Team Fortress 2fans have penned an open letter to Valve, calling for the Washington-based developer to reform the controversial Casual Mode so that “the game [can] grow once again”.
“For the past nine years, since the Meet Your Match update, TF2 has been constrained by a fundamentally flawed matchmaking system […] that replaced the original and more reliable Quickplay system,“the letter reads. “Casual Mode was introduced without prior warning or community input, and it arrived in an unplayable, unstable, and deeply unpopular state for almost a year after its release.
“While the current Casual Mode is functional and has made improvements since its introduction, we believe it still imposes limitations that don’t align with how TF2 is best played and enjoyed. Specifically, Casual’s structure often creates friction for players looking for easy-going, social, and flexible match experiences.”
The letter highlights the following key problems:
How Fans Would Fix Team Fortress 2
The letter doesn’t just highlight the slew of problems that the community has with the game; it also presents some solutions.
Fans suggest that Valve reintroduce several key Quickplay features, while also removing certain elements of Casual Mode, combining the two approaches for a more traditional TF2 experience that’s better suited to new and long-time players alike
Based on a survey that attracted almost 3,500 participants, the letter argues that implementing these changes would move “away from the current skill-based matchmaking structure in Casual Mode,” which they describe as “a necessary shift to restore the balance, convenience, and spontaneity that defined TF2 at its best.”
Last year,340,000 fans signed a petitionthat called on Valve to finally address the bot crisis.
“For the reasons stated above, we, the Team Fortress 2 community, respectfully ask for a reformed version of the Quickplay system to be put in the game in any way, shape, or form to its game coordinator,” the letter concludes. “We believe this will help restore the freedom of choice, balanced matches, and strong community support that TF2 was built on. It’s time to bring these back in order for the game to thrive, grow, and be enjoyed by both new and veteran players for years to come.”
