Arrgh.. Finals!! - 10:44pm EST - Saam
Sorry for the lack of updates recently, I've been swamped with college finals and stuff -- should be all done by May 11th. Dan, my assistant has also taken a slight break of a few days from the SS page redesign, so as soon as he's done, I'm sure he'll update the page for me (since I'll be giving him access soon).

A few things I need to do in the next few days if I have time:
1) Post up the SS Texture Extractor as I've gotten tons of emails about it.
2) Add a few more optimized changes to the main page (highlighted links, etc.) as soon as I get FrontPage 98 working.

Have a good night!

Nostalgia! - 8:03pm EST - Saam
I booted up my CD version of System Shock on my semi-new P266MMX (overclocked from 233) and guess what!! 640x480 fullscreen is silky smooth!! Looks like I'm going to lose some zzz's playing SS all over again. <looking forward to insomnia> :-)

On another note, I made the nav bar bigger for you 800x600 users, and I will also continue to add some new stuff to the site (design-wise). Look for gradual changes. Have fun!

Shock Correction - 1:48am EST - Saam
Here's a small note to everyone regarding "Shock":

Shock has replaced Junction Point, so for those of you who thought they were 2 separate games, they're not. Shock will also be using the Dark Project engine, which is a spectacular true-3D engine, with 3D acceleration, multiplayer, etc.. Have I gotten your attention yet? <g>

Design Changes - 1:04am EST - Saam
I can't sleep at the current moment, so I decided to work on the page while I'm at it. I added some date .gif's, tell me if they're useful or not. I also received some swank-ass animated gifs from my stud Dan, so I'll be posting some of them within the next day or so (you like the spinning TriOp logo?). I changed the SS picture on top to a picture of Citadel, so I hope that looks all good.

Oh, and we got these spinning logo's from the texture extractor (useful program dammit!! :) Have a good night!

Thief FAQ Updated - 7:46pm EST - Saam
Looking Glass Studios (I liked Technologies better) has updated their FAQ to their upcoming first-person game, Thief: The Dark Project. I would've posted it all here, but I have to keep the page fast. Also, you can add your name to their mailing list as well.

Also, if you didn't see it above, there's really no more need for any more petition signings. You can always submit your name if you want to, just for my pleasure. :)

New Screenshot of Site - 4/19/98 - 11:21pm EST - Saam
Hey all, something off the topic. I hope everyone had a great weekend. I know I had one, because I went to the Dave Matthews Band concert here in Virginia (Roanoke, to be exact). Had to drive 5 hours south to see it, but it was definitely worth it; if anyone wants some great music to listen to, I suggest you pick up one of their CD's right away (Crash is awesome!).

Anyway, onto the news. My partner Dan sent me yet another screenshot of what's coming up on TriOptimum. Click here to check it out, it's a brief shot of the Reactor level guide.

Before I forget, I will probably post up that SS texture extractor, so let me know if it's a waste of time, or if you hackers want to use it. Thanks :)

Stuff.... - 4/14/98 - 5:27pm EST - Saam
It's been pretty slow the past week or so, that's why I haven't been updating the page. A few things I need to mention though:

-Me and Dan (from Elite Enterprises) have been working "behind-the-scenes" on a brand new, revamped SS page. Check out the screenshot I linked to below just to get a taste of what's coming up.

-LookingGlass has updated their Dark Project diary -- very interesting info indeed, a must-see.

-I wrote an editorial over at the 3Dfx Brotherhood regarding Quake 2 and 3D accelerators. It's also a good read if you're interested in 3D gaming and accelerators.

-An awesome SS fan by the name of Volkov Vasily sent me a VERY tasty file -- a program that extracts ALL the textures from System Shock!! I test drived it, and it works like a charm!! If you want me to post it up, let me know.

See you later!

Screenshot of New Stuff!! - 4/5/98 - 7:47pm EST - Saam
Like I promised before, Here is a screenshot of what will be coming up shortly on your favorite web site, TriOptimum. Dig it!!

Questions? Comments? Let me know.

The Hacker's Name? - 4/5/98 - 7:37pm EST - Saam
Here's a very nifty little email Craig Dinwoodie sent me regarding the hacker's (Employee 2-4601) name. Check it out:

I had recently bought the gold-box "classic" version of Wing Commander III, and just happened to install the e-docs for it as well.  I was parusing the "Victory Guide" and happened to catch this little snippet of information:

Hail SHODAN radiates with cyberpunk action and the good looks of Clint Mason. After streetwise hacker James Finn (Mason) accepts the challenge to punch deck into Citadel research station, he unknowingly removes the logic systems behind the station's artificial intelligence. Finn finds himself trapped in a steel jungle with nothing but his good looks and a few electro-magnetic grenades. The furious pace of this epic game-based HoloVid will send you reeling through the aisles ... the ending will astonish you. (2.24 hours)

Good looks? hmm....sounds a bit weird.. Oh well, very nice info nevertheless. Also, I should be posting up a screenshot of what's coming up next on TriOptimum (courtesy of my friend at Elite Enterprises). Stay tuned.

System Shock 2 Fan Story - 4/2/98 - 7:26pm EST - Saam
I wanted to post this much earlier, but I couldn't for various reasons. If you are a USENET comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action fan, you have probably seen this posted by Badman at various times. Click here to check out his idea of a good story for System Shock 2. It's very good reading, and would an awesome idea for a story, IMO.

Want to buy System Shock? - 4/2/98 - 12:51pm EST - Saam
Yes, I think you can buy the CD Enhanced version of System Shock by clicking on the following link. The cost runs at a measly $14.95, so hurry up and buy it! Cheers to Paul for the info.

More Reader Feedback - 4/1/98 - 11:54pm EST - Saam
Here's another one (Q & A) that I found (Thanks Riemer Martin!) while looking through my email:

Q: When is SYSTEM SHOCK 2 arriving ? What is true about LG and ORIGIN´s trouble ?

A: Well, LookingGlass has officially started development on "Shock", but whether or not they can make it the OFFICIAL sequel is to be seen.

They don't have any trouble with each other, it's just that they're both 2 very big companies each with their unique publishing capabilities.

Q: Who´s going to make SYSTEM SHOCK 2 when ANYONE would make it ?

A: Well, the only people who are authorized to make System Shock 2 is Origin themselves, but seems like they're too lazy in doing so.....

Reader Feedback - 4/1/98 - 11:43pm EST - Saam
This email from Javier Azaret was sent to me a few weeks ago, but I was too lazy to post it (I lost it, I swear!! :) so here's the sauce:

Hi, I'm writing again to inform you of a small connection between System Shock and another of Origin's games. Now, this is only from memory but I do recall from either Crusader: No Remorse or Crusader: No Regret a small newspaper that came with the game which had a side article dealing with the construction of Tri-Optimum's new Citadel Station with the now famous SHODAN AI unit. It seems that the Crusader series is a prequel to the events that take place in SS. That stayed in my brain for so long because I imagined what else Origin is planning to do with this universe......

Misc Stuff - 4/1/98 - 10:36pm EST - Saam
While I'm maintaining the page, I should mention that someone emailed me regarding info on where to buy System Shock, since no one can find it anymore. He told me this:

"I called Electronic Arts and they had about 1000 copies left. The guy said it was the lowest inventory on any game they ever sold. They shipped it to me for $19.99. The phone number is (512) 434-4357."

Now go and get your copy of System Shock today!! It'll be worth something in 5 years, believe me. :)

Announcement!! - 4/1/98 - 8:05pm EST - Saam
Hello all, here's the "official" announcement from my good friend Dan from Elite Enterprises:

NEWS FLASH!!!
Greetings System Shock Fans, from Elite Enterprises. We are proud to announce that one of our webpage designers has teamed up with Saam Tariverdi, webmaster of TriOptimum, to bring you the very best that the System Shock website has to offer.  Work has already begun on new concepts, new pages, and a new look!  There are many exciting surprises ahead for TriOptimum! Who is Elite Enterprises? Visit our webpage and find out!

Cool idea, eh? Yeah, we're going to team up and bring you the most complete, updated, and fantastic System Shock/"System Shock 2" site out there. You can bet your copy of System Shock on that. :)

Oh yes, before I forget, how are the new midi's I posted up on the sidebar? You like them or hate them? Let me know. Thanks!

New Stuff - 3/31/98 - 6:05pm EST - Saam
I've cleaned up the page a bit, but I have some very good news regarding the future of this page. I will have some "professional" help to assist me in the growth of this page. I have lots of plans for this page, so keep the visits coming!

New: Archive section, nifty looking counter.

Oh yes, if you haven't already noticed, please visit this site using a 1024x768 resolution; much better. :-)

Don Travers, "A security bot went nuts in the convection shaft, firing off its cannons before we could shut it down with an EMP grenade. "

News Flash!! - 3/26/98 - 6:18pm EST - Saam
BREAKING NEWS!!!! My anonymous sources at LG have told me that an unofficial sequel is indeed in the works!!!

No, this 'sequel' is not Junction Point, but something else. According to my inside "operatives", he says, "If this isn't the sequel to SS, I don't know what is." And, it's project name for now is called "Shock." Development has officially been started!

Sorry, I can't give out any info, but know this: There is soooo much more that has been told but unfortunately, I don't have permission to say a word unless I'm instructed to do so.

However, I had to update this page no matter what to inform you devoted SS fans of this awesome news. I've been waiting for 3 1/2 years to hear something like this, and my dreams have finally come true!!

Now, what does this mean? For starters, no more SS2 petitioning. Thanks to all you 1017 people who signed the petition, let it be known that you are the greatest fans of any game, EVER. I will be forever grateful. Heck, I might even throw a contest online or something. :-)

Sorry for not updating the page for over a month, I desperately need helpers. I have midi's to put up (talk about kick-ass full level midi's), links, screenshots, and everything else related to SS. So as always, any help is greatly appreciated.

S$!@, is this some great news or what??? I'll post up more info when I am authorized to do so, so please stay tuned..