http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=22797
TF TeamIt's no secret that Casual Mode has had a rough launch. We wanted to give you an update on what we're doing to address your concerns.
Short version: We hear you. Later today, we will be shipping a patch to Casual Mode that will remove the penalties for abandoning a game, and allow you to narrow your game mode selections from two modes to a single mode before queuing. Additionally, in the very near future, we will be shipping a more comprehensive Casual Mode patch that will let you select the maps you will be matched into.
We've provided a more detailed breakdown of Casual Mode's issues and how we are addressing your concerns below.
First, and most important, queue times. The queue times you are currently experiencing are a bug, not a feature. It is something we are actively working to correct. Several backend issues appeared post-launch that culminated in long wait times. Removing this issue is our highest priority right now.
Second, abandonment penalties. We had put in a ten-minute cooldown period to encourage players to complete matches. Your feedback has convinced us that it is more important for players to be able to come and go as they please. Today's patch will remove abandonment cooldown penalties from Casual Mode.
Third, user choice. We'd intended to roll out the number of match options available to players incrementally, so as not to overload the matchmaking system with too many variables on Day One. In retrospect, of all the match options to hold back, map selection should not have been one of them. It is the next feature we are adding to Casual Mode, and you will get it very soon.
Fourth, Casual Mode levels. Levels are a cosmetic feature that show how much you've played. They can never be lost, and they do not affect matchmaking. We did a poor job of communicating that Casual Mode Levels are in no way similar to Competitive Mode Ranks (which do affect matchmaking, and can be lost).
Finally, we wanted to note that we value the role the community plays in the development of this game, and do in fact read all the feedback sent to us, as well as through reddit, the forums, streams, and more. We are not always as talkative as we perhaps should be, but we are listening.
http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=22797
[quote=TF Team]It's no secret that Casual Mode has had a rough launch. We wanted to give you an update on what we're doing to address your concerns.
Short version: We hear you. Later today, we will be shipping a patch to Casual Mode that will remove the penalties for abandoning a game, and allow you to narrow your game mode selections from two modes to a single mode before queuing. Additionally, in the very near future, we will be shipping a more comprehensive Casual Mode patch that will let you select the maps you will be matched into.
We've provided a more detailed breakdown of Casual Mode's issues and how we are addressing your concerns below.
First, and most important, queue times. The queue times you are currently experiencing are a bug, not a feature. It is something we are actively working to correct. Several backend issues appeared post-launch that culminated in long wait times. Removing this issue is our highest priority right now.
Second, abandonment penalties. We had put in a ten-minute cooldown period to encourage players to complete matches. Your feedback has convinced us that it is more important for players to be able to come and go as they please. Today's patch will remove abandonment cooldown penalties from Casual Mode.
Third, user choice. We'd intended to roll out the number of match options available to players incrementally, so as not to overload the matchmaking system with too many variables on Day One. In retrospect, of all the match options to hold back, map selection should not have been one of them. It is the next feature we are adding to Casual Mode, and you will get it very soon.
Fourth, Casual Mode levels. Levels are a cosmetic feature that show how much you've played. They can never be lost, and they do not affect matchmaking. We did a poor job of communicating that Casual Mode Levels are in no way similar to Competitive Mode Ranks (which do affect matchmaking, and can be lost).
Finally, we wanted to note that we value the role the community plays in the development of this game, and do in fact read all the feedback sent to us, as well as through reddit, the forums, streams, and more. We are not always as talkative as we perhaps should be, but we are listening.[/quote]
Hopefully this will quell Reddit's rage over this last update? But still thanks for listening Volvo.
Hopefully this will quell Reddit's rage over this last update? But still thanks for listening Volvo.
Pretty cool that they addressed these so soon, I kinda wish they settled for an EXP penalty instead of no penalty though for leaving casual
Pretty cool that they addressed these so soon, I kinda wish they settled for an EXP penalty instead of no penalty though for leaving casual
Now reddit can shut up again
Now reddit can shut up again
i feel it's very sweat from them. Thanks!
i feel it's very sweat from them. Thanks!
If Valve communicates like this more often then this game will go places.
If Valve communicates like this more often then this game will go places.
TcmanoHopefully this will quell Reddit's rage over this last update? But still thanks for listening Volvo.
STOGENow reddit can shut up again
Relevant video that pretty much sums the situation up in a nutshell over there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtc58sTsTpE
[quote=Tcmano]Hopefully this will quell Reddit's rage over this last update? But still thanks for listening Volvo.[/quote]
[quote=STOGE]Now reddit can shut up again[/quote]
Relevant video that pretty much sums the situation up in a nutshell over there:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtc58sTsTpE[/youtube]
the solutions are very very good and the communication/timing is very very good. well played valve
the solutions are very very good and the communication/timing is very very good. well played valve
I cried reading this blog post.
Thank you Mr. Valve
I cried reading this blog post.
Thank you Mr. Valve
hopefully this is a habit they're beginning to pick up and not just a one-time response to a big /r/tf2 backlash
hopefully this is a habit they're beginning to pick up and not just a one-time response to a big /r/tf2 backlash
Rather than thanking Valve as a whole, I wish to give my full thanks to the TF2 team. The people that stayed on the team up till now to make this all possible. If I recall, people at Valve choose what they want to work on. Whether the updates are bad or not, there are changes and progress coming through, even if it's slow progress. We're lucky enough to even have such a team still helping us after so many years.
Also it seems the communication is getting better. Hopefully it gets as good at Valve is with r/DotA2(those guys get changes done quick).
Rather than thanking Valve as a whole, I wish to give my full thanks to the TF2 team. The people that stayed on the team up till now to make this all possible. If I recall, people at Valve choose what they want to work on. Whether the updates are bad or not, there are changes and progress coming through, even if it's slow progress. We're lucky enough to even have such a team still helping us after so many years.
Also it seems the communication is getting better. Hopefully it gets as good at Valve is with r/DotA2(those guys get changes done quick).
trashhopefully this is a habit they're beginning to pick up and not just a one-time response to a big /r/tf2 backlash
Valve only makes changes when there is universal criticism and I don't expect that to change in the near future.
[quote=trash]hopefully this is a habit they're beginning to pick up and not just a one-time response to a big /r/tf2 backlash[/quote]
Valve only makes changes when there is universal criticism and I don't expect that to change in the near future.
Yes, please more of this, tf2 team!
Hope this becomes a regular thing, even for smaller updates.
Yes, please more of this, tf2 team!
Hope this becomes a regular thing, even for smaller updates.
pretty impressive that they did this almost directly after day 1, really awesome and I hope we can see more stuff like this. super excited for whatever update is next, loving this one so far! only thing that could make it better imo would be some better balancing (scout buff why?) and maybe contracts, those are pretty fun for me atleast.
pretty impressive that they did this almost directly after day 1, really awesome and I hope we can see more stuff like this. super excited for whatever update is next, loving this one so far! only thing that could make it better imo would be some better balancing (scout buff why?) and maybe contracts, those are pretty fun for me atleast.