Hold the Flag Gamemode Philosophy

[The Specialist]

Based on how the community acts on the Hold the Flag gamemode has come to me to write this long statement and what I have to say about it.

What is Hold the Flag?

Hold the Flag is an official gamemode which currently is almost as unpopular as Pointmatch.  It is a fun gamemode that I think is enjoyable but people and mainly beta testers and MM have portrayed it wrong.

What is the objective of this game?

Based on what Keron Cyst said

"It is a team-based version of Pointmatch".

I agree with him, that's exactly what it is.  But I always like to think it as a one-way Capture the Flag with the chaos of deathmatch.  The gamemode has enough balance that infiltration has as well as Capture the Flag.

Who in the community plays this Gamemode?

Currently I think only Keron Cyst, Me, and some hand full of other people play it.
The list should be a lot larger.

Why do the people who play it, play it?

Because we know what real game-play is and how to have fun.  Anyone who loves deathmatch or chaotic or fast-paced game-play will love this gamemode.

Why don't people enjoy this gamemode?

Probably because it was given a horrible first impression and it sounds boring.  Hold the Flag?  That sounds lame.  The title of the gamemode really is what it is but it is a lot more interesting than what it really sounds like.  But what mostly doesn't make people play this mode is probably the maps.  htf_Mare by Demonic when 1.3 was released along with Hold the Flag was the worst map to portray the gamemode, although the map itself isn't too bad.  He's made better.  The maps cannot be made with one-way standoffs and makes the gamemode so boring so quickly which how it probably made it unpopular.  With the new implantation of the new maps, I think it greatly shows what Hold the Flag should be like. 

How can Hold the Flag be Improved?

Having more servers be in the lobby and not always being empty.  Which is a reason why I rarely have a chance to play it and mostly by changing the maps because most of them I don't like them because they look terrible and have horrible game-play.  Having this gamemode a better impression and be shown what it show truly be like, take htf_SuperPants for example.  Probably one of the best Hold the Flag maps I've ever seen.  Not just in appearance but in game-play.  If we had more Hold the Flag maps like this made official, it would change how people think and play Hold the Flag.

[Carlitos]

i dont play HTF cause the servers are EMPTY
When the game mode came with 1.3 i still played it online like 6 times but it rapidly lose popularity

[truup]

i dont play HTF cause the servers are EMPTY

I'm having a WIIILD guess that this topic was made to get more people there.

[Carlitos]

I'm having a WIIILD guess that this topic was made to get more people there.

ya me to, buts its been SO long since i see like a 1 in players in those 2 servers

[Graham]

I love HTF to no end. The maps in the forum htf server now have a better feel to them, no more huge open aired maps.

[Krypt_]

  Anyone who loves deathmatch or chaotic or fast-paced game-play will love this gamemode.

Totally in agreement. This game-mode is by far my favorite because mixed with a good map the addictive fast-paced gameplay and friendly rivalry gets into your head and you become enthralled. The tighter and more cramped the htf map, the more "deathmap-like" action you get and feel. It no longer is about hiding behind an obstacle when you don't hold the flag, it's just pure revenge to get it.

I feel like playing htf now...

[Leo]

A few players that like the mod are not enough to keep a server up and running. Personally I have tried a HTF server 2-3 times and it was always empty. So I never tried again.

[Graham]

A few players that like the mod are not enough to keep a server up and running. Personally I have tried a HTF server 2-3 times and it was always empty. So I never tried again.

Best thing to do is go in with a few people, play with 2 or 3 people for a bit and most likely other people will join. Thats just how HTF has been for a while now.

[Zero]

I waited in a Htf server for about 15 mins and nobody came 

[Keron Cyst]

Hold the Flag is the greatest gamemode ever made, but no one understood it at first and its unpopularity has carried over even when it gained more appropriate maps over the versions since it was made. Too bad...

[Essentle]

I have always thought the HTF to be a very fun gamemode, so yeah what I think about it hasn't changed since I think exactly the same way as you.

I'd like to play it more.
The best way would be to just gather a few of your buddies and go on a HTF server and other people would probably join soon.

[xtishereb]

During a recent clan gather last week, we had some epic HTF matches. In a 4-on-4 match, the final scores were like 55-60. A 2-on-2 HTF on htf_Prison was absolutely awesome. It constantly felt rushed as you tried to escape the enemy without getting flanked or running out of jet power or dying. The final score was 60-52 or so, with the winning team making an insane comeback from 21-43. That map was great, lots of places to run to and have people pop out from. Even though me and my teammate didn't talk much, we somehow got this unspoken bond as one would chase as the other flanked. All I can say is, when you get a bunch of great people together playing a great mode, legendary things happen.
My only complaint is that htf_Rubik is too biased towards M79s.

[jbigz]

HTF has always been my favorite game mode. My friend and I always try to find a HTF server with people in it, but are usually not successful. Plus, if we do, we usually beat them really bad and they leave next round :/ I'm not bragging, but I'm also trying to get you guys in those servers xJ

[mozzer]

Maybe we should arrange a match on the forum server and maybe some Pointmatch's also

[NinjaGimp369]

I love HTF to no end. The maps in the forum htf server now have a better feel to them, no more huge open aired maps.

I love my htf, but servers are always empty. I also lag like a mofo on the forum servers. As The Specialist said, it would be a good solution to hold more htf servers in the lobby. It would attract players if other servers are taken up.

[a-4-year-old]

HTF was really boring when I played it.

[s.donahue]

Schedule some kind of weekly game or daily game, get some tournaments going, do a USA vs. Canada HTF. Get people's attention and give them a chance to play with other people.

[Carlitos]

some kind of event or something...
seems like playing HTF is only against bots for me and all ppl

[moomoo]

i like htf, but i dont see any htf servers in my lobby and when i do its like 0 ppl.

[LtKillroy]

I have tried HTF when if first came out and there were actually servers, and I didn't like it becuase everyone there wasn't too good. I tried to give it another chance a couple weeks later, but there weren't any servers. I tried to find more servers, but there are never any. I wanna try it, no servers, so no.