Yesterday I was asked to clarify on my statement that TF2 was not deathmatch, since it is apparent that killing the opposing players is instrumental in winning a match.
To that I answered: “Ask yourself that question the next time you ninja a cap, perhaps without having given a shot”.
Each game mode in TF2 has a defined goal which has to be achieved to win a match. In CP/TC it’s capping the last (or the only enemy) point, in CTF it is being the first to have capped the enemy intel three times, in PL(R) it is to have the cart reach the final point. Even in modes like Arena and KOTH [1]] the objective is either to cap or to cap-and-hold the capture point.
All this can be achieved without firing a single shot. More than that: The goal is NOT achieved by fighting. You either stand on a Control Point for a certain time, you carry a briefcase to you capzone or you stand close to a cart to keep it moving. No shooting required.
You can also prevent the enemy achieving his goal without fighting: The enemy can’t cap a point as long as a member of your team is standing on it. The cart won’t move as long as you are close to it.
The only game mode which doesn’t work that way is CTF. You cannot prevent an enemy to pick up your intel unless you kill (or repel) him. [2]
So let’s note that there is not one single gamemode where killing an enemy player does directly contribute to achieve the mode’s objective. (Almost) all game mechanics to address the mode’s objective are completely uncoupled from any kind of combat. You could play the same game with two buzzers and the person knowing the answer would be allowed to proceed while the loser was returned to the respawn.
Fighting and killing each other is simply the tool to carry out the objective. It is a mean to an end. Killing the opponent is not the end itself.
You can kill more opponents but when the enemy team manages to cap your last point you have lost, no matter how excellent your team’s killscore might have been. [3]
If you want one of my clumsy comparisons: Chess isn’t about taking pieces. It’s not the person taking more pieces from his opponents who wins. It is the person who checkmates his opponent. Taking the opponent’s pieces is simply part of the process to achieve this, but it’s not the goal of the game. And IIRC, there are some scenarios in which a player can checkmate his opponent without having to take a single piece.
That’s what my rant was about. That’s also was my answer above was about.
So please stop looking at TF2 from the angle of Deathmatch. You are wrong! And if you do chances are you are playing the wrong game! TF2 is not Deathmatch!
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