Competitive Matchmaking Discussion

[Geit]

So with the EU Stress Test coming up today at about 6.30pm, I think it's high time we had a thread to share all our thoughts, suggestions and gripes with Matchmaking.

If you haven't tried it yet, be sure to follow the steam group - In its current state Matchmaking allows you to play a 6v6 game on a randomly selected map from the following rotation:

• cp_snakewater
• cp_gullywash
• cp_process
• cp_badlands
• cp_granary
• koth_viaduct
• cp_foundry

Currently the round limit for each map is just two, which makes for some very short games - at the end of each match your statistics are reviewed and awarded medals if your performance in each category: Score, Kills, Assists, Damage, Healing, and Support is better than the recent performance of all other players (I've heard in the top 10% for a gold medal). I've no idea whether the medals are just pure status symbols or whether they serve a purpose, but I imagine that will be clarified closer to public release.

Next scheduled stress test:
Time converter at worldtimebuddy.com​

I'd like to see a few more maps in the rotation, especially stopwatch maps like GPit, and some of the more nostalgic competitive maps that aren't played any more like Well and Coldfront (they still play Warmfront in comp, don't they?). I'm sure many here would also like to see the ability to nominate their workshop maps (Sunshine etc) for play.

Overall, it's really good fun, I haven't played as much TF2 in a single session in nearly 3 years. Currently the atmosphere of the games is quite relaxed, but you do occasionally get some compies stomping the games (We had some the other night who refused to end the game and proceeded to try spawn camp in order to farm medals).

With the upcoming stress tests, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, and thanks Valve for making it!

 

[MaccyF]

iirc warmfront is back this season, but hasn't been played for a while

 

[Yrr]

It's a lot of fun despite getting rolled consistently.

Things I'd like to see but obviously aren't a priority for stress tests are actual skill matching (or even just win ratio matching) and map selection like in csgo.

 

[Beef Bucket]

For all the talk about competitive matchmaking being added, let us never forget that Team Fortress 2 is a game where this exists

View: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Buhi-LrSUlk

 

[fubarFX]

rumor is that some MM features might be available for regular tournament mode servers outside of valve's. so yes to custom maps.
also: "stopwatch is too confusing for new players" (altho I do think it would be something new and interesting to introduce to public players)

 

[Geit]

also: "stopwatch is too confusing for new players" (altho I do think it would be something new and interesting to introduce to public players)

Stopwatch mode has a great little tutorial that pops up every time you use it (unless you're using the minimal hud iirc), I really don't think it's that hard to grok how it works.

Once highlander is added, it'd also be useful for adding payload and other A/D maps into the rotation.

Crash confirmed that the round-end stage might be made available for use in other maps, outside of official matchmaking.

 

[phi]

Warmfront is not and has not been played in comp for a while. Also consider that it's not official and valve would end up adding coldfront instead - which is much worse, and stalemates a hell of a lot more.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

I just like how everyone's enjoying the exact same game. MM games are no different that a medium filled server with crits off. The only thing different is the mentality going into it, and I find that very interesting.

 

[nickybakes]

I feel like the toxicness/ meanness of some players will come in when mm is released out of beta, and ranks are used.

 

[Geit]

I just like how everyone's enjoying the exact same game. MM games are no different that a medium filled server with crits off. The only thing different is the mentality going into it, and I find that very interesting.

I haven't played in a full on stress test yet, but a large part of it for me has been the quality of my teammates, and their actual use of communication. I'm pretty out of practice so I haven't really been playing quite as well as I'd like, but I've yet to be flamed or grilled for it. One of my friends remarked last night he hadn't had as much fun in TF2 since the Snowplow testing (which was also filled with friendly people with sparkly weapons).

 

[Fruity Snacks]

I haven't played in a full on stress test yet, but a large part of it for me has been the quality of my teammates, and their actual use of communication. I'm pretty out of practice so I haven't really been playing quite as well as I'd like, but I've yet to be flamed or grilled for it.One of my friends remarked last night he hadn't had as much fun in TF2 since the Snowplow testing (which was also filled with friendly people with sparkly weapons).

Thats the other aspect that I find interesting. Despite some sour apples, there has been relatively polite play. Maybe I'm playing with too many sparkle owners. I don't know. I'm watching it from a CM standpoint.

 

[fubarFX]

Thats the other aspect that I find interesting. Despite some sour apples, there has been relatively polite play. Maybe I'm playing with too many sparkle owners. I don't know. I'm watching it from a CM standpoint.

tf2's comp community is outstandingly polite compared to the toxicity of many current competitive games. As for stomping/spawncamping players, well, if there's a time to figure out what you can and can't get away with, it's now. But ultimately, I imagine the matchmaking will get better in terms of closing skill gaps and we won't run into those kinds of problems

 

[Hyperion]

Take your 1000th rating from me, Geit

 

[seth]

It's just so new, nobody has really had time to be toxic. Everyone is just figuring things out and the matches are really casual. I played a few rounds last night before the game wouldn't let me search again since I don't have the pass, and people were constantly switching classes and talking in chat. It was like a pub with 12 people. There hasn't been enough time for the toxicity to come out, if that ever happens it will be when the mode is older.

 

[EArkham]

No matter how bad it gets, I doubt it will ever be as toxic as World of Tanks players. Those players are beyond toxic.

 

[UKCS-Alias]

Im still waiting until they are going to do 12v12 matchmaking... for just random pubbing but at least with better players.

 

[Vel0city]

We're live bois!

 

[Yrr]

Im still waiting until they are going to do 12v12 matchmaking... for just random pubbing but at least with better players.

when the system actually works.
this is just tests, not a finished product


speaking of, i guess EU broke it

 

[Vel0city]

when the system actually works.
this is just tests, not a finished product


speaking of, i guess EU broke it

Yes. Blame us Europeans.

I mean, that's a genuine thing though. A LOT more players are currently joining in. Guess Valve's servers aren't quite up to that task, item servers are also crapping their pants.

 

[Vel0city]

And it's officially over.