I've played this game since 2017: over 3000 (ranked+unranked) by now. (Yes, mostly gap and for the gap-hater: you can judge all you want, but man) I've had lots and lots of fun. (I've even made Youtube-videos about FAF, because I had time ;-).) In the process I've met superb people who liked to teamplay and loved to hunt for the next crazy strategy to win a game. Many of which - sadly - seem to have left already.
For the last year it has become harder. Although the game has improved significantly on many fronts, the playerbase is not:
- Many players of mixed nationalities seem to have left? Most gaps are hosted and played by a certain nationality (which I will not judge, because that is not my point here). My point is that because of the language barrier its hard to communicate, or there seems to be no communication at all. It has become a kind of one-nationality party for many gap-games.
- In the gap-games which mixed nationalities still reside, there is kind of a tribe mentality, that if your part of 'the gang', "if your a real dog" (yes You who kicked me last game, I'm talking to you) you get precidence, no matter how long you have been waiting in a game.
- Then there are the gap-players that just do their own thing (yes, there was always the oddball here and there, but its become worse it seems) no matter what you ask, no matter how you beg for teamplay to finish a game well. By finishing well I mean losing and still being able to say "that was a good game". I get that feeling, and that respect for the winner, less and less.
This means that playing this game has become more frustrating then fun and its time to go. I'll be leaving some players whom I respect, who I feel authentically like the gameplay, the teamwork, the effort to "finish well". Players such as HOSCHMOSCH thank you. It has been a blast. See you in the next 'game'.
PS1: The first comment will probably be a non-gap player saying "if you wouldn't play gap, you wouldn't have this problem, and partly I agree. I have tried to get used to match maker etc. (a thing that is really really cool imho) BUT when I do want to play, there doesn't seem enough players to actually fill a game. For that reason I'm moving on to games with bigger playerbases.
PS2: "Why don't you just silently leave, instead of poisoning this forum with your negative thoughts?" Hey, I'm just pointing out some problems I see which I think are hurting the game. I would leave anyway. Maybe there is someone who is able to do some good with this critique. I'm not trying to disrespect all volunteers who are doing great work keeping FAF alive and way more. A big thank you.