The point I was trying to make is that the idea of removing all 'free' leagues and making the only format 6v6 (as has been suggested by a number of people across all of these threads) just isn't a viable solution for the reality of tf2. If 6s was available in the client, and supported by valve, then yes, I think we could focus on consolidating into a single pay to play league. But because it isn't we desperately need some kind of entry level league where the barriers to entry for new players are minimal if present at all.

As much as you may disagree with some of the policies, decisions, and structures in place in UGC, you have to agree that right now it is the single best entry level league we have in north america. Lobbies, and ESEA Open simply don't cut it as an effective way to introduce someone to the competitive format. Talking about eliminating UGC, or even replacing it seem entirely counter productive. The league exists and it servers a valuable and needed function. Lets improve it, rather than starting over from scratch and further splintering our community.

Everyone who thinks that getting rid of the free leagues to make TF2 big is an idiot. I'm sorry, but you are. The reason that DotA2 and CS:GO are so popular without the need for free leagues is because the average 'pub' game is exactly the same format as a competitive game. They have their 'free' league provided by the game devs and that is why all of their leagues can be pay to play (because people can get exposure to the format in a free way directly in the standard game.

We don't have that. And honestly, until we do, you are never going to convince enough people that paying to play in a league where they are ONLY going to lose money for the foreseeable future is a good thing. This game would die in the space of a few seasons if you tried to do something like that. When I started playing comp I would never have paid up in a league, not because I didn't care about the game, but because I had no clue how to play competitively. I knew that I wasn't going to be good enough to play in ESEA and more than that I didn't want to have to pay to learn how to play the competitive format. After a few seasons in UGC, however, I am paying up in ESEA and will continue to as I improve and grow as a player.

The simple fact is that a free league is the ONLY way we are going to draw new players into this format. It lowers the barrier to entry for people who are considering getting into the competitive scene enough that they are more likely to give it a try because why not. And once they give it a try and like it joining a pay to play league seems far less daunting. Without dev support and a free way in game to play the competitive format we will always need free leagues, and honestly, if you think trying to make a new one rather than improving the existing one (that serves a growing player base already) than you are a bigger idiot than the people calling to remove it entirely.

It certainly wouldn't hurt. You can also talk to people in pubs who seem like they might fall into the category of gamers who are growing bored of consistently top scoring in pubs. Suggest that they check out some of the various league sites. If you have the time, add them, point them towards specific places to look for teams and help them put together their first lft thread (this can be a really daunting process of people unfamiliar with it).

If you're really motivated, get in touch with the leaders of pub communities and see if there are ways that they can help spread the knowledge of tf2 to their player base.

But I think the biggest thing that anyone can do, and the one thing that everyone should be doing already, is when you play with people who don't know about competitive tf2, or who are still obviously very new to the format. Go out of your way to be nice, helpful, and encouraging. Sure you are going to run into the sh*theads who think that they know everything and won't take anyone's advice. But far too often you'll see legitimately eager young gamers getting vote kicked from their very first lobby because people are more interested in winning a lobby than helping a new player learn the competitive format.

We all need to act a little less arrogant around the new players who happen into competitive tf2 and realize that all of our stats, reputation, and win records aren't going to mean a thing if there isn't a steady influx of new players entering the scene.

So next time you play a lobby with the 200 hour medic who only heals the heavy, instead of vote kicking instantly, teach, encourage, offer tips advice and a guiding hand.

yeah, I posted a poor quality stream highlight in the other update thread showing that bug, hopefully it gets fixed soon

quality is shit, because my rig isn't set up for streaming right now, but it is good enough that you can see the bug.

http://www.twitch.tv/sane_in_sanity/c/5408440

Spy is still busted. Spy checking teammates will cause the health above a disguised spy's head to go down.

that a single sentence could cause so much anger is a touch hilarious, but sure, as I said, I'm not here to pretend I am better than I am. I've got plenty still to learn, but I assumed, incorrectly it seems, that people could read my past experience and understand that I'm not forcing anyone to give me a tryout who does not want to.

I'm not here to defend or tout my past experience, if you do not think I have the skill to play for your team don't offer me a tryout, I won't be offended I promise. I have 3 seasons in silver because I was supporting a friend who was leading a team that needed players and I stayed with that team until he stopped leading.

If you are offended that I am looking for a team kindly do not clutter the thread, if you are truly passionate about your distaste you are welcome to minus frag my posts, if you are interested in trying me out you can find my steam profile link through the forum profile.

Low IM would be a stretch, but one that if I found a team willing to try me out and who decided to give me a spot, I know would help me improve exponentially. I, however, do not expect to get many, if any, tryouts for teams at that level. I was up front about my experience, and I leave it to prospective team leaders to decide based on that if they are willing to give me a tryout or not. I do think that with the right team I could play at that level, but besides that one part of a sentence in my post I am not actively looking for tryouts at that level.

You will notice that my thread title is for Open, my post is written with a focus on open, and my past experience tends to lend itself towards open.

I was previously picked up by a Cevo open team that has just disbanded. I know the season is still happening, but I figured since I am all paid up already I might as well make an LFT thread now and see what happens.

My 6s resume isn't reflective of my actual ability, I've played mostly highlander before.
-1 Season UGC Iron 6s, team disbanded when half the players moved to esea open teams
-1 Season UGC Gold 6s, team disbanded when the leader disappeared for over a month mid season
-part of a season Cevo Open (I got picked up when the team was 0-4, team disbanded with a record of 3 and 7 (technically 3 and 6 since our last loss was a forfeit)

My Highlander experience is a bit longer.
-1 Season UGC Steel (2nd place)
-3 Seasons UGC Silver (Mid and then High Silver)
-Currently Playing UGC Gold

I'd prefer not to maincall, though I can learn to do this relatively quickly, I've typically maincalled in my highlander teams. I'm mature, chill (but still competitive) and dedicated to improving my game.

Additional notes
-If you pick me up for this season in CEVO I am already paid up
-I have mumble and teamspeak, a good mic, etc
-I live east coast, but I don't really sleep so even if you are a west coast team I don't mind late scrims.