On Tuesday evening (the 29th), Valve released the Goldrush update for Team Fortress 2. This update added a new map (shown above), new game mode, 36 new medic achievements, as well as three new unlockable medic weapons. The new weapons include: The Kritzkrieg (a medigun that gives the target player 100% criticals instead of the momentary invulnerability), the Blutsaugher (a syringe gun that can't hit criticals but saps health from the enemy and heals the medic), and the Ubersaw (a bone saw that is slower to swing but recharges the medic's uber meter). By accomplishing 12, 24, and then all 36 of the achievements, a new weapon is awarded. This update was free of charge, something quite refreshing in today's world of microtransactions and downloadable content. There were many initial problems with the update. It caused some windows-based servers to crash entirely, as well as locked up some computers while connecting to a game requiring a re-install. These were fairly easy to correct though and the game was quickly up and running within just a few hours. There was one thing though that wasn't so easy to clean up:
VALVe's Medic Massacre:
In the wee hours of Wednesday morning (the 30th), it was discovered by an unknown individual that it was possible to unlock all 36 achievements and all 3 weapons with one simple console command: achievement_unlock_all Within the hour of discovering this myself, it was posted here. This exploit traveled from server to server like wildfire with many individuals even changing their in-game names to the console command for ease of explanation to other players.
For as many layers "legitimately" accomplished the achievements, there were countless more that farmed then in private servers with their clan, farmed then on public servers to their team's outcry (Heavies get frustrated when a medic pass them by and uber a scout), or used any combination of other console commands to receive the weapons. It was an epidemic.
Within 24 hours VALVe issued an update, removing the console commands and attempting to reset the achievements of players who took advantage of the exploit. According to the forums, some people had their medic achievements wiped clean after using the command, other retained their weapons alone, some retained everything they had received from the command, while others, myself included, actually gained achievements that they had never recieved previously. Needless to say, it was a mess and VALVe's attempt to correct the problem has utterly failed.
Some players felt that those who used the exploits were cheaters and deserved to have all of the achievements and weapons revoked, while many casual and non-clan players felt that the achievements are something that only hardcore players with a large number of friends in a clan. One specific achievement requires the player to join 10 of their steam friends in battle and deploy an uber on them, something that would be very difficult or impossible for many players to do without simply adding random acquaintance to your friends list.
This entire situation has become a very controversial topic amongst the TF2 community. The most hardcore of players feel that as "better" medics it is only fair for them to receive the special weapons, while there are those people who think that, in order to be truly fair, everyone should have access to the same weapons. In addition, many people are also fearing an added RPG feel or leveling-up system similar to games like Battlefield 2 and Call of Duty 4.
Personally, I am finding myself on both sides of the issue. I feel that one of the strongest aspects of Team Fortress 2 is its dynamic team and class mechanics that could be greatly added to by the additional of new, but not necessarily stronger/better weaponry. This would allow all players and teams an additional level of strategy and thought when they are caught in a sticky situation on the battlefield. I love achievements and I must say after hours and hours of Xbox 360 gaming that they do have a very satisfying appeal to them, but I do not think they should be used as a means of unlocking or accessing additional content, so I propose a happy medium:
- New weapons are open to all players immediately
- 36 achievements are added for all classes
- Completing different levels of the achievements would allow access to costume changes, accessories, taunts that would make those who are more experienced and more accomplished clearly stand-out amongst the crowd.
Tell us what you think and we'll do our best to respond or use your thoughts in future TF2 posts.
