Pepsi BLU (but seriously, I don't work for Valve.)
June 23, 2011 6:10 PM Subscribe
Team Fortress 2 is now free. Forever.
While most popular games these days are almost expected to have future paid DLC , the game that has most famously bucked the trend has been Valve's Team Fortress 2. Released in 2007, the game remained incredibly popular through an increasingly-compelling backstory and more than two hundred completely free updates-- not only patches but the addition of new weapons, maps, game modes, and an online store where hundreds of custom items, both practical and cosmetic, can be purchased for your characters.
Coinciding with their latest major overhaul, the "Uber Update" Valve has decided to take their revenue model for the now four-year-old game in a new direction: the game will now be free, and the only sales will be through microtransactions in the Mann Co. store.
Much like the webcomics model, Valve hopes that the free game will encourage users to download their proprietary distribution application, direct more traffic to their product, and pick up the income that way.
While most popular games these days are almost expected to have future paid DLC , the game that has most famously bucked the trend has been Valve's Team Fortress 2. Released in 2007, the game remained incredibly popular through an increasingly-compelling backstory and more than two hundred completely free updates-- not only patches but the addition of new weapons, maps, game modes, and an online store where hundreds of custom items, both practical and cosmetic, can be purchased for your characters.
Coinciding with their latest major overhaul, the "Uber Update" Valve has decided to take their revenue model for the now four-year-old game in a new direction: the game will now be free, and the only sales will be through microtransactions in the Mann Co. store.
Much like the webcomics model, Valve hopes that the free game will encourage users to download their proprietary distribution application, direct more traffic to their product, and pick up the income that way.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- Brandon Blatcher
He said making a triple-A game completely free to play would teach the studio much more about its customers.
"We'll know a heck of a lot more in a couple of months, and that's the kind of thing that gets us excited around the office," he said.
--
Junk is the ultimate merchandise. The junk merchant does not sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to the product. He does not improve and simplify his merchandise, he degrades and simplifies the client. --William S. Burroughs
If you're not paying for a product, then you are the product. On the other hand, I really love Valve and already bought The Orange Box during a Steam sale some time ago.
posted by mecran01 at 6:15 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
"We'll know a heck of a lot more in a couple of months, and that's the kind of thing that gets us excited around the office," he said.
--
Junk is the ultimate merchandise. The junk merchant does not sell his product to the consumer, he sells the consumer to the product. He does not improve and simplify his merchandise, he degrades and simplifies the client. --William S. Burroughs
If you're not paying for a product, then you are the product. On the other hand, I really love Valve and already bought The Orange Box during a Steam sale some time ago.
posted by mecran01 at 6:15 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
No store credit for people who bought the game, huh?
posted by OverlappingElvis at 6:18 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by OverlappingElvis at 6:18 PM on June 23, 2011
They're probably rolling this out ahead of DOTA 2, to figure out if it's better to sell DOTA 2 at retail, or make it free to play.
posted by hellojed at 6:20 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by hellojed at 6:20 PM on June 23, 2011
If you're not paying for a product, then you are the product.
I know that's the trendy thing to think these days, but it doesn't really make any sense here. This is more along the lines of a loss-leader - give something away for free to get people into the shop.
The last I played, there weren't in-game ads in TF2.
posted by auto-correct at 6:20 PM on June 23, 2011 [16 favorites]
I know that's the trendy thing to think these days, but it doesn't really make any sense here. This is more along the lines of a loss-leader - give something away for free to get people into the shop.
The last I played, there weren't in-game ads in TF2.
posted by auto-correct at 6:20 PM on June 23, 2011 [16 favorites]
Not worth it!
posted by BeerFilter at 6:20 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by BeerFilter at 6:20 PM on June 23, 2011
Addentium: the excellent war-sim ARMA2 recently became free to play as well (albeit a sort of slimmed down version of the retail game, with ARMA3 on the way)
posted by hellojed at 6:22 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by hellojed at 6:22 PM on June 23, 2011
I've heard this floating around for a few days, but there hasn't been real confirmation from Valve yet. It's totally possible that they would, but I'm still gonna wait until gaben says it for the weeping and gnashing.
posted by boo_radley at 6:22 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by boo_radley at 6:22 PM on June 23, 2011
pts: "Where can a noob go to play a round of TF2 that doesn't involved getting totally fucking murdered every three seconds? I.e., against other noobs?"
As always, people are welcome at pubbie.mefightclub.com. (that's a steam link, if it doesn't work for you, you can bring up the console in-game and type connect pubbie.mefightclub.com.
posted by boo_radley at 6:27 PM on June 23, 2011 [10 favorites]
As always, people are welcome at pubbie.mefightclub.com. (that's a steam link, if it doesn't work for you, you can bring up the console in-game and type connect pubbie.mefightclub.com.
posted by boo_radley at 6:27 PM on June 23, 2011 [10 favorites]
hellojed i will cut you.
posted by boo_radley at 6:28 PM on June 23, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by boo_radley at 6:28 PM on June 23, 2011 [7 favorites]
As far as learning to play goes, try and do the Achievements. It's the best way to kind of push yourself to do things that are outside your natural playstyle (Rocket jumps etc.)
posted by GilloD at 6:30 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by GilloD at 6:30 PM on June 23, 2011
Microtransactions are the worst thing to ever happen to gaming.
They made the game free, so of course the first comment in this thread is complaining that people can spend money to more easily obtain items which are also obtainable in the game for free.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:35 PM on June 23, 2011 [11 favorites]
They made the game free, so of course the first comment in this thread is complaining that people can spend money to more easily obtain items which are also obtainable in the game for free.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:35 PM on June 23, 2011 [11 favorites]
Now the waiting begins, what will we get first... Meet the Pyro or Half Life 2: Episode 3?
posted by hellojed at 6:35 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by hellojed at 6:35 PM on June 23, 2011
boo_radley: " but I'm still gonna wait until gaben says it for the weeping and gnashing."
WELP!
posted by boo_radley at 6:36 PM on June 23, 2011
WELP!
posted by boo_radley at 6:36 PM on June 23, 2011
what will we get first... Meet the Pyro or Half Life 2: Episode 3
Episode 3 IS Meet the Pyro! Valve remains the undisputed king of fanbase trolling!
Also: The bit with the spy in the new video was seriously awesome.
Also: Miss Pauling appears at 0:56
posted by clorox at 6:42 PM on June 23, 2011
Episode 3 IS Meet the Pyro! Valve remains the undisputed king of fanbase trolling!
Also: The bit with the spy in the new video was seriously awesome.
Also: Miss Pauling appears at 0:56
posted by clorox at 6:42 PM on June 23, 2011
As a fan of the game (and golden wrench owner), I'm glad they're going free. Sure the game balance has gone a bit out of whack with all the hats/doodads, but it's an interesting way to monetize an FPS and also keep the servers full 4 years after launch, so I'm all for it.
posted by lubujackson at 6:42 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by lubujackson at 6:42 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
1) Where can a noob go to play a round of TF2 that doesn't involved getting totally fucking murdered every three seconds? I.e., against other noobs?
Wait, there are people that aren't getting killed every 3 seconds?
/only bought the game 2 months ago
posted by Hoopo at 6:43 PM on June 23, 2011
Wait, there are people that aren't getting killed every 3 seconds?
/only bought the game 2 months ago
posted by Hoopo at 6:43 PM on June 23, 2011
I know that's the trendy thing to think these days, but it doesn't really make any sense here. This is more along the lines of a loss-leader - give something away for free to get people into the shop.
Agreed, trendy and obnoxious, but I couldn't help myself. I did quote Valve, however, as saying one reason that they're doing this is to be able to attract customers and analyze their in-game behavior, so I think it holds true. I don't think it's terrible or disingenuous, but certainly kind of interesting.
posted by mecran01 at 6:44 PM on June 23, 2011
Agreed, trendy and obnoxious, but I couldn't help myself. I did quote Valve, however, as saying one reason that they're doing this is to be able to attract customers and analyze their in-game behavior, so I think it holds true. I don't think it's terrible or disingenuous, but certainly kind of interesting.
posted by mecran01 at 6:44 PM on June 23, 2011
clorox: "Also: Miss Pauling appears at 0:56"
Did you see... annnnyone ... else?
posted by boo_radley at 6:45 PM on June 23, 2011
Did you see... annnnyone ... else?
posted by boo_radley at 6:45 PM on June 23, 2011
one reason that they're doing this is to be able to attract customers and analyze their in-game behavior
A very difficult thing in product design is figuring out what the people that didn't buy it want.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:46 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
A very difficult thing in product design is figuring out what the people that didn't buy it want.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:46 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm hoping that Valve launches a colossal ARG culminating in the message "EPISODE THREE IS CANCELLED".
Then a few acrimonious days later they announce Half-Life 3. There are also hot chicks in this fantasy
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:47 PM on June 23, 2011 [4 favorites]
Then a few acrimonious days later they announce Half-Life 3. There are also hot chicks in this fantasy
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:47 PM on June 23, 2011 [4 favorites]
Also, DLing right now. I'd been sitting on the fence, staring at that $10 kicking myself for not getting it at new year. Now I can join in the mefight when there's no L4D going on! Hooray!
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:48 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:48 PM on June 23, 2011
I bought TF2 last week.
Uh, it came with Garry's Mod and... a badge!
posted by LogicalDash at 6:56 PM on June 23, 2011
Uh, it came with Garry's Mod and... a badge!
posted by LogicalDash at 6:56 PM on June 23, 2011
Huh. I totally bought this for 5 bucks on top of Garry's Mod a month ago. Still, perhaps the renewed interest will mean there's people on mefight to play it with :-) Not that I'd actually checked in yet, anyway, because I am a big scaredy custard and really not very good at FPSs in an instant big pile of bloody pulp kind of way.
posted by Sparx at 6:58 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by Sparx at 6:58 PM on June 23, 2011
They made the game free, so of course the first comment in this thread is complaining that people can spend money to more easily obtain items which are also obtainable in the game for free.
Nah. What I said was "microtransactions are the worst thing to ever happen to gaming". It's just coincidental I said it in this thread. I could have said it in any thread at all, or spray painted it on the side of a cow in a field, and it would still be true.
posted by tumid dahlia at 6:59 PM on June 23, 2011
Nah. What I said was "microtransactions are the worst thing to ever happen to gaming". It's just coincidental I said it in this thread. I could have said it in any thread at all, or spray painted it on the side of a cow in a field, and it would still be true.
posted by tumid dahlia at 6:59 PM on June 23, 2011
Hey what's the deal with Garry's Mod anyway? What do you actually do?
posted by Hoopo at 7:02 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by Hoopo at 7:02 PM on June 23, 2011
Due to bandwidth limits, downloading the client would probably put me over. Where's the best place to get it for free?
I haven't played the game, but from what I've read its turned into more of an RPG than a shooter. what do I need to know?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:04 PM on June 23, 2011
I haven't played the game, but from what I've read its turned into more of an RPG than a shooter. what do I need to know?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:04 PM on June 23, 2011
Lovecraft In Brooklyn: "its turned into more of an RPG than a shooter."
Nope, it's still a solid FPS. It just has a bunch of class options.
posted by boo_radley at 7:09 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nope, it's still a solid FPS. It just has a bunch of class options.
posted by boo_radley at 7:09 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Aha, it appears that anyone who's purchased the game gets special privileges. Specifically, the random item drops that have been with the game since forever are unavailable to free accounts.
Garry's Mod is basically a playable developer toolkit. It has a bunch of scripting tools, and you can modify everything in play in real-time. It serves as the basis for quite a number of other mods.
posted by LogicalDash at 7:09 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Garry's Mod is basically a playable developer toolkit. It has a bunch of scripting tools, and you can modify everything in play in real-time. It serves as the basis for quite a number of other mods.
posted by LogicalDash at 7:09 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Due to bandwidth limits, downloading the client would probably put me over. Where's the best place to get it for free?
You don't really have a choice. Even if you install from a retail DVD you still have to download several gigs of updates.
its turned into more of an RPG than a shooter. what do I need to know?
It's still a shooter, you just have a bunch of different weapons for each class now. Each class starts off with a basic setup, which for the most part is perfectly effective. You get more weapons added to your inventory in two ways: Drops and achievements. The achievements will give you a specific weapon, drops will give you a random weapon.
posted by clorox at 7:12 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
You don't really have a choice. Even if you install from a retail DVD you still have to download several gigs of updates.
its turned into more of an RPG than a shooter. what do I need to know?
It's still a shooter, you just have a bunch of different weapons for each class now. Each class starts off with a basic setup, which for the most part is perfectly effective. You get more weapons added to your inventory in two ways: Drops and achievements. The achievements will give you a specific weapon, drops will give you a random weapon.
posted by clorox at 7:12 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
what do I need to know?
Again I've only had this thing for a couple of months, but:
a) it's not an RPG
b) shoot everyone wearing a different color than you
c) unless they're in disguise
d) or invisible. Listen for "whoosh" sounds and watch for unusual behaviour
e) sit on control points
f) steal briefcases
posted by Hoopo at 7:12 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
Again I've only had this thing for a couple of months, but:
a) it's not an RPG
b) shoot everyone wearing a different color than you
c) unless they're in disguise
d) or invisible. Listen for "whoosh" sounds and watch for unusual behaviour
e) sit on control points
f) steal briefcases
posted by Hoopo at 7:12 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
Oh yeah, the hats. Not sure what those are for yet, but I painted one purple. Cuz I had purple paint. That came from a locked crate. That I needed to pay $2.50 for a key to open.
Won't be doing that again.
posted by Hoopo at 7:18 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Won't be doing that again.
posted by Hoopo at 7:18 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
The 'Meet the..' series from TF@ are some of my favourite shorts.
Especially 'Meet the Engineer'
It's funny and so well constructed.
The game? I played it for one night, got my ass kicked and never went back. Game design is awesome though.
posted by AzzaMcKazza at 7:18 PM on June 23, 2011
Especially 'Meet the Engineer'
It's funny and so well constructed.
The game? I played it for one night, got my ass kicked and never went back. Game design is awesome though.
posted by AzzaMcKazza at 7:18 PM on June 23, 2011
As someone who's played since Teamfortress was a Quake mod:
If you're winning all the time, you're not having as much fun as you could be having.
posted by Tikirific at 7:21 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
If you're winning all the time, you're not having as much fun as you could be having.
posted by Tikirific at 7:21 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
The above strategies work just fine for all the Offensive classes--they're on the left of the character select screen. The other classes introduce some oddness that you won't really find in a normal shooter.
posted by LogicalDash at 7:24 PM on June 23, 2011
- Pyros are kinda, sorta like a "melee" class in that they're only really effective at short range, but they have flamethrowers and can "parry" rockets and grenades
- Demomen and Engineers set up passive defenses that blow people up so you don't have to
- Spies go invisible to get behind enemy lines, then disguise themselves as friendlies and stab you in the back
- Medics heal others and, with enough charge-up time, make them briefly invulnerable
posted by LogicalDash at 7:24 PM on June 23, 2011
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2007/10/01/go-team/
Not really tips on playing the classes, but these are truths.
posted by Tikirific at 7:27 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
Not really tips on playing the classes, but these are truths.
posted by Tikirific at 7:27 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
Demomen and Engineers set up passive defenses that blow people up so you don't have to
Yeah, but this doesn't really do justice to either the Demoman or the Engineer.
The Demo can be a formidable offensive class, if played correctly. Especially with his swords(!) and whatnot. The Engineer also has more of an offensive capability lately with his super-fast sentry and (classically speaking) his teleporters.
Teleports are extremely valuable in big maps, especially for heavies. They can turn the tide in battle easily.
posted by Avenger at 7:28 PM on June 23, 2011
Yeah, but this doesn't really do justice to either the Demoman or the Engineer.
The Demo can be a formidable offensive class, if played correctly. Especially with his swords(!) and whatnot. The Engineer also has more of an offensive capability lately with his super-fast sentry and (classically speaking) his teleporters.
Teleports are extremely valuable in big maps, especially for heavies. They can turn the tide in battle easily.
posted by Avenger at 7:28 PM on June 23, 2011
The game? I played it for one night, got my ass kicked and never went back. Game design is awesome though.
Ditto. It's really unfun and unfriendly if you're a beginner. The one time I played, people were actually talking to one another and I popped up and said hello and said I was new at it and if there was anything I should do as a Soldier to help them out the best. Crickets. Not sure how you're supposed to not be a n00b if nobody wants to give you a hand and teach a few basic do's and don'ts. Never had that problem with Gears of War and in fact just about everybody on my friends list is somebody I used to play GoW with regularly. TF2 is a clique like any other, you're in or you're out and that's it.
posted by tumid dahlia at 7:30 PM on June 23, 2011
Ditto. It's really unfun and unfriendly if you're a beginner. The one time I played, people were actually talking to one another and I popped up and said hello and said I was new at it and if there was anything I should do as a Soldier to help them out the best. Crickets. Not sure how you're supposed to not be a n00b if nobody wants to give you a hand and teach a few basic do's and don'ts. Never had that problem with Gears of War and in fact just about everybody on my friends list is somebody I used to play GoW with regularly. TF2 is a clique like any other, you're in or you're out and that's it.
posted by tumid dahlia at 7:30 PM on June 23, 2011
The MeFightClub servers are likely to be more busy than normal for the next couple of days/weeks, so everyone is welcome. Add "pubbie.mefightclub.com" to your favorites!
A few MeFighters are also doing a series of "TF2 Newbie" classes for beginners. See the thread on the forum for more info.
posted by gemmy at 7:30 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
A few MeFighters are also doing a series of "TF2 Newbie" classes for beginners. See the thread on the forum for more info.
posted by gemmy at 7:30 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
Oops
Forgot MeFi was old school for a second :)
To fill in the rest, the Heavy is a moving wall, usually with a medic attached at the hip. The soldier is pretty much the bread and butter of any team, probably has the most in common with how old school FPSers played (rockets, rockets, rockets). Snipers are sociopaths that only care about killing other snipers (not that they won't take a potshot at anyone else who wanders into their sights). Scouts run fast and die easy.
Preeeeetty much it.
posted by Tikirific at 7:31 PM on June 23, 2011
Forgot MeFi was old school for a second :)
To fill in the rest, the Heavy is a moving wall, usually with a medic attached at the hip. The soldier is pretty much the bread and butter of any team, probably has the most in common with how old school FPSers played (rockets, rockets, rockets). Snipers are sociopaths that only care about killing other snipers (not that they won't take a potshot at anyone else who wanders into their sights). Scouts run fast and die easy.
Preeeeetty much it.
posted by Tikirific at 7:31 PM on June 23, 2011
why, steam, why won't you download the update
i brought you flowers
posted by LogicalDash at 7:32 PM on June 23, 2011
i brought you flowers
posted by LogicalDash at 7:32 PM on June 23, 2011
TF2 is a clique like any other, you're in or you're out and that's it.
It's highly dependent on the server really. I've been on some that are WIN WIN WIN all the time, and others where everyone was just screwing around (16 snipers running around refusing to look into scopes).
Don't know what the console culture's like, actually. I quite liked the PC community.
posted by Tikirific at 7:34 PM on June 23, 2011
It's highly dependent on the server really. I've been on some that are WIN WIN WIN all the time, and others where everyone was just screwing around (16 snipers running around refusing to look into scopes).
Don't know what the console culture's like, actually. I quite liked the PC community.
posted by Tikirific at 7:34 PM on June 23, 2011
Advice from a man who was the Terror of Men as demoman (W]M[D Blackadder for anyone who might have known me pre-computer death)
1. Find a good medic
2. Attack as a front with the medic.
3. Don't play defensively, counter attack to throw an uber-push into disarray
4. Learn to love rocket (and sticky) jumping
4.5 Learn to love melee kills after you land, melee weapons crit more often
5. The shotgun is your friend, reloading rockets in a fight will get you killed
6. Certain weapons are considered 'good' and by 'good' I mean you ought to work on getting one if you breate oxygen (ubersaw, blutsager, equalizer, etc).
7. NOVELTY ITEMS
8. Engineers don't have to camp, turrets can guard teles and block counter attacks, even a level 1.
9. Spies make noise. Spies will 'bump' into you. When you hear or feel a spy, let your team know (or they will curse you loudly).
10. Know when to run away. This ties into knowing how long it ought to take to kil class 'x'. Respawn times are much longer than running times.
posted by Slackermagee at 7:38 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
1. Find a good medic
2. Attack as a front with the medic.
3. Don't play defensively, counter attack to throw an uber-push into disarray
4. Learn to love rocket (and sticky) jumping
4.5 Learn to love melee kills after you land, melee weapons crit more often
5. The shotgun is your friend, reloading rockets in a fight will get you killed
6. Certain weapons are considered 'good' and by 'good' I mean you ought to work on getting one if you breate oxygen (ubersaw, blutsager, equalizer, etc).
7. NOVELTY ITEMS
8. Engineers don't have to camp, turrets can guard teles and block counter attacks, even a level 1.
9. Spies make noise. Spies will 'bump' into you. When you hear or feel a spy, let your team know (or they will curse you loudly).
10. Know when to run away. This ties into knowing how long it ought to take to kil class 'x'. Respawn times are much longer than running times.
posted by Slackermagee at 7:38 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
Free accounts are going to be begging for weapons and hats constantly. Not looking forward to the trade spam or griefing.
posted by Missiles K. Monster at 7:39 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by Missiles K. Monster at 7:39 PM on June 23, 2011
Also, if its still up funhouse.wmdgaming.com was a hilarious server that was consistently made of win. Also, boneyard.wmdgaming.com
Weapons of Mass Destruction is a great clan, very friendly. I'm always sad that I had to retire post computer death.
posted by Slackermagee at 7:39 PM on June 23, 2011
Weapons of Mass Destruction is a great clan, very friendly. I'm always sad that I had to retire post computer death.
posted by Slackermagee at 7:39 PM on June 23, 2011
Not sure how you're supposed to not be a n00b if nobody wants to give you a hand and teach a few basic do's and don'ts.
- Training Mode
- When starting a match, if you haven't suppressed it, there'll be a dialog box asking you if you want a coach. Say yes.
also just fyi I am getting the update on the mfc servers (can't get to the club site right now, bet it's overwhelmed w/ the update) tell your friends, etc.
posted by boo_radley at 7:45 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by boo_radley at 7:45 PM on June 23, 2011
Also in my experience you're just going to die a lot in this game. Don't get frustrated, it's how it goes. I know it's the same for others because I've had runs where I've killed the same player 4 or 5 times in a row in a short span
posted by Hoopo at 7:46 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by Hoopo at 7:46 PM on June 23, 2011
oh I can go to the server browser and it will find other download sites automagically
I don't think I should have to tell it to do that
whatever
posted by LogicalDash at 7:47 PM on June 23, 2011
I don't think I should have to tell it to do that
whatever
posted by LogicalDash at 7:47 PM on June 23, 2011
HOW TO BE A PYRO
1.) You have a short range weapon. Therefore, charging at the enemy front-on is stupid, because they will shoot you and you will die before you ever even get close enough to burn them. Burn them, like the stacks of cordwood they are meant to be. Burn them so pretty and so bright.
2.) This means that the way to play a pyro is to be cunning. TF2 maps are riddled with passageways, ambush points and extra access. Use all of that. The best time to set somebody on fire is when you are behind them. Then they will burn, like the matches you strike one at a time when you're bored, but they will only burn for a short time and then you must find more to burn. The fire needs fuel.
3.) Never use the axe. Axes do not burn people. It is a crude weapon, a relic of an earlier, pre-napalm age. Sweet jellied petroleum. It is like glittering liquid candy you aren't allowed to eat. Do not the other children want the candy? Yes. Yes, they do.
4.) Learning to deflect rockets and grenades isn't easy, but it is worth practicing. Once you have it down pat, you will be nearly unkillable as you sneak into the dark places and create a bright light, a light more powerful than the sun and very nearly as hot. The light purifies, oh yes. Oh yes.
posted by mightygodking at 7:48 PM on June 23, 2011 [39 favorites]
1.) You have a short range weapon. Therefore, charging at the enemy front-on is stupid, because they will shoot you and you will die before you ever even get close enough to burn them. Burn them, like the stacks of cordwood they are meant to be. Burn them so pretty and so bright.
2.) This means that the way to play a pyro is to be cunning. TF2 maps are riddled with passageways, ambush points and extra access. Use all of that. The best time to set somebody on fire is when you are behind them. Then they will burn, like the matches you strike one at a time when you're bored, but they will only burn for a short time and then you must find more to burn. The fire needs fuel.
3.) Never use the axe. Axes do not burn people. It is a crude weapon, a relic of an earlier, pre-napalm age. Sweet jellied petroleum. It is like glittering liquid candy you aren't allowed to eat. Do not the other children want the candy? Yes. Yes, they do.
4.) Learning to deflect rockets and grenades isn't easy, but it is worth practicing. Once you have it down pat, you will be nearly unkillable as you sneak into the dark places and create a bright light, a light more powerful than the sun and very nearly as hot. The light purifies, oh yes. Oh yes.
posted by mightygodking at 7:48 PM on June 23, 2011 [39 favorites]
Also in my experience you're just going to die a lot in this game.
Yes, yes you will. Fortunately, the scoreboard doesn't show deaths, just points.
posted by clorox at 7:48 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, yes you will. Fortunately, the scoreboard doesn't show deaths, just points.
posted by clorox at 7:48 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Not sure how you're supposed to not be a n00b if nobody wants to give you a hand and teach a few basic do's and don'ts.
Very, very easy: play Medic, which entails nothing more complicated than following other players around and mashing the left mouse button to heal them with your Medigun. If you play medic, no matter how much of a noob you are, your team will welcome you and you will be able to watch and learn from your heal targets.
posted by killdevil at 7:53 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
Very, very easy: play Medic, which entails nothing more complicated than following other players around and mashing the left mouse button to heal them with your Medigun. If you play medic, no matter how much of a noob you are, your team will welcome you and you will be able to watch and learn from your heal targets.
posted by killdevil at 7:53 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
I'm in a bit of a n00b Engineer trap right now, setting up turrets in hard-to-shoot locations near the intel, setting up dispensers in doorways like a jerk. Eventually I got so frustrated with spies I took that class up and found myself doing the same shit they always do--standing in the same place for ages waiting for the engineer to get bored an run off on an adventure with his shotgun drawn. But I still always go back because I kinda suck at Spy.
posted by Hoopo at 7:57 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by Hoopo at 7:57 PM on June 23, 2011
Man, computers get all the valve love. Where's my friggin xbox update Valve?
posted by Arbac at 8:55 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by Arbac at 8:55 PM on June 23, 2011
Man, computers get all the valve love. Where's my friggin xbox update Valve?
Blame Microsoft
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:12 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Blame Microsoft
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:12 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Whelp, there goes my last excuse for not getting round to trying this game.
Not worried bout the thousands of n00b deaths in my future. I've played enough Battlefield to have made my peace with that.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:17 PM on June 23, 2011
Not worried bout the thousands of n00b deaths in my future. I've played enough Battlefield to have made my peace with that.
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:17 PM on June 23, 2011
tumid dahlia: Microtransactions are the worst thing to ever happen to gaming.
I totally agree. All the Mann co. crap has completely ruined the game. A game with a clean design and good balance has become a total mess of unbalanced items and random junk. It's like a crappy mod you can't turn off.
posted by Mitrovarr at 9:59 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
I totally agree. All the Mann co. crap has completely ruined the game. A game with a clean design and good balance has become a total mess of unbalanced items and random junk. It's like a crappy mod you can't turn off.
posted by Mitrovarr at 9:59 PM on June 23, 2011 [2 favorites]
Run around and shoot your friends in the face. Same awesome game it always was.
posted by vrakatar at 10:08 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by vrakatar at 10:08 PM on June 23, 2011
Bah, and only six months after I paid $7 for that Orange Box thing?!? Ripoff! You owe me a refund for over 100 hours of entertainment, Valve!
And yes, Pyro is a forgiving class for the inept who don't want to wind up umbilicalized to a Heavy. And the MeFi people are all lovely.
I know it's the same for others because I've had runs where I've killed the same player 4 or 5 times in a row in a short span
THAT WAS YOU?!?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:27 PM on June 23, 2011
And yes, Pyro is a forgiving class for the inept who don't want to wind up umbilicalized to a Heavy. And the MeFi people are all lovely.
I know it's the same for others because I've had runs where I've killed the same player 4 or 5 times in a row in a short span
THAT WAS YOU?!?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:27 PM on June 23, 2011
I was new at it and if there was anything I should do as a Soldier to help them out the best.
Step One: Don't play as a Soldier.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:29 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Step One: Don't play as a Soldier.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:29 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
I want back to the Step before Step One and decided the only way to win was not to play.
posted by tumid dahlia at 10:49 PM on June 23, 2011
posted by tumid dahlia at 10:49 PM on June 23, 2011
Step One: Don't play as a Soldier.
The best use I've found for the soldier is the rage-fueled revenge kill attempt when the bastard is in your basement. It rarely works, but when it does it's so satisfying. I think the soldier was designed with temper tantrums in mind.
posted by Hoopo at 10:52 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
The best use I've found for the soldier is the rage-fueled revenge kill attempt when the bastard is in your basement. It rarely works, but when it does it's so satisfying. I think the soldier was designed with temper tantrums in mind.
posted by Hoopo at 10:52 PM on June 23, 2011 [1 favorite]
Step One: Don't play as a Soldier.
The best use I've found for the soldier is the rage-fueled revenge kill attempt when the bastard is in your basement. It rarely works, but when it does it's so satisfying. I think the soldier was designed with temper tantrums in mind.
Step Zero: learn to rocket jump and rain screaming death on your enemies, landing with the shotgun out and roaring. Also, the equalizer.
posted by Slackermagee at 11:04 PM on June 23, 2011
The best use I've found for the soldier is the rage-fueled revenge kill attempt when the bastard is in your basement. It rarely works, but when it does it's so satisfying. I think the soldier was designed with temper tantrums in mind.
Step Zero: learn to rocket jump and rain screaming death on your enemies, landing with the shotgun out and roaring. Also, the equalizer.
posted by Slackermagee at 11:04 PM on June 23, 2011
Rocket jumpery and screamy death-rain is too hard, burning stuff is easy and fun!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:59 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:59 PM on June 23, 2011 [3 favorites]
Sweet. I played TF2 a bit on the Xbox but it never really replaced my other Xbox manshoot staples (various Halos and CODs). I'll definitely try it on PC though if only for the TFC nostalgia.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:22 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:22 AM on June 24, 2011
Here goes my free time (non-existent, as it is)...
posted by daniel_charms at 5:30 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by daniel_charms at 5:30 AM on June 24, 2011
I ought to get back on mefightclub - those were good times. I played as "Royski" after a few deaths while hearing something like "Spy behind you exuh, exo, ahh... sorry"
posted by exogenous at 5:48 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by exogenous at 5:48 AM on June 24, 2011
I am unrepentant in my love for this game, and I don't care about all of the silly hats and weird items.
I got the 1000-backstabs achievement last night, shivving a heavy just as his medic announced "I AM FULLY CHARGED" but before he could actually ubercharge the heavy. I turned and shot the medic in the face, cloaked, and crouched in a corner while two pryos searched for me in blind, impotent rage.
For one minute I was king of the world.
I love this game so much.
posted by DWRoelands at 5:55 AM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]
I got the 1000-backstabs achievement last night, shivving a heavy just as his medic announced "I AM FULLY CHARGED" but before he could actually ubercharge the heavy. I turned and shot the medic in the face, cloaked, and crouched in a corner while two pryos searched for me in blind, impotent rage.
For one minute I was king of the world.
I love this game so much.
posted by DWRoelands at 5:55 AM on June 24, 2011 [8 favorites]
Man, I *loved* TFC back in the day. I really wish TF2 had come out back when I still had time to be a gamer. I think I need to MAKE time to try it out, finally. Of course, not having a desktop PC anymore makes that a bit more difficult. Maybe it's finally time to cave, get that wireless keyboard and mouse setup, and connect the ol' laptop to the TV :)
posted by antifuse at 6:16 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by antifuse at 6:16 AM on June 24, 2011
Regarding the purchasable/collectable weapons: it's easy to turn them off. So I'm not sure what anyone's complaining about.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:47 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:47 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
The MeFight Forums, registration required but sooo worth it (we're fun).
posted by Mick at 7:00 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Mick at 7:00 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seconding gemmy here: If you're just getting the game now, come on over to the mefightclub servers. The public server may have some pubbie scum on it occasionally, but we're good about booting anyone who misbehaves. If you want to learn, just say that you're new and you'll be given help. We do play to win, but fun and civility are higher priorities.
If I can offer one tip, it's this: Frustration for people new to the game generally comes from not knowing a given map just as much as not knowing a class. Some of the maps can be confusing and it requires patience, and trial and error to figure them out. I would argue that a good chunk of player competence comes from understanding the layout of any map and knowing where the ammo and health packs spawn. When you know these things, you're better at assessing risk and as a result, you live longer. If you want to learn a map well, play a medic and attach yourself to people who do know a map, or play a scout early on to cover a lot of ground quickly to get a feel for the layout. That's what I do when confronted with a new one.
Also, if you're new, probably hold off on playing spy for awhile, until you've got a handle on other classes. It's easily the trickiest class to play and also the most frustrating (though arguably the most rewarding, if you have a thirst for evil and feed on the bile of your enemies).
posted by picea at 7:05 AM on June 24, 2011
If I can offer one tip, it's this: Frustration for people new to the game generally comes from not knowing a given map just as much as not knowing a class. Some of the maps can be confusing and it requires patience, and trial and error to figure them out. I would argue that a good chunk of player competence comes from understanding the layout of any map and knowing where the ammo and health packs spawn. When you know these things, you're better at assessing risk and as a result, you live longer. If you want to learn a map well, play a medic and attach yourself to people who do know a map, or play a scout early on to cover a lot of ground quickly to get a feel for the layout. That's what I do when confronted with a new one.
Also, if you're new, probably hold off on playing spy for awhile, until you've got a handle on other classes. It's easily the trickiest class to play and also the most frustrating (though arguably the most rewarding, if you have a thirst for evil and feed on the bile of your enemies).
posted by picea at 7:05 AM on June 24, 2011
I have hundreds of hours and still put off playing spy.
That style just doesn't suit me.
The chargin' targe, however, with the speed boost and melee weapon buff is EXACTLY how I like to play nearly every game in the Source engine.
I find it easier to hit people when I'm so close they take up more than half my screen.
Last night on the privie there were more than one Pile o' Gifts dropped. People should definitely come by, it is a damned hoot.
posted by Busithoth at 7:29 AM on June 24, 2011
That style just doesn't suit me.
The chargin' targe, however, with the speed boost and melee weapon buff is EXACTLY how I like to play nearly every game in the Source engine.
I find it easier to hit people when I'm so close they take up more than half my screen.
Last night on the privie there were more than one Pile o' Gifts dropped. People should definitely come by, it is a damned hoot.
posted by Busithoth at 7:29 AM on June 24, 2011
Damn you people.
I am totally downloading this tonight. I'll probably drop by the mefightclub server.
posted by Fleebnork at 7:30 AM on June 24, 2011
I am totally downloading this tonight. I'll probably drop by the mefightclub server.
posted by Fleebnork at 7:30 AM on June 24, 2011
I'm in a bit of a n00b Engineer trap right now, setting up turrets in hard-to-shoot locations near the intel, setting up dispensers in doorways like a jerk. Eventually I got so frustrated with spies I took that class up and found myself doing the same shit they always do--standing in the same place for ages waiting for the engineer to get bored an run off on an adventure with his shotgun drawn. But I still always go back because I kinda suck at Spy.
Engineering doesn't have to be boring and defensive. Setting up a forward base with an Engineer is gratifyingly difficult at first, but once you learn how to identify a good forward position you will become invaluable to your team because, although the dispensers and sentry guns are important, the teleporter is arguably the most important bit of kit the Engineer builds, and the dispensers and sentry guns often exist to protect them more than anything else. Plus you will get shit-tons of kills with your sentry.
Spying is hard. The trick to sapping as a Spy is mastering the changeover: you need to drop the sapper on the sentry then IMMEDIATELY switching to the butterfly knife and backstabbing the Engineer before he can kill your sapper. This is not easy, but it is a key technique of being a truly good Spy, which is why Spy is the hardest class to play.
posted by mightygodking at 8:30 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Engineering doesn't have to be boring and defensive. Setting up a forward base with an Engineer is gratifyingly difficult at first, but once you learn how to identify a good forward position you will become invaluable to your team because, although the dispensers and sentry guns are important, the teleporter is arguably the most important bit of kit the Engineer builds, and the dispensers and sentry guns often exist to protect them more than anything else. Plus you will get shit-tons of kills with your sentry.
Spying is hard. The trick to sapping as a Spy is mastering the changeover: you need to drop the sapper on the sentry then IMMEDIATELY switching to the butterfly knife and backstabbing the Engineer before he can kill your sapper. This is not easy, but it is a key technique of being a truly good Spy, which is why Spy is the hardest class to play.
posted by mightygodking at 8:30 AM on June 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I keep meaning to go to the TF2 beginner sessions, but then I discovered Borderlands . . . and have dropped 160+ hours on it. Eventually, I'll join the Mefight Folks in TF2, and be back on the Aporkaplypse, but my Borderlands crush is still in full effect.
posted by exlotuseater at 9:26 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by exlotuseater at 9:26 AM on June 24, 2011
Buying the Orange Box for xbox was one of my dumber moments.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 10:52 AM on June 24, 2011
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 10:52 AM on June 24, 2011
Forgot to link this before. If you are interested in playing TF2, may I suggest reading the MeFightClub Wiki page called "TF2 Starter Guide." It covers how to go about connecting to the MeFight servers, and it has a brief overview of map types, classes, and some beginner's strategies. There are SO much information about the game out there, but this is a very basic guide to get your on your way to playing with portals hats!
posted by gemmy at 7:25 PM on June 24, 2011
posted by gemmy at 7:25 PM on June 24, 2011
This comment isn't a joke or a funny set-up. I was a happy FPS gamer for years but TF2 is the game that broke me. I will never play another multiplayer FPS. TF2 destroyed my enjoyment of multiplayer computer games. TF2 ground me down till I realize I am nothing. I am shit. I am a waste of the air you breathe and the time it takes you to read this comment. Trying to play TF2 has been the single most damaging thing to my self-worth I have ever willingly embarked upon. I wish I had never played this video game.
You, however, will probably have a great time. Have fun.
posted by BeerFilter at 8:48 PM on June 24, 2011
You, however, will probably have a great time. Have fun.
posted by BeerFilter at 8:48 PM on June 24, 2011
I played TF2 for about four hours last night. Big shout out to the Mefightclub folks. It's a hoot.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:10 AM on June 25, 2011
posted by Fleebnork at 6:10 AM on June 25, 2011
One thing I've always hated about FPS online is the clique mentality. I've almost always played with people I know, and when we all got laid off from our jobs, we quietly filtered out into the ether, cobbling together LAN parties (this was before high-speed internet so lag was a problem *heykidsgetoffmylawn*) and then we got old and other jobs and moved out of state.
But the promise of a MeFi group? This I might be interested in. I just downloaded TF2 the other night. Reminds me a lot of Quake 1. Let me dust off my mouse...
posted by absquatulate at 7:26 AM on June 25, 2011
But the promise of a MeFi group? This I might be interested in. I just downloaded TF2 the other night. Reminds me a lot of Quake 1. Let me dust off my mouse...
posted by absquatulate at 7:26 AM on June 25, 2011
There will be hot action on the privvie and the pubbie tonight, I think. I'll be on and I am easy to kill!
posted by vrakatar at 5:08 PM on June 25, 2011
posted by vrakatar at 5:08 PM on June 25, 2011
As always, people are welcome at pubbie.mefightclub.com. (that's a steam link, if it doesn't work for you, you can bring up the console in-game and type connect pubbie.mefightclub.com.
I am seriously getting the Alzheimer's. I totally do not remember setting up the DNS for that to work. But hey, good for me for finally doing it (at some point that I cannot recall)!
But the promise of a MeFi group?
There are about 1700 of us at Mefight Club, and as mentioned, we have two TF2 servers, but we play (and have servers for) a lot more than just TF2. Join us!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:56 PM on June 25, 2011
I am seriously getting the Alzheimer's. I totally do not remember setting up the DNS for that to work. But hey, good for me for finally doing it (at some point that I cannot recall)!
But the promise of a MeFi group?
There are about 1700 of us at Mefight Club, and as mentioned, we have two TF2 servers, but we play (and have servers for) a lot more than just TF2. Join us!
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:56 PM on June 25, 2011
I joined, but it's so lonely on the privie. So quiet
posted by coriolisdave at 6:38 PM on June 26, 2011
posted by coriolisdave at 6:38 PM on June 26, 2011
The privie and pubbie are busy during peak hours pretty much every day. Make sure you've joined the Mefight TF2 group on Steam for announcements; if you're not with us at Mefight Club itself, hie thee hence for info about what's happening and when...
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:43 AM on June 27, 2011
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:43 AM on June 27, 2011
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posted by tumid dahlia at 6:13 PM on June 23, 2011 [10 favorites]