It's official. Team Fortress 2,the MMO

[fix-the-spade]

http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=2535

No doubt by now most PC TF2 players have encountered the new spy/sniper update, probably with a mixed reaction of confusion and horror given the many, many responses to it so far in every game I've played.

In response Valve has explained the system they are implementing and how it works, I really wish they hadn't.

That new system watches the amount of time that players are playing TF2, and gives them a chance to find items at regular intervals. They aren't guaranteed to get the item at those points, but they have a pretty good chance. We based the system on granting items on the amount of time played because we don't want players to have to do weird things like join achievement grinding servers to get new content. Basing it off time also has the benefit of ensuring that if you play a lot of TF2, you're going to get more items than players who don't.

That's right, in response to people hitting achievement servers to grind out the next weapon unlocks Valve has introduced a new system, based entirely off grinding. If you're one of those people who only gets to play a few hours a week, well, sucks to be you.
Just in case you think this is a one off and that TF2 is not about to become an MMO, there's more.

Like everything else we build, we'll be iterating on this system for a while, and have a lot of features planned. Some of the next things we have planned are:

- Item trading. This is why you're finding duplicates.

- Giving players a method to influence the system so they can work directly toward getting specific items.

- Adding more rare items like the hats.

Trading, rare items?
How long before the game begins demanding you be a certain level before you can enter Dustbowl?

Anyway, what do you think of Valve's explanation? Logical extension of a popular game to attract new players and deepen the experience for established ones, or New Game Enhancement [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_101/560-Blowing-Up-Galaxies] rivalling way to alienate a player base.

Thoughts?

 

[CyberAkuma]

It sucks, no doubt about that, but it's all thanks to the morons who create and play in achievement-maps that are solely and purposely made to unlock weapons for classes.

It sucks, yes but I have a hard time seeing any other ay of stopping the achievement-whoring cheating bastards out there.

 

[Strong Intelligent]

WILL EVERYONE SHUT UP ABOUT TF2? STOP BEING RABID BECAUSE "THEY CHANGED IT SLIGHTLY"

Just had to get that out of my system.

 

[asiepshtain]

For me, it's too early to tell if this is a good move or not.

I do think the achievement thing wasn't working, as I don't cheat nor did I feel like grinding crazy achievement for stuff, just meant for me that there was a lot of stuff in the game I just couldn't see. On the other hand, I love the medic so I worked through his stuff to get the equipment, and now it's just random.

I think if valve adds the trading elements and a way to affect what drops ( highlighting a certain class, for example) this could be an intresting addition. For now, TF2 is still fun, new maps are always cool, and the extra weapons are just gravy.

 

[ChromeAlchemist]

Well I'm not entirely a fan of this, but I like the idea that they update their games regularly to the point that they may as well be changing the genre.

 

[asiepshtain]

WILL EVERYONE SHUT UP ABOUT TF2? STOP BEING RABID BECAUSE "THEY CHANGED IT SLIGHTLY"

Just had to get that out of my system.

so, we should stop talking about a video game in the 'gaming discussion' section of a video-game news site?

Sharp man, real sharp.

 

[AlphaOmega]

Its valve. ittl suck at the start but after a while most people will have the good weapons anyway and it will be back to normal.

 

[Satki]

I liked the old system, I didn't but if some people wanted to go to achievement grind servers, let them

 

[Strong Intelligent]

WILL EVERYONE SHUT UP ABOUT TF2? STOP BEING RABID BECAUSE "THEY CHANGED IT SLIGHTLY"

Just had to get that out of my system.

so, we should stop talking about a video game in the 'gaming discussion' section of a video-game news site?

Sharp man, real sharp.

I'd like to point out that in two days we've had four topics all about the fact that "people now don't have to get achievements"

 

[Willwillwritehiswill]

I'm afraid i have to side with those who dislike this new style. At the very least with acheivement style unlockables you got a good sense of progression.

 

[quack35]

I like this better, I fucking hated grinding achievements.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

Thank god for my "untainted" 360 TF2.

Now I'm off to play Dustbowl....for the four thousanth time....without any new weapons...and sky walking.

 

[Jandau]

WILL EVERYONE SHUT UP ABOUT TF2? STOP BEING RABID BECAUSE "THEY CHANGED IT SLIGHTLY"

Just had to get that out of my system.

so, we should stop talking about a video game in the 'gaming discussion' section of a video-game news site?

Sharp man, real sharp.

I'd like to point out that in two days we've had four topics all about the fact that "people now don't have to get achievements"

Well, maybe that would indicate that this is an issue a lot of people feel strongly about. Also, if a grand total of four topics is enough to piss you off, you might want to calm down. I'm confident the forums will soon go back to the usual rigmarole of Halo bashing, 360vsPS3 debates and "The most *insert attribute* character!" polls

On topic, I don't play TF2, but I was thinking of starting. If these changes go through (and more like them), I think I'll skip it. Might as well go back to WOW for that stuff...

 

[CakeDragon]

Thank god for my "untainted" 360 TF2.

Now I'm off to play Dustbowl....for the four thousanth time....without any new weapons...and sky walking.

I'm on the PS3 equivilant. I feel your pain.

 

[Grifmik]

To everyone who is moaning about this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27LzPvvpqHY

 

[oliveira8]

Meh its not that bad...most of the Unlock weapons aren't that good anyway.

 

[irrelevantnugget]

I like this better, I fucking hated grinding achievements.

Yes. Playing the game is no longer rewarded, instead people who just sit in spectator get the new weapons, and I myself, who had been playing for 6 hours straight, get a Kritzkrieg, which I had already unlocked ages ago AND WAS ACTUALLY WIELDING IT when I received the dupe.

This makes sense.


HURR DURR.