TF2 Blog Update

[ad_hominem]

The TF2 blog has been updated explaining a bit more about the recent Team Fortress 2 update. More specifically, they talk about how the item drops work, how they were intended to work, and how Valve wants them to work in the future.

How long do I have to play to get an item?

When we were tuning this system we first looked at the average amount of time that players spend playing TF2 daily. From there, we set the goal of most players having around 20 items in their inventory after a couple of weeks of play. If you're someone who plays a lot of TF2, you're going to get items a lot faster than that. In the first few hours after the release yesterday, we had some issues that prevented the system from working properly, so that timeframe was not indicative of the system as it's designed.

You can read the rest on the official TF2 Blog, as well as check out the new Sniper vs. Spy merchandise in the Valve Store.

[Psy]

The new merchandise is awesome and I might purchase one of the shirts depending on the shipping cost to the UK.

[Psy]

Wait...they only ship to the US? Can anyone confirm this?

[greatzombieron]

i didnt even notice that there was a new system until, while attempting to get the scout achievements ( yes, i'm behind) i randomly got one of the sniper achievements. for...some reason.
at least valve are willing to say "yeah, we fucked up a little. our bad"

[ad_hominem]

Wait...they only ship to the US? Can anyone confirm this?

I've bought stuff from them before, and I'm in the UK.

[YokaI]

Is it about consecutive play, or overall play?

If the first, well, It is annoying because my game keeps crapping out due to vista which means it is impossible for me to get a good number of hours into the game without DC.

If it is the later: well, all I have gotten is a flare gun and a goddamn KGB, not even any scout or sniper or spy weapons, which I need. (My old scout weapons dissapeared, which I don't really understand but what ever.)

[ad_hominem]

As far as I can tell, the system is based on your previous playing habits. As a result (and, I stress, in theory) those people who generally play a lot of TF2 will unlock the new items at the same rate as those who play relatively little. Put another way, while those people who play less TF2 will earn more unlocks per hour, they play less hours and so the distribution should be level between them and the more regular players.

However, the problem comes from this new update meaning that those players who regularly play little TF2 are suddenly playing a lot, and therefore earning new weapons left, right and centre, because the system sees them playing more than usual, but rewards them the same. This, while the regular players are only playing slightly more than normal because they play a lot anyway, means that the new/returning players are being rewarded more than others.

That's my theory anyway.

[YokaI]

As far as I can tell, the system is based on your previous playing habits. As a result (and, I stress, in theory) those people who generally play a lot of TF2 will unlock the new items at the same rate as those who play relatively little. Put another way, while those people who play less TF2 will earn more unlocks per hour, they play less hours and so the distribution should be level between them and the more regular players.

However, the problem comes from this new update meaning that those players who regularly play little TF2 are suddenly playing a lot, and therefore earning new weapons left, right and centre, because the system sees them playing more than usual, but rewards them the same. This, while the regular players are only playing slightly more than normal because they play a lot anyway, means that the new/returning players are being rewarded more than others.

That's my theory anyway.

I would agree with that, but my friend who owns tf2 and rarely ever plays it has only achieved 1 unlock within the past 2 days of frequent play. He never plays otherwise, so it is a mystery to me.