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Denver, 11:36 PM
Fri Nov 20
55 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/18/09
11/18/09
But your point is also valid too, although I've never heard of the "one free update" rule.
11/18/09
If you want an example of something maxing out the 360 (& the PS3) look towards Dragon Age.
I think the one free update rule is so that companies can update their games, which is a necessity this gen it seems, but still force all other add-ons to be bought. Microsoft really has been pushing that service, and they probably make A LOT of money off of it. Think of it like iTunes for video games.
11/18/09
I'm still eagerly awaiting the Engineer update. By far my favourite class to play, though I do mix it up as the team needs.
Something funny I noticed the other day; about 95% of the time I end up on the Red team. I never pick a team, I always select the Random or go with the team with the fewest players.
11/18/09
They made his tech upgradable a while back, probably all they'll do for it.
11/18/09
11/18/09
Just variety, not "zomg he needs to be uberer." I'm sure all the classes will eventually get updated.
@Mercsenary: Well, yeah. I don't often play defend/attack maps, though.
I normally stick with CTF and capture point ones. Attack/Defend tends to be overfull of ubermedic zergs that win in 10 seconds.
Nothing against that type of map, I'm a bigger fan of games that go on for ages hehe
Edit: Hrm, this speakup tag got added on automatically... odd... I dunno if I should delete it or not!
#speakup
11/18/09
11/18/09
But there is no subscription fees, and no DLC or anything. So where are they pulling the revenue to support the updates.
Let me be clear, I think the dedication is amazing and I love and support it 1000%. BUT, I just wonder how they justify the cost of having a support team. I guess they just chalk it up to marketing, since it is this kind of support that makes Valve such a pillar in the videogame industry.
11/18/09
Look at the L4D2 boycott. People wouldn't have even blinked if EA or Activision released a sequel so soon.
11/18/09
Valve has already commented on this.
Every time they release a major update for TF2, they see a sales increase of 20% for the game. Its not just a good moral decision, its a good buisness decision.
11/18/09
#tips
11/18/09
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11/18/09
For a non-MMO, it certainly is.
11/18/09
@shadydentist: & @clayfish101: with no monthly fee and a fully instanced based world (even the supposedly open world towns) it's really hard to classify guild wars as an MMO. certainly not an MMO in the traditional sense.
11/18/09
It seems like a lot on paper but boils down to a more average, maybe above average, amount when considered in perspective.
11/18/09
I'd have to disagree, I think even stripping away all the bug fixes, there's still been a far greater than average increase in content. Compared to when it was first released it's really not even the same game any more.
11/18/09
I'm not trying to play down the impressive amounts of content they add to it merely that the frequency of updates isn't as impressive when you take into account other factors. I mean that update frequncy of a supposed 1 per week becomes less interesting when you take into account that tangible content updates may only be happening every 4-6 weeks.
11/18/09
Oh, yeah, absolutely. It's still impressive is all I was saying.
I suppose if this record was hotly contested someone could release the buggiest piece of crap in the world and then update the hell out of it for years to come.
I wonder how many times WoW has had updates, surely a similarly massive amount? That thought had no connection to the previous paragraph by the way! Or perhaps it does ...
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
You're boycotting the wrong company.
11/18/09
Microsoft doesn't charge for patches. I know that the updates the PC version of TF2 has received are more than patches, but not everything that equals new content gets a price tag on XBL. Look at Burnout Paradise. It got loads of new content for free.
Also, if he was to boycott Microsoft he wouldn't have a computer that could play TF2 either :)
11/18/09
11/18/09
I dunno, I've never heard anything like that. I'd be surprised if that were the case, honestly. The last two games I put in my 360 required updates on day one . Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.
11/18/09
Yeah, if he was an idiot and couldn't figure out how to build one himself or order from another company. People don't realize that it's not Microsoft vs. Apple anymore in these pc 'debates'. There are now so many other manufacturers and retailers for pc's along with newer software that it's ridiculous for anyone to make that claim anymore. I lol'd regardless at your comment, but figured that I should set the record straight! I love my custom rig :) Oh, and TF2!
11/18/09
So, he could, but most likely wouldn't.
11/18/09
If you want to add new content to the game, Microsoft has to approve it if you want to give it away for free, otherwise there is a minimum price you have to put on it (depending on what it is).
Valve owns and controls their own platform, Steam. They can release as many updates as they want. Microsoft owns Xbox Live, they have different rules.
11/18/09
I built one myself but wouldn't dare have Linux be my primary OS. I'm not too familiar with virtual machines, but all I know is I'm going to install an OS to my rig that will provide customer support if necessary and can be purchased apart from buying it pre-installed on the machine. That pretty much leaves me with Windows. I don't mind Microsoft, actually. I find their products to be pretty decent for the most part (Vista included).
11/18/09
I know the difference in policies, but I was just stating that Burnout Paradise was able to release a lot of good content for free on Xbox Live, so it would be possible for Valve to do this with the 360 version of TF2. Maybe after a little arm twisting, however. I assume they just don't want the hassle, so they stick to the platform that they control. It doesn't bother me, just thought I would let CyberZombie know.
11/18/09
11/18/09
In WinXP, but it's on a Mac. {shrug}
Also, for anyone whose saying "go get a PC to play TF2 el oh el"...
Go fuck yourselves. Valve could've said at the same time as the PS3 denial that they weren't going to update the 360 version and we'd be agitated, but golden. Instead they've strung us along for 2 years without continuing to communicate with that community.
11/18/09
Well, considering that roughly 7% of PC users run Linux, I'd say that they do. By the way, I don't want to boycott anyone. God damn, why is everyone taking what I say out of context?
11/18/09
#speakup
11/18/09
11/18/09
Burnout Paradise's updates are the exception, not the rule. It's pretty much the only game that has gotten new, free content, and even still there's plenty of DLC. Valve wants every single piece of content to be free, which is very different from Burnout's content scheme.
11/18/09
And they should. Microsoft makes more money this way, it keeps shareholders happy, and DLC starts to become more like mini-expantion packs since there is money to support it.
11/19/09
True. Happy to hear that you've explored building your own! It's so much fun and is especially rewarding when you get things put together right. I like your thinking though.
Also, the point you make about Burnout Paradise is a valid one imo. I bought that game later this last summer and LOVE it. Plus, the extra content from online has certainly made it worth playing past its original 'missions'. TF2 continues to impress me as well with Valve's continued, quality support of the game. I don't game as much as i used to on Steam, but when I did, it was a blast :)
#speakup
11/19/09
You want to buy that PC for me?
11/19/09
11/19/09
But as we can see here, we can't make everybody happy.
#speakup
11/18/09
*Slightly exaggerated.
'Tis a shame I've never been able to get into TF2 though. Just the idea of jumping into a two year old game, having to learn things everyone already knows very well, is not fun whatsoever.
11/18/09
I only played it once on 360 and didn't much care for it, but I've been completely hooked on it since giving it a second try.
Sure, there are people who know the maps, and have the strategy down, but it really IS a team game, and for the most part, you can get into games that are decently balanced. Team makeup is everything. There's not THAT much of a learning curve, and generally you find a class you love, stick with it, and then branch out when you feel comfortable.
Oh, and generally the community is awesome. There are a few jerks sprinkled in there, but for the most part, everyone is civil, and just want to enjoy the game. It's a great environment and rather unique.
That said, give it another try. I have a guest pass available for it through Steam and I'd be happy to send it to you if you message me. It's worth it!
11/18/09
Spy beats sniper, sniper beats heavy, heavy is credit to team.
11/18/09
When I initially bought it, I thought it would have some sort of single player campaign so a person could learn the game before they threw themselves to the wolves on Live.
I still wish they had put in some sort of single player.
11/18/09
If you're playing an offensive or defensive class such as soldier, demo, pyro, or the like, you're pretty much on your own, and there's really not much to learn. I would definitely recommend those particular classes starting out. You'll be less prone to casual criticism.
If you're a medic, you'll have people constantly screaming for heals and ubers, so it's rather demanding if you're not used to paying tons of attention as a support class.
Engineers require a large amount of finesse (when done correctly) and are definitely NOT the class I would recommend for your first round. Get a feel for the game, the levels, and the other classes before spawning engineer.
Spies are awesome, but, again, get used to other classes before rolling it. It'll help you to blend in better.
Any class you choose will have a bit of a learning curve. You will die a lot. It's just the way the game is.
As for the community, I've played about 12 hours combined, on multiple servers, and never felt intimidated, as though my being a newbie was a huge detriment. The whole game is about team dynamics, and a few good players can cover up for a couple subpar ones until they can get their bearings. Spawn, catch up with a small group of the other players who look like they know what they're doing, and kill things.
Don't worry too much about heavy criticism because I have NEVER heard anyone berate someone for not doing well. You'll always have your random, "God, who is healing?!" or "Why the hell are there no engineers, and 7 pyros", but I've never heard any personal attacks. It's a good community that's very passionate about having a good time. You'll always have someone that tries to ruin the fun, but people either ignore them, or tell them to chill out and stop being a jerk. People don't put up with crap on TF2 servers like they do on Xbox Live.
My Steam ID is ikarimaru. Add me if you'd like and I'd be glad to join game with anyone that might not be used to the game yet. :D
11/18/09
Putting it into perspective, TF2 was one of the first modern FPS's I had ever played, and for my brother it was his VERY FIRST modern FPS. Both of us, within two weeks, got the hang of it perfectly, and we both constantly climb near the top of the team scoreboards. It's not hard to get into at all and very newbie friendly. Advanced movement tactics are restricted to the Demoman and Soldier, and even then their use is limited.
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/15/09
Store charges $10 - $16 for shipping, so you'd really be paying about double the price. Free shipping if you purchase over $50 worth of stuff though! Extortion hooooo! Store sappin' mah wallet!
11/15/09
Looks very chibi 50's-esque clippy art Winter Holiday themed to me.
11/14/09
Step 2: Use the squares as a template to make a page of postcards.
Step 3: Print both out.
Step 4: Craft knife.
Step 5: Thin piece of craft board.
Step 6: Glue.
Step 7: Cheap and easy not overpriced TF2 cards. #teamfortress2
11/14/09
11/14/09
Step 8:Call your mother and tell her the card you sent her was stolen
Step 9: Apologize to your mother after she yells at you and tells you she raised you better than that. #teamfortress2
11/14/09
11/14/09
Try reading the one of Bill telling a story to the other L4D1 survivors. #teamfortress2
11/14/09
To maintain any form of quality from example pictures that small, you'd have to print them at most half the size they are on your screen. I agree with everyone else who says don't do it. #teamfortress2
11/15/09
Step 1: Don't be a cheapskate #teamfortress2
11/15/09
Valve Store is really an embarrassment to me. They're such a great developer, but they let the people who run their store knowingly charge insane shipping just to force you into buying over $50 of stuff for free shipping. #teamfortress2
11/14/09