Fun Times with Bullets

Tonight was an interesting night on Team Fortress 2. I visited three different servers from around 9-11:30.  The first server was a random server, I don't remember the name or who hosted it, but it was CTF_Egypt. Unfortunately, for this game my mic was not working, and it interfered with recording audio through Fraps. That server was the only one with the audio interference.

CTF_Egypt was a surprisingly fun server, with a lively, and apparently regular crowd. It was interesting to hear a couple talking over the speakers, and obviously both parties were well respected on this server. The only complaints found here were about the poor quality of my microphone, which got a couple people upset. Besides that, there were no criticism of skill or gender, just hard and honest play.

The second server was the control, No Heroes, CTF_2Fort server. This experience was as I expected it to be, with honest play and casual conversation. There were slight competition, the regulars who goofed off (respectfully) and an honest competition of capture the flag. One person did interact with me, though it was in a playful way, as he teased me for killing him during a boxing match taking place in the sewers (I realize if you have know knowledge of 2Fort or TF2, this is a very confusing sentence).

Here is where the one person was teasing me. He says "bad phelixia, baaaaad. you were betting on the blue one to win, weren't you? :)" [I was on the Blue Team].

I spoke over my laptop's integrated microphone, making my gender apparent. No Heroes is a respectable clan server with strict rules and administrators, so this keeps the server calm. Some users did have inappropriate names, such as "CitizenDildo", though these silly names are the least from offensive considering what the third server offered.

The third server was CP_Granery, run by a more obscure clan, Jiggly's Fun House. This was not a strictly monitored server, nor was it the most respectful towards its users. While most servers have simple messages that pop up, either being used as advertisements for the clan to raise money for the server, or otherwise, this clan used the messaging system as a means to spam vulgar or disheartening messages to its users. From a female's perspective, these were not the most welcoming of messages.

 These messages included:

Sex is not the question. Sex is the answer. 

The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. 

War does not determine who is right- only who is left. 

Virginity is like a soapbubble, one prick and it is gone. 

Jesus loves you, but everyone else thinks you're an asshole. 

This Server is Super Sexy, TF2 SourceCraft mod is HOTT

(**I missed one comment: "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch."**)

While the latter is not actually offensive, and some of these where either thought provoking or slightly amusing, others give off a discouraging, non-friendly user atmosphere. Through these server messages, administrators appear to encourage devious and inappropriate behavior on their server. Unfortunately, that is what was found on this server, with a couple of people being particular vocal in an offensive way. There were passing comments made about gender, which I still need to evaluate more. I'm having some difficulty, I will admit, hearing them through the feedback on the recording. They did make other comments about players however, particularly about Pyros (a class which they seem to have a personal vendetta against). I frequently play a Pyro, and after claiming to warn me about a sentry 'round a corner, which ended up killing me, they made a lot more audible of a criticism about how Pyros never listen.

Just heard a comment about Medics and their Blutsager weapon, as well.

One thing I forgot about on this server was the ability to key in a phrase, which would them start the appropriate sound clip. For example, one was "knockout" which then yelled throughout the server "You need to knock it the fuck off, man." "Knockdown" plays the Chumbawumba (Spl?) song. There's another one for "Whores" and yet another for something called "GayJoey".


For the vast amount of play time that I spent with these two people in particular, most of it involved tactic or whining about certain players or aspects of the current game. Most of the offense was by the server itself, though the crowd it had the potential to invite wasn't reassuring.

There was another female who was also playing on this server. She remained relatively reserved save for vital moments in a push to capture a point. Mainly, the only time I remember her speaking up was to say "Don't uber me". She had no real display of her gender, save for when she spoke up during those moments.

In conclusion, tonight, the control server faired as I expected it too, with mild-mannered game play and game style. It was an enjoyable atmosphere for people who are looking to just play the game. Meanwhile, outside of more controlled clan servers, there appears to be some discrepancy with what is considered to be "acceptable" or appropriate. Here, on these more obscure servers, are you more likely to a conflict with emotions and vulnerability, especially if lacking in skill.

I'm too tired to continue writing this. I should edit this in the morning.