LuminarLight I see, well thank you. I was prepared to start wildly speculating but I probably should have read that first. :P Very cool though!

[@projectverna1937]

Which red vents is the red eco unblocker supposed to unblock?

[@projectverna1937]

Also shocked to see Daxter had a unique voice line for that unblocking :O

[@LuminarLight]

None of the red eco vents are blocked in the game. So it unlocks nothing (for now). You can make eco vents depend on the completion of a task. That is how the blocked blue and yellow vents are done, they depend on their respective eco vent switch tasks. I do want to add some blocked red vents to Yosemite eventually, but red eco is so useless that I have no idea where to put them and why. In theory I could also make existing red eco vents depend on the red switch task, but it would be weird.

[@LuminarLight]

This voiceline exists indeed, but it is not automatic. I had to create a red switch in code, I used the blue switch as a base. And then I modified it a bit.

[@projectverna1937]

@@LuminarLight I guess red eco is used for higher damage (think Misty Island and the bone bridges): I guess breakable bridges or doors would work kinda well in Yosemite, accompanied by red eco vents. This is beyond the scope of the game, so who knows? Creativity can be afforded 😎

[@RatchetAndClank14]

​​@@projectverna1937I think Red Ego Vent would unlock Red Ego in Snowy Mountain

[@austinchery]

When will you release the ISO? I'm sure progress could be done so much faster if it was released in a good manner.

[@LuminarLight]

Hello. I am not the owner, so I won't release. I am not sure how much it would impact progress... I know I personally lost motivation because people can't experience the work I did to restore Yosemite. Anyway over a year ago I made a post about the situation. It is still relevant I think: kzbin.infoUgkxRp5kXcBU9qtBhpZ4-HyeSEyg7hnDz0Rr

[@austinchery]

@@LuminarLight Ah, I remember now. I forgot since it has been a while. I'm usually really interested in media preservation, so that was pretty disappointing for me as well. It's unfortunate that there has been no updates from the "owner" of this build. Do you still have contact with him? I would be interested to know what he has to say.

[@LuminarLight]

I am still in contact with him. I think last time I talked with him he was very ill or something like that. I occasionally message him. His intentions haven't changed. But indeed the release is taking a while.

[@ErixsonGaming]

Could you possibly restore that lake?

[@LuminarLight]

Likely not restore whatever was there, but I could probably create a new one that fills that gap.

[@Manuelx98.]

It'd be far easier if it was a teamwork, but sadly it has to be a private build, for some reason. Still hoping it will become public, or all this work will be for nothing.

[@LuminarLight]

I also really hope it will be public one day. I spent a lot of time on this restoration.

[@kitchenpotsnpans]

Its private? Maybe they want to make a jak n daxter precursor remake intergrade? Like add new levels n stuff

[@angvtond]

Potentially, would be possible recreate Jak and Daxter from 0 by Opegoals, added Yosemite, Yellow Sage hub and other locations

[@LuminarLight]

Possible. But I wouldn't recommend re-creating levels that already exist.

[@doctorwhoguy9665]

Wow this level is getting pretty close to be restored if you make a Part 4 of this add water to the lake, add lurkers, Echo vents, and spread the Scout Flies. EDIT: Add 200 Precursor Orbs Idk why 69 thought and more missions.

[@LuminarLight]

The original level had 69 Precursor Orbs. The entrance cave is not part of the original level, the Scout Flies are not part of the original level, and the Red Eco Vent Switch is not part of the original level. Everything else is, and they are at their original location. Which is not ideal, some things are out of bounds. I do want to adjust things a bit. And I just quickly added the scout flies to show that they are working. I will scatter them around the level. I do want to make many improvements before Part 4.

[@doctorwhoguy9665]

@@LuminarLight Take your time your doing a great job. And thanks for telling me EDIT: BTW I had suspicions that their was something behind the gem because I watched a let's play of this game and the you tuber said there was going to be like another area that got me suspicious well guess what I was right.

[@Zed_B0T]

New level?? :O

[@LuminarLight]

Yes, as the description says, str-Luke made that cave, he calls it Foyer. We wanted to make it lore-accurate.

[@xtremeteam1072]

First and I need the download link plz

[@Iotatheprotogen]

Sadly the download link is useless because the beta for Jak one has not been released

[@joenerdiusmamaiv]

🤦‍♂️

[@LuminarLight]

Yeah, as the description says, you need YOS.DGO for this. But when the owner finally releases the preview build, you will be able to use this restoration project easily to experience Yosemite in the best possible way.