Raven's Lounge - A GWJ TF2 Server - Updated 2/3/2008
***Map list updated 2/3/2008***
In homage to Stan's Lounge and to help everyone out with the congestion we often experience waiting for open spots on GWJ TF2 game nights I've purchased an additional 24 man TF2 server.
I'll admit this isn't completely altruistic; I just got sick of having to wait for an open spot on Stan's. Still, here's the info:
Name: Raven's Lounge - GWJ_TF2
IP: 69.28.221.76:27020
Password: sasha
This server has a number of custom maps to help differentiate it from Stan's. They're mostly CP maps, but I've included a number of select ctf maps and removed 2fort. Our map selection is as follows and rotation starts with cp_desertfortress:
CONTROL POINT MAPS
cp_desertfortress
cp_dustbowl (Valve standard)
cp_granary (Valve standard)
cp_gravelpit (Valve standard)
CAPTURE THE FLAG MAPS
ctf_convoy_v2
ctf_well (Valve standard)
To install custom maps to your steam account place the *.bsp map files in "steam/steamapps/your account name/team fortress 2/tf/maps".
The map selection and starting map choice is, of course, subject to GWJ community approval so please let me know what maps you do and do not like, any additional maps you'd like to see tested out, and what map you would like to see as the server starting map. Everyone also has the capability to call for a map vote in the server by typing @votemaps into the developer console. Don't abuse the privilege. The server is based out of Chicago and should be on at all times short of when I'm doing updates/restarts to maps or the config files. Enjoy 
Since I've received inquiries about helping to fund this server I've added a paypal donation page. Please feel free to pitch in if you're able and enjoy the server. Thanks.
"What exactly is a squirrel licking beta grabbing frump digger?" ~trichy
"Grass grows, birds fly, sun shines and brudda.... I hurt people"
Very cool!
You going to be running any custom maps?
lancejt wrote:
Oooo, fun.
*Legion* wrote:
Awesome! Added to favourites.
Your friendly neighbourhood hair splitting singularity.
Aperture scientist is my alter ego.
I am, but they won't get installed until tomorrow or possibly after the weekend. No worries though, the post will be updated to include links to all custom map download pages.
BTW: Any map requests you'd like to see included? This is a Goodjer server after all, might as well make it the way we want it.
"What exactly is a squirrel licking beta grabbing frump digger?" ~trichy
"Grass grows, birds fly, sun shines and brudda.... I hurt people"
Excellent Raven! We can always use more TF2.
Let me know if you have any questions on the server configuration.
Xbox Live: jakelegg
Server info
I say as a sort of launch party, all goodjers who aren't in the event tomorrow go to Raven's.
"Three blokes go into a pub. One of them is kind of stupid, and the whole scene unfolds with a tedious inevitability." - Bill Bailey
My votes:
SnoFort! (FPSBanana link dead, nooo!)
Mach4
Desert Fortress
Freezers
Quarray
Junction
Warpath
Gaming / PC Tech Blog: www.blastprocessing.net
Xbox Live: Legion SB / PSN: Legion_SB / Steam: legion028
How often do you get to follow greatness? http://twitter.com/legion
I will request that Quarry is not inlcuded, puh-leease.
I'll second..
Warpath
Snofort
Freezers
Fortified2fort (If its publicly released yet)
Would prefer not to have Mach4.
Wow, just looking at fpsbanana there are some really cool looking maps. I say we pick maybe one or two a week, see how they go, and go from there.
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/41389
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/42822
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/39255
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/41368
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/44410
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/41720 (Dustbowl with snow textures, cool)
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/38257 (Snow level, looks pretty awesome, idk if it would be)
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/35468 (Stronghold, one I've played a bunch and is pretty awesome)
http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/42378
Your friendly neighbourhood hair splitting singularity.
Aperture scientist is my alter ego.
Awesome! I admit that this is one of the only games that I play regularly with GWJ folks - have been other games that have had this level of popularity in this community?
If I were a bad demoman, I wouldn't be sitting here dicussing it with you, now would I?
Xbox Live
Steam Profile
Wii Code: 3516-1828-0081-7936
count me in Raven, great idea
Even China has a better concept of free market than dwarves do -Quintin Stone-
Stats Whoriness:
TF2
QW
I can't believe the staying power this game has. I still enjoy Dustbowl and Gravel Pit after all this time. I can't believe I've been playing the game at least twice a week, and mostly every night, since the start of the beta in September. I have more time in this game than I did in Guild Wars.
XBL: NSMike | Steam | PSN: NSMike | Wii Friend Code: 7763 1519 2475 2278 | GWJ Google Calendar
Another vote for Stronghold!
It's a CTF map that *I* will actually play! (I typically just quit for the night whenever Quarry comes up and about 50% of the time if 2fort rolls around.)
It's a really good map, easy to navigate even your first time there. Whoever made it seems to understand how to make a good map that is not confusing and has places for all the classes to shine.
"And my son, too, thinks everything is a launchpad, every bug a meal, and every sunny day a reason to take all your clothes off and roll around in the grass." - rabbit
So what's the general consensus on ctf maps? You guys want them or avoid should I avoid them? How about cp maps?
"What exactly is a squirrel licking beta grabbing frump digger?" ~trichy
"Grass grows, birds fly, sun shines and brudda.... I hurt people"
Steam ID: DistantSound
Like to point out again that turtling teams can be broken if team work is applied.
CTF is fun!
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
Generally, I would say "no CTF", but I enjoy Stronghold so much, I will say "no CTF, except for Stronghold".
"And my son, too, thinks everything is a launchpad, every bug a meal, and every sunny day a reason to take all your clothes off and roll around in the grass." - rabbit
A map list has been added and the thread updated. The server should be good to go; let me know if there are any problems
"What exactly is a squirrel licking beta grabbing frump digger?" ~trichy
"Grass grows, birds fly, sun shines and brudda.... I hurt people"
CTF maps need to be rethought in the context of TF2's sentries, and that hasn't been done very well on most maps. Quarry does OK because of its small size, but I don't care for any other CTF maps.
Xbox Live: StaatsM
I must confessing I've been enjoying the new ctf_well, though, as distant pointed out, you can do a bit of running before you see the enemy. It is nice to have a ctf map where you can get a visual on the intelligence without necessarily being in the line of fire for a turret.
xbox live: casktapper
steam: casktapper
This is sums up my opinion on the state of CTF in TF2.
Xbox Live: jakelegg
Server info
I am excited to see my ping from a local server!
I was always envious of Fen's ping of 2 on the first Stan's lounge.
lancejt wrote:
A few years ago we had a steady stream of Joint Ops players. We could feel a 40 man server without too much trouble.
Certis beat me to it. - Elysium
Eeew.
/inner 6th grader
XBL: NSMike | Steam | PSN: NSMike | Wii Friend Code: 7763 1519 2475 2278 | GWJ Google Calendar
Mine as well but I've got 3 in the server to test out. Don't forget to give feedback on how they fare
"What exactly is a squirrel licking beta grabbing frump digger?" ~trichy
"Grass grows, birds fly, sun shines and brudda.... I hurt people"
i love ctf maps because I can put my Scoutin skills to good use. Haven't played impact or vertigo before but all the rest in your maplist are good except for convoy. While it is a neat concept, the map really doesn't play well. Also, i know warpath has been updated a few times but don't remember if they made v2, v3 etc... of it. I'll check which version I have when i get home. I remember playing on the original one and it had a couple choke points.
Steam ID: ukickmydog
HL Stats: Stan's Lounge
Thanks for the dedication of getting a server up and running for the community, Raven.
There are a few maps I'm not happy with though, let me explain why:
Convoy - The only way to travel between the bases are the bridges on the back end, while the intelligence is in the front end. The bases/trucks/whatever are long and narrow, with a number of parallel corridors and pathways. This limits the possible areas for an engagement, and basically turns the whole map into an individual effort of "how far can I sneak alone into their base?" Also, the open design caters far too much for snipers, which quickly turns frustrating if good snipers are around, and we have plenty of them in the community. Not to mention rockets won't reach across the map for some weird mapping reason. It is an interesting gimmick map, but really doesn't suit TF2's play.
Shock - This map is simply way too huge, everything is a long run from anything else, and all the play areas are extremely open. This really doesn't suit TF2's play, and doesn't get within a stone's throw of balanced even on a 32-man server. Good snipers once again are far too powerful, and even with no opposition, the sheer time it takes to get across the map without a teleporter is an annoyance. This map is highly frustrating, for pretty much everyone involved.
Maps that we haven't played on Stan's may actually be better than experienced in public, since the level of play is, generally, pretty high. I'm willing to try them out, at the very least.
"And my son, too, thinks everything is a launchpad, every bug a meal, and every sunny day a reason to take all your clothes off and roll around in the grass." - rabbit
The two maps I've listed are based on flawed design from the ground up. There is another category of maps such as Warpath that I'm not very enthusiastic about, but willing to give a chance.
i agree with what he said with regard to the 2 flawed maps as well as warpath
Steam ID: ukickmydog
HL Stats: Stan's Lounge
Man, all of my favorite custom maps are CTF. I hate the CTF hate!
If Convoy gets blasted off the rotation, I beg for at least one out of SnoFort, Mach4, or Freezers to take its place.
Gaming / PC Tech Blog: www.blastprocessing.net
Xbox Live: Legion SB / PSN: Legion_SB / Steam: legion028
How often do you get to follow greatness? http://twitter.com/legion