by Eric Gurt » 8 November 2019, 12:55
Most popular years were first 2 after release, not the most fun ones probably though. At least in my opinion initial netcode was too incomplete (no TCP connection, no grenades, poor player capacity support, no AI in multiplayer), yet somehow game really was popular. I probably expected more games to inherit similar ragdoll physics approach since then.
Early map making took much more effort to make something good. I sometimes wonder what these early level developers had achieved by this time. Do they still make maps for other projects? Because I think their potential was obvious.
There also was friendly fire in COOP (no TDM was added yet) which later was replaced with only being able to hit teammates when they are dying, and later removed completely from non-explosive damage.
Also I think all custom maps were influencing stats, though I can be wrong.
If I was to think of best years - that is probably all of them to me personally, even if I don't speak frequently in community and just check stuff occasionally instead. I think I actually afraid to ruin it or lead towards the wrong direction, which is probably not truth though. In the end a simple flash game somehow turned out to become this. I think it all made me want to try making games with more effort and quality in the end and that is exactly why it takes so long. Or not.
Work it harder
Make it better
Do it faster
Makes us stronger
More than ever hour
After our work is never over.