Don’t leave your favorites list.
One day, a few weeks ago, I was in the mood for some procrastination, so I fired up ye olde TF2 and joined the ubercharged server. Unfortunately for me, the server was hosting a low-grav melee-only Zombie Fortress party. Now, I can’t say I enjoy low gravity, melee-only, or Zombie Fortress, let alone a twisted combination of the three, so I left my Vault 101 and ventured out into the wasteland.
And what I saw there was not pretty.
Server 1: Liars
I opened up my favorites list and was sorely disappointed – all my other favorite hangouts, such as the second ubercharged server and the Team Fortress 2 Fort servers, were either completely empty or completely full. I set one of the TF2F servers on auto-join, went AFK for 10 minutes, and returned to find that there still wasn’t a slot free.
So I did the unthinkable – I clicked the “Internet” tab for the first time in months and watched as a list of thousands of servers grew on my screen.
I joined my first server, a 32-player 24/7 Granary place with 19 players onboard. Granary’s one of my favorite maps, because of its open nature and fast gameplay, and regardless, I hadn’t played that map in quite a while. I sat through the loading screen, hit “Continue”, joined a team…
…and found myself alone in that vast, superficially agro-industrial complex.
It took a second for it to sink in. I had been fooled by a crappy server running a decidedly evil script, giving the player the impression that there were 19 players online, when in reality, there were none. (By the way, the server is run by HL2Land.net – think twice before joining their servers). And for what reason? The losers wanted to push their Gametracker rank up. Undeserving idiots. I ragequit.
Server 2: More liars
I went back to the “Internet” tab and found a Goldrush server (called “The Tempest”) with 23/30 players online. I’m quite averse to 30- and 32-player servers (I’ll shortly mention why), but I thought that I could probably do some spying. I joined and again, was greeted by an empty server.
Again.
Ragequit.
Server 3: Reserved slot fail
Back to the server browser, I navigated to the “friends” tab. I saw a 24-player dustbowl server with 23 players on, so I quickly joined it before that last slot was taken. I checked out my TF2 stats as the game loaded – “Retrieving server info” – “Sending client info”. And then a dialog box popped up. Apparently, I had been “kicked due to slot reservation”. I looked at the server browser again. It still had 23/24 players. Basically, the last slot was set to autokick all but a select few.
Now I was really miffed. I’m somewhat aware of the intricacies of sourcemod, and while I don’t disapprove of reserved slots, I am amazed – no, shocked – by the stupidity of that server’s owner. SourceMod has three methods of handling reserved slots (check out the nitty gritty on the SourceMod wiki), yet the server’s operator had chosen the worst method. Wonderful. Just wonderful. To whoever runs “TrU Servers”, don’t expect me back.
Server 4: The 32-player spamfest
Next up: a 32-player Payload Rotation server.
First off, once I became more active on ubercharged, I pretty much stopped going to 32-player servers. I think it was a pretty good decision on my part. In the nurture of 16- and 24-player servers, my playing skill exponentially improved.
I was joining my first 32-player server in months (and yes, this one actually had players online 
), and I could see that I hadn’t missed anything. One word describes a 32-player server: Spam.
After playing for a few minutes, I could feel my TF2 skills slipping away. I hate to say it, but it really doesn’t take much to get kills on such a server. Player density is just way too high – by randomly spamming rockets, grenades, or stickies into an area, it’s completely possible to have the explosion damage someone. There’s always someone there. I think it’s fair to say that random spam does not take skill – yet spam wins the game on a 32-player server. The team that spams best wins. I know this statement is going to piss hundreds of readers off, but 32-player servers don’t reward skill, at least not as much as smaller servers.
I’m putting this in contrast to an occasional hangout of mine, the Team Fortress 2 Fort server(s). Their format is largely competitive – 16 players, competitive maps, no crits, no damage spread, no sandman – consequently, some of TF2’s best competitive players hang out there. The skill level is stratospheric in comparison to your average 32-player spamfest. Getting a kill there takes good aiming and good sense.
It suddenly made sense to me – why my skill exponentially increased after ditching 32-player servers. I just didn’t need to try hard enough. Now, every kill felt hollow, devoid of skill. I strongly prefer having to fight for my kills – extended 1v1 duels are, to me, among the most fun things TF2 has to offer, especially in the context of a game. Small servers offer plenty of that because of low player density. If you try to pull a 1v1 duel on a 32-player server, you’ll be interrupted within ten seconds by someone’s crit-rocket.
But spam aside, the last straw for me came later. Our team won the round and proceeded to slaughter the other team during humiliation. I sent a critrocket toward a pyro and got a direct hit, but the pyro didn’t explode. I sent another over. Then I shovel-bashed the pyro. Nothing worked.
A good chunk of the other team rage-quit the game (what noobs). Although the teams were 11 players to 15, a player on the other team typed !swapme into chat and got switched to ours, making the teams 10-16. Noob. Rage-team-switching speaks to the player’s lack of skill and sportsmanship, but this? That takes noobishness to the next level. Beautiful. Hell, I didn’t even know that you could type !swapme – I had never heard of it before. Maybe it’s because I play on good servers.
You see that icon? The autobalancer may be irritating sometimes, but you should respect it and actually make a stand with your new team. Don’t be like that idiot.
I shortly found out where !swapme came from. A message popped up in the chat box: “Donators get reserved slots, invincibility during humiliation, and much more! Type !donate to see all the benefits!”
That was too much for me. The reserved slots aren’t all that bad if implemented correctly, but invincibility during humiliation? Are they that concerned about their HLStatsX rank? I typed !donate and found a slew of other cheap gimmicks, such as special hats, the aforementioned immunity to the autobalancer, and a different color in the chat box.
That is just ridiculous. I realized immediately that I didn’t need to play TF2 with these idiots. I left the server – again.
Well, I learned a lesson. Once you find some good servers, add them to your favorites and stick with them. Oftentimes, it’s not worth venturing out into the wide world.
Stumble it!
Dedtoo responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 2:07 am #
though luck man.
Also FIRST!!
Cooee responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 2:11 am #
Spot on.
This is probably why I tend not to wander from my favourites tab any more, save the occasional times when I find an empty server to play 1v1 duels with my friend
.
Generally, my favourites tab has good custom map servers, and several servers with good communities, as well as some respectable arena servers, because I like arena
.
Sadly, I haven’t dared to venture onto TF2F’s servers yet, for my skill and ping are both pretty terrible.
Still, good post. Also, that’s the third time someone’s used the crocket picture I submitted. Yay.
xeno responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 2:29 am #
history tab++
Anonymous responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 2:31 am #
no crits, no damage spread, no sandman
melee only
final destination
orta responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 2:32 am #
I agree completely. I only play on the servers of http://www.uberium.co.uk/ or http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ and ubercharged, obv.
And I also had the same 32 player experience, seeing 6 sentries guarding the flag just doesn’t work for me.
Paper Shadow responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 2:46 am #
My new favourite type of servers are low ping with 6-8 people. Best place for me to wreak madness as a Pyro…
But there are so many servers that lie. It saddens me… :/
Detroit Matt responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:03 am #
Ahhhh yes. I recently went through the same kinda thing. Hate it. And I’m afraid that the UC server is moving that direction. The great thing about the UC server is that it’s so simple. You can vote on the map change, and that’s all. And that’s all you need. Leave the rest to the admins. But now we have all kinds of voting, including votemute. VOTEMUTE. Why force EVERYONE to not hear someone, just because you’re too lazy to go to “mute players”. But that’s another rant. The UC server did elitism right, because the elite really DID know best. We don’t have stupid beetlesmod crap, and that makes us different. And I like it. And it’s changing. And that makes me sad. When we can vote on crits, and the uneducated masses can ruin the game for me, I get mad. Half the fun of TF2 is when you get a great story to tell, and crits are more often than not what make those moments possible.
This is not my real name responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:15 am #
Yeah l don;t know why some servers “lie”…
It happens to me a lot too…l hate it..
Cloud responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:15 am #
I agree with pretty much all of this, especially the reserved slot, why can’t owners HIDE said reserved slot, so if you want to join and you have one, you can do it via the console or a custom menu? (We do this on ours .>)
n00bie51 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:17 am #
“That was too much for me. The reserved slots aren’t all that bad if implemented correctly, but invincibility during humiliation? Are they that concerned about their HLStatsX rank? I typed !donate and found a slew of other cheap gimmicks, such as special hats, the aforementioned immunity to the autobalancer, and a different color in the chat box.”
I’ve been in servers where HLStatsX is disabled during humiliation; that really is stupid. I think there’s been a story on ÜberCharged before on the absurdities of the privileges of those who donate to servers regarding admin abuse.
Also, Himmelstoss, I find it interesting that you’ve undergone a gradual, yet significant change over time as you’ve come from the shenanigan-loving (who stubbornly opposed my views regarding sticky spam up till the point where you desired censorship) newbcake to one that appreciates the competitive aspect of TF2. You’ve changed.
J4CK8 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:19 am #
Lucky you actualy gets 500 servers appearing. I’ll get 100 on a good day. Now I’ve learnt to always view server ingo before joining to make sure people are on it.
Paper Shadow responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:21 am #
@ Noobie: “I think there’s been a story on ÜberCharged before on the absurdities of the privileges of those who donate to servers regarding admin abuse.”
Yeah, that was clubtheseals’ first article: http://www.ubercharged.net/2008/06/11/buying-in/
Neuromante responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:23 am #
Agree in all except the competitive/skill part.
There are some spanish servers where always plays the same guys, and they always play in the same team, so the rest of us have to play in the other team and gettin pwned round over round until ragequit. It’s like team stacking, but without tags.
The lying servers, the “reserved slot” ones… it’s frustrating.
Yeah, inside the intel case it’s your favorites list. Keep it in a safe place.
BTW, any way to save that list between Format C:’s or uninstallations?
Secret Agent Clank! responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:34 am #
Heheh. The Tempest. I occasion their #2 24/7 2fort 32 player server, mainly to grief snipers, amongst other things (surprise surprise, Pyro battles in the water! It’s actually fun. Weird, huh?).
They’ve got a 13 player script for anything below 13 players, though. These kinds of servers, yeah, they’re going to be cut down on, I’m sure. Valve said so (http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=2338)
But don’t give up pubbing just yet! It can be some of the most fun. Picking on nubs, doing what you want, experimenting with new/unorthodox techniques.
This is especially true if you know where to go. I go to ATF occasionally, and it’s reaaaaaally nice there. And the players are competent, to say the least.
I also recommend Fuegos Market. Only ever been there once, but they’re a great community. Very nice people. And Don Fuego is an amazing Spy. (Click my name for the steam community link; I feel like putting an extra link will censor this comment =P)
soylent robot responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:44 am #
i agree completely
i hate lying servers, i hate HLstatsX or whatever its called, and i hate donator extras.
im just sticking to UC for now, even if my ping is mostly terrible there
House.Keeper responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 4:13 am #
I feel lucky to have found UC, CP, and a few other great servers where there is always funny VOIP and good players. It sure is a shit-show venturing too far into pubbie land.
Great article Himmeltoss, and I enjoyed playing with you the other day on UC, sticking to you while medic sure does pay off in the assists
The Scoot responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 4:27 am #
You live in the servers, you die in the servers. No one enters, no one exits.
Except you would make a better overseer that I. D:
Mickyan responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 4:34 am #
The last part
you should really check this out
-> https://www.saigns.de/premium/
Warning: It cannot be unseen
n00bie51 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 4:38 am #
Holy crap. You can jump five times in mid-air as a Scout? Engineers get unlimited metal and the ability to build four Sentry Guns? Snipers have instant charge time when zoomed in with their rifles? Spies have unlimited cloak?
That is wrong.
J4CK8 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 5:15 am #
Ah yes, good ol’ times of hilarious pwnage on Saigns. Of course I didn’t buy those privilages, they quite oftern allow you to type ‘premium’ into chat and get about 10 minutes of the features.
Kollega responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 5:40 am #
First off,LOLSaigns. They probably should make another Scout feature – “You are actually able to use SANDMAN without ensuing bitching!” Why there’s nothing for Pyro,anyway?
Second off,HLstatsX leads to the inevitable – stat wankery. That’s why it isn’t standard feature. Actually,whole “competetive” aspect is a stat wankery too. Just play for FUN,goddamnit!
I can’t even imagine how some people can play without crits.
Phoenix responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 6:01 am #
Hmm.
There’s a reason a slot didn’t open up, for a start. The queue system just works by whoever’s client sees the hole first, no kind of order. Basically, other people were sitting hitting “refresh”, and their clients were therefore seeing the space before yours automatically checked. Spamming “refresh” gives you a much higher chance of actually getting that slot as it opens up.
Eldrake responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 6:11 am #
“Teleporters have 2000 health points”
*Glares*
“Get nearly cloaked while camping on a fixed position”
*Eyebrow twitch*
“Faster movement speed
Increased fire rate with all weapons
Unlimited ammo”
*Entire body shakes*
“Ability to make 5 double jumps in one row”
*Holds up a fist*
“*Everything else*
*Is convinced that there is no god*
DoomGuy responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 6:32 am #
@Kollega Some people don’t like being killed due to a dice roll. Some people don’t like being killed by Super Retard heavy #1674584 despite the fact you had a medic and overheal and you were a heavy and he had bumbled into the action like a tool. Some people don’t like the fact that a pyro can charge up to you and win because Valve’s luck-based system decided that w+m1 Pyro #684624 really DESERVED to get a free kill despite being utterly useless.
Crits are just frustrating and NOT FUN.
Therefore, I can’t imagine how most people can play with dicero- WOOPS, I meant crits.
Lord Grey responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 6:45 am #
The first server I ever played on was a 28 player Tempest server.(lazytown)
Go on himmel, kill me
XDLMAO responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 7:19 am #
Nice article.
The only time I go on 32 servers is if I can’t find a server, or if I want to play a custom map that’s not on any other server.
Any other good severs that you can recommend?
Sinister Minister responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 7:25 am #
@DoomGuy: And yet I have more fun WITH crits than without. Also, in before no-skill comments.
Azul responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 7:29 am #
I don’t really care about not being able to kill people during humiliation. I’m quite happy owning then during the actual game… but I absolutely cannot stand servers that lie about their player counts. I’ve wasted so much time going into empty servers.
HelisPoe responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 7:42 am #
Damn straight. Spread the word!
Theminipanda responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 8:05 am #
get back in your vault!!! hurry! :O
HelisPoe responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 9:06 am #
@Phoenix
I agree completely. I like the general gaming idea of TF2. The competitive style of gaming in TF2 just doesn’t fit it for me. 9v9? A bit too small if you ask me. I play with competitive skill. I’m an excellent player in my opinion (Sounds conceited, I know). But only to the point where I have fun. There’s the middle ground where the line between playing to win and having fun.
I play TF2 as it was made to be played,
12 v 12 24 slot servers, pure official maps (with GOOD customs), and no server commands rolldice/etc. nonsense.
Unfortunately I’m seeing more and more servers like that.
But here is a list of server I’m sure won’t change from the above as for mentioned ideals of TF2:
Control Point #1 and #2
Ubercharged #1 and #2
ATF #1 and #2
SourceMod (Only the general ‘nilla server)
OSF ‘nilla
Refuge Gamer
Ellie’s Nun House
West Coast Full Rotation
Noob only servers (Minus the 24/7 2fort ones)
That’s about it. These are all on my favorites. I haven’t had to remove any of them for bad server experiences.
n00bie51 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 9:30 am #
You think 9v9 is too small, what? 9v9 is only for Highlander events and pugs, REAL competitive clan matches usually consist of 6v6. (Please, anybody can enjoy TF2 without having 20+ players in the server.)
You say you play TF2 “the way it was meant to be played,” but that’s not necessarily the way that’s most fun to play. For some, winning IS fun, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Kollega, stats don’t mean anything when it comes to competitive matches. When you have two opposing teams of skilled, coordinated players going head-to-head, that’s way more exciting than some Heavy + Medic combo mowing down a bunch of pubbers.
Believe it or not, some players have more fun when they play to the best of their ability, and reduce random chance occurrences such as Critical Hits or damage spread and modify the settings to best accommodate skill-based competitive gameplay. That’s why they play so frequently on symmetrical maps like cp_well, cp_badlands, and have stopped playing on maps like Dustbowl, and ignore Payload altogether, which cater much more to the pubs.
Without trying to sound elitist, I would argue that those who engage in competitive gaming enjoy the game MORE than those of you who just play in pubs (also they can kick your ass to the sky box). They have good reasons for playing the game the way they do, and in the end they enjoy it more that way, and that is something to be appreciated and given respect.
Pyrit responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 9:30 am #
I like joining random servers from time to time to get a different ‘flavour’ of play – for better or for worse. I notice many different servers have different types of playing. I don’t mean anything like HLStats or mods, but things like the fact some servers seem to have an abundance of Demo players on, while others have few but lots of Pyros.
I don’t like lots of excessive mods like HLstatsX because people are, as others have said, total wankers about their scores. It also disheartens me when the game keeps popping up my mediocre score, everytime I get a kill, an assist, build a sentry, destroy a sentry, assist in destorying a sentry, backstabbing, headshotting and assisting a Sniper headshotting a Spy about to backstab. When I play, I don’t want a program telling me how good or bad I am, I just want to play the game.
You need to venture away from your favs sometimes, because if I didn’t I wouldn’t have found some of the great servers I play on a lot. But I agree, some of the bull that goes on in some servers is shite.
Plasto Joe responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 9:38 am #
When I was first learning TF2, I preferred 32-player servers. I guess you could say it was because it took less skill to kill, but I’d say it was also because it was easier to blend in with the rest of the team. In smaller servers, you’re more likely to be singled out for dominations by unscrupulous players, which can frustrate a newbie to no end.
But now that I usually play on ubercharged, I guess I can upgrade my perceived skill from “decent” to “formidable.”
Koan of the day: is it still a ragequit if there’s no one else in the server?
Pyrit responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 9:44 am #
Oh also, @ n00bie (I made my comment before I saw his appear); You can never say -everyone- will have more fun doing X or Y. Just like how you can’t say everyone will like the same music as you do, or are interested in the same subjects at school as you.
I can respect competitive players for having fun the way they want to, but I don’t think I would have fun playing the same way they do. Why? Because I like variation in gametypes and I’m not a huge fan of linear CP maps. I prefer games with teams of maybe 12v12.
n00bie, I know you like competitive playing, but please, I just feel as if you’re forcing us all to try to play and think like competitive players. People like 24/7 insta-respawn 2fort, some may even like that more than any other way to play you could play TF2. Competitive players are still a minority in comparison to pubbers, and I think it’s absurd to think that the majority are not having fun or playing the game in the best way possible for them.
Zorgulon responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 9:51 am #
The corruption in those Seigns servers is unbelievable.
Seems to me the only people who’d willingly play in those servers are the people who’d willingly pay for what are essentially hacks, and therefore none of them would have any advantage.
I’m glad I’ve never been in any server like that.
chopsoy responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 9:58 am #
One quick hint: You can avoid liar servers by clicking on the View Server Info option from the right click menu, and seeing if the description box actually displays players, or just says “Server not responding”
Also, 32-player + Dustbowl Stage 3 + Spy = Instant Death
Riddick responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 10:06 am #
it always says that in humiliation, kills dont count for HLStatsX …
Cliff responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 10:10 am #
Heh. If anything I’d be attracted to the seigns server, with the allure of stabbing a premium and watching the ensuing rage.
also I’m all for special hats.
Sarda responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 10:16 am #
@chopsoy
the problem is, some people get ’server not responding’ for other reasons also. I’ve had it say that, I’ll join anyways, and it will have 10-15 people there.
I have fun in a 32-man server, but that’s also because it’s heavily modified and mostly balanced. 3PG runs 2 servers with a whole bunch of modifications to the rules/classes that basically end up with it being balanced again, because *everything* is overpowered. Except for heavies. Heavies and medics win, always.
But anyways, I really only play on 3 sets of servers now: Control Point, because I know people; 3PG, because it’s a lot of fun; and Ubercharged, because I know people and sometimes fun things happen.
sQUEAKYfOAMpEANUT responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 10:50 am #
“After playing for a few minutes, I could feel my TF2 skills slipping away. I hate to say it, but it really doesn’t take much to get kills on such a server. Player density is just way too high – by randomly spamming rockets, grenades, or stickies into an area, it’s completely possible to have the explosion damage someone.”
It’s like playing Soldier! All the time!
n00bie51 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 11:24 am #
“…I think it’s absurd to think that the majority are not having fun or playing the game in the best way possible for them.” I didn’t mean to say that. Competitive gaming is not for everybody, and you can still have plenty of fun enjoying yourself in pubs (which can still reach a decent competitive environment if both teams have people who are focused on winning and have the skills to make it happen). I know not everybody has the time to join a clan, practice, or engage in competitive events and sometimes the most they are allowed is just an hour or two in a pub server, nor do I think a player has to participate in such to be considered skilled. I understand not everybody gets the same satisfaction in victory as the top CEVO clans might have competing against each other. What I meant to say is that I think they have more fun playing THEIR rules than they would with just the default settings in 24 player servers.
I’ve talked to OMFGNinja about this, and although we are in the same clan because we enjoy the competitive aspect of TF2, that doesn’t mean we can’t have tons of fun in a pub getting ten back stabs in a row. The footage in his YouTube channel is mostly from pubs. In fact, I don’t recall the last time I’ve been in a pug or a scrim (my clan’s been pretty inactive). Pyrit, I don’t want to force anybody to enjoy competitive gaming. I just want to say that people should give it a chance before they shoot it down like they seem to be doing here.
HelisPoe responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 11:59 am #
@n00bie51
This is my personal opinion. You for one have no right no outlandishly flame me like that.
What, you aren’t?
Sure looks like you are.
n00bie51 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 12:18 pm #
Nah, I don’t think I was flaming, NOR was the entirety of that comment I posted made DIRECTLY to you. In a response, I kinda deviated and just wanted to give some examples showing what CP gaming is all about.
n00bie51 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 12:21 pm #
I was expressing strong disagreement, but it’s not like I hate you. I apologize if I offended you and if I got carried away.
Himmelstoss responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 1:14 pm #
@HelisPoe: At the same time, you should definitely try a PUG or something. They’re a lot of fun. Maybe I’ll get around to writing a post on it.
If you want to try one out, join #tf2.gather.us on gamesurge (or click here: http://tinyurl.com/c23hsv) and type !add when a game comes up. Once 12 people are in, it’ll send you a private message with the TF2 and ventrilo server details. Really, give it a shot, even if you don’t think you’ll like competitive games.
NealKenneth responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 1:28 pm #
Wow, Himmelstoss, thanks for saying everything I had to say about 32 player matches.
Unfortunatly, since I am an Xbox 360 player, I “don’t know what I’m talking about.”
Baejung92 responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 1:51 pm #
I actually think UC has a higher average skill level than most pubs. When I venture out into random servers I consistently get WAY more kills than usual.
I think playing on the UC server has really improved my skills as well…
Kollega responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:45 pm #
When it comes to playing TF2,i like standart flavour. 24 players,reasonable respawn times,crits FUCKING ON,etc.
It becomes truly perfect when there’s right mood on the server,when everyone tries to be competetive,while maintaning ironic look on the game. It’s just a game,not professional sport!
n00bie,STFU and GTFO,then jam a blunt fork into your eye.
Kollega responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 3:49 pm #
What i mean is that TF2 isn’t meant for stat wankery. Guess why it looks so cartoony.
Himmelstoss responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 4:34 pm #
@NealKenneth – Wrong.
My favorite server, ubercharged, is 12v12. I’m don’t enjoy servers larger than that. You were opposed to 9v9 and larger, if I remember correctly. That’s a little sad. Like you, I like small games more than I like big ones. Unlike you, though, I have had the benefit of having experienced both sides of the issue before taking a stand. I don’t make troll-worthy arguments about that which I haven’t experienced, either.
In addition, I’m not calling for the removal of 32-player servers like you were calling for a blanket ban of medium-size servers (12v12) on the Xbox. I recognize that they exist and that lots of people like to play on them. You, on the other hand, are calling for a player cap, even though others may enjoy larger games. There’s a vast difference in our attitudes, and good thing too. It would be horrible if the PC crowd accepted your ideas.
-frigid- responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 4:49 pm #
So I have to say when I first read this article it grinded my gears… But it does make some good points. Stat whores are no fun, ridiculous detonator packages are just that ridiculous, and 32 player servers can be crazy and pointless (hence me hating 24/7 2Fort servers except when I feel like just basically wasting time.)
However that is about as far as I agree. I think that HL2Stats is good because it directly shows you improvement in your skill; no I am not talking about the stupid rank and point system. If you go to your personal page it can show you your averages what you tend to do and were you weaknesses might be. So if you are looking for improvement and you want to see rewards/a traceable record of your stats then I think you should appreciate HL2Stats. I do understand some people take them to extremes but that’s there decision and it shouldn’t effect how much fun you have.
About donator packages I think that they should serve as a way to more fully enjoy the servers you frequent, but should not affect game play. I know that servers are not cheap and so communities running say 4+ servers could be running a very high cost. It only makes sense for people who want to contribute to keep the servers up should get some little perks. Nothing game changing, but a hidden reserve slot, the ability to switch on to the team of a friend you always play with (though auto balance should be enabled for everyone else), and invincibility during humiliation (which I really don’t care about anyways) all seem fairly reasonable.
On 32 player servers it is all about the community in my opinion. I understand how on a lot of pubs you will find nOObs just spamming and what not. It is true that is probably the weak point of having so many players, but if you can find a community were the players are skilled and they actually use team work it can be tons of fun. But as Himmelstoss mentioned it is a lot more fun to earn you kills (I do appreciate that and do play regularly in 12v12 and 24v24 servers). But it seems to me that it is much more of a challenge to kill 3 or 4 players, by yourself or with a medic. Also about the heavy medic imbalance in pubs it just seems to me that the problem is that so many people don’t know how to counter it and therefore just run blindly into a hail of bullets that will probably crit because of the other kills he is getting.
In the end I think it is a matter of preference and the fact that you had a bad experience. Fake player counts piss me off too but that and you joining a few terrible servers just does not seem like it should make you hate 32v32 servers.
Disclaimer: Sorry if I offended anyone especially you Himmelstoss. It was not intended that way just wanted to rant a little and tell what I thought of the subject. Also I didn’t mean to sound elitist so if that came across my bad. Just a fan of the blog telling it how I see it.
Wow that was longer than I thought it would be. I kind of got carried away.
Eth3n responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 7:13 pm #
BBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!
Ladykiller responded on 22 Apr 2009 at 12:03 am #
Great article. I agree that it’s incredibly frustrating to join a server that advertises at least 12 or more players, only to find out that it was lying and that there are NO players on except you.
Full disclosure – I’m a TF2F member, so obviously I’m inclined to like the 16 slot server style we run over at our clan. It does provide a great platform to improve your skills, particularly if you are looking to perhaps get involved in more competitive play. While I still enjoy getting on a 32 man 24/7 2Fort server (or our own 32 person dustbowl/badwater/goldrush server) and spamming it up, I also find that mixing in competitive play helps keep the game interesting, because it’s a totally different play style.
Tragically, our sponsor just folded, so our servers are down for the moment while we look for new sponsorship. http://www.teamfortress2fort.com/forums/t/TF2FNeedsanewGameServerSponsor-21612.aspx
Druss responded on 22 Apr 2009 at 3:28 am #
I know which server you joined on your 4th attempt:
http://www.no-heroes.com/donations2.html
Look familiar?
This server is notorious for it’s spam and makes a quick buck from the inexperienced twits who don’t want to die at humiliation and teamswitch at the last minute. I’d grief them, but I am far, far more mature for that. Avoid their servers like the plague ladies and gentlemen, do not even THINK of going on their servers even if you’re invited, or you’re in for one bad experience.
n00bie51 responded on 22 Apr 2009 at 9:12 am #
Kollega, calm the fuck down, I didn’t do anything wrong. Why would you say such an asshole thing? And no, competitive TF2 is NOT all about making it into a “professional sport.”
What the Hell, it’s not like I pissed on your mother’s grave, Kollega, no reason to tell me to STFU, GTFO, and jam a blunt fork in my eye. Sorry, next time I’ll do that whenever I want to express my opinion if it contradicts yours.
grims responded on 22 Apr 2009 at 7:20 pm #
Hmm, nice story there Himmel.
I couldn’t agree more on the spam but.
You play nocrits/nospread/nosandman servers, and then call it skill, allright there’s no crockets or critnades/stickies to oneshot people..(probably you’ll indeed have to play harder for your kill since there’s no luckycrits). but crits aren’t there for nothing, are they not part of the game, just like autobalance and post-round humiliation.
Just my few cents.
-Grims.
Kollega responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 12:49 am #
n00bie,check this out.
http://www.fullyramblomatic.com/contact.htm
Then jam a blunt fork into your eye.
I’m simply bored of stat wankers and personally your “UNLOCKS=BAD” additude.
Paper Shadow responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 3:49 am #
Oh dear. Not this again…
…And I’m not talking about the article…
n00bie51 responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 5:35 am #
Kollega, I think stat wanking is just as absurd as you think it is, but playing in competitive matches have nothing to do with stats. HLStatsX isn’t enabled in serious competitive matches, it means nothing to players who enjoy playing competitively.
Also, once again, I’m sorry for having an opinion that is different from yours and I truly don’t like unlockables. I don’t know what the fuck warrants that link to Yahtzee’s contact page; what, I have a massive ego problem because I spoke out and disagreed with you? Maybe you should stick a blunt fork in YOUR eye after looking up the word “irony” in the dictionary.
Niphrendil responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 6:27 am #
So, so true! However in my opinion 32 player servers do serve one purpose. The purpose is easy playing b/c sometimes I am flat out too tired to really think. It is like McDonalds food easy, fast, and gratifying but has the bad side effects of it being poor quality and will leave you feeling somewhat ill. All in all if you want to play well you need a varied and complex diet of interesting maps paired with lower player count and higher player skill and/or teamwork.
Anony1200 responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 7:51 am #
Ugh.I ALWAYS spectate and go back on my own team while autobalancing.Winning or losing.
I hate being a traitor;I hate being on the same team as the guy that just stabbed me;and I HATE being on the team where appearantly anyone who isn’t god at Engineering is a noob,and anyone who so much at glances at the Pyro option is a noob.Guess whot he other team ALWAYS BLOODY IS.
Ugh.
User responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 12:05 pm #
Right click, view server info, “server is not responding” = empty, lying server.
User responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 12:09 pm #
ooh, already posted. Sorry.:S
Anonymous responded on 27 Apr 2009 at 1:05 am #
I don’t play on random pubs anymore, it’s so easy to dominate. On some servers I’ll end up dominating upwards of 3/4th of the players, which is ridiculous.
32s are what attracted me to the game with its chaos. But the gameplay is really repetitive and only worth it if there’s a community you hang out with and the server is full all the time. I think 16-20 plays is the optimal pub server capacity, above 20 players I start feeling the spam.
personalj responded on 08 May 2009 at 11:33 am #
The Hl2land servers don’t fake 19 players, I can assure you of this.
Petrov responded on 09 May 2009 at 3:07 am #
I usually think that 32-33 slot servers are terrible as well. But unfortunately, I can’t find any good low slot count server.
My favorite maps are majorly arena, and I can’t usually find any decent servers for them. I’ve seen some of the donate benefits on a 24/7 arena server, only they included invisibility or invincibility during humiliation, as well as custom colored party hats, and team killing abilities. (whoopee)
ubercharged.net – An open letter to server admins responded on 17 Nov 2009 at 3:57 pm #
[...] no surprise that many people hate fake player [...]
Ant responded on 19 Nov 2009 at 11:50 am #
I need some time to add servers favorite, I am lazy for that and playing from internet tab; frustrated by useless servers too.