PL Rotation, Valve maps, Custom maps.

[Tattis]

The only one of the rotations that I'm familiar enough with is the Valve Maps server. Lately, it looks like the server has been doing quite well. It has jumped about 200 places in rank in the past couple weeks (which Atten deserves a lot of credit for). For the past three or four nights, it has also been one of our only servers to keep people through the night and into the morning. Even 2Fort IR hasn't been doing that. It's our fastest improving server, and given the rate it's going, it's quite possible we'll start seeing it outrank some of our other servers soon.

I believe the only problems revolve around the voting system:
Lengthen the voting time.
Change the voting options to go down from 0 or 9.

Although Captain Kraken is right that some maps like badlands empty the server more often or not, I think we should keep all the maps we don't have in 24/7. Map preferences change. It used to be Gravel Pit and Steel being the most common maps, now its "Revenge of the Wells".

The voting system looks to be glitchy lately. It seems like the vote for the next map only comes up half the time. The rest, it doesn't come up at all, and just goes to CTF Well. Of course, even with this, the server is still climbing at a very good rate.

 

[a pet rock]

I do what I can, I notice the Custom map emptied completely at 6pm Central a few times. I figured that makes sense if its mostly Euros playing there. I think if we get some more people helping out there right around then it'll pick up again. I could be completely wrong and it was actually because of map change, but I don't know for sure.

 

[Iceman]

Yea, db_heights is the best payload map ever IMO. But like phixx said, nobody has played it and isn't willing to try it :-(

 

[Major Payne]

Today seemed to be a rough day for the TF2 servers. I was doing a lot of idling today trying to get some servers to spring up. Most of the day, pl rotation, custom, valve, and warpath were all empty or had 1 or 2 eGO members idling.

But today was worse than most days.

 

[DrNecroNancy]

I'm supporting the Valve/Custom map servers 'cause I believe that they're still a good asset to our TF2 experience... well, I think Valve did a good job w/the maps and the custom ones are made very well. I think rotations are good because the opportunity is simply there, the opportunity to try out diff maps and such and just that they're available at least. Like Tattis has mentioned, it's growing well though, and Atten has been doing a great job scoutin' the server out, lettin' people know that we need help or sometimes personaly msging and that I am more than happy to accommodate. AutoDMC and Atten has gone over good points that I agree with also RTV needs to not go away so fast and maybe each map not last so long so if anything, things can still move along w/people not being too disappointed.

 

[GardenGroveVW]

Well, we have to remember that l4d just came out, alot of people are going to be playing that game.

So, if we can get some map links that EVERYONE likes post them here. And we can try them out.

same goes with PL rotation.

 

[Use_My_Teleporter]

For custom maps, I suggest CP ORANGE, and

BALLOON Race
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/68736

I also hint a certain other custom map, but i've given up on that already.

 

[jaxory]

Win on both Orange x3 and Balloon Race.

ESPECIALLY BALLOON RACE!

 

[Icarus]

BALLOON Race
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/68736

THATTHATTHATTHAT

ahem.

That.

 

[Le Sac Magique]

Balloon race is a lot of fun! Especially so when you're playing with people you know, since they won't play dirty...

 

[=[Ga]= AutoDMC]

Perhaps move DBHeights to Custom Maps? Then at least a new experience is expected. I know I like DBHeights as well, but like you said, nobody is expecting the map to show up in what looks to be a regular rotation.

Maybe TFC 2_FORT? http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/46195 That'd be interesting to try...

One thing that should help on the Custom Maps Rotation, is HTTP Fast Download (https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9717-HMAP-7066) Basically, the maps go up on a HTTP server to be downloaded, instead of squirting the maps through the ingame-data connection (trickle). HTTP = fast, trickle = SLOW C'mon... HYPERTEXT vs TRICKLE? No contest.

In any case, the maps could be stored on a central webserver (like... this one!) and downloaded at full speed when a map changes to one that the player doesn't already have. This is the enhanced download you may see occasionally, the one with a banner image under "Custom content provided by..." We could have yet another ad for us... or even better, maybe we could get a sponsor to sponsor the HTTP server?

Final benefiet; all servers could share the same pointer to the master map downloader HTTP box, which means no more "I don't think we have that map loaded on this server..." during Monday Madness

(On a tech note, a small VPS with lighttpd would be all we need for this type of server, not some honkin' big harpertown 70 core monster like the game servers...)

 

[Icarus]

http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/69999

Something I found and dragged Sac and Teleporter along to.

It's awesome.

Also, since this and Toyfort are most enjoyable on low gravity, could Custom Maps get low grav? I'm not sure how Convoy would react to it, admittedly, but everything else could benefit from it

 

[Acuturbo]

Custom maps... Personally, I love Sunset Town and Convoy, but hate Toyfort, though it seems that most people like Toyfort but hate Convoy. I never really heard any dissent on Sunset Town, so I'm guessing everyone either likes it or are neutral to it.

Really, my major issue with Toyfort is the inevitable stalemate that makes the map last longer than it should (and makes it really frustrating), whereas you really don't get that with Sunset Town and Convoy, probably because they're CTF. So yeah, Overtime really needs to be fixed, especially on Toyfort.

There really seems to be a lack of players on custom maps compared to other maps, too. I've noticed that more people tend to be on when Toyfort or Sunset Town is being played, but Convoy, not so much. The other day, I was playing Convoy and it only had... what, 11-14 people? Then it switched over to Toyfort, so I left, and when I checked the server not long after, it was full.

I'd have to agree with some other posters on adding more maps to the custom maps server. That balloon race one that someone else posted looks fun, but otherwise, I'm not sure what maps could be included. And, as much as it pains me to say this, maybe the maps that empty the server should be ditched.

(And I can't be the only one who loves Convoy on here. Seriously.)

 

[sittingduck]

Convoy and Sunset Town are both fun with a full server or with 4-6 people(total). Toyfort well horable would be an improvement, due to the last point requaring spawn camping.
And I hate to promote my own idea, but if we had someone able to make maps we could tweak some current maps to Payload and add them to the custem maps to balance the selection out a little. (IE two CTF, two CP and two PL and mayble two attack/defend maps if possable)

 

[EsQuiRe]

Problem with rotation maps is most people only enjoy one or 2 of the maps. As soon as server changes they bounce. I really cant think of doing anything to make them better at all. Except maybe make every other map no Valve maps turbine (just kidding)

 

[midget31394]

I wouldnt mind some custom maps going, I love toyfort but I can live without it, Low Grav would be awsome, sunset I dont mind, as with convoy. I tend to leave after toyfort as that is the only map I can play on for 7 hours straight (Summer Holidays this year was awsome xD) and I heard there are variations of toyfort, a ctf or something. Try that out?

http://www.freewebs.com/cst-team/teamfortress2.htm

 

[Iceman]

Maybe PL_strider for PL rotation?

 

[Dieinpeace]

didnt feel like reading all the previous post. But two custom maps i have enjoyed resently are cp_Aqua, and cp_science 2. Thier both on the Q Clans Custom map rotation. Also i am with every body else. I dont like toyfort. Usually once the custom server switched over to it i leave.

 

[Ryken]

Hello all. I play a lot on PL rotation server, and I've noticed that DB_Heights generally causes a drop in players when it is switched too. One simple thing you might consider trying is just renaming the server "24/7 Goldrush, Badwater, Dustbowl Payload" or something to that effect so people know what the heck DB_Heights is, and are more likely to stick around for it.

I personally hate when the server goes there because I know the number of players will dip. I love the map though.

Also, thank you all for what you do. My friends and I really appreciate the high quality servers you host. Nothing but the best from your admins, people, and competition.

 

[Morbo]

Valve Maps (GameTracker page)

Valve Maps seems to be doing very well, and again, Atten deserves a lot of credit for that. As Tattis mentioned, the RTV doesn't always come up at the end of the map, and it will automatically go to CTF Well. I am a huge fan of that map, but I can't say it is really fair for me to have more opportunities than others to play my favorite map on that server.

PL Rotation (GameTracker page)

I do not play on this server very much, but I have seen times during the off hours where it will be completely full. I like the idea of keeping the PL rotation on the official maps. People probably aren't expecting custom content on that server, but on our custom maps server they obviously will. Put DB Heights on the custom rotation.

Custom Maps (GameTracker page)

Congreve invited me to try balloon race recently, and it seemed alright. I would say it is worth giving it a shot. I have only tried PL Strider once, with only 2 other people on the server, but I would love to see it on the custom rotation server. Also, I wonder if Blackmesa might do well in there. I am not suggesting taking down the 24/7 server, but exposing the map to a new crowd of people.

ToyFort is less enjoyable without the low grav - in my opinion. Without the low grav, demomen and soldiers are the only ones getting height and like someone said, getting to spawn camp. Low grav lets engi's on the bed so they can counter the across the map flyers.

You can still get on the bed as an engie, by jumping from the toy box, or a building built on the block next to the toy box, and dropping a teleporter on the edge of the bed.