TF2 General Chat and Speculation Station: Whiteboard Blues - Games

Did Valve fucking die? I must be in the Twilight zone or something, because this is unreal.

[QUOTE=sarge997;52735525]Did Valve fucking die? I must be in the Twilight zone or something, because this is unreal.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't say it's dead, just in a mess of favouritism over a single title and separated developers leaving for VR.

So, the overwatch director had an [URL="http://www.pcgamer.com/jeff-kaplan-opens-up-about-the-occasionally-scary-and-intimidating-overwatch-community/"]interview[/URL] recently where he said that the development team doesn't like to go to user forums because they find it "extremely intimidating": [QUOTE]It's very easy to post the wrong thing and make a 'promise' to the community that no one intended to make. Once we say we're working on something, we're not allowed to 'take it back'. It's set in stone. Also, because we are open with you and do not hide behind an anonymous handle (like all of you have the luxury of doing), we often times get personally attacked and threatened.[/QUOTE] I'm kinda curious, is something analogous the reason we don't see much communication from valve?

[QUOTE=WhyNott;52735613]So, the overwatch director had an [URL="http://www.pcgamer.com/jeff-kaplan-opens-up-about-the-occasionally-scary-and-intimidating-overwatch-community/"]interview[/URL] recently where he said that the development team doesn't like to go to user forums because they find it "extremely intimidating": I'm kinda curious, is something analogous the reason we don't see much communication from valve?[/QUOTE] Maybe, but even with the OW guys not wanting to go on the forums much, they still put out regular 9+ minute update/patch videos that go into detail about what they want to do and their philosophy regarding the game and moving forward. When was the last time TF2 had a FACE we could put to a dev, a voice even, with OW I at least get the feeling humans are working on it. I can put a tangible image in my head about who works on things, their name, and position on the team.

[QUOTE=ComodoreBluth;52735096]Thanks its hard to believe I've been posting here for 5 years (and I was lurking for even longer, I made an account when Facepunch made the forum private for guests for a couple of weeks). Fluury has already demanded I get an animated avatar.[/QUOTE] Getting "Gold Member" is still possible? I've somewhat found that to be a motivation to post more these days. Whats the criteria for it now if not donation acquired?

[QUOTE=grif;52735669]Getting "Gold Member" is still possible? I've somewhat found that to be a motivation to post more these days. Whats the criteria for it now if not donation acquired?[/QUOTE] 2+ year old account and 1000 posts i believe.

[QUOTE=Johnny Joe;52735634]Maybe, but even with the OW guys not wanting to go on the forums much, they still put out regular 9+ minute update/patch videos that go into detail about what they want to do and their philosophy regarding the game and moving forward. When was the last time TF2 had a FACE we could put to a dev, a voice even, with OW I at least get the feeling humans are working on it. I can put a tangible image in my head about who works on things, their name, and position on the team.[/QUOTE] Well we have Eric Smith, Driller and Jill, the programmers. Jay Pinkerton writes comics, Makani draws them. AFAIK these have been on the team for the longest time, except for Jill. They don't talk much directly but we've seen them and heard them. I do wish they'd talk more. I also wish we'd shittalk them less. Criticism is okay, but I've seen people outright calling them stupid and lazy which is unwarranted.

[QUOTE=WhyNott;52735613]So, the overwatch director had an [URL="http://www.pcgamer.com/jeff-kaplan-opens-up-about-the-occasionally-scary-and-intimidating-overwatch-community/"]interview[/URL] recently where he said that the development team doesn't like to go to user forums because they find it "extremely intimidating": I'm kinda curious, is something analogous the reason we don't see much communication from valve?[/QUOTE] Here's a presentation from Robin Walker on that subject. The "External Communication" part starts at 33:47. [media]https://youtu.be/Fwv1G3WFSfI?t=33m47s[/media] A tl;dr is that using external communication comes with significant risk. In the right situations, it can be very beneficial for both parties. If it ends up being bad communication, it will worsen the relationship between developer and customer. That's why it's intimidating. One bad post can have serious impact even if the developer had honest intentions. Even if you think the current relationship bad now, it can definitely get worse.

[QUOTE=Blade Rx69;52735722]Here's a presentation from Robin Walker on that subject. The "External Communication" part starts at 33:47. [media]https://youtu.be/Fwv1G3WFSfI?t=33m47s[/media] A tl;dr is that using external communication comes with significant risk. In the right situations, it can be very beneficial for both parties. If it ends up being bad communication, it will worsen the relationship between developer and customer. That's why it's intimidating. One bad post can have serious impact even if the developer had honest intentions. Even if you think the current relationship bad now, it can definitely get worse.[/QUOTE] [URL="https://www.reddit.com/r/leagueoflegends/comments/73ko9b/lead_riot_member_he_tyler1_looks_like_a_damn/"]One bad comment you say?[/URL]

[QUOTE=Loth;52735206]God, 2012 and MvM was 5 years ago. I remember the trailer coming out and watching this [URL="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74D6XkRqIM"] piano cover[/URL] of the mvm soundtrack[/QUOTE] How different was Valve of 5 years ago? In 2012 they released: [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Mann_vs._Machine_(update)]The Mann vs. Machine update.[/url] (August 15, 2012.) [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/August_2,_2012_Patch]The Triad Pack.[/url] (August 2, 2012.) Two weeks earlier. [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Ghost_Town]Ghost Fort aka Wave 666.[/url] (October 26, 2012.) [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Ghost_Fort]Motherflippin' GHOST FORT[/url] AKA the best event map ever. (October 26, 2012.) This update included the greatly loved, now retired and sorely missed voice, paint and footprint spells. It also had the Voodoo Cursed Souls for the 9 classes. For those who GAF about such things, this was the introduction of the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Crone%27s_Dome]Crone's Dome,[/url] one of the most beloved hats in the game. It arrived the same time as some of the best unusual effects in the game: It's A Secret To Everybody, Knifestorm and Stormy 13th Hour. Harvest Moon and Misty Skull also showed up then, but I'm less enthralled with them. The same event brought the most desirable glitched unusual item in the game the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Coffin_Kit]Coffin Kit[/url] (which is pretty cool even when it's not unusual.) The [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Grand_Duchess]Grand Duchess[/url] has some [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Heavy_responses#With_Grand_Duchess_set_equipped]fantastic custom voice lines.[/url] The [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/December_21,_2012_Patch]2012 Smissmass crate[/url] brought us the Festive Holy Mackerel, the Festive Sandvich (the only way to get a strange one for years), the Festive Huntsman (it shoots lightbulbs!) and the Festive Ambassador (the best looking version) as well as a number of other properly reskinned festive weapons. They managed to release the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/December_20,_2012_Patch]The Mecha Update.[/url] that same week. (Dec 20, 2012.) The differences between 2012 TF2 and 2017 TF2 are similar in scale to those between, say, the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration and that of Warren G. Harding. To be fair, the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/October_27,_2010_Patch]Scream Fortress 2013 event[/url] had some decent content (over 100 new cosmetics, including a bunch with voice lines, like the Larval Lid) and nice unusual effects (the 3 portals, Arcana, Spellbound). It's kinda been downhill since then.

Future MUS: [I]It's been 10 years without an update...[/I]

[QUOTE=Johnny Joe;52735634]When was the last time TF2 had a FACE we could put to a dev, a voice even, with OW I at least get the feeling humans are working on it. I can put a tangible image in my head about who works on things, their name, and position on the team.[/QUOTE] Pick your choice between a fern or a human version of Rainbow Dash.

Well, what has the tf2 team released so far this year? They have released a shit ton of Medals [URL="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=31311"]Updated Mannpower[/URL] [URL="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=29447"]Added the Rainy day case[/URL] Fixed some glitches They have Updated the localization files And... that is about it

Imagine if the update lands on the 10th but its completely coincidental and the tf2 team forgot it was the 10 year anniversary.

In the ensuing weeks after the 10th we get a few blogposts that act as if the update released, and with future updates they act like they never skipped the pyro update. think of it as performance art

[QUOTE=C. Blades;52735893]Future MUS: [I]It's been 10 years without an update...[/I][/QUOTE] now I'm a pretty pessimistic guy, irl and in everything, friends and family regularly call me out on it I'm considered a negative person, for someone who lives in Syria yet I can never come close to reaching the levels of pessimism you and Exor have.

[B][U]By this time in 2010, we had [/U][/B][B]Contents packs:[/B] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/First_Community_Contribution_Update"]First Community Contribution Update[/URL] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Second_Community_Contribution_Update"]Second Community Contribution Update[/URL] [B]Major Updates:[/B] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/119th_Update"]119th Update[/URL] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Mac_Update"]Mac Update[/URL] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Engineer_Update"]Engineer Update [/URL][URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Mann-Conomy_Update"]Mann-Conomy Update[/URL] 6 Major updates/ Content packs released by October In 2011 we had, [B] Content Packs:[/B] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Community_Map_Pack_Update"]Community Map Pack Update [/URL][URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Shogun_Pack"]Shogun Pack [/URL][URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Japan_Charity_Bundle"]Japan Charity Bundle[/URL] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Third_Community_Contribution_Update"]Third Community Contribution Update [/URL][URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Summer_Camp_Sale"]Summer Camp Sale [/URL][URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Dr._Grordbort%27s_Victory_Pack_Update"]Dr. Grordbort's Victory Pack Update[/URL] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Manno-Technology_Bundle"]Manno-Technology Bundle [/URL] [B]Major Updates:[/B] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Hatless_Update"]Hatless Update [/URL][URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Replay_Update"]Replay Update[/URL] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/%C3%9Cber_Update"]Über Update [/URL] 10 Major updates/ Content packs released by October [B]2017, 9 Months in[/B] [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Rainy_Day_Pack"]Rainy day pack[/URL] Some of the Contents packs might be small, but at least it was something

[QUOTE=Nebrassy;52736062]now I'm a pretty pessimistic guy, irl and in everything, friends and family regularly call me out on it I'm considered a negative person, for someone who lives in Syria yet I can never come close to reaching the levels of pessimism you and Exor have.[/QUOTE] [I]*Gestures at the 450+ days of nothing*[/I]

[MEDIA]https://twitter.com/TipoftheHats/status/914580686627106816[/MEDIA] Unsure if optimistic thinking on the TOTH's team part, or background confirmation.

well, key deletion video incoming

[QUOTE=Fluury;52736127][MEDIA]https://twitter.com/TipoftheHats/status/914580686627106816[/MEDIA] Unsure if optimistic thinking on the TOTH's team part, or background confirmation.[/QUOTE] Back when me, Rob and Rapid were hosting/finishing up the Pass Time Tournament, Woody (I think his name was?), one of the devs at Escalation said that the 1st/2nd/3rd place medals would be distributed before or during the next major tf2 update. Said update was a week later during Smissmas. Granted this was Escalation and not the actual tf2 devs, but it wouldn't surprise me if the ToTH team got some sort of confirmation about the medals.

[QUOTE=Stroheim;52736174]Back when me, Rob and Rapid were hosting/finishing up the Pass Time Tournament, Woody (I think his name was?), one of the devs at Escalation said that the 1st/2nd/3rd place medals would be distributed before or during the next major tf2 update. Said update was a week later during Smissmas. Granted this was Escalation and not the actual tf2 devs, but it wouldn't surprise me if the ToTH team got some sort of confirmation about the medals.[/QUOTE] So, does this actually give plausibility to an October 10th/TF2 10th Anniversary update?

I really hope this new update really brings me back to TF2 because I'm having barely any fun in TF2 as of now and I really want to but it really sucks to have 5+ people on your team with less than 10 points each. Being steamrolled isn't fun. Being backstabbed by a Dr. Spycicle spy isn't fun. Watching your team jack off and doing nothing isn't fun.

[QUOTE=Nebrassy;52736062]now I'm a pretty pessimistic guy, irl and in everything, friends and family regularly call me out on it I'm considered a negative person, for someone who lives in Syria yet I can never come close to reaching the levels of pessimism you and Exor have.[/QUOTE] Syria? Facepunch claims you live in Italy.

[QUOTE=Fluury;52736127][MEDIA]https://twitter.com/TipoftheHats/status/914580686627106816[/MEDIA] Unsure if optimistic thinking on the TOTH's team part, or background confirmation.[/QUOTE] I'd take it more as optimism

[QUOTE=BlindSniper17;52736203]So, does this actually give plausibility to an October 10th/TF2 10th Anniversary update?[/QUOTE] I wouldn't bet against it. Although I'm not saying it will happen either. I don't wanna be the new Dane in terms of calling things. [B]ALSO [/B] Small correction: the guy we talked with was LuckyLance, not Woody.

[video=youtube;aghvvf8JyB4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aghvvf8JyB4[/video] too lazy to fix the video bugs lol

[QUOTE=WhyNott;52735613]So, the overwatch director had an [URL="http://www.pcgamer.com/jeff-kaplan-opens-up-about-the-occasionally-scary-and-intimidating-overwatch-community/"]interview[/URL] recently where he said that the development team doesn't like to go to user forums because they find it "extremely intimidating": I'm kinda curious, is something analogous the reason we don't see much communication from valve?[/QUOTE] I'm not defending the people who threaten in any way, but I personally find that position a little coward. Sure, there are some toxic people everywhere, but I have the slight suspicion that they also consider things like criticism "intimidating". Internet has always been like this, you need to toughen up a little if you want to survive, especially if you are a game developer, or else you are going to be like that guy who sued Jim Sterling.

[QUOTE=ikes;52736236][video=youtube;aghvvf8JyB4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aghvvf8JyB4[/video] too lazy to fix the video bugs lol[/QUOTE] Now ask for them back from steam support!

[QUOTE=ikes;52736236] too lazy to fix the video bugs lol[/QUOTE] Uncrate a couple crates with the spiritual successors to those keys and see how lucky you get :v: