Major Update Speculation V35 - A Distinctive Lack of Communication - Games

[QUOTE=Punchy;51503624]Speaking of which, I've been having this bug as heavy where I can actually kill people. Hopefully they fix that again as they've done ten times over before[/QUOTE] Pretty sure that's an exploit. You're now morally obligated to make and upload a video showing how to do it. At least a ninth of the playerbase needs to be abusing it before it'll get fixed. Also make the video longer to fit as many ads as possible. You deserve the ad money for doing a community service.

[QUOTE=nuke4fix;51503876]To add to the mouse wheel talk. I roll with these and I think it pretty comfortable? [code] bind MWHEELUP slot1 bind MWHEELDOWN slot2 bind f slot3 [/code] This way when you scroll you can't miss your weapon. And for the Spy: [code] bind MWHEELUP slot1 bind MWHEELDOWN slot3 bind mouse3 slot4 bind f lastdisguise [/code] Three of your most used items are on your mouse, sapper is on numbers (or side buttons if you have them). Anyway, play around with it. I'm sure you'll find the setup that's the best for you.[/QUOTE] The former is how I play except replace "f" with "q." It's not perfect since Engie and Spy still have to use the number keys but since they're my least favorite classes to play it doesn't bother me much.

[QUOTE=ComodoreBluth;51500405]If we do get the Pyro update for Christmas I hope we get a small update soon that adds burning props to the background of maps, similar to UFOs for Invasion or MVM tanks for the MVM update. What all do people think we'll see for Christmas? The following is pretty much confirmed by the what we're up to blog post: New campaign New community maps Upgrades to comp mode Rebalance update The following seems likely: Pyro weapon pack/rebalance New festives or festivisers New taunts CELT codec being added to Valve servers (unless it happens before the major update, but I could see it being update page worthy) Something that requires new lines (Nathan Vetterlein recorded new lines in September and there weren't new lines in Scream Fortress) [IMG]https://facepunch.com/fp/ratings/rainbow.png[/IMG] Cactus Canyon and Asteroid going official A new comic (either for the update or the ongoing series Anyone have any more ideas for what we'll see? Edit: 2 other recent CSGO features I had forgotten about but seem like a possibility for the winter update: [URL="http://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/2016/10/16246/"]Valve/community created sprays that work in Valve servers.[/URL] [URL="http://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/steam-group-lobbies/"]Being able to make parties with people in Steam groups. [/URL][/QUOTE] I dunno about the codec to be honest, as is right now, it seems to be causing latency issues on some servers as well as being heavily unoptimized, it might be a little bit before we see it.

[QUOTE=ComodoreBluth;51500405]If we do get the Pyro update for Christmas I hope we get a small update soon that adds burning props to the background of maps, similar to UFOs for Invasion or MVM tanks for the MVM update. What all do people think we'll see for Christmas? The following is pretty much confirmed by the what we're up to blog post: New campaign New community maps Upgrades to comp mode Rebalance update The following seems likely: Pyro weapon pack/rebalance New festives or festivisers New taunts CELT codec being added to Valve servers (unless it happens before the major update, but I could see it being update page worthy) Something that requires new lines (Nathan Vetterlein recorded new lines in September and there weren't new lines in Scream Fortress) [IMG]https://facepunch.com/fp/ratings/rainbow.png[/IMG] Cactus Canyon and Asteroid going official A new comic (either for the update or the ongoing series Anyone have any more ideas for what we'll see? Edit: 2 other recent CSGO features I had forgotten about but seem like a possibility for the winter update: [URL="http://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/2016/10/16246/"]Valve/community created sprays that work in Valve servers.[/URL] [URL="http://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/steam-group-lobbies/"]Being able to make parties with people in Steam groups. [/URL][/QUOTE] If Lord Exor's Source is to be believed, Ad-hoc connections for casual alongside HOPEFULLY some love for community Servers. Please. Just today I somehow managed to revive my old community Server, and it was the most fun three hours I have had with the game...

If the Pyro update [I]isn't[/I] christmas then i'm really just going to have to face the facts and move on from this hopeless cause Most companies with functioning brains would have had it out WEEKS after their matchmaking release, so if Valve needs more than half a year to do it i'm just done with this game

[QUOTE=Punchy;51505491]If the Pyro update [I]isn't[/I] christmas then i'm really just going to have to face the facts and move on from this hopeless cause Most companies with functioning brains would have had it out WEEKS after their matchmaking release, so if Valve needs more than half a year to do it i'm just done with this game[/QUOTE] That just depends on what christmas is instead, but it would be weird either way. After the MyM Update Valve really has to redeem themselves, this Update will be the make or break for a lot of people..

[QUOTE=Fluury;51505551]That just depends on what christmas is instead, but it would be weird either way. After the MyM Update Valve really has to redeem themselves, this Update will be the make or break for a lot of people..[/QUOTE] It could be the greatest update in the world but if it isn't the pyro rebalance then what was the point of hyping up the war so much when it wasn't even going to fuckin matter for another year

[QUOTE=Punchy;51505558]It could be the greatest update in the world but if it isn't the pyro rebalance then what was the point of hyping up the war so much when it wasn't even going to fuckin matter for another year[/QUOTE] looking back at the questionable changes valve could be releasing the heavy update instead of the pyro one and it would still make more sense than some balancing

One other thing I forgot for my list for the Christmas update that I think we'll see is either a bunch of more levels for casual matchmaking (at least 100-200) or the ability to prestige since a lot of people are either at or near the maximum level of 150.

[code] bind mwheelup slot1 bind q slot2 bind mwheeldown slot3 bind mouse4 slot5 bind mouse5 slot4 [/code] I use the side buttons on my mouse to equip PDAs, when I'm playing medic they're bound to ubercharge related chat messages.

[QUOTE=nuke4fix;51503876]To add to the mouse wheel talk. I roll with these and I think it pretty comfortable? [code] bind MWHEELUP slot1 bind MWHEELDOWN slot2 bind f slot3 [/code] This way when you scroll you can't miss your weapon. And for the Spy: [code] bind MWHEELUP slot1 bind MWHEELDOWN slot3 bind mouse3 slot4 bind f lastdisguise [/code] Three of your most used items are on your mouse, sapper is on numbers (or side buttons if you have them). Anyway, play around with it. I'm sure you'll find the setup that's the best for you.[/QUOTE] I'll give it a try. Thanks a lot man.

[QUOTE=UberMunchkin;51507184][t]http://media.steampowered.com/apps/tf2/screamfortress/mannfamily.jpg[/t] Here's a friendly reminder that they haven't revealed the mystery figure in the portrait yet. [editline]10th December 2016[/editline] Place your bets - Will it be Charles Darling, somehow Grey Mann, or will it be an [I]entirely new character introduced for the comics[/I]? [sp]or will the tf team just ignore it?[/sp][/QUOTE] Like everything else cool (decals, MvM, weapon skins (which is debatable but not here),etc), they are probably just going to ignore it now that they are bored with it.

pretty sure it was gray we've been introduced to the entirety of the mann family and there's no reason to believe it's anyone else

As if the TF2 team even remembers the game's lore anymore.

[QUOTE=Contra132;51507453]pretty sure it was gray we've been introduced to the entirety of the mann family and there's no reason to believe it's anyone else[/QUOTE] He wouldn't be able to be in that image. He was kidnapped and raised by eagles from a young age and doesn't show up and reveal himself to the family until both redmond and blutarch are very old. So canonically he couldn't have been there. And I doubt valve actually thought that far ahead for a character they used in like two comics and then promptly never touched again. Correct me if I am wrong though. I haven't really payed too much attention to the story of tf2 in a long time.

[QUOTE=A_Guardian;51507487]He wouldn't be able to be in that image. He was kidnapped and raised by eagles from a young age and doesn't show up and reveal himself to the family until both redmond and blutarch are very old. So canonically he couldn't have been there. And I doubt valve actually thought that far ahead for a character they used in like two comics and then promptly never touched again. Correct me if I am wrong though. I haven't really payed too much attention to the story of tf2 in a long time.[/QUOTE] Gray made himself known to Zepheniah Mann before Zepheniah's death, though we don't know exactly when (according to the will- about a year before Zepheniah died, which is well before Gray killed his brothers). [URL="http://www.teamfortress.com/mannwill/"]In the version of Zepheniah's will released before MvM[/URL], he explicitly speaks against leaving Gray any of his inheritance and making sure the Australium (that Gray is truly after) goes to Elizabeth/Helen/The Administrator, leaving the company to the Hales and worthless land to the Mann Brothers. MvM was planned as far back as the [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Engineer_Update"]Engineer Update[/URL]. The above portrait was posted alongside the [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Scream_Fortress_Update"]Scream Fortress update[/URL], which released later that year and started expanding on the lore of the Mann Family. [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Very_Scary_Halloween_Special"]The following Scream Fortress debuted Monoculus[/URL], which had absolutely nothing to do with the Mann Family lore, and the very next year, [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Mann_vs._Machine_(update)#Pre-announcement_references"]Pyromania released the ARG for MvM[/URL]. Ergo, the picture was most likely hinting at Gray. I don't necessarily think Gray's character was planned that far ahead in the proceedings, especially the specifics of his origin story and his nature as the third brother, but he was planted in that photo as a blank slate of sorts that could one day be painted upon to expand the TF2 lore. Speaking as a writer myself, writers like to insert vague mentions of important characters earlier on. It adds an element of intrigue to the ongoing storyline, and gives us time to establish that there is a threat on the horizon before we've one hundred percent figured out how we want to execute it. [editline]10th December 2016[/editline] also worth noting: the initial version of Zepheniah's will had parts of the ending covered in sand. this sand was uncovered in the version before the release of MvM, revealing not only Zepheniah's knowledge of Gray's existence, but also that he entrusted the Australium to Elizabeth/The Administrator before his death. Gray's appearance is foreshadowed in both the Mann Family Portrait and the initial version of Zepheniah's will. Foreshadowing for MvM itself is also established as early as the Engineer update, with more and more being revealed in-game with every major update that followed. I get it- it's cool to dish on the TF Team and assume that they left a hole in their lore. If you know and follow the lore, however, it becomes extremely clear that they didn't. Say what you like about the modern TF Team, but the TF Team circa 2010-2012 were extremely active and set the stones in place, lore and game-wise, for MvM and all the changes it would make to the game years in advance.

[QUOTE=Oizen;51507480]As if the TF2 team even remembers the game's lore anymore.[/QUOTE] I'm pretty sure Valve's writers are the ones who handle most of the TF2 lore.

The unknown man(n) was first shown in the first half of the portrait in the original Halloween update in 2009. It's likely that valve made a vague character to tease the fans without actually having an identity in mind until they needed a new character later on, or to be cheeky and never actually reveal the person.

[QUOTE=chandlerj333;51508454]The unknown man(n) was first shown in the first half of the portrait in the original Halloween update in 2009.[/quote] some clarification required here: scream fortress wasn't the first TF2 Halloween update, the first was the Haunted Halloween special the half of the portrait he's referring to is this one [IMG]http://puu.sh/sKGzb/89d74941a9.jpg[/IMG] the full portrait, with our Mystery Mann in the middle, was released with Scream Fortress and the debut of Silas Mann, who can be seen on the right (meaning the obscured figure in the middle isn't hinting at him) [IMG]http://puu.sh/sKGCj/dddf2c28d4.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE]It's likely that valve made a vague character to tease the fans without actually having an identity in mind until they needed a new character later on, or to be cheeky and never actually reveal the person.[/QUOTE] that's basically what I said earlier, but the man's presence in the photo requires he be connected to the Mann Family and the reveal of the full photo means he can't possibly be Silas at the point of the Scream Fortress update, MvM was already in planning stages, and hints were being dropped throughout the lore and the game leading up to its release. I highly, [B]highly[/B] doubt that Valve didn't at least have a vague idea of who the mystery mann was (Gray) and what purpose he'd serve in the future (the events of MvM). there's virtually no reason to think that the man isn't Gray. all available signs point to it being him, and if they never had any intention on building on the mystery man/foreshadowing Gray, they simply would've let Silas be revealed as the hidden man with the release of Scream Fortress.

[QUOTE=Serge Ivanov;51505190]I dunno about the codec to be honest, as is right now, it seems to be causing latency issues on some servers as well as being heavily unoptimized, it might be a little bit before we see it.[/QUOTE] I've noticed this latency issue on my own server with the new codec enabled, the server's ping will increase by 100-150ms when it happens. It shows up seemingly at random times and I can't figure out what triggers it or causes it to go away (other than using the new codec, obviously).

despite the issue with the codec I think the tradeoff is more than worth it plus I've had servers deal with random lag/pingspikes before, even without a good voice codec

Generally speaking, TF2's lore is more of a comedy. Continuity and details are almost always going to be fudged in favor of what's better for the jokes that follow, so I don't hang onto the finer details for any lore bits they spit out.

It was interesting back during the war update and the first two Halloween updates. Then the silliness started increasing exponentially until it reached the level of farce it is today. Nowadays, things get retconned and flanderized ad nauseum.

[QUOTE=Contra132;51507558]Gray made himself known to Zepheniah Mann before Zepheniah's death, though we don't know exactly when (according to the will- about a year before Zepheniah died, which is well before Gray killed his brothers). [URL="http://www.teamfortress.com/mannwill/"]In the version of Zepheniah's will released before MvM[/URL], he explicitly speaks against leaving Gray any of his inheritance and making sure the Australium (that Gray is truly after) goes to Elizabeth/Helen/The Administrator, leaving the company to the Hales and worthless land to the Mann Brothers. MvM was planned as far back as the [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Engineer_Update"]Engineer Update[/URL]. The above portrait was posted alongside the [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Scream_Fortress_Update"]Scream Fortress update[/URL], which released later that year and started expanding on the lore of the Mann Family. [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Very_Scary_Halloween_Special"]The following Scream Fortress debuted Monoculus[/URL], which had absolutely nothing to do with the Mann Family lore, and the very next year, [URL="https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Mann_vs._Machine_(update)#Pre-announcement_references"]Pyromania released the ARG for MvM[/URL]. Ergo, the picture was most likely hinting at Gray. I don't necessarily think Gray's character was planned that far ahead in the proceedings, especially the specifics of his origin story and his nature as the third brother, but he was planted in that photo as a blank slate of sorts that could one day be painted upon to expand the TF2 lore. Speaking as a writer myself, writers like to insert vague mentions of important characters earlier on. It adds an element of intrigue to the ongoing storyline, and gives us time to establish that there is a threat on the horizon before we've one hundred percent figured out how we want to execute it. [editline]10th December 2016[/editline] also worth noting: the initial version of Zepheniah's will had parts of the ending covered in sand. this sand was uncovered in the version before the release of MvM, revealing not only Zepheniah's knowledge of Gray's existence, but also that he entrusted the Australium to Elizabeth/The Administrator before his death. Gray's appearance is foreshadowed in both the Mann Family Portrait and the initial version of Zepheniah's will. Foreshadowing for MvM itself is also established as early as the Engineer update, with more and more being revealed in-game with every major update that followed. I get it- it's cool to dish on the TF Team and assume that they left a hole in their lore. If you know and follow the lore, however, it becomes extremely clear that they didn't. Say what you like about the modern TF Team, but the TF Team circa 2010-2012 were extremely active and set the stones in place, lore and game-wise, for MvM and all the changes it would make to the game years in advance.[/QUOTE] Doesn't really work because Redmond and blutarch don't know him in Blood Brothers, even though they're all in a family photo here. Hell, what's he even doing in a family photo with zeph if zeph hates him? I guess valve could have intended for them all to have been chumy at some point, and then changed their minds about the characters, but at that point the photo is so far removed from the actual story that it kind of ruins the whole mystery retroactively

Couldn't have hated him that much- Zepheniah's ghost confirms Gray was his favorite son at the tail end of this video, despite the attempted blackmail and disdain for him as a child. [url]https://youtu.be/78Wf7dAfdzI[/url] Also, Redmond and Blutarch are complete idiots. Hell, that's an understatement. We know Gray showed up in the year before Zepheniah's death, but he had no reason to contact his idiot brothers in any capacity until he needed to take his inheritance by force. That's the only potential hole in the mystery character being Gray, but even then it's not tough to shrug off. There's also no better answer provided by TF2 lore, and honestly, at this point you'd just be nitpicking because it's clearly meant to be Gray.

The fact that the tf2 lore is so insane is a good thing though

Too bad Gray died rather unceremoniously, thus putting an anticlimactic end to that plot thread.

[QUOTE=Fluury;51509868]The fact that the tf2 lore is so insane is a good thing though[/QUOTE] I liked it when it was relatively sane and kept in the background. Now all the dumb jokes and plotlines from the comic get mentioned in the game and it's kind of awkward.

man all this ARG and lore talk makes me wish we had shit like that in updates these days

[QUOTE=Lord Exor;51510008]Too bad Gray died rather unceremoniously, thus putting an anticlimactic end to that plot thread.[/QUOTE] anxiously anticipating the "he built a robot of himself" twist That or they just wanted an excuse to kill off any reason for MVM to get updates