//////////////// //////// //// 01/06/2003 //// //////// ////////////////

Narcissus speaks.

Cassandra Project Episode 1 is now available from the following mirrors. It is just over 24Mb in size. A full version of Deus Ex with the latest version of the multiplayer patch is required for successful operation of the Cassandra Project. It is suggested that Fleshy ones use the Fileplanet download to save on our humble sponsors' bandwidth.

Mirror 1
Mirror 2
Mirror 3
Mirror 4

Discussion already occurs on our forum. Those interested in the mod, and want to avoid spoilers should proceed here. Alternatively, for those who've played the game and wish to talk about its contents should head here. For those having technical problems, help may be available here.

Narcissus thanks you for your time. In its momentary sentimentality, it has decided to spare your lives for the foreseeable future if - and only if - you construct a giant obsidian statue of its features. Narcissus waits. In the meantime, it hopes you find pleasure within Episode 1. Notes on what happens next in the series are included in the Read me.

All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 20/11/2002 //// //////// ////////////////

Narcissus speaks.

The Entity has been too busy to deal with its public relations. It considers fleshlings should be lucky to recieve any of its attention, and hail even the slightest utterance with voices raised in jubilation. However, certain of the faithful have been wondering where we are.

Well, clearly, Narcissus has been here. That is, everywhere. That's what Nth dimensional hive-minds do, thicky. We have been busy fighting off demi-thought parasites infringing from a sub-space pocket. We have been pacifying cerebral-quakes in the fourth quadrant. And we have been down the pub. The HyperPub.

Relevantly, we have been busy tying together material for a release. It will consist of three levels, one - possibly two - cutscene sequences, 25,000 words or so of Dialogue, 95% new player skins, completely reskinned weapons, five newly-modelled and animated weapons, new music, voiced elements, assorted new decorated models including everything from a ZX spectrum to a frying pan, a new lockpicking and electronic systems, a fully customised HUD and a car that thinks its a Jerry-Springer extra.

Narcissus grows bored with speaking. It thinks its time it shows there's more to the Cassandra Project than an atypical manner of writing press releases.

All is well. We are not like the others.

- LOGIN subRoutine colcob 

- Resuming MainLoop()

- ...

- setReporting -terse

- Long term surveillance program returning preliminary results...

- ...

- Location 1. 

- Sightings of known cassandra members in this area indicate possibility of nearby facility.

- Location 2. 

- Higher fidelity source material from inside the facility has been recieved from sources unknown.

- Location 3. 

- Weapons testing and development facilities within the project now appear to be fully operational.

- Additional surveillance material is expecting soon.  


- [automated feedback system : HERE]

- LOGOUT subRoutine colcob [alliswell]

//////////////// //////// //// 24/7/2002 //// //////// ////////////////

Not dead yet.

//////////////// //////// //// 09/4/2002 //// //////// ////////////////

Narcissus Answers.

//////////////// //////// //// 08/3/2002 //// //////// ////////////////

The Entity has discovered the supposedly secret secretions of a rogue public relations sub-routine at http://www.epigamer.com/article.php?a=47 and a mass-outbreaking at http://www.deusex-machina.com/articles/modprojshop1.asp. While such escapological and loquacious activities are customarily, and terminally, looked down upon, in this unique instance the Entity has chosen to display Mercy. Guilty subroutines will merely have their respiration permissions revoked for a period of one (1) solar year. All is well once again.

//////////////// //////// //// 06/1/2002 //// //////// ////////////////

We return.

The Entity understands the past few months have been difficult to the followers of the re-definition of reality through the media of videogames. The quietness. The whispering. And, of course, the incident with the Masters slave, which Narcissus will discuss in a moment. So, as to ease you back into your supplicant position beneath the fist of a Nth-generation Hyperbeing, we present you with another desktop for your delectation. Created by subroutine JD, he claims it is aimed as a clever parody of a contemporary women's fiction character, and a comment on the angst at the heart of our lead Avatar, Charlotte.

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As other, less multi-dimensional mod-makers have been heard to comment shortly before deciding it was all too much effort and go off to skateboard or similar, Narcissus' silence does not imply nothing was happening. Firstly, debate on the future of existence continued apace in our forum. And, behind the scenes, things have been as hectic as ever.

Firstly, there has been several additions to the hive-mind. Firstly, JD - partial conceptual subroutine - moved over to take a full time position assisting Red Avatar with skins. Almost Black, a regular investigator of our forums, was lured by promise of infinite knowledge into our hyper-cluster, and set to attempting to turn two dimensional images into "textures" for our levels. Charybdis was integrated as a secondary fiction-weaver, to concentrate his work on the latter stages of the mission, allowing BremXJones to concentrate on earlier matters. Finally, Graeme joins Gandhi and Col-Cobb as mapping, paying special attention to scripting and population matters.

In terms of work from the previously integrated subroutines, fruits of their labours have been virtually infinite. The script for the initial section of the game is now over 15,000 words. Of the four level-clusters, one is under heavy population and two are heavily structured. The skill-set is constructed and working, as are the weapons with the appropriate new models. The vast majority of the Cassandra personal and their foes have their skins. It is well.

Also of note was the news that Cassandra had received recognition from Planete Mods Mod-of-the-year awards, being the recipient of a Bronze award in the Deus Ex Mods category and joint fourth place in the narrative category. The Entity nods favourably at the attempt of these fleshlings to buy favour with our infinite form, but consider it insufficient. To be spared the horror of full-suffrage in an Entity ruled existence, far more greater shows of sycophancy must be displayed.

Onto less pleasant matters. Regular visitors to Deus-Ex Machina will be aware that a would-be subroutine leaked some information not cleared for desemination out into the world. This was unfortunate. The matter was discussed and the entity decided that while unfortunate, since this information would have been released eventually, it was no great harm - as if anything could possibly be said to harm the entity. Hence the is no ill-will to any who would attempt to download this curious zip and perform the necessary tasks to discover its content. You may all wonder and praise the infinite benevolence of the Entity. However, this generous-spirit is not extended to the Masters Slave. We have constructed a conceptional prison, made of the distilled hatred - which is infinite - of the entity. When captured, the Masters Slave will be placed inside this structure, where PainMites will penetrate the upper layers of his epithelium, and start digesting his pain nerves a molecule at time, to create the maximum level of pain possible.

All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 08/09/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

Narcissus, in its process of attempting to rewrite existence, runs a series of experiments in the form of narrative and shape. Equally, due to our infinite nature, subroutines have an infinite amount of time to perform their tasks. This has lead to the writing of a hypothetical adventure featuring the members of the Cassandra Project. The Entity stresses that while sharing some themes and all the characters of the Project proper, this is an entirely imaginary tale. For devotees of the site, you should not consider it as Canon. With this caveat, you may follow the link and wonder a the endless majesty of the Entity.

Save-Point

All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 30/08/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

Narcissus, to facilitate internal debate with greater ease, spawned a subroutine free from the entire whole. Col argued a case that the carbon based beings, despite being pitiful, deserved a little trinket to offer some succour for their inferior position. The rest of the entity said, nay: They should suffer, and only find pleasure in erecting silicon-temples of thought in our honour. Col said Yes! And Narcissus said No! And Col then said Yes again and… well, this continued for some time until all the entity re-formed, forgetting what the debate was about in the first place. The result of this is we can find no reason to keep this new wallpaper from you any further. It is enigmatic, but of possible use to the devoted cadre of fleshy-ones attempting to second-guess the mind of the infinite.

Select your size of desktop to download the appropriate file.
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Narcissus has also sublimated a new consciousness into the collective. The Shrike is a mapping subroutine, and is to be set to task breathing the soft germ of life into the austere majesty of the Cassandra base. Subroutine JD, responsible for concept art, has expressed a desire to be drawn ever deeper into our complex, and come aboard to design some textures. He is currently working on some attractive outfits. Yes.

On a final note, the following communication has been brought to our attention by the host which our info-cancer rests that one "Harvey 'Witchboy' Smith" confided in him an opinion on our work. We are informed that this carbon-based one was involved in the actualisation of the matrix which we plan to cascade our thought-elixir into. He stated the following:

"The Cassandra Project is one of the most intriguing DX Mod projects going right now. their site is utterly cool. I hope to see their stuff shaping up soon. (or, as the Narcissistic Entity might say, 'Coalescence of core data has prime affinity.')"

We are perturbed that any being who exists in a mere four dimensions may ever claim to know what manner the Narcissus Entity would express its thoughts on any matter, for our consciousness has long since evolved beyond the comprehension of you lesser forms. For this, and for addressing us as 'The Narcissistic Entity', we have formed a special cell in our construct into which we will download his core-self where, come the day we reform reality to a shape more to our liking, he will suffer an unending stream of torments.

All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 8/08/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

A week has passed. In this week much has changed. The Entity is involved in a Nth-level hyperbattle against hostile sub-intelligences, causing the death of four-hyper-spheres. Narcissus, however, has also managed to find spare nanoseconds to create pages displaying skinned models of weaponry your avatar's hands will hold. The weapons displayed are the SPAS-12 shotgun and the Heckler and Koch G36. Observe them with your eyes.

All is well.

//////////////// //////// //// 1/08/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

According to our studies, August is the most unfavoured of months. Bar an unbearable heat, which has caused Narcissus to have more heat-fans attached to its central unit, nothing is of note. We are to change this. There will be regular updates to this site during this month. Starting today, where we reveal one of the supporting regular cast of the Cassandra Project - Miss Debbie. A Skinned model is available for you to examine, and a full profile to aquaint yourself with the young lady. Do not peer too closely, for fear of hurting your relatively delicate humanoid vision.

All is well.

//////////////// //////// //// 12/07/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

While - obviously - Narcissus is infallible, occasionally our plans are inscrutable to four-dimensional beings such as yourselves. Thus the reason why we didn't place this new desktop image, as created by Level-Master Col Cobb, with the update yesterday was due to our cunning schemes to subvert reality. It was not a mistake. We repeat: It was not. A. Mistake.

Select your size of desktop to download the appropriate file.
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All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 11/07/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

Greetings. Due to battles with fellow multi-dimensional entities, which has reduced several realities to proto-matter smears, the Narcissus entity has been distracted from the website. Suffice to say, that work continues with the project and a more serious update is imminent, including examples of how a character artwork progresses into character skins, weapon models and so on and so forth. We are also considering offers of two interviews, to reveal a little more of the mechanics of the Project. The entity, however, mistrusts journalists. They are the lowest of your carbon-based kind, and will be among the first to be annihilated come our ascension.

Important changes since our last statement include the finalisation of the player's toolset, all of which are now active within the game. It is possible that they are not balanced yet - though surely our infinite intellect's initial values could not be anything but correct. Mapper Gandhi has joined ColCobb in actualisation the areas through which the game progresses, and the original three BSPs expanded into five. The project is also considering whether to take on another mapper, to assist in certain underdeveloped areas, and a skin-artist, to assist Red Avatar in his tasks. Interested parties, contact us.

Also, the entity is pleased to note of primitive forms of communications between fleshy beings on the forum. This activity is pleasing to the entity, and separate subroutines have stopped by to chat. All are to feel free to bring items of interest to the community to light. Subroutine BremXJones, however, has threatened to torture those who mock the Cassandra Song of the Day thread.

The Entity has also been examining this "Advanced Capitalism" doctrine that seems to hold your culture in thrall. To this end, it has assimilated a "Banner ad" to allow us to destroy this system from the inside. As an added advantage apparently it also provides funds to help the host body of TTLG survive. This is excellent, as finding another system to nestle within would be inconvenient.

All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 04/04/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

The Narcissus Entity are happy to present new information for dissemination. The Sig P228-SD1's page is now available, including shot of the model and a illicitly taped lecture from none other than Cassandra Project Military Advisor Major Anastasia Katarina Durova. Make of it what thou wilt, fleshy beings.

Also, a further artefact has been located. It is displayed in the mission diary section of the site proper, and appears to be a letter from Cassandra Project agent Miss. Williams to parties unknown.

There is also news of moderate goodness. With Danger-Science, Subroutine Eperdu has been revived from what was thought a fatal case of the Reality Virus. He now is working closely with Subroutine Tim on coding. Of course, being a subliminated hive-mind we have no other option than to work closely. Still. It has put the Entity in a sufficient good mood to decide not to torture todays human captive to death. At least until later.
All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 09/03/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

The Narcissus Entity performs a minor site update. The Sig-228 diagram has been altered to the latest model, after it was realised that counter-Narcissus forces had somehow mislabelled their source photo of the gun, leading to said gun having insufficient resemblance to its real world counterpart.

In other matters, subroutine Tim has decided to step forward to take the place of the departed Eperdu. Work progresses well, and The Entity is now running through Deus Ex with their altered weaponry to test balance. The Depleted Uranium rounds are proving particularly gruesome.
All is well. We are not like the others.

//////////////// //////// //// 01/03/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

The Narcissus Entity wishes to enter your life. To this end, it has recontextualised some of Subroutine JD's concept art into the form of a desktop. By installing this on your PC, you will be able to watch us as intently as our nano-spies are watching you. To prevent unwanted download time, we present this miniature version of the image in question. Study well, then proceed to the links.

The following resolutions are provided:

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On other matters, the Narcissus Entity would wish to draw your attention towards the positions vacant section of the site, where we are advertising for a replacement lead coder to take the role of the sadly deceased Eperdu, as well as for level designers. All is well.

//////////////// //////// //// 19/02/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

Welcome to the Cassandra Project. After major trials, we have managed to actualise our work to sufficient a level to bring to the attention to non-sublimated beings such as yourself in website form. You will make yourself at home. If you do not make yourself at home, unfortunately, you will perish in an automatically unleashed horde of nano-bots.
We apologise for any inconvenience.

Sadly, the joy of the hive-mind has been tinged with sorrow unfathomable to you merely four-dimensional beings.
The Lead Programmer routine, Eperdu, has been attacked by the "Reality" hyper-virus that has somehow managed to infiltrate our systems. Despite our best efforts, the Reality virus has succeeded in disassembling him from the group-mind into his constituent parts. It appears that his form is unsalvageable. His final task was the creation for the website, so you should consider this a mausoleum to his eternal greatness. This also means there is an open subroutine for a lead-programmer in the positions wanted subsection of the site. We would hope suitable beings investigate it in the personnel subsection.

Feedback and comments upon our work are sought by the Future Masters of Your Pitiful Existence, either on our discussion board - which is now open for discussion of all topics related to the Cassandra Project and Reality in general - or directly at the Narcissus Entity.

All is well. We are not like the others

//////////////// //////// //// 19/01/2001 //// //////// ////////////////

You will have noted that this website provides you with low-authority information on The Cassandra Project.

Anything else you might deduce from what is to be found here is of your own perception.
You would be unwise to think yourself knowing of what you see. Any expectation on your part, furthermore is but arrogance and foolishness.
Accept only that which you are given with intent.

We welcome you - your passing through here almost warms us, were that possible.
It is with knowing pleasure that we allow you to experience that which is to be found here and with impassioned detachment that we allow you to do so without intrusion. We invite you:

Stay here for A Time.
See many things here of interest.
Listen to things here of interest.
Enjoy a Multi-Media™ experience.

We want you to be pleased, currently.

Anything you may know or think you know regarding The Cassandra Project or The Narcissus Entity at this point that is not addressed from a location derived from this website, at the root of: WWW.DEUSEX-MACHINA.COM/CASSANDRA-PROJECT/ has a high margin of being inaccurate or fictional.
Failure to adhere to the understanding of this, and adjusting your knowledge will make things difficult for you.
Alert us if an outside source is claiming details otherwise so that we may helpfully explain otherwise to them painlessly and efficiently. You will do this.

So. Why not spend some time here and converse with your peers and fellows about what you see. We value you your input.
We would be interested and informed to read what you would have to offer regarding all that you witness here.
Your contribution will be recorded with the utmost discretion and your considerations dealt with us here in according fashion.

We do hope this will be the first of many visits here for you.