A question of etiquette

[So Uncivilized]

I have noticed, among other frustrations, that people tend to jump on others fairly quickly for being AFK. Am I missing something in that perhaps there is a standard etiquette in such situations?

TF2 moves extremely quickly. I have gotten up to answer a call of nature between rounds, and missed the whole thing (we're talking number one here people).

Should I disconnect and thus allow someone else to take my 'slot' while I am away, even if it's just for a brief duration? What do you do when your spouse calls, or your kids have a question, or you spill your coffee?

Curious,

SU

[Clay Pigeon]

I'm pretty sure the server autoboots afks as long as they are on a team.

[Dog]

I would suggest you move into Spec mode - stops the gripers and whiners.

[TheCarpe]

My personal rule of thumb is to go Spec whenever I leave the keyboard (unless it's quick enough to grab a drink or something, that I'll be back before respawn or very shortly after). Although, if I imagine it'll be a sizeable amount of time (such as a phone call or a gastrointestinal rumble that cannot and will not be ignored, I'll quit and rejoin. I don't like to go spec for long periods because you still take up a server slot, meaning one team (if the server is full) is going to be down a man that cannot be replaced.

Then again, I have reserve slots and can rejoin at any time. Those without them might find it hard to rejoin, so I would just say use your best judgment. If it won't be long, people probably won't begrudge you sitting in spec a few minutes. Anything more than that though, and people might start clamoring to kick you for the spot.

It's tricky, really. There's no set rules for AFKing and everyone has a different opinion on how long is too long.

[mr_s]

It depends....

Like Carpe said, if its only brief like 2 minutes its ok.

But if you take your sweet time, and there is a player just sitting in respawn, well that ticks many players off.

If its longer than anticipated, just go into spec mode if you are not a supporter.


At least those are my 4 cents.

[ShiftyDevil]

I'm in the same boat as Carpe since I have a reserved slot. So if my mommy calls, or I need to put something in my tummy, I'll quit.

If I feel that it's something I should put myself into spec mode to do, I'll quit and rejoin later.

However, since not everyone has reserved slots what I used to do is, if it takes under a minute I just AFK. If it takes longer and there are open spots, I'll say I'm AFK and do whatever (assuming we're talking a few minutes here).

If the server is full, or the match is really heated and my team does really need me, I'll quit because it's not fair to that other person clicking refresh over and over trying to get in, or to my team mates. (woot for run on sentences with too many commas)

So it's really a player count + game intensity + time AFK for me.

[sbkMulletMan]

The way I see it is, the game will still be there, but phone calls and other people won't be. So answer the phone, especially if it's a Spouse, because I don't know how good the internet connection is in the dog house.

And in the case of every gamer's worst enemy, their own body and it's functions, ruined pants and the cleaning that comes afterwards just aren't worth it. Again, the game will still be there.

I myself had to abandon a very suspenseful and intense final round of Dustbowl just to answer the call of the Dreaded Dookie Demon (remind me to get my head examined later), but I just rejoined later, even if it did take a while. Was still a better choice of soiling my pants in victory...or defeat. I don't know, I never found out how that last battle ended. But at least it didn't end in stinky shame!

As for food, just grab some emergency pop tarts and get back to playin', or hire a personal chef or something if you want something a bit more exquisite for your gaming experience. Candle light however I highly recommend against. Food and Sauces all over your keyboard is one thing, but flames should not be close to computers and other electrical equipment. That's why they don't have fine dining at internet cafes, so know when to choose one over the other.

[Squirrel]

If I respawn and you are still there after three or four times, I kick you.
Same with spec. People are waiting to get in. If you don’t have time to play come back later when you do.

[DeafOfficeWorker]

[quote="Squirrel";p="74962"]If I respawn and you are still there after three or four times, I kick you.
Same with spec. People are waiting to get in. If you don’t have time to play come back later when you do.[/quote]

[mr_s]

[quote="ShiftyDevil";p="74936"]
I I'll quit because it's not fair to that other person clicking refresh over and over trying to get in

[/quote]

AND when you finally get back, that same person that press refresh over and over, gets kicked for taking up a reserved spot!!


Go figure

[OpTik]

[quote="Squirrel";p="74962"]If I respawn and you are still there after three or four times, I kick you.
Same with spec. People are waiting to get in. If you don’t have time to play come back later when you do.[/quote]
exactly.

also, if you know you're gonna step away for a moment(im not talking about grabbing lunch or dropping a deuce) then simply say "AFK" or "BRB" and step into spec, that way if an admin is on he knows whats up and doesn't kick you. it doesn't take long to type 3 letters.

[l3eeron]

I'll gently nudge anyone off the server if they're afk for too long, nothing personal

[spm97]

i have a simply rule - 2 minutes or less, tell team "brb" and just go AFK for 2 minutes.

2-5 minutes - switch to spectator.

Any longer - I will disconnect if the server is full.

Spam

[kookoo275]

[quote="spm97";p="75004"]
i have a simply rule - 2 minutes or less, tell team "brb" and just go AFK for 2 minutes.

2-5 minutes - switch to spectator.

Any longer - I will disconnect if the server is full.

Spam
[/quote]

This is what I do, too... of course, I've not a supporter, so I don't d/c unless I'm gone for more than 8 minutes/a round.
Getting into 24/7 dust is a bitch!