If you look in your game browser you will see quite a number of servers set to a max of 32 players [1]. Now we all know that playing with 32 people on a regular Valve map is basically just spam; and kills are more based on being hit be a random projectile than by the skill of a player.
Now we can scoff about those stupid admins setting up 32-player-servers all day long (perhaps even set to fast respawn *facepalm*) and look down on the players actually submitting themselves to such an experience.
But on the other hand I wonder if it would be possible to create a game mode who could work with such a number of players?
If a game should accommodate such a number of people without degrading to a spam-fest it isn’t enough to simply create bigger maps. Rather you’ll have to make it necessary that people spread out over the map rather than focusing them on a single point (or two), which is what the current modes are doing [2].
One possible idea which pops into my head would be a mode with a number of CPs which are accessible simultaneously and a team must capture and hold all of those to win (Kind of a KOTH with multiple CPs). That would force teams to spread out and either engage or defend CPs. [3]
Another possibility not requiring any adoptions would be a PLR map which separates the tracks into different areas and so plays more like 2 separate PL.
I remember that good ol’ TF as well as TFC had the option for 4 teams (additionally yellow and green). Off the top of my head I can’t remember a single map or mode which actually used all 4 teams [4], but the option existed at last.
But quite frankly I’m having a hard time coming up with a bright idea how to make a mode or game featuring 4 teams work without eventually increasing the spam and/or the confusion.
One mildly interesting idea I could come up with would be the option to divide a team into two separate sub-teams, each with a different agenda.
On CTF that could be separate attack and defense, each only gaining points from killing their opposition (“blue” attack and “red” defense, and vice versa) and only the attack team can grab the enemy flag. Granted, that does not exactly decrease the spam factor, though.
But I could also imagine a mode with two different agendas for each team. Imagine a PL-mode where it is necessary to detonate the bomb manually once it has reached the target area. That is done with a device which unfortunately red team was able to steal and now has secured. So one part of the team has to push the cart while the other part is responsible of stealing the device [5]. True, basically that would be PL married to CTF. But if the map design manages to separate both actions to some degree it could accommodate a greater number of players.
But until something interesting like that comes up I will not touch a 32-player-server with a 10ft-pole, let alone play TF2 there. My favourite server holds 26 players, and often enough even that feels quite crowded. So come on, Valve [6], and give us something which actually works well with so many players!
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