The Steamworks matchmaking now includes the robust lobby system shipped and tested in Left 4 Dead.
Oh dear. What does this mean?
If it means 'let us find a server for you' when in fact it means 'let us find the most inconvenient server for you on the other side of the world because apparently you're playing a console and you're too stupid to operate a server browser' then I'm going to be greatly disappointed.
One of the huge annoyances for me in Left 4 Dead or any game at the moment is the stupid matchmaking method of joining a server. God DAMNIT, I know what server I want to join, just let me choose from the server browser!
And 'openserverbrowser' doesn't pick up anything for me anymore. It hasn't worked for a long time now.
Furthermore, not everyone in the world as the fastest broadband. I'm stuck with 512/128 in Aus here, and while I get fine pings (~30-40) in games, it seems to have trouble finding servers when people on faster connections have no problems. The matchmaking method for me seems to pick up the first server it sees, which is usually on the other side of the world. So again, relying on this stupid matchmaking method of joining a server without having a server browser sucks, big time.
The lobby system and 'join a game' system is NOT robust. It has failed for me more times than it has worked. That's a huge problem considering that it's a mandatory step for the player to be able to play the game.
And don't get me started on that 'server groups' rubbish.
Rant over.
