TF2 Blog Update.
First results of the Contribute-Site have been added to the game last night. For a detailed list of what has been added I may refer you to this steam forum post.
More hats. As always I like a few but could happily live without the rest. But then again I have never been a big fan of the hats. But I suspect I’m part of a minority here.
Still, by now I fully agree with this petition that there should be an client-side option to show the models in a vanilla mode by hiding (...)

Have I misjudged the current situation with my conclusion that the engy would need a little additional edge against the spy? You tell me, my fellow engies and spies.
And while you are eagerly preparing your statements I will take the opportunity to clarify my point.
Theoretical considerations (boring)
Everything in TF2 is about balance. Balance within a class, balance between the classes, balance between teams. Change a class and the balance changes. Sometimes without major consequences, (...)

This is the second part of my musings about the upcoming engy update. The first section can be found here.
Oh, and this might be as good a time as any to mention that I’m quite sure any thought or idea I’ve come up with will most likely have been presented someplace else before (most likely in the swamps some call the Steam Forums). Feel free to sue me for plagiarism ... Mobile Engineer
One of the biggest problems for an engineer are fast moving maps, like A/D maps and even more 5-CP-maps. (...)

For the record: I’ve started drafting this article before Valve updated its blog with their tale of a failed engy update item. But either happy incidence or impeccable timing by little Teatime, the engy update appears to be heavily in the works. Though Robin Walker mentioned in an interview not too long ago that another general update would precede the engy update the time is right to discuss and speculate on what’s coming for our beloved hardhat
Since this has turned into another (...)

I like the Buff Banner. But I admit that by the time it was released I was criticizing that it was given to the wrong class, buffing the already immensely powerful soldier. I stated that I would have rather seen this weapon (if we want to call it that) given to another class. But of course by now I have seen it in action often, and the more I think about it the sad truth is that the Buff Banner could actually not have been given to any other class than the soldier.
Short recap for those (...)

Well, I guess there are probably tons of reasons which can make a person ragequit from a game like TF2. Griefers, stupid behavior of the other players, being owned constantly or a series of bad maps are most likely on top of everybody’s list.
But for me, blessed by being able to play regularly on a well admined server with a lot of (for the most part) mature players and a relatively high skill level (for a pub, anyway) it usually boils down to two reasons.
Ragequit because I suck
I’m not (...)

Some topics never get old, and some issues will never be resolved. One of those topics is the ever-popular disgrace known as “respawn camping”. I’ve already discussed this in one of in my “Honor, Sportsmanship and Teamplay”-articles, but since I had to witness again people justifying respawn camping just a few days ago on a server of a clan I usually have much respect for I think it deserves once more some more detailed commentary.
DISCLAIMER: I’m talking about PUB GAMES here! The usual casual (...)

One thing which always makes me feel incredibly awkward is to specify an area or spot when I want to communicate a threat or direction.
“SG right side”. Sounds good, yet is utterly pointless without a reference. After all, “right” from what? And where? The point where I was before aforementioned sentry blasted my sorry corpse back to the respawn? Or where I am now? But then again, where am I? Parts of my team won’t know.
To optimize communication specific points or locations should optimally (...)

Vacation’s over; time to get back to work. As well in real life as here, on the Fort.
Not too much has happened, but a few things deserve some commenting.
A few weeks ago Valve brought their "Contribution"-site online. As I understand it it’s basically the opportunity for players to create and submit items and avatars for TF2. The website says: "Weapons, hats, avatars — designed by you, used by the entire TF2 community". The motivation is simply for people to personalize their game. I guess (...)

Okay, in all fairness the game appears not to have become broken with the soldier/demo update.
Games have returned to a certain level of normality. Well, at least on the server I usually play on (which, as I have mentioned a number of times before, is the excellent server of clan WDG). So my assessment might not be representative for the average pub server.
The number of demos played have returned pretty much to the pre-update count (usually 0-2). But then again the new weapons are not (...)