Cool Star Wars: The Rebel Assault Games

May 7, 2014June 22, 2025 C.P.Leave a comment

I don’t know if you knew this, but last Sunday was Star Wars Day, going off the fact that it was May the Fourth, and thusly: May the Fourth Be With You. I originally was going to post something for Sunday, or even Monday, but when I get to thinking about Star Wars, I think about Star Wars. I thought about the movies, the days when I used to get the magazine, poured through the old movies, and even read through most of my notes about what I would do for an alternate prequel trilogy (Y’know, all 36,000 words of them). To celebrate Star Wars, I was going to give you my top favorite Star Wars works that weren’t the movies, but I soon realized that my list was populated by things that would be on everyone’s list (Knights of the Old Republic, The Thrawn trilogy of books), so I decided I’d be a little more useful and tell you about some Star Wars gems you might not have ever heard of. I started with writing about the Rebel Assault games and learned that apparently, I liked them/was influenced by them more than I realized.

The Rebel Assault Video Games

In all my years of meeting Star Wars fans, I don’t think I have met one other person who has played either of the Rebel Assault games. In fact, I doubt that a lot of Star Wars fans have even heard of them. Do the names Rookie One, Simms, or Ru Murleen ring a bell? What about the plan to stop the fleet of TIE Phantoms joining the Imperial fleet? If not, then let me tell you all about it!

Rebel Assault first came out in 1993 and was the ONLY Star Wars game available on the short-lived 3DO (Trust me, I checked everywhere for more). Rebel Assault featured a Tatooine pilot that could be either male or female (the voice and some images would change) by the name of Rookie One that went off to do some crazy flying for the Rebellion during the events of Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. Alongside Rebel pilots Simms and the Ru Murleen, you flew your craft through 15 rail-shooting levels (except one of them, where you were on foot), featuring everything from pesky asteroid belts, AT-ATs on Hoth, and the Death Star Trench Run.

Trench Run — The 9,000th video-game iteration of it, that is.

Before and after each mission are some extremely primitive, but at the time AWESOME full motion video clips, which, for the most part, was just a picture of someone with their mouth animated. (For all we know, this animation could have been stellar. That is, if everyone in the galaxy stands and sits extremely still). Darth Vader, for instance, mostly appears in this one single shot, and when he speaks, his helmet moves around. And that is it. I love it. I played this game a shit-ton before seeing The Empire Strikes Back, and when I saw the shot from the movie, it couldn’t help but be reminded of the days when I rail-shot down the Death Star. Even when I see that shot now, years later, I can’t help think of Rebel Assault. And now you will too (you’re welcome).

Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire came out a bit later in 1995. I was completely unaware that was a Rebel Assault II at all until I saw it in the store and promptly picked it up. This time, it was for PC, and there was full-motion video. Real full-motion video. Oh man! No longer would their people sitting so stiffly in their cockpits, but instead be some aspiring actors against a green screen, in all that mid-90s FMV pixelated glory.

This time, Rookie One and some Rebel people were investigating the Empire’s “phantom fleet” of cloaked TIE fighters known as TIE Phantoms. Through another 15 levels, you fly some aircrafts, destroy a mining complex, speeder bike through some trees, and become even become re-united with Rebel pilot and old friend Ru Murleen! Through your brave flying skills, Vader is once again thwarted, and you come back as a Rebellion hero with enough courage to conquer the universe, or at least enough courage to finally kiss Ru Murleen, which I totally had been waiting for!

Rookie and Ru kiss — That pilot was waiting for it too

I waited and waited for the news of a Rebel Assault III, but sadly, it never came. I just KNEW that this time around, Rookie One would become a Jedi and take Vader head on. He could learn from Yoda or some other dumb old Jedi about the Force, maybe visit Jabba, do whatever, and finally beat Vader once and for all! Maybe we would even see the Emperor in some way! But alas, no other Rebel Assault game ever came out, and my dreams of conquering Vader as Rookie One were forever dashed. (But seriously, Rookie One as a Jedi would have been the bee’s knees!) Eventually, I came to grips with the fact that LucasArts wasn’t going to do a Rebel Assault III, and that was all right. I could do whatever the hell I wanted in my own feature film adaptation of Rookie One’s story.

Wait, what? Yes, you read correctly! It seems even when I was getting into my second decade, I was already spearheading projects way ahead of my budget and skill level. Such ambition (or as Han would say “delusions of grandeur”) led me to write a script for the movie, which meant I TRANSCRIBED THE ENTIRE GAME’S SCRIPT. . .by hand:

Rebel_assault_script — Complete with appropriate sad faces

Truth be told, my little Rookie One Star Wars trilogy was all planned out by the time I learned of a Rebel Assault II, so the stories didn’t match. I’m sad to say that due to various circumstances, the movie never got off the ground, with not a one of them having to do with the fact that I was 12. So, video tape never rolled on the project, but I do still have the script a couple mock-ups for the poster:

So that’s pretty much all I can tell you about Rebel Assault games. If you haven’t played them, I suggest you do (even though I have no idea how you would go about it nowadays). If playing isn’t an option, there are plenty of videos on YouTube of people playing both of them. After writing this, I guess I should have given Rebel Assault and its sequels’ influence on me a little more respect, because it completely dominated this blog post. So much so that I have to talk about the other cool Star Wars stuff at a later date.

What about you? Did you play the Rebel Assault games? Has anything ever influenced you like this one did me?

Sincerely,

Casey One of Rascal Squadron

MORE GOOD READS FROM THIS SITE:

Party Time at WonderCon 2014
4/21/14
Party Time at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
4/14/14
Loch Ness: The Webseries and Me
04/07/14
I Got Rejected Today
03/31/14
The next Star Wars movie might have come early (links to Examiner.com)
03/31/14

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Saturday is California Bookstore Day!

April 30, 2014 C.P.Leave a comment

Hello everyone, how’s it going? Are you preparing yourself for California Bookstore Day, which’ll be happening this Saturday, May 3, 2014, at participating California Independent Bookstores? For those of you that don’t know, California Bookstore Day is a special day where more than 90 independent bookstores throughout the Golden State offer parties, author events, readings, and will have exclusive, limited items that are only available that day. My goodness. . .why you do this to me, universe?!

Concerning the items, I have never seen such an awesome array of exclusives. There’s a stencil, and some prints, and posters! Look at this cool poster of a Lemony Snicket quote, which’ll be both signed and dated:

I mean, seriously! All you have to lose is boredom! This would be perfect for any classroom. (Or just any room, for that matter,)

Check out these recipe cards from Michael Pollan, all put in a nice little commemorative box that commands you to “Cook!”:

Finally, I can eat what the guy who wrote The Omnivore’s Dilema is eating! (I don’t know if anyone else has ever said that before.) If you haven’t checked out Michael Pollan and heard his views on the food industry and how to eat healthy, then you most definitely should. [One tip that has always stuck with me is that when trying to eat healthy, only shop the perimeter of a grocery store. I never noticed it before, but everything you need is on the outer walls of the store: the butcher shop, dairy section, produce, the bakery, the cheap wine (I mean, what?). The middle of the store is home to all that processed food, that Cheez-It-Orange color and those soft, gummy things (what are gummies, anyway?).]

While these both look awesome, the coolest object has to be a limited, illustrated printing of the Neil Gaiman short story The Sleeper and The Spindle. I haven’t read all of Gaiman’s work, but everything I have read from him is simply outstanding. And sure, I’ll nab Ocean at the End of the Lane one of these days, but if The Sleeper and the Spindle is available only on that day, then I’ll be sure to be there first thing in the morning like it’s Black-Totally-Embarrassed-By-Fellow-Americans-Friday.

If you live in California, totally check out the website to find participating stores. If you don’t, see if there are similar events like this in your state, because it’s a pretty cool idea and destined to be a bunch of fun.

For those of you not in California or the U.S.A., let me make this post useful for you and, since I’ve already told you about how much I love Gaiman, watch one of my favorite speeches ever, delivered by him at the University of the Arts in 2012. (I might do a whole post about this speech in the future. It’s just so great.)

So, what about you? Will you be participating? Which of the exclusive items would you want to get the most?

Sincerely,

Casey, Hunter of CBD Exclusives

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Party Time at WonderCon 2014

April 21, 2014 C.P.Leave a comment

Hey everyone, how are you doing?!

I am completely knackered while writing this, but thought I would drop in. Last week, I told you all about how I worked at the Los Angeles Times Fesitval of Books (which was awesome) and, going on the next loop of the independent-bookseller-event roller coaster, I worked WonderCon this last weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with WonderCon, it’s a three-day convention for comics, science fiction, fantasy, video games, movies, television shows, and everything geeky! Think San Diego’s massive Comic Con, just a little smaller.

On the first day, I totally got to geek out at Amy Talkington (yes, geek out at her) about her debut book, Liv, Forever, which I was in the middle of (right in the depth of all the mysteries and intrigue and wondering WHAT IS HAPPENING AT WICKHAM HALL?!) If you guys haven’t read it, you should seriously totally go to your independent book shop and GET THE FUCK ON IT (blurb by Casey Poma). I have since finished it, and will now write her a lengthy e-mail of what I thought about the ending (as she requested!).

Liv, Forever cover — Seriously, ppl! It has mystery AND ghosts!

When I wasn’t freaking out at authors, I was stationed at our bookselling booth and was deemed the line-management dude (official title, for sure). This meant that I could stand right by the table with the authors and moderate the line, which also meant that I could totally chat with the authors and and pick their brains about the business, creativity, or just anything in general. I learned tips and tricks from all types of writers, from the those who write urban fantasy, to middle-grade stuff, to funny books with lots of sex in them. Some of them were also bloggers, others animators, and musicians, and everyone had something cool to say, and was supportive when I told them of my own writing goals (which is pretty damn great).

When I wasn’t curating knowledge (and bznz cards!), I wandered around and experienced just some of the things there was to do (seriously, there was so much stuff). Tommy Wiseau was there at his booth for The Room. A minute later, I nearly had to be resuscitated when I saw a Jurassic Park booth with ORIGINAL concept art drawings. The man who obviously didn’t see how faded my shirt and shoes were was trying to sell them all to me for 100 bucks. I had to politely decline, but opted for a classic JP logo shirt. Fuck yea. On my way back, I stumbled upon Larry Thomas, aka the Soup Nazi, and scored a picture (and made sure not to ask for any extra bread).

wondercon2 — No hoverhand for the Soup Nazi

All around, WonderCon was a pretty amazing experience, and if anything, solidified that yes, this nerd world is a world in which I could continue to work. Last week, I mentioned how Rome wasn’t built in a day, and how my empire of Creative Career won’t be either. I also mentioned that I am starting to feel like I am laying bricks, and have now realized that business cards kind of look like bricks, don’t they? Let’s build this city!

What about you? Share your WonderCon experience!

Until later,

Casey of Obsessed-With-Books-Land

More pictures!

wondercon3 — Awesomely, these people did not know each other, but found each other in the crowd.

Follow me on Twitter for more goodies!

MORE GREAT READS FROM THIS SITE:

Party Time at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
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Loch Ness: The Webseries and Me
04/07/14
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The next Star Wars movie might have come early (links to Examiner.com)
03/31/14
Women Who Inspire Me – International Women’s Day 2014
3/08/14

Party Time at the Los Angeles Times Fesitval of Books

April 14, 2014 C.P.Leave a comment

I was going to publish an article about writing today, but thought why not be topical and write about the biggest book fair in the country, the Los Angeles Times festival of Books! For those of you that have not yet heard about this wonderful thing (I didn’t hear about it until my second year of living in Los Angeles), it’s a huge festival that takes place at the University of Southern California campus. It’s a weekend full of books, authors, panels, signings, booksellers, and fans!

I would to tell you about all things I saw, but have to be honest and say that I spent the majority of the time looking at the Physical Education building, working at a Special Seller’s booth. Yes, you heard that right. I wasn’t only there. I was working at it, which means I got to ~~lift heavy boxes of books all weekend~~ get there before everyone else. Yay!

In addition to selling some books, I got lost looking getting people food and stumbled upon the John Green line, or should I say the John Green mob. This I found to be a pleasant surprise because I didn’t even know that he was going to be there until that morning. Had I known, I would have been like “Sorryjobcan’tworktodayhavetoseeJohnGreen!!!” While I would have loved to stand in line, get his signature, and tell him how much I love his educational videos (seriously, they are all great), I had to get my fellow booksellers some burger-y fuel. Due to my height, and the fact he was standing at that moment, I was able to see his head, which was enough for me to text my YA-fan friend: “I saw John Green!”

jennifer-lawrence-fangirling-whoalawrence — I saw John Green’s head! From like 40 meters away!

In addition to Mr. Green, I saw some other authors walking around, and was rather impressed with Laini Taylor’s bright pink hair (I will get around to reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone, because everyone, seriously everyone, told me to read it). I didn’t see as much the next day, but heard the line for Veronica Roth (the author of Divergent) was insanely large as well, which is pretty awesome considering that people think kids don’t like to read. If anything, they were the most ravenous and hungry of all the groups that were there (not that the poetry crowd wasn’t rowdy as hell, as they are wont to be).

I don’t really know what I was trying to say with this post (which is great to say in blogging), but wanted to bring out the fact that this year I was there, and last year I totally wasn’t. I was invited to go with my writing group last year, but had to work all weekend at a German market (and like every single fucking weekend I had that job). But really, if anything, this post shows that in 365 days from now, you could be (as I am from last year) one step closer to where you want to be.

If you told me a year ago I’d be at a the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, and would be even just a small, tiny, tiny part of it, I would have said you were verrückt. I mean, I was technically working this weekend, too, but selling books of authors who were on panels is way closer to where I want to be than telling someone which German mustard goes best with which wurst. (Hint: Bavarian Weisswurst and Sweet Mustard are like made for each other!) And if I could spring from the German market to working at the Festival of Books, who’s to say I could spring from there to bigger book things? Rome wasn’t build in a day, for sure, but at least now, I feel like I’m finally starting to lay down some bricks. And if I can start some brickwork, you can too. :)

What about you? Did you attend the event? Who did you see? If you didn’t go, who would you want to have seen? Who would be on your dream panel?

-Casey of Book-Obsession-Land

MORE GREAT READS FROM THIS SITE:

Loch Ness: The Webseries and Me
04/07/14
I Got Rejected Today
03/31/14
The next Star Wars movie might have come early (links to Examiner.com)
03/31/14
Women Who Inspire Me – International Women’s Day 2014
3/08/14
New video! “OUR 2014 OSCAR PICKS – FIRST ANNUAL CAT cAT AWARDS!” (links to YouTube)
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Loch Ness: The Webseries and Me

April 7, 2014April 17, 2014 C.P.Leave a comment

I moved down to the glorious Los Angeles area to work in the movies, armed with a film degree and the naivety of one fresh from University. Now this is not a post to complain about the absolutely impenetrable wall that is Breaking In Hollywood, but a post to tell you that, after not working on as many productions as I would have thought (like practically none), I finally got to work in one of those places where a bunch of people are tired and starving and about to cry/give it all up at any moment: a movie set.

Well, it was more like a webseries set. Well, more like a webseries location (we were just at a dude’s house), but there was a fancy camera, real lights, an HD monitor, and sandbags, which all means this was a legitimate production (especially the sandbags).

The shoot was for the webseries coming out soon, titled Loch Ness, a show about a high-school folk metal band who tries to make it happen despite various complications. I don’t know if you read that closely, but it’s a show about a FOLK METAL band, which, if you don’t know, sits extremely high on my list of things I find interesting. It also sits high on my list of things I try to convince normal people are cool.

Kivimetsan Druidi — It’s really hard sometimes.

In addition to helping out the only day I was free (the other day was an all-night shoot, which would have been followed by a full day at work. Translation = YaIdon’tthinkso), I provided the art department with some awesome photos of my fake (real?) metal one-man project (band?), Linnalapsi. Back when it was still a joke, and had lyrics like “We are ready for battle/ we are quick like wolves, our enemies slow like cattle“, I ~~coerced~~ convinced a bunch of friends of mine to pose as your run-of-the-mill folk metal band with access to forests and facepaint.

Early on, I told my a friend that my main goal for Linnalapsi was to get someone to play one of the technology-restricted, midi-tastic Linnalapsi songs with real instruments. I mean, sure, the main goal now is taking the metal world by storm (like why wouldn’t it be?), but for the mean time, getting some people to play a song seemed a little more doable. After years of complete obscurity, I was down to settle for anyone to even notice or mention Linnalapsi at all. So the fact that a poster for Linnalapsi is featured in Loch Ness: The Webseries is still both cool and surprising to me. Check it out:

Loch_Ness_Linnalapsi_Poster — I apparently have a gig next month.

Of course, they could totally cut the scene it’s in and re-shoot it entirely or whatever, but as far as I know, this little poster will be among the others in the scene, which is pretty damn awesome. Someone might not have covered one of my songs yet, but if my little joke band can get this far after five years, will could it possibly go in another five?

Check out some of the production pics posted below, and then be sure to follow the show’s Facebook and Twitter and Instavine and whatever new social media has been invented in the last five minutes. I have to go now and practice for my May 19th show. Does anyone know where the Valkyrie Castle is?

-Casey of movie-sets and Linnalapsi

Production Pics!