TF2 Server change-up

VintagePC

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So I've got an idea rumbling around in my head which has been growing over the past few days.

How would you guys feel if I scrapped B2B and Stockblocked and they became 24/7 A/D and CTF servers? We already have dedicated Payload/Arena boxes, so we'd cover the major game modes that way.

Anyone think KOTH might be a better candidate? Curious to hear folks' comments etc.
 
KOTH > CTF

I mean, if Doublecross and 2fort are any indicator, CTF just turns into "who can camp in their base longer than the other?". KOTH is awesome.
 
KOTH > CTF

I mean, if Doublecross and 2fort are any indicator, CTF just turns into "who can camp in their base longer than the other?". KOTH is awesome.
Duly noted. So we're going from "camping the base" to "camping the CP" now? :D (I kid, I kid)
 
The quick-play buttons on tf2 start menu can be a bit deceiving since it ranks some gamemodes higher on the list versus others, it doesn't necessarily dictate actual popularity or desire for the gamemode.
If it helps at all for your decision making process. I created a saturation ranking based on the gamemode, amount of servers available, and amount of people who play that particular gamemode, this only counts valve based map rotation servers not custom maps. I picked up this data over a one week period measured every 60 minutes to calculate the average. The intent of these calculations was to figure out what quickplay people really enjoy playing. I did this a while ago, just happen to find it in one of my old google documents, but for the most part this has always been true for TF2. You only see slight variations when a new map is released in a patch. I could go into detail what the number you see below exactly means but essentially to keep it simple, the higher the value the better, meaning the larger the quickplay population pool that is available and the higher demand for such a server. I never did this calculation for arena unfortunately, also I did this calculation based on 24 slot servers only. 32 player servers are not factored into quickplay beyond 24 slots unless the demand for 24 slot servers is met or exceeded which rarely happens during patch days.

Payload Average Value: 134.76
Attack/Defend Average Value: 60.12
CTF Average Value: 120.55
Koth Average Value: 34.43
CP5 Average Value: 22.76


goodluck on your decision!
 
The quick-play buttons on tf2 start menu can be a bit deceiving since it ranks some gamemodes higher on the list versus others, it doesn't necessarily dictate actual popularity or desire for the gamemode.
If it helps at all for your decision making process. I created a saturation ranking based on the gamemode, amount of servers available, and amount of people who play that particular gamemode, this only counts valve based map rotation servers not custom maps. I picked up this data over a one week period measured every 60 minutes to calculate the average. The intent of these calculations was to figure out what quickplay people really enjoy playing. I did this a while ago, just happen to find it in one of my old google documents, but for the most part this has always been true for TF2. You only see slight variations when a new map is released in a patch. I could go into detail what the number you see below exactly means but essentially to keep it simple, the higher the value the better, meaning the larger the quickplay population pool that is available and the higher demand for such a server. I never did this calculation for arena unfortunately, also I did this calculation based on 24 slot servers only. 32 player servers are not factored into quickplay beyond 24 slots unless the demand for 24 slot servers is met or exceeded which rarely happens during patch days.

Payload Average Value: 134.76
Attack/Defend Average Value: 60.12
CTF Average Value: 120.55
Koth Average Value: 34.43
CP5 Average Value: 22.76


goodluck on your decision!

Appreciate it, that was refreshingly informative, and much moreso than valve's "run a valve map with no major changes and you get QP traffic".

Given we had 2fort/doublecross mix on one of our servers and it flatlined, I'm thinking maybe start with A/D.

As for payload, at the very least I'll talk to the RM and discuss putting it stock-only for now.
 
I had other calculations I did later that figured out the most popular map choices, server settings, and addons unfortunately I no longer have this information. CTF can be a bit tricky if I remember correctly the sweet spot was around 90 minutes, no roundlimit. Class restrictions isn't factored into quickplay ranking itself by valve, but I found servers with scout/sniper restrictions were favored a bit lower by people and they tended to have less stability in population. Go figure turtle servers seem to be favored lol..
A/D is a bit more easy to configure, there isn't one right way to do it unlike what I found with CTF and there is generally more success in creating a unique server experience.
 
I guess it would be good to go over to QP payload, at least for the sake of getting a stable population.

Yeah, my main reasoning is that even if smaller, a stable population is better than one that fluctuates wildly. One of those two will grow. :)

If you'd like to knock the rotation back down to stock only for now, that would be awesome. D'you want me to knock it back to 24 man for now?
 
KOTH > CTF

I mean, if Doublecross and 2fort are any indicator, CTF just turns into "who can camp in their base longer than the other?". KOTH is awesome.
KOTH MY PLEASE!!!! AND I KNOW GREAT MAPS! *I love A/D and Koth maps*
 
KOTH MY PLEASE!!!! AND I KNOW GREAT MAPS! *I love A/D and Koth maps*
OK, just for you. *pulls plug on arena and replaces it with KOTH* (jk)
 
TF2 needs a triple jump scouts with rocket launchers mode.
That can be arranged. :D We just need $100 for another TF2 server box... Maxed out the current one w/ 12 servers already. :sorry
 
OK, so I've changed Stock blocked to a 24/7 Attack/Defend, and back2basics is now 24/7 KOTH.

koth mapcycle contains nucleus, harvest, lakeside, and king.
 

Funding Progress To Date

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