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Steam SupportVisit the support site for any issues you may be having with the game or Steam.
It's time once again to announce this year's Saxxy Awards, and we couldn't be more excited! Last year we shook up the rules a bit by reducing the length of the themed categories (Action, Comedy, Drama) and adding a five-minute Extended category. We were overwhelmed with so many high-quality entries to the Extended category that there were some great entries that didn't get the recognition they deserved. So, if you're working on an entry to the Extended category, it may be worth editing your piece down to three minutes and submitting to one of the themed categories instead. We know it's not easy, but solid editing can make a good submission great!
As always, we can't wait to see the amazing videos you create! Don't forget that all Valve universes are available for use, and SFM shorts that were submitted to the Dota 2 Short Film Contest are also eligible for this year's Saxxy Awards. The submission deadline is November 11th. Remember, you can upload non-final versions up to a week in advance of the final deadline, to guard against last-minute computer failures, internet outages, login problems and so on. Check out the guidelines for details on the rules and deadlines, and get your entries ready!
Thanks for all of your feedback over the last couple weeks. In our previous post, we talked about a number of issues with the Meet Your Match update and what we were doing to address them. Here's a quick recap on what has happened since then:
Matchmaking:
Casual Mode:
Next, we would like to give you a quick overview of the things we are working on, and go over some of the issues you raise as needing more attention and work.
Abandons in Competitive Mode:
Griefing in matchmaking:
High ping and queue times:
Experience and incomplete matches in casual:
We are monitoring the game around the clock, and we continue to read all your feedback and suggestions. Thanks again for taking the time to help improve TF.
It's no secret that Casual Mode has had a rough launch. We wanted to give you an update on what we're doing to address your concerns.
Short version: We hear you. Later today, we will be shipping a patch to Casual Mode that will remove the penalties for abandoning a game, and allow you to narrow your game mode selections from two modes to a single mode before queuing. Additionally, in the very near future, we will be shipping a more comprehensive Casual Mode patch that will let you select the maps you will be matched into.
We've provided a more detailed breakdown of Casual Mode's issues and how we are addressing your concerns below.
First, and most important, queue times. The queue times you are currently experiencing are a bug, not a feature. It is something we are actively working to correct. Several backend issues appeared post-launch that culminated in long wait times. Removing this issue is our highest priority right now.
Second, abandonment penalties. We had put in a ten-minute cooldown period to encourage players to complete matches. Your feedback has convinced us that it is more important for players to be able to come and go as they please. Today's patch will remove abandonment cooldown penalties from Casual Mode.
Third, user choice. We'd intended to roll out the number of match options available to players incrementally, so as not to overload the matchmaking system with too many variables on Day One. In retrospect, of all the match options to hold back, map selection should not have been one of them. It is the next feature we are adding to Casual Mode, and you will get it very soon.
Fourth, Casual Mode levels. Levels are a cosmetic feature that show how much you've played. They can never be lost, and they do not affect matchmaking. We did a poor job of communicating that Casual Mode Levels are in no way similar to Competitive Mode Ranks (which do affect matchmaking, and can be lost).
Finally, we wanted to note that we value the role the community plays in the development of this game, and do in fact read all the feedback sent to us, as well as through reddit, the forums, streams, and more. We are not always as talkative as we perhaps should be, but we are listening.
The Meet Your Match Update is now live!
It's the return of the afterburn! Introducing the Flash Fryer, the Pyre of Wild Fire! The Napoleon of Napalm, the Arsonist Assassin! The Sultan of Scorch, the Talent with the Torch! Deranged at close range, the white-hot knight to ignite the fight! PYRO!
And in the other corner... The Defiant Giant! The Beast From the East! The Towering Hulk with Overpowering Bulk! He's a Communist maniFISTo, the Red Son with the One-Ton Minigun! HEAVY!
Two men enter! One man leaves! Followed shortly after by the other man, also leaving!
But! Even though both of those men will be allowed to leave, and both will be unharmed, and there will have been no real consequences as a result of them entering, and they may actually go on to be dear friends, only one of them will get a future Class Update!
But! Okay, both of them might get new Class Updates at some point. In fact, it's highly likely they both will.
But! Only one of them will get it first. Click here to find out how to make your vote count in the biggest election of the year, the epic showdown of The Maestro of Maim versus the The Thrower of Flame! Heavy versus Pyro!
Oh, and new taunts, new crates, a whole crapload of game balances and a bunch of other stuff.
Plus, now you can celebrate your anticipatory pre-victory (or pre-commemorate your assumed defeat) with official Meet Your Match merch!