Feeling Left Out 4 Dead?

**Mr_Blonde_OPS** · 12-05-12, 03:24 AM

If you have recently started playing L4D2 at TPG and want to know some tips on how to maximize your playtime with others please read.

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Tip #1: JOIN THE STEAM GROUP.

Steam Community :: Group :: L4D2 Meetup

Almost every member of the TPG L4D2 community is apart of this group. There are directions on how to create an "Announcement" on the main page "Overview", but I will tell you quickly. Go to the "announcements" tab and you will see on the right hand side "Post Announcement". Click this and all you have to do is write a message in the "Headline". Example:

Headline: "Realism Versus with Blonde: New lobby Join Join Join!"
Message: Join now bitches! (You don't need to put an actual message in this area as this will not be the area that everyone sees. Personally all I do is hit "spacebar" because it does require some kind of input in order to go through.)

Now everyone who plays L4D2 at TPG and "online" will know that someone is trying to get a lobby going. This is the easiest way to find a game. I would try to do this anytime after 5pm on the weekdays, when everyone is getting home from work.
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Tip #2: Create a Thread

Just let everyone know that you are new to the community/game and would like to get in some games with everyone. Everyone at this community is happy to play with new players and teach them the ropes. We do have some competitive people so make sure you let your team know that you need help and instruction. Not everyone reads these forums and if someone on your team does not know you need help, they may not give you it.
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Tip #3: Send Friend Requests to Active Members.

I would suggest going to our Stats page,

TeamPlayer Gaming - Players

and inviting as many "100-90%" active players as possible. These are the people who play the game the most and you will probably find them playing every night. If you created a thread introducing yourself, most of us will realize who you are.
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Tip #4: Be Persistant

L4D2 games only require 8 players. That's not very many compare to CS:S, TF2, BF3, etc. It is sometimes hard to get into a lobby and especially nowadays(12/5/2012), we are starting to get more and more people wanting to play. Send out those friend requests and let people know that you are wanting to play. Just remember that we are all human beings. No one likes to be nagged or messaged every moment they are on steam. So try to be respectful and mature about it. Let them know when they have an open spot to shoot you an invite.
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In closing if you are reading this, we are glad that you choose TeamPlayGaming to play and we hope to see you in-game soon. The zombie apocalypse never ends here.

(These are the exact steps I used when I first started playing, but I might have nagged

Any other tips are welcome and I will add them to the OP)

**Shenanigans** · 12-05-12, 06:08 AM

Great post. I think you covered just about all of it. That's pretty much the same thing that I did too.
One of the things that's unique about this game and is worth mentioning to new people is that with the small teams (4 per side) and long games (1hr+) you really get to know people pretty quickly, so while it does take some time to get to be considered a "regular" or "not a new guy" the time is much less than games like CS, and the atmosphere is much more social.

The other piece of advice is that if you're totally new and there are no tpg lobbies open/ you're waiting on one to open, it may be worth jumping in a public game or 2 just to practice / get the hang of the mechanics of the game (how to use and move around the SI classes, how the different SV weapons work, practice clearing big SI and horde), and to learn the maps. Know the maps well (both from sv and si side) is VERY important.
When I started playing, there would often only be 1 lobby a day, so if I missed it, I'd spend the time practicing in a public game. I terms of game play, strats, and teamwork public games are totally different than TPG, but you still can have fun and occasionally make some friends good enough to bring home and meet the tpg fam

**Cookie** · 12-05-12, 07:41 AM

Good tips, missed out on a lot of games cause I didn't message them before hand.

But some times I feel like people don't see the messages, then my slot doesn't get reserved :/

**B-@-n-@-n-@** · 12-05-12, 08:32 AM

Might add a mic is HIGHLY recommended in fact it's a must have I think. Of course you may have mentioned it I probably missed it lol

Sent from my IPhone 4

**Kanati** · 12-05-12, 08:32 AM

Some people just don't "reserve" spots. I treat lobbies as first come first served. If I miss out, I miss out. That's why I try not to invite more people than there are spots.

If someone is willing to hold me a spot then great. It's appreciated because sometimes I have to put the coati back in it's cage and switch computers before I can even load the game. But if they want to get a game going quick and have others otw, then that's just the way... the cookie crumbles...

**Kanati** · 12-05-12, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by B-@-n-@-n-@

Might add a mic is HIGHLY recommended in fact it's a must have I think.

It's a nicety. But not a requirement. You just have to stick with your team and do your best.

**Stealthyking** · 12-05-12, 10:36 AM

I havent seen a lobby announcement in ages...Could be because im not in the announcement group anymore for what ever reason? Also, The group is invite only, sooo people cant join it themselves...IMO it SHOULD be an open group....this whole "invite only" thing seems to be what people are pointing out as the core problem over here in the l4d world.

**Adretheon** · 12-05-12, 10:42 AM

It is open isn't? And you haven't sen them cause there is rarely a need. As long as a reg is on most people will follow. I sent one out a week ago for a 3:00 mid day game, but aside from that it's not usually needed.

**a weakling spaz** · 12-05-12, 10:44 AM

Yeah, like with other games, you won't see a notice when it isn't necessary. No one puts up a priming announcement when the CS servers are full, and no one puts up an L4D announcement when they already know there are plenty of people on the way.

**Stealthyking** · 12-05-12, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Adretheon

It is open isn't? And you haven't sen them cause there is rarely a need. As long as a reg is on most people will follow. I sent one out a week ago for a 3:00 mid day game, but aside from that it's not usually needed.

From the link thats posted up there it says "Membership by Invite only" I wonder why that was changed, i recall it being open, and i def remember being apart of it, but its not on my list anymore.

Also, i will say this, a few things said in this post could be worded differently and or taken out completely, in light of the thread that was just posted literally a day ago. the whole maturity comment, Come on, lets be real here, thats unnecessary.