Man, you don't check in for a while and you miss stuff. I LOVED Outcast. Used to play competitively (although I initially was a duel guy, I moved to ctf for a while) and it was incredible. They really nerfed the sabre stuff in the patches a couple of times until it was just rediculous and I went on to other things, don't know if they ever got it back. I think in it's stock form, or first patch or so, the sabre battles were the best. I loved the fact that folks would bow and then battle eachother, and if they didn't bow, then woe be unto them.
I'll have to get it installed and see if you guys are around. Heck, even if you aren't I might play through it again. I think it was one of the better single player experiences. I didn't get Academy, but I did play it. I think overall I prefer Outcast, but it's a personal thing. I liked the fact that some things were harder, and I'm not a fan of all the dual bladed stuff. It just gets out of control, imo.