Regardless of your opinion's on sdogg or tf2lobby, you can't deny that it is the first exposure to anything resembling comp tf2 for the majority of new players.

Why he's getting -fragged here is beyond me, he's making a great point.

What's the status on TF2Center?

I'm interested in helping with an alternative, but the project would take a long time to complete, and I thought that an alternative was already in the works...

Also, it seems like this would be a good time to remind people of Crit-Fail PuGs: http://pug.crit-fail.net/

While they're not TF2Lobby, they do have a somewhat more intuitive interface than irc PuGs and can be adapted to either HL or 6s.

If they need money, or admins/mods, or something, they need to say. I'd be happy to help any way I can (as I'm sure many others would), but unless the concensus really is "abandon ship to TF2Center", I don't know what we can do.

Would really love to hear from Floor_master.

It would be cool to have a redirect from tf2lobby to http://atf2.org/ (especially if it goes down) -> #tf2mix/#tf2.pug.nahl/#tf2.pug.na . I think the irc pug systems are a alot better newer players (once they get used to the 6s/hl format) to actually get linked to a better pug system. tf2lobby is just a starting point anyways.

I might have some friends that still talk to floor. But I doubt he (floor_master) has even been on lately...

Hey guys-

My friend and I have been developing a TF2Lobby alternative named TF2.gg. Notable features include:

* a more solid, scalable backend
* tier and ranking system for creating teams at equal skill levels
* the ability to use your own server OR to borrow a server from TF2.gg
* optional Mumble integration
* additional servers that will spin up automatically if needed
* easily locatable stats page for each lobby
* streamlined reporting system for missing players
* and more, of course!

We are currently in our closed beta testing phase and are still looking for more testers of any competitive level. Scheduled beta tests usually occur every 2-4 weeks and it's first come, first serve. However, we are getting close to free roam closed beta testing, so as long as you're a member of the group, you will be able to start lobbies whenever you want.

The Steam group can be found HERE. Please send me a message if you're interested in a group invite, where you'll receive all our updates and information to access our site and Mumble.

There should be a guide on how to get started in competitive on this site. How to use IRC, how to use mumble, developer console, etc.

.

This is totally awesome.

and to #5, the big issue with pugs over lobby is the mumble requirement. It's a lot easier to justify downloading mumble when you've already played a little and have a grasp of what's going on. Not that mumble isn't (obviously) superior to In-game chat, but it's certainly more familiar to totally new players.

Salamancer's Video on how to PUG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKN0E5_YDpU

Atomsk's Video on how to PUG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh0aVAKlxCQ

Both near the top when searching YouTube for "how to play in a tf2 pug"
And someone posted the other day Shwan's IRC tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEJEE8nQktI

i am playing all three of these at the same time

salamancer overload