Just today, Valve has announced that they've changed the random drop system.
TL;DR: The random drops are more frequent, rolls now determine when you will get a drop rather than a roll at a random interval , and you can only get so many drops per week. Idling is therefore pointless now.
Source
Not sure of the discussion, but just letting you all know.
Previously, we rolled randomly at intervals to see if you got an item drop. Now we roll to determine when your next item drop will occur. So you're guaranteed to find items at fairly regular intervals. The bulk of drop complaints we've received in the past have been from players having unlucky streaks, where they didn't find any items for weeks. That won't be possible now.
We've significantly increased the rate at which item drops occur, compared to the previous average interval.
There's now a maximum amount of playtime per week in which you get item drops. Playing beyond that amount won't find any more items. The amount varies, but if you play an hour or so a day you're good. Some of your unused time will rollover to the following week, so if you're an intermittent player you'll also be fine.
What are the net effects of these changes? Here's the quick summary:
If you're an idler, you're going to find fewer items than you were prior to this change. Sorry. On the bright side, there's less reason to idle, because it won't earn more than players who are playing regularly.
Everyone else will find items more frequently, and with greater regularity.
We've significantly increased the rate at which item drops occur, compared to the previous average interval.
There's now a maximum amount of playtime per week in which you get item drops. Playing beyond that amount won't find any more items. The amount varies, but if you play an hour or so a day you're good. Some of your unused time will rollover to the following week, so if you're an intermittent player you'll also be fine.
What are the net effects of these changes? Here's the quick summary:
If you're an idler, you're going to find fewer items than you were prior to this change. Sorry. On the bright side, there's less reason to idle, because it won't earn more than players who are playing regularly.
Everyone else will find items more frequently, and with greater regularity.
TL;DR: The random drops are more frequent, rolls now determine when you will get a drop rather than a roll at a random interval , and you can only get so many drops per week. Idling is therefore pointless now.
Source
Not sure of the discussion, but just letting you all know.
