We Visited Valve to Save TF2

Summary

The speaker recounts their journey with the 'Fixed TF2' campaign, which aimed to rid the game of cheating bots. They describe their visit to Valve's headquarters to deliver a petition signed by over 340,000 people, emphasizing the respectful exchange and Valve's gracious acceptance. The speaker refutes misconceptions, clarifies the campaign's focus solely on bots, and shares their personal struggles and the community's efforts. They express gratitude to all contributors and highlight the campaign's success in improving the game's state, concluding with a renewed sense of community and purpose.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was part of a group that visited Valve to deliver a petition signed by over 340,000 people, asking for the removal of cheating bots in the game Team Fortress 2 (TF2).
• 🎮 Valve accepted the petition graciously and showed interest in displaying it, indicating a positive reception of the community's efforts.
• 🤖 The 'Fixed TF2' campaign was successful in raising awareness and prompting action against bots, which were a significant issue in the game.
• 📈 The speaker believes that the campaign contributed to Valve paying more attention to TF2, leading to new content and updates for the game.
• 🚫 The campaign was specifically focused on the bot issue and did not involve requests for heavy updates or new content, contrary to some misconceptions.
• 🏢 The speaker clarifies that the visit to Valve was not an uninvited intrusion but a respectful exchange facilitated by an actual Valve developer.
• 🌐 The speaker faced significant challenges, including a fraudulent DMCA notice, personal attacks, and community backlash, which added to the stress of the campaign.
• 👥 The speaker emphasizes the collective effort of the community, thanking numerous individuals and creators who contributed to the success of the 'Fixed TF2' movement.
• 🌟 The speaker highlights the personal cost of the campaign, including financial expenses and emotional stress, which were alleviated by the positive community response.
• 🔚 The speaker concludes by expressing a renewed sense of purpose and satisfaction in having contributed to the TF2 community, despite the challenges faced.

Q & A

What was the main purpose of the group's visit to Valve?

The main purpose of the group's visit to Valve was to deliver the names of the 340,000 plus people who signed the 'fixed TF2' petition, aiming to rid the game of cheating bots.

What was the outcome of the meeting with Valve regarding the 'fixed TF2' campaign?

The Valve employee accepted the petition graciously, and the group was told that Valve would like to display the book on their desk, indicating a positive reception of the campaign.

How did Valve respond to the 'fixed TF2' petition and the group's visit?

Valve responded positively to the 'fixed TF2' petition and the group's visit. They accepted the book and even offered a tour of their offices, suggesting that the campaign was taken seriously.

What were the three main goals of the 'fixed TF2' campaign according to the speaker?

The three main goals of the 'fixed TF2' campaign were: 1) To be an improvement on the previous 'Save TF2' campaign, 2) To expose the bot hosters for who they really were, and 3) To try and get something done about the bots in the game.

What challenges did the speaker face during the 'fixed TF2' campaign?

The speaker faced numerous challenges including dealing with a fraudulent DMCA notice, personal attacks by bot hosters, backlash from the community, and the immense stress and anxiety of managing the campaign.

Why did the speaker feel it was important to deliver the petition to Valve in person?

The speaker felt it was important to deliver the petition to Valve in person to fulfill a promise made to the community and to ensure that the effort put into the campaign was recognized and taken seriously by Valve.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the community's response to the 'fixed TF2' campaign?

Initially, the speaker was overwhelmed by the community's response, feeling the stress and pressure of managing expectations and dealing with backlash, which led to a period of bitterness and negativity.

How did the speaker's perspective change after interacting with the voice actors of TF2?

After interacting with the voice actors of TF2, the speaker was reminded of the passion and love for the game and community, which helped to refocus their motivation and vision for the 'fixed TF2' campaign.

What was the final outcome of the 'fixed TF2' campaign according to the speaker?

The final outcome of the 'fixed TF2' campaign was considered successful by the speaker, as the petition was delivered to Valve, and the community could now play the game without bots, which was the primary goal of the campaign.

What was the speaker's emotional state after completing the 'fixed TF2' campaign?

After completing the 'fixed TF2' campaign, the speaker felt a massive weight had been lifted off their chest, and despite the challenges, they felt that all the effort had been worth it, seeing the community's happiness and satisfaction.