What is TPF?

TPF is neither a clan nor a strictly controlled group of people. It's a group of TFC players who hold a similar set of views about the game and how to play it. I believe that someone described it as a "commonality" which is particularly apt.

What are these views?

TPF or Team Play First maintains an ethos of trying to play the game in the best way we can, both in terms of skill and the manner with which we play. The group promotes good communication, team play and above all fun whilst also trying to help new players to the game.

It is hoped that new members to TPF share similar views on the game and like to play in an honourable fashion. Everyone has a different code of honour while playing and there is no set of "rules" which must be followed. However there are a number of generally considered things not to do. These are for example not using profane language, not being abusive to other players, not camping the opponents respawns, making sure that you join the outnumbered or losing team when entering a game and not spamming global taunts every kill as well as definitely not killing your team mates intentionally. Overall it's about being courteous to your team, the opposition and all of the players within the game.

I believe that [30+]Entreri-TPF's personal description of what some of these words mean to him provide an extremely good insight into the kind of behaviour that TPF is trying to promote:

Honour - Everyone has their own code of honour, but they should try and hold to that code as closely as possible. Yes, everyone has bad days, but don't let that ruin it for everybody else.

Etiquette - Everyone should know that when they enter a game with a TPF'er, they are going to be treated with respect and dignity no matter what their skill level is and the TPF'er should always try to be courteous.

Helpful - Try and help whenever you can. But feel the situation out first. If they obviously don't want help, be cautious if you decide to offer unwanted advice.

Humble - In my mind, A true TPF'er is humble. If he is an extremely skilled player, that will show through in his game. I think this is where a lot of TPF has got a bad rap from non-TPF'ers. Quite often, they perceive us as being haughty and self-righteous.

Friends - In my short time in TPF (September, 1999) I have made what I believe are some pretty good online friends, some that I correspond with on a daily or weekly basis. The game is so much more enjoyable when you get on a server and see someone you "know". I would gladly be fragged a million times by the entire TPF group than cap a flag or go 112/4 on a public server. (I am not bashing public servers, just saying that playing with fellow TPF'ers is simply more enjoyable)

and probably most of all,

FUN - my most fun games are the ones involving other TPF'ers. On the Rest Home, on the NBK-IGC server, etc. Some of these guys are extremely good at what they do (RDX as engy, 12Pack as demo, Ailbe as medic, RoninX as spy). That makes it that much more challenging and therefore, for me, more fun. I am very competitive at heart, so the way I look at it, RDX's sentry gun will kill me 53 times, but that 54th time? I might just get the flag out of the base. And you know what, that is the best feeling!

This is my vision of TPF. It is not necessarily the views of other TPF'ers, but it is what TPF means to me.

Helping Others?

Many of the members of TPF also try and make a difference to other peoples games on the public servers by helping the newer players and trying to discourage others from antisocial behaviour. This could involve just organizing your teams defenses to stopping your own play and helping a "player" change their name and helping them with some of the basics of the game. There are always going to be people who play TFC who are keen to spoil the game for others but in a great many cases new players will do annoying things without realizing it. After you've killed that newbie spy 5 times for running into your base undisguised it will only take 30 seconds to explain to them the problem and help them play a bit more effectively. Whilst this may sound very moralistic, the aim of many within TPF is not to act as TFC "thought police" but to genuinely try and help those newer to the game.

Do you play in any Leagues/Scrims?

TPF is at heart a non-competitive group. However there are a number of ways you can get involved in TPF style competitive games. There are a number of TPF organised scrims where players will turn up on an arranged server for friendly games together. These are always fast, fun and are a great way of meeting some of the TPF'ers. These scrims are generally publicized on the forum.

There is also a more organized group of players called OP4 that has emerged within TPF.

What is OP4

OP4 or Opposing Force consists of a number of the TPF members and has been created to offer help, advice and training to individuals and clans. OP4 will play against clans on particular maps or within particular scenarios to help a clan to refine its tactics. There is also the chance to get some individual training in a certain class or skill (such as rocket jumping). As a member of OP4 there is the opportunity to play in very competitive games and receive or provide some 1 on 1 training.

Why do you all have TPF in your name?

The actual TPF tag is simply a mechanism of finding each other through game server tools such as Gamespy and Kali. By performing a player search for TPF anyone on-line will be highlighted. It just makes it a whole lot easier to find other TPF'ers.

Where can I find you?

The first mechanism for finding other TPF'ers is to search for the TPF tag from within your Server Browser (Kali/Gamespy). There are also a number of servers that attract a steady flow of TPF members. On these servers you will most often find excellent games with good teamwork and communication.

How can I join?

There are no specific entry requirements to the group or any set levels of competency required. There are members who play for the best TFC clans in Europe across the world and there are people who fit in a couple of hours of play on the public servers a month. TPF is not about ability but about an attitude. All that is asked is that you post your details on the Bios page of the TPF website and preferably post a message on the forum so we all know that you've joined and can introduce our ugly selves. Whilst there is no compulsion to post on the forum it is by far the best way to get to know the TPF community. The forum is an invaluable source of advice and information both on the game, tactics, technical issues and on the provision and use of cough syrup (one of the slightly more esoteric threads).

In Summary

TPF is in many ways an on-line community of people who share an interest.

TPF might not be for everyone's tastes but it has helped me to get better at TFC and has certainly sustained my interest in the game long beyond what it might have done without the guys here. Hang around, grab yourself a cold one and soak up a bit of the atmosphere, maybe play in a TPF scrim here or there. If you like it I'm sure we'd all be glad to have you.

[AD]Duncs-TPF