TF2 Mann Conn update live - Trading, Custom Items, New Items!

[SpatiallyAware]

*Generally* you can play just fine with stock weapons. Pyro, soldier, scout, heavy, medic, etc are all plenty powerful out of the box.

The biggest issue with adding these new weapons is that on the surface new players are intimidated by it, which is understandable.


I HATED updates (at first). I hated the servers getting swamped with n00bs and the experienced players trying to get achievements etc right after an update.

This update isn't *so* bad though, granted I've only played it for about an hour. I have to admit, I immediately paid $25 for the soldier weapons. The way I look at it, I've got 400+++ hours in this game over the last 3-4 years and I only paid $20. I have 0 qualms with the $$ aspect of it. My concern is that they start adding stuff that detracts from the game only to get some moolah.

 

[ViRGE]

I didn't pay for an "experiment" and I don't want to be part of it. Give me the nice simple TF2 back

Preach on, brother! I bought a multiplayer FPS; I sure as heck didn't consent to it being turned in to an MMORPG.

It must really be a sign of the times when we're envious of the Xbox players because they still have the original game...

 

[Elcs]

They should have made a seperate game for it really.

TF2Experiment where they introduce the idea of drops and such into the game.

I wouldn't see anything wrong with introducing something like skins or models into a random drop system as no-one sees any benefit to their gaming skills or any negative side effects from the viewing.

I do however disagree on adding performance enhancing drops to a casual game. With an MMO you can forgive those who spend many hours grabbing better equipment than you but if it starts happening in a game of this type which relies on skill and teamwork then it is only detrimental in my eyes.

 

[StormSide]

Every time I launch TF2 (couple of times a month) they have added some new layer of complexity. It's getting ridiculous, the game was elegant and fun because of its simplicity, not despite it. All of the changes have really thrown off the balance. Last time I played there seemed to be a sentry with unlimited range and laser targeting or something, it was completely OP. The game used to be perfect for casual play, now it's nearly impossible to keep up with all of the new items and abilities unless you sink a ton of time into it.

+1 You hit it right on the head. I haven't touched this game since the Engie update. All this
crafting bullshit is to much for me.

 

[ivan2]

nice, more grinds in the achievement servers.

 

[paperfist]

TF2 now has drops and crafting?? When did this happen?

And why?

Is it an MMO now?

 

[JTsyo]

I don't know why everyone is getting so hung up on the crafting. Why does it matter that other people are making hats? I have no interest in hats and others wearing them doesn't effect me at all. If people want to give Valve money and subsidy more free updates, that's alright by me.
The updates keep the game fresh. For those that only play the game once a month it might seem like too many changes but for those that play often the updates are refreshing.

 

[KeithTalent]

You know you don't have to craft stuff guys, all you get is cosmetic stuff from it. Who cares if others are making hats, you don't need to do it; they add nothing to the gameplay, aside from an interesting, or amusing piece of schwag to your character's head.

Lot's of crying over nothing as usual.

KT

 

[Red Storm]

You know you don't have to craft stuff guys, all you get is cosmetic stuff from it. Who cares if others are making hats, you don't need to do it; they add nothing to the gameplay, aside from an interesting, or amusing piece of schwag to your character's head.

Lot's of crying over nothing as usual.

KT

But to be fair, they do have a point. Take this example:

Scout A has all the weapons and the hat for the complete set.

Scout B has all the weapons but does not have the hat.

Scout A gets an extra 25 HP. Why? Because he either paid for the hat or got lucky with a drop.

This is my only problem with this update. Hats - being as rare and now expensive as they are - should never, ever, have game play effects. It's incredibly stupid, and yet Valve is taking that route. :thumbsdown:

 

[swerus]

Valve did say that Team Fortress 2 was their "on-going experiment" for trying new things, so I guess you can't blame them too much.

I agree though that the game has become more intimidating for new players than it was when it came out three years ago. I've always recommended this as a great online FPS for casual players, but nowadays I can understand why a new user would become confused with all the new hats, drops, crafting etc...

This is the truth, and TF2 is just a testing platform now. I loved the game and played over 500 hrs, but have since moved on. I play a few times a month now.

You can rest assured Valve is working on a RPG type game, and it will most likely be amazing and the work they put in TF2 now will only help them copy and paste the system into whatever the new game is.

 

[tokie]

If it is true that TF2 is their experimental platform, then I can see where this is going. Things like the Steam wallet etc might by put into use for the DotA-like game being produced there by Icefrog, with micro-purchases similar to League of Legends.

 

[KeithTalent]

But to be fair, they do have a point. Take this example:

Scout A has all the weapons and the hat for the complete set.

Scout B has all the weapons but does not have the hat.

Scout A gets an extra 25 HP. Why? Because he either paid for the hat or got lucky with a drop.

This is my only problem with this update. Hats - being as rare and now expensive as they are - should never, ever, have game play effects. It's incredibly stupid, and yet Valve is taking that route. :thumbsdown:

Ahhh, I did not notice that. Yeah, I firmly disagree with it working that way, they should never impact actual game play; completely ridiculous.

I've been too busy, so have not had a chance to go through and actually look at it in detail.

KT

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

Someone on the steam forums directly emailed Robin Walker to bring that up - they're going to add in crafting recipes for the hats that have bonuses.

 

[Dankk]

For a little while there I didn't realize there were purchase-only hats that gave you tactical advantage. That's probably the only thing that pisses me off now. Buying items simply for decoration, or buying balanced weapons is just fine, but making it so only paid users have an advantage is bad, bad, bad.

I'm curious about what other people have to say about the balance in this game. With so many updates since TF2's initial release, it must be incredibly hard to keep the game balanced. However, I've always praised it because it manages to stay this way and the classes are so evened out. Do you guys feel the same way? Or would you say that there are certain classes/weapons that are unfair?

 

[KeithTalent]

For a little while there I didn't realize there were purchase-only hats that gave you tactical advantage. That's probably the only thing that pisses me off now. Buying items simply for decoration, or buying balanced weapons is just fine, but making it so only paid users have an advantage is bad, bad, bad.

I'm curious about what other people have to say about the balance in this game. With so many updates since TF2's initial release, it must be incredibly hard to keep the game balanced. However, I've always praised it because it manages to stay this way and the classes are so evened out. Do you guys feel the same way? Or would you say that there are certain classes/weapons that are unfair?

The game still feels balanced to me and I play quite regularly. If they keep this current implementation of purchasing I could see it getting way out of balance.

KT

 

[mundane]

..

 

[darkewaffle]

I don't see many people using the full sets, most of the items included are too gimmicky for it and the set itself is going to make for a very 'niche' character at best, or at least one with noticeably less utility.

 

[Balt]

I don't mind a 'pay for aesthetics' pricing model, but when it becomes 'pay for advantage' model I really become disinterested in a game. Hopefully TF2 doesn't become that.

 

[zerocool84]

I don't mind a 'pay for aesthetics' pricing model, but when it becomes 'pay for advantage' model I really become disinterested in a game. Hopefully TF2 doesn't become that.

It seems like it has.

 

[Balt]

It seems like it has.

Yeah I just started up TF2 and took my first look. Really lame.

Oh well...

 

[zerocool84]

I also really hate how they changed the main menu.

 

[40sTheme]

Oh my god everyone is wigging out over this stuff.
It's not that big of a deal.
It doesn't change much.
It's not that hard to learn the new weapons.
DONT PLAY 2FORT. IF YOU DO, DONT COMPLAIN, ITS AN AWFUL MAP.

Now, they have said that set-based hats will soon be craftable (Robin Walker himself) and ALL of the polycount pack is easy as hell to craft (look it up).

Also, random drops have been slightly increased.

EVERYTHING in the store can be found through drops. If you want it earlier, buy it, if not, DONT.

 

[zerocool84]

Oh my god everyone is wigging out over this stuff.
It's not that big of a deal.
It doesn't change much.
It's not that hard to learn the new weapons.
DONT PLAY 2FORT. IF YOU DO, DONT COMPLAIN, ITS AN AWFUL MAP.

Now, they have said that set-based hats will soon be craftable (Robin Walker himself) and ALL of the polycount pack is easy as hell to craft (look it up).

Also, random drops have been slightly increased.

EVERYTHING in the store can be found through drops. If you want it earlier, buy it, if not, DONT.

Yes they CAN be gotten in a drop but that doesn't mean you will get it. I've played hundreds of hours of TF2 and have NEVER gotten a hat as a drop. Not once, EVER.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Well likewise you can do the same to them. TF2 really isn't that complicated. It's the same as any modern fps with different classes and such.

Except for the fact that most modern FPS, even with multiple classes, is all about who's the quickest / most accurate / most cunning - real player SKILL - not who logged the most hours into the game and got a bunch of cool junk that made them more powerful.

I personally don't play TF2 much (less than 100 hours total played), but I can see why people are peeved. They're taking a great team-based multi-class FPS and slowly turning it into an RPG. FPS' are all about being quick with your mouse, knowing the maps, etc. RPGs are about finding / grinding gear and "leveling up." Refreshes to keep the game interesting are one thing, but completely changing the game's dynamics is absurd.

They should have simply split this off into two games. Perhaps "TF RPG" or "TF2 Classic."

 

[zerocool84]

Except for the fact that most modern FPS, even with multiple classes, is all about who's the quickest / most accurate / most cunning - real player SKILL - not who logged the most hours into the game and got a bunch of cool junk that made them more powerful.

I personally don't play TF2 much (less than 100 hours total played), but I can see why people are peeved. They're taking a great team-based multi-class FPS and slowly turning it into an RPG. FPS' are all about being quick with your mouse, knowing the maps, etc. RPGs are about finding / grinding gear and "leveling up." Refreshes to keep the game interesting are one thing, but completely changing the game's dynamics is absurd.

They should have simply split this off into two games. Perhaps "TF RPG" or "TF2 Classic."

Yep they really should have split it off. It sucks how it is now.