Difference between revisions of "Idling"
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{{Delete|For hopefully obvious reasons. Also, lack of neutrality.}} | {{Delete|For hopefully obvious reasons. Also, lack of neutrality.}} | ||
| − | {{Quotation|'''The Sniper''' on | + | {{Quotation|'''The Sniper''' on controversial methods|Thanks fer standin' still, wanka.|sound=Sniper_specialcompleted45.wav}} |
| − | '''Idling''' | + | '''Idling''' is where a player attempts to join or create a [[server]] for the sole purpose of earning [[items]] through the game's [[item drop system]]. |
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== History == | == History == | ||
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| − | + | The early versions of the item drop system distributed items according to the amount of playtime earned. Players were able to boost their hours through several means, such as joining a server and minimising the game to the background. The term idling stems from the idea that the player remains virtually immovable during the game as they wait for the system to deliver items. | |
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| − | The | + | The creation of third party programs, particularly 'SteamStats', allowed players to be able to idle without placing difficulty on their PCs or total user time. On September 2, 2009 [[Valve]] issued a blog post announcing their zero tolerance against the external applications, and prompty removed all items earned through this method. Players who did not use the programs were awarded the [[Cheater's Lament]]. |
| − | + | On April 20, 2010, the drop system was altered significantly to address the issue of long unlucky streaks which prompted idling. An item cap was put in place to prevent excess items being earned through above average playtime. | |
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== Methods == | == Methods == | ||
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=== External applications === | === External applications === | ||
| − | 'SteamStats' | + | 'SteamStats' was one of the earliest third-party idling applications. The program mimicked the game's engine and connected players to idling servers, serving as a hassle free method. As of September 2, 2009, players who use it or any other third-party external program will result in the loss of all their items. |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | * [http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=2787 TF2 Official Blog- Incoming!] & | + | * [http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=2787 TF2 Official Blog- Incoming!] & |
| − | * [http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3727 TF2 Official Blog- Thanks for standin still, wanker.] | + | * [http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3727 TF2 Official Blog- Thanks for standin still, wanker.] |
[[Category:Items]] | [[Category:Items]] | ||
<!-- Needs other categories --> | <!-- Needs other categories --> | ||
Revision as of 17:12, 15 October 2010
 | This article has been marked for deletion. See discussion on the talk page. Reason given: For hopefully obvious reasons. Also, lack of neutrality. Editors: If this content is being deprecated, kindly remove it from ALL translated pages before marking it for deletion. Staff: what links here – subpages – history (last) – logs – delete |
| “ | Thanks fer standin' still, wanka.
Click to listen
— The Sniper on controversial methods
|
” |
Idling is where a player attempts to join or create a server for the sole purpose of earning items through the game's item drop system.
History
The early versions of the item drop system distributed items according to the amount of playtime earned. Players were able to boost their hours through several means, such as joining a server and minimising the game to the background. The term idling stems from the idea that the player remains virtually immovable during the game as they wait for the system to deliver items.
The creation of third party programs, particularly 'SteamStats', allowed players to be able to idle without placing difficulty on their PCs or total user time. On September 2, 2009 Valve issued a blog post announcing their zero tolerance against the external applications, and prompty removed all items earned through this method. Players who did not use the programs were awarded the Cheater's Lament.
On April 20, 2010, the drop system was altered significantly to address the issue of long unlucky streaks which prompted idling. An item cap was put in place to prevent excess items being earned through above average playtime.
Methods
In-game
Opening the game, entering a server, then minimising the game to the background was an early method of idling. Servers solely set up to hold idling players are common, however, players can also idle using offline practice mode or via listen server (accessed through "Create a server" in the main menu), provided that they can maintain a connection to Steam
An alternate method of in-game idling makes use of the developer launch parameter -textmode, which loads the game in a Template:W-like window.
External applications
'SteamStats' was one of the earliest third-party idling applications. The program mimicked the game's engine and connected players to idling servers, serving as a hassle free method. As of September 2, 2009, players who use it or any other third-party external program will result in the loss of all their items.
