Set_rant_mode= ON
I’ll make this short and bitter, as this one has REALLY got Tot irate.
I have it on VERY good authority, that the Betatester patch binaries are UNABLE to start either a LAN server or a normal multiplayer server. It was disabled in the code. I repeat, that’s in the test binaries that Valve distributed to their "trusted" betatesters. No, I don’t know the build number offhand.
This leaves a couple of possibilities for this leaked TF 1.5 patch that seems to be making it’s way around the net. One, and a rather UNlikely one, is that someone in Valve leaked it purposely. Since they’ve had a history of playing things close to their chest, and since thet have certain signed agreements with Sierra on how they do things - I don’t consider this one as too probable. The other, is that one of the Mod makers that have received an advance copy of it, so that they can do work on their Mod - that they leaked it to someone. This to me is a lot more probably, as if you remember, the first people to break any "official" news about the new netcode, and it’s changes on the playability - were members of the CounterStrike development team.
Okie, let’s do the math, people. On one hand, we have Valve, known for not giving out much info to the public, and keeping to themselves. Known to keep working at things until they think it’s good enough for them, instead of releasing incremental patches, like id Software does. Myself, after conversations with the Valve devteam on the status of the patch - *I* would have released it a while back - to fix the majority of the bugs that are out there - and then released another patch with the new functionality. But they chose to hold off until their idea of the "total package" was completed to their specs, and tested to Sierra’s specs, as per contract. Now, do you really think this group of people is going to let something leak out, "before it’s done"?
And then there’s the other side - the Modmakers. We’ve all seen the CS team break confidentiality by coming out and talking about the netcode and all. They’ve also given out estimated release dates for the patch - and last I looked, they were not Valve employees. Now, I don’t know about you, but I know where my money lies on the betting of the source of the leak.
Oh, and one other thing. I just love it when people make statements about the patch - when they don’t know a damned thing about what it actually does. I read the PF forums on a regular basis, and I love seeing all these people talking out their arses about "Valve ruined this, and they ruined that, and TFC is dead". Tip for all you wankers - Try waiting until the patch ACTUALLY comes out, and play it for a bit. Then, and only then will you have enough concrete data to see what has changed in the playing dynamic of TF. Because, for right now, all you geniuses are saying is mere conjecture, and a LOT of hot air. Even the betatest isn’t a completely comprehensive test. All the beta testers are most likely experienced TF/TFC players. They know what’s right and wrong, and know how to properly play the game. The true test will be when Joe PubPlayer gets hold of the new thing, and we see how they deal with the changes - and how their adjusted playing style changes the game for everyone. The clannies will take a week, maybe two - adjust their strategies and drive on. They’ll probably STILL go with the "by any means to win" mindset, tho - a big reason I dropped from the TFC clan scene - it’s just not FUN anymore. But wait and see when you do have the FINAL patch in hand, and have played it for a while, to see how the changes impact the game, eh?
In the (paraphrased)words of a comrade of mine, DieHard - " After the newsie release, a complete re-install was needed once the offical patch came out. I hope this will have to happen for this as well." Well, Tot shares that sentiment also. When you sign on to be a betatester for ANY product, you fully realize that it might have adverse effect on your system. I really hope the leaked warezmonkey people get what they deserve. To quote my man DieHard again - "It is simple an issue of morals, honor, and respect — you show none of these" Fort Bundy salutes DieHard - one of a dying breed of people that sticks by their principles, and that personifies the principles we espouse here on the Fort - Honour, Sportsmanship and Team Play.
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