Here's my very messy notes from the stream:
reiterated: role of MM is to bridge gap b/w pubs and competitive, Valve trying to standardize TF2 in many respects
MM is nowhere close to being released, still testing servers/system
- delay in 6v6 MM happened because people's custom files were causing MM to crash people's games
Beta Plans
- 6v6 to start, 9v9 later on b/c getting that many people/classes is difficult
- b4nny gave away 20 passes, mostly to top Invite players
- plans to rapidly expand beta after holidays
- streamable!
- party feature available (similar to MvM), still buggy though
Customization Options
- DX9 required for MM
- Valve will allow custom HUDs and files as long as they offer no extra advantages (devs directly asked b4nny about this)
- restrictions on some CFG commands
-- Valve reviewing performance configs from actual comp players
-- a lot of unnecessary commands in performance configs, many of them actually don't help
Changes to commands, some restricted
- ragdolls enabled locked
- motion blur being on is a bug - Valve
- no crits/spread ofc
- freezetime locked at beginning
- interp limit right now - b4nny gave feedback that it should be adjustable, Valve will add in built-in option for it (per class hopefully!)
Viewmodels, FOV settings
- 75 (viewmodel FOV) and 90 (in-game FOV) limits right now, in flux
- possibility: transparent viewmodels instead of outright turning off viewmodels
Weapons, Classes
- weapon bans, class limits - none right now (not a priority ATM, focus is on system itself working)
- balance changes like in Tough Break - more incoming, data will be gathered from MM
Map Rotation
- custom maps will not be in queue, but stock versions of maps may be changed
Ranks
- 1 rank per player, rather than per class
- winning gains rank, losing lowers it
- on scoreboard at end - frags, damage, support, rank, change in MMR - possibly more detailed stats in the future
- if you crash, you can reconnect
- there is a low-priority queue if you repeatedly abandon
Server Locations
- confirmed: Virginia, Los Angeles, Seattle
- chooses based on where majority of players are located?
Unanswered Questions
- VAC bans? hackers in MM?
- sprays?
- voice codec update?
- crosshairs?
- essential competitive items (eg Gunboats, Crusader's Crossbow, Boston Basher, etc.) more accessible?
- b4nny mentioned that game breaks down w/o a Medic during his visit to Valve, possible motivation behind some Tough Break class changes?