frequently asked questions

Q:

I just switched to Windows XP and I am not able to make SJ3 work anymore. What's the problem?

A:

There have been some problems with reading the keyboard in XP systems. I haven't been able to reproduce the problem myself and it exists in about 20% of XP installations. The problem is being solved as we speak, please stay tuned for the latest developments of this problem-solving mission.

Q:

Is the jumping made easier in the registered version?

A:

No. There is no difference in the two versions when it comes to jumping. It would be shear extortion to make jumping more difficult in the shareware version.

Q:

What programming language did you use with SJ3?

A:

SJ3 is made with Borland Pascal 7.0. With this project I've also used GNU C with the Automatic Hiscore List Updater, PERL with the SJ3 Hiscore Database Search and Visual Basic with my personal registration databases.

Q:

Please, I'm very poor, send me the registered version for free!

A:

Sorry, man. It would not be fair to all the people who have devoted a little of their time and money to pay for the game if I just gave it out for free if you asked. Hope you understand. This is why I tried to make the shareware version very playable without 30 day limits or some annoying stuff like that.

Q:

You raised the prices for v3.10, why? Bloodsucker!

A:

Sorry, I had to do it. I'd had the same price since SJ2 from four years ago and it was time for yank the inflation out of them with the Euros and everything. Even sums are always good and it's still cheap you know.

Q:

Why won't you add countries to the game, so that along with a name you could choose a country for your jumper?

A:

I've always been hesitant to add country selection to the game and the high scores section at the sj3 home page. I've felt that to be a truly _international_ game, such little details as country borders and nationalities should be put aside. We're all just people. :)

Q:

Can I draw new hills or backgrounds?

A:

Yes! Please read the MANUAL.TXT under The Hill Maker section.

Q:

What program should I use to draw the hills?

A:

I've used the very old-school Deluxe Paint 2.3E, but any program will do if you have the skills. The palette deal can be a little confusing and I will try to do a little helper program soon. Check the Download area at SJ3 home page.

Q:

I jumped a new record with my Saved Custom Hill Set, but the record wasn't saved... Why?

A:

The record will only be saved if you have either loaded or saved the set just before starting the Custom Cup. You will know when the record will be saved when its name is shown on right of the screen in parenthesis like (MYSET).

Q:

Where can change the setup so that I don't have to watch the computer jumpers' running in the top right corner?

A:

You can't. This is because the computer jumpers actually jump in the hills and it takes a little bit of calculations for each one to make it down the hill, especially with older PCs.

Q:

I jumped a hill record on my first jump, but still I was in 5th place after the first round. How can that be?

A:

The hill records are reset to certain default values when you start SJ3 for the first time, so it'll take some jumping for them find high levels. The type of landing you've used (telemark or two-footed) or the style points in general have quite a big effect on your scoring, so it's possible to be 5th even if you've jumped a new hillrecord.

Q:

I have an older PC and it feels like the game is not running 100% smoothly. What's wrong?

A:

You can have a little effect by changing the Graphics Detail item in the Setup Menu -> General Options to "Low". This disables the snow effect and some other minor details which may slow jumping down.

Q:

What about SJ4?

A:

I don't know yet, too early to say. It would need some sort of new technology to go along with that and I don't know if I'm up for that anymore...

Q:

How about adding a career-mode?

A:

I've asked this a lot, and I'll try to work on it after the release of v3.11. We'll have to wait and see.

Q:

Have you done any other computer games?

A:

Yes. I've done some other games in the past, but nothing really worth mentioning or seeing.

Q:

Where can I get older version of Ski Jump International?

A:

There are some old versions available for download at the official SJ3 homepage at the Download Area. Only the versions 1.5, 1.62, 1.7, 1.71 (all Finnish), 2.0 and 2.1 are available since these are the only versions that have been officially released. v1.0 is available thru the Pro Corner.