Back in my day, you had to scroll through a server browser when you wanted to play TF2! You had to wait for this long list of server names, and pick one that appealed to you, and make sure it was the mode you wanted, and that it wasn’t full or empty… This “kids these days” rant isn’t really that impressive, is it?
Well, we already know that you whippersnappers are getting TF2 matchmaking, and based on a Steam community announcement, it looks like a beta for the service will be hitting soon.
“Our plan is to start small,” the announcement says, “and increase participation as we go.” To that end, an in-game item called a Competitive Matchmaking Beta Pass will slowly be granted to random members of the Competitive Beta group. Well, maybe random isn’t quite the right word, since there are a few things you can do to increase your chances:
- Have either purchased a copy of Team Fortress 2 prior to June 23, 2011, or have made a purchase from the Mann Co. Store. (AKA premium accounts)
- Have Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled. ( https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-WRAH-9030 )
- Have a phone number associated with your Steam account ( https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8625-WRAH-9030#addphone )
Valve is getting increasingly serious about getting their users in on the multi-step authentication, so its use here isn’t really surprising. In addition to folks with matchmaking passes, more people will occasionally be brought in for stress testing.
I had my good times with TF2 several years ago and I don’t know that I’m ready to come back, but it’s terrific to see the game continuing to see this level of support.
