The 2023 has come to an end. During this time, a lot of things happened to me and in my TF2 journey - the first attempt to create a YouTube TF2 channel, learning the first basics of trading, joining the ScrapTF and LambdaGeneration communities, moving on to creating my posters from Garry's Mod (uncomfortably anxious) to Blender, the first unusual hat in my inventory... Looking at what Valve are doing and undertaking from year to year and seeing how veterans of game leaving it day after day, thoughts appear about the not-so-prosperous continuation of the life of this franchise in the next few years (same about Counter-Strike, sadly). I realize that I likely came into this game and its mini-world fairly late in its life, which makes me a "late era" fan. A kind of TF2's Cretaceous period. I created myself in this universe, my own character with whom I associate myself (alter-ego?), met a few players who resonated with my thoughts and jokes in game, even took part in my first MvM Moonlight events (which was also the best experience for me). And spending my free time in it, I realize more and more how many problems this game and its community actually have - a six-year bot crisis, NSFL pictures on sprays and signs, the huge presence of racists, homophobic and xenophobic individuals in the community of all kinds, awfully looking community-maded hats from the bottom of workshop and more... What do I want to say with my poem? - I truly love Team Fortress 2, with all its shortcomings and remnants of failed past updates. I don’t like random crits, cheaters, overpowered weapons/mechanics, toxics, ruined guns that had good potential initially - but this is also part of the history of this game tho. Of course TF2 is not a masterpiece, but it has earned its place in media-culture. I love Team Fortress 2. I enjoy this game and my leisure time with it. And I don't care what others thinks and says about me. Happy New Year! Take care of yourself and your loved ones!
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Very well written, made me tear up a lil. I still love the game but the way it was treated really sours it. Don't get me wrong I do love the implementation of VScripts as it is an amazing way to add custom maps with custom content into the game. But all the TF2 community wants is at least valve to accumulate some more Devs for TF2. But the Source code spaghetti and other interesting projects made the game a pow priority for Valve, even on it's highest peak player count. As they're busy trying to fix up CS2 and make software/hardware updates for Steam Deck (the latter which I don't mind cuz it's awesome stuff). But seeing no like actual weapon variable updates or anything comic related really is a shame. Even with it's short comings I do play it time to time, especially on community servers, they're just safe haven for free to plays and veteran players alike from the bot crisis. Especially playing a lot of custom games there and chilling in plaza servers. At least that's what I did for a good 5 years when I started playing the game. I had this with other source/source mod multiplayer games. But I'm happy to see the game still living and new people are joining to replace the veterans (depends if that's good or bad ). The game will still be relevant with years to come, so I'm not worrying there (through awesome sfm movies, memes, etc.). The game will never die.
Also from awesome art and posters like yours! 😎
Very honourable opinion! And, as always, thank you for attention!