The Passion of the Flag Hold !!! HTF - Now on Planet MoFo!

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The Passion of the Flag Hold !!! HTF - Now on Planet MoFo!

Post by I_Died_Once »

Thats right people. Now playing on Planet MoFo is our new HTF mode of gameplay, featuring the HTF plugin by menotume. It is a little buggy, and doesn't completely work right yet - but the server is set for HTF gameplay. The plugin doesn't keep score correctly, but you will see it makes a valliant effort.

But there is a HTF server out now, its Planet MoFo - and I'll be hosting this mode of play 24/7 (connection withstanding) for two days, maybe more. 'pends.

Look for Planet MoFo: The Passion Of The FLAG HOLD *HTF* on the server list.

Its my red vs blue CTF map... all players go to red.

The flag scheme is the regular Planet MoFo scheme, which, in a nut shell is 1 geno, 5 wings, 1 of each bad flag, and 3 of everything else.

Other plugins loaded include bzfscron (and I'm praying for an update on that one....) airspawn, playerhistoryrtracker, and the ever controversial ShockwaveDeath.

I'm open to suggestions and input, this being my first HTF game, and me not ever playing a HTF game. But I've done what I think I'm supposed to do. I dare y ou all to check it out, and give me some feedback.

Keep in mind its Planet MoFo rules and policies first and foremost. The server is not hosted on a fat T1, but its no secret we have connection issues.

I'm considering giving registered players the ability to /say stuff, since the banishment of the STFU group.

Hollar.
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Post by The Red Baron »

why geno? if its HTF as it was first started and I remember playing. Then geno should kill you as well as everyone else. Sounds like it would just be one heck of an annoyance, and useless.

Speaking from experience. IF you have just 1 player in a HTF match that is more concerned about killing the tanks around him, that ruins that match completely! Ruins it for everyone! I've been in more HTF matches then I can count. and most of them ruined by tankers who don't understand the tactics of it and just think they are there to kill the tanks. Its all about the flag. Nothing else. There is no need for everyone to kill the flag carrier when he has just grabbed the flag and the base is on the other side of the map, let him carry it, do all the work, you kill him and cap the flag. That is how the IDEAL HTF match should be. Everyone escorts the tank, and at the last moment, a huge battle ensues. That would be ideal... but i ramble on...

Point I mean to make is... Don't put geno in, it detracts from the HTF gameplay, pretty much ruins it
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Post by A Meteorite »

How do you exactly play HTF? I was on there and it was absolute chaos.
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Post by Rebel Chik0rita »

/me agrees with TRB

.. perhaps genocide flag in a HTF game is not a good idea .

But thanks IDO for hosting a HTF server ^.^
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Post by temporal distraction »

I played it this evening with about a dozen folks - nobody really knew the rules and all of the new people joining were really confused for a while.

It was mostly a FFA of all red tanks with some people concentrating on killing the flag carrier. GREAT FUN - but my score was negative 290 when I finally quit. hahaha. so maybe players need a separate HTF login (to protect thier regular score record).

I expect the scoring will be added when possible, correct?
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Post by Rebel Chik0rita »

there was another dedicated HTF server (run by Quol) some time ago ..

whenever you joined that server , the server intro. paragraph would briefly explain how to play HTF , an if you needed to know more about it , just type:

/help htf

and there would be a help message explaining all the details on how HTF is played .


usually it doesn't take long for peeps new to HTF to figure out how it's played on their own , but the server help page can make things alil more clear.
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Post by birdie »

RC cola wrote:/me agrees with TRB

.. perhaps genocide flag in a HTF game is not a good idea .

But thanks IDO for hosting a HTF server ^.^
its always a good idea when tk are allowed :)
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Post by I_Died_Once »

The Red Baron wrote:why geno? if its HTF as it was first started and I remember playing. Then geno should kill you as well as everyone else. Sounds like it would just be one heck of an annoyance, and useless.

Speaking from experience. IF you have just 1 player in a HTF match that is more concerned about killing the tanks around him, that ruins that match completely! Ruins it for everyone! I've been in more HTF matches then I can count. and most of them ruined by tankers who don't understand the tactics of it and just think they are there to kill the tanks. Its all about the flag. Nothing else. There is no need for everyone to kill the flag carrier when he has just grabbed the flag and the base is on the other side of the map, let him carry it, do all the work, you kill him and cap the flag. That is how the IDEAL HTF match should be. Everyone escorts the tank, and at the last moment, a huge battle ensues. That would be ideal... but i ramble on...

Point I mean to make is... Don't put geno in, it detracts from the HTF gameplay, pretty much ruins it
I dunno... in such a mode, I would call it the wild card / holy **** flag. I'll see what the consensus is and debate removing the flag.

ANd as far as the help files go - if anyone has a nicely written HTF help file already written, on standby, and ready to go - I dare you go post it, or PM it to me.
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Post by Guest »

Try the HTF league site.
Should be rules there...
http://www.geocities.com/masteryoda_bzflag
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Post by The Red Baron »

the "Rules" section under that site, Are the rules for an "official" Htf match.

This is the point of HTF. Its called "Hold the Flag", "Hate the Flag", or to some people its to "Hell with the flag"

sounds like it was the latter at Pmofo. The style of HTF is simple. There is one flag, and you want to carry it across the map to the other base and capture it. As does everyone else... When the flag is captured, everyone blows up and respawns at the base, and the cycle is repeated.

and who cares about the negative score? its about the flag!
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Post by I_Died_Once »

Planet MoFo is not an official HTF league server, although those guys are more than welcome to have a match there is they wish.

I'm running a HTF game for several reasons. One, a little air of change is a good thing. Two, I wanted to play a HTF game, dammit. I wanted to play a HTF game of my own. Call me silly for it. Three, there is a HTF plugin in development, and a little birdie on my shoulder told me a trick to get it to compile. While the plugin is far from finished, it still provides a degree of functionality. Four, I'd like to see if the HTF style of play with worth a hoot, and maybe spread the game play a little. Think: Awareness

Just because none of the old timer HTF guys have yet to make an appearance, give it time. The game hasn't been up for a full 24 hours yet. Give it some time, and maybe an upgrade or two tp the HTF plugin. Yes, there is a geno flag, but I don't think that means we've said "To hell with the flag"

If anyone wants to draft a help file for HTF, feel free to do so. But I am not going to copy and paste from a website. I'd rather have one drafted by someone with experience in the gameplay, as well as have explicit permission to use written work as my helpfile.

Gah. PLay, have fun... If I need to tweak a setting, post it here.
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Post by Guest »

Try reading the first page of the league site:
HTF (Hold-The-Flag or Hunt-The-Flagholder) is a new style of gameplay for BZflag , where all the players are on the same colored team (e.g. Green tanks , Green Flag). However , the goal of the game is to be the one to capture your team's flag by carrying it to the opposing base . It's the ultimate combination of Free-For-All(FFA) and Capture-The-Flag(CTF) gamestyles . But in HTF , there are no teams .. no teammates ... it's every tank for itself ... which means that everyones' an enemy ... and the flag is always up for grabs . Similar to the bunnyhunt gamestyle , in that whoever is holding the flag should be the main target of all the other tanks . So prepare yourself for the most intensive tank combat ever . Grab the flag quick ... hold onto it tight ... kill all those that get in your way ... carry it as far as possible towards the opposite base.. and score a point by capturing it , if you can . Keep it up , and you may just come out of it as the winner .
That's the jest of it.
  • Everyone joins one colour.
  • The aim of the game is to get your own flag to the enemy base.
  • If you don't have the flag, you shouldconcentrate on getting it, and stopping anyone who does have it.
  • This is not FFA, it's all about the flag.
  • If someone else caps it, you will be a point down to them, the one with the most points/caps wins...
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Post by joevano »

The Red Baron wrote:
The style of HTF is simple. There is one flag, and you want to carry it across the map to the other base and capture it. As does everyone else... When the flag is captured, everyone blows up and respawns at the base, and the cycle is repeated.

and who cares about the negative score? its about the flag!
Might make sense to put this quote in the server message (not that anyone will read it). I was on this morning and no one knew how to play it. This sums it up pretty good...[/b]
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Post by Spazzy McGee »

i'd like to see HTF as a style of play built into bzflag. we could design HTF specific maps.
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Post by The Red Baron »

I_Died_Once wrote:Planet MoFo is not an official HTF league server, although those guys are more than welcome to have a match there is they wish.

I'm running a HTF game for several reasons. One, a little air of change is a good thing. Two, I wanted to play a HTF game, dammit. I wanted to play a HTF game of my own. Call me silly for it. Three, there is a HTF plugin in development, and a little birdie on my shoulder told me a trick to get it to compile. While the plugin is far from finished, it still provides a degree of functionality. Four, I'd like to see if the HTF style of play with worth a hoot, and maybe spread the game play a little. Think: Awareness

Just because none of the old timer HTF guys have yet to make an appearance, give it time. The game hasn't been up for a full 24 hours yet. Give it some time, and maybe an upgrade or two tp the HTF plugin. Yes, there is a geno flag, but I don't think that means we've said "To hell with the flag"

If anyone wants to draft a help file for HTF, feel free to do so. But I am not going to copy and paste from a website. I'd rather have one drafted by someone with experience in the gameplay, as well as have explicit permission to use written work as my helpfile.

Gah. PLay, have fun... If I need to tweak a setting, post it here.
oh lordy no! From reading, it appears I've sent the message, that your server is not, worth playing on, or that HTF is stupid.

HECK NO!

I love htf. Its an objective based gamestyle, that has no teams. Its FFA with an objective other than blowing the life out of everything around you. I Love HTF, its just it is kinda of rare to get a decent game going, due to people thinking that is just another gamestyle where you shoot the thanks. Yay! NOT! it has a point, and if anything, requires less killing then CTF! Because you are all trying to accomplish the same goal. So temporary teamwork is often set up, then broken down. Its a game of trust and betrayal.

Often I'll shoot the players who do NOT have the flag. escorting the flag carrier, only to shoot him at the last moment and take the capture and glory for myself. If people where wise. thats how they would play. Either that or hang out at the base and wait for the flag to be brought to you. ITs not a knock down drag out fight, where the flag has to be fought for every inch of ground, You only need to fight over the flag at the last moment. Its like a procession with a nightmare ending. Everyone quietly drives to the other side, and all hell breaks loose.

When I said it sounded like "to Hell with the Flag" I ment; it was discribing the night at Pmofo as temporal disctration said. Everyone just shot each other, not caring about the flag. To hell with the flag everyone said. And just engaged with killing each other. thats not the point of HTF, but some people get fed up, and make it that, ruining the game for others. Thats why I did not recommend geno.

I say KUDOS to you, for having a HTF server. When HTF first begin there was an attempt to get the devs to integrate it into bzflag. Sadly, it was beat out by "Hunt the Rabbit" You've made that happen. I will play there, but sadly, life has taken more of my time that I would normally play on BZ. Just because the "old timers" haven't played on you server means it crap. But don't throw the baby out with the bath water. They've played HTF alot. Rebel Chikorita started the First official HTF league. Listen to what she says. The old timers can offer sage and sound advice...

Vader: I'll draft a help file. I've had lots of experience in HTF. But my techneological knowledge could be lacking in putting in a proper format. You might have to Cut and paste it into whatever format you need. if I write it, or you want to use what I've written here, That is fine. You have my explicit permission. Heck, i don't need all this, "Help file written by The Red Baron" or "Thanks to The Red Baron for writing this dagum help file for you imbicles :wink: " Just put it up. I don't need props for it. if it helps your server, thats enough for me. I'm just glad to put something back into this game that I"ve enjoyed for so long.
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Post by I_Died_Once »

Thanks for the Clarification, Baron.

Don't worry about formats so much - just draft a two or three sentence blurb that explains it all as briefly, yet as concisely as possible. I'd do it myself, but I'm not the HTF man.

You've played the game, and read a help file, I'm sure. Just keep in mind length. We shouldn't have one that is so long that you have to page up or down to see it all.

Just post it as a quote, or as code. I'll take care of the rest.

We can even make it a "GNU" help file and let anyone else that might want to run a HTF server use it as THEIR helpfile. Or, how about a whole project of help files that everyone can use...
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Post by Hannibal »

yes, the fact that everyone was just randomly killing people there didnt help anything. i tried, but no one it seemed would listen to me.
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Post by The Red Baron »

HTF Help File

Code: Select all

The Object and Goal of HTF is to take the designated Flag, and carry it over to the other base and Capture it.  As will everyone else... When the flag is captured, everyone blows up and respawns at the base, and the cycle is repeated. There are a few rules and guidelines 

The winner of HTF, is not the person with the most kills, but the person with the most captures.

The object is not to Kill as many tanks as posible, that usually ruins the game.  Go for the flag,  kill only those who need to be killed.

Teamwork is encouraged, Example: escort the flag carrier, then kill him at the last moment and take the flag
perhaps not as concise as you thought. Edit and take what you need
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Post by Rebel Chik0rita »

when a HTF scoreboard plugin is up an running on a server , peeple will see that you actually get individual points for capturing the flag . and since every1 is forced into the same team , this will also help peeps understand the whole point to what HTF is (or at least the sharper n00bies will get it ;)


one day , if HTF becomes popular and more peeple understand it , there could be a multiple team HTF gamestyle , with one "superkill flag" that every1 tries to capture .

but until then i'm just hoping that it stays simple so that more new peeple can get acquainted with "classic" HTF first ;)
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Post by MasterYoda »

heh. thanks for making the server. what is the address to the mofo league???


TRB on my home page of the league site it explains what HTF is. thats y its on the home page, its the 1st thing read.
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Post by MasterYoda »

haha i should really read the replies b4 mine. hehe thanks CBG for the clarification.
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Post by Longhair »

Let me just say up front that I fully encourage experimentation with HTF, or any other style of play for that matter. If you don't try it out, how will you ever find out if it's worth anything? Thanks for setting it up!

I had tried a little experiment on my own a few months ago with a public HTF server. As was mentioned above, every noob logging on was totally confused. One thing that I noticed: nobody seems to read the explanatory server message. You practically have to beat the concept into people. Oh well. Perhaps, given time, this will settle down. The new /sendhelp command comes in real handy here.

Here's a crazy idea:

Could we somehow integrate the features of the HTF plugin with the RaceToSeven plugin? It might make refereeing a 24/7 HTF server easier, not to mention the fairness issue that us match players have come across with tiebreakers. If you play to a set score rather than to a set time, there would be no tiebreakers. Some of the Race to Seven features sounded rather awesome.
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Post by I_Died_Once »

Well, here - I edited Baron's help file and came up with this. Does this about sum it up? (edited for length, grammar, and stuff)

Code: Select all

The Object and Goal of HTF is to take the team flag and carry it over to another base and "capture" it. When the flag is captured, everyone blows up and respawns at the base, and the cycle is repeated. The winner of HTF is not the person with the most kills but the person with the most captures. The object is not to kill as many tanks as posible.  Go for the flag,  kill only those who need to be killed. Teamwork is encouraged: escort the flag carrier, then kill him at the last moment and take the flag.
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Post by I_Died_Once »

OK, I would like to thank everyone for stopping by & making the Passion of the Flag Hold a success. I'm pleased to announce that it will be placed in the grand scheme of things, along with my other games & modes of play, along weith our traditional CTF and FFA, our Passion of the Rabbut Hunt, Passion of the Pillbox, and not the Passion of the Flag Hold.

In time, once everyhting gets updated, the ideal plan is to have bzfscron automate matches, as well as tweak the settings and speed thingsup as the match winds down, as well as have a breather between matches. Racetoseven, HTF scoreboard, and everything included. I plan to get ahold of the old school pie in the sky trash talking script, as well as conferance chats via IRC between servers.

I wanna push the game to the limits.
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