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Team Fortress 2 item drops changing

Apr 21, 2010#1

figmentPez

New post to the TF2 Official Blog: Thanks for standin still, wanker.

Today we're shipping some significant changes to the item drop system.
* Previously, we rolled randomly at intervals to see if you got an item drop. Now we roll to determine when your next item drop will occur. So you're guaranteed to find items at fairly regular intervals. The bulk of drop complaints we've received in the past have been from players having unlucky streaks, where they didn't find any items for weeks. That won't be possible now.
* We've significantly increased the rate at which item drops occur, compared to the previous average interval.
* There's now a maximum amount of playtime per week in which you get item drops. Playing beyond that amount won't find any more items. The amount varies, but if you play an hour or so a day you're good. Some of your unused time will rollover to the following week, so if you're an intermittent player you'll also be fine.

There's more about the effects of the changes, and the reasoning behind not making any great change, at the link.

I'm really happy that change is coming. I've been one of the unlucky ones who rarely got items. I've played for more than four hours of game-time without receiving a single item, only to have the next one I found be something I already had. Not really that much time, compared to some, but a hefty chunk of my total time spent playing any game. Well, at least I got my Max's Severed Head, Lugermorph and Big Kill.

Apr 21, 2010#2

AshburnerX

figmentPez said:
Not really that much time, compared to some, but a hefty chunk of my total time spent playing any game. Well, at least I got my Max's Severed Head, Lugermorph and Big Kill.

It's still a better deal than i got with Bill's Hat. That was $40+ for a HAT. I almost got Penal Zone though, just for the items... but I was like "OK, I'll buy the Penal Zone... $35!?!? For an episodic game!? FUCK THAT."

Apr 21, 2010#3

figmentPez

You think $35 is too much for a whole season of Sam & Max? I think it's just fine, and I paid the same for Tales of Monkey Island too, but if you're not a fan of adventure games... then get off my lawn ya damn whipper-snapper!

Apr 21, 2010#4

AshburnerX

figmentPez said:
You think $35 is too much for a whole season of Sam & Max? I think it's just fine, and I paid the same for Tales of Monkey Island too, but if you're not a fan of adventure games... then get off my lawn ya damn whipper-snapper!

I haven't played a Sam and Max game, so I was hoping they would have an option to buy it per an Episode. I didn't know if I'd WANT the whole season.

Apr 21, 2010#5

figmentPez

AshburnerX said:
I haven't played a Sam and Max game, so I was hoping they would have an option to buy it per an Episode. I didn't know if I'd WANT the whole season.

Fair enough. The episodes will be available individually after the whole season is out, but that doesn't get you the TF2 items. Season One: Episode Four Abe Lincoln Must Die! is still available for free, though, and a pretty good example of Sam & Max style humor (though the control scheme has changed significantly).

Apr 28, 2010#6

Chazwozel

I got my Triboniophorus Tyrannus and I am happy.

Apr 29, 2010#7

figmentPez

Didn't feel like starting a new TF2 thread. Team Fortress 2 119th Update!. Everyone gets medals! (once Valve fixes a date issue that caused people to get the wrong medals)

Also, rumors of the Engineer update next month!

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