Talk:Half-Life 2: Deathmatch

Untitled
This game is too important not to have its own page. I personally know dozens of people who can assist in adding to the article, and there is as much information to be added for this deathmatch game as for any other like Quake, Unreal Tournament, etc. I will start working on adding content here soon. Any help gladly welcomed, as this is the first page I have ever created. Am I allowed to cut and paste parts of what's already written in the HL2 page about HL2DM and move them here? Mario 64 Master 22:20, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Weapons Cleanup
I have (tried) to clean up the weapons table, I hope it is okay. Shougunner 20:07, 25 October 2007 (UTC)

Cleanup
I notice that a lot of new users are attempting to clean up this page - and I think it's a great idea. I've posted many of them welcome messages, and I'd like to propose that if they need any help, they contact me. I'll be watching this talk page, so if anyone needs any help, direction or advice on how to structure the article, do not hesitate to contact me on my talk page. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 19:49, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Weapons
Most of us agree that the weapons section on that separate page is not at all sufficient for the purposes of this article. First of all, there are many many more differences besides just the addition of a couple guns. The damage of every single gun except for a couple is different in deathmatch, for example. Strategies for how the guns should be used are completely different. In general, if somebody is looking to learn information about how guns are in HL2DM specifically, they're going to be wading through an awful lot of both inaccurate and irrelevant material on the other page. (And yes, what we had so far was poorly written as different people were just getting general descriptions up to start, but I was planning on editing and organizing a lot more.) Are you sure it's a better idea to leave a link to the other page and then just start listing massive amounts of notes about differences here? The only other option I see is a considerable overhaul of the guns page to specifically list the various differences in damage, behavior, and strategy for every single gun. Mario 64 Master 22:39, 3 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Remember, we're trying to write an encyclopedic article, not a game guide. Although the other article might be deemed inaccurate, writing a new version here is a waste of space on the page and on Wikimedia servers. Why not just update the list there? It would be easy to just add 'Multiplayer damage - ##' to the end of each paragraph. We're not here to describe strategies - we can quite easily point the reader to a HL2DM strategy website. Many readers aren't going to immediately be bothered about whether one hit by a stunstick does 40 or 45 damage - they just need to keep whacking their opponent on the head until they frickin' die. It's standard practice to link to a main article/list for sections such as weapons in games, and more efficient. We need to give a complete overhaul, but not be fanatical about detail. You could just say, 'Most weapons (with the exception of X, X and X) have their damage modified in the multiplayer game to make it more balanced. See for more detail.' Then add in a sentence to each weapon listing on that separate page describing how the damage/alt-fire etc. differ. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 11:18, 4 January 2007 (UTC)
 * Alright, I have started editing the guns page with a lot of the HL2DM specific information that was missing. Mario 64 Master 22:02, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

The sentence "Damages listed are for shots that make contact with any part of the player model besides the head" seems to not relate to anything on the article. What damages listed? Since my last edit was reverted, I'm loathe to make another without at least trying to understand what's behind the reasons to keep the page in the current mess it's in. Abhorrrence 12:19, 25 May 2007 (UTC)
 * You're right, it doesn't make sense. There was a lot more information on the page that many people worked to add, and then somebody suddnely removed a good portion of it, claiming it was irrelevant.  I don't know enough about Wikipedia standards to know if he's right or if all that information that was collected should still be there.  The reason it's a mess is because a lot was haphazardly discarded without cleaning up after it...  Maybe somebody can check the old version of this page and decide if that information should be put back? Mario 64 Master 23:49, 31 May 2007 (UTC)

Gravity Fighting
Ther's probably another name for it, but I've added the fact that some people just use the gravity gun plus some furniture as a weapon in Special Techniques. Has it already been mentioned, but I couldn't be bothered to read it :P Work hard, Play hard, Drink harder 14:19, 3 June 2007 (UTC)
 * This wouldn't be a special technique, just an alternate gameplay style. Would be more suited to be briefly mentioned in a list of alternate gameplay modes or something. Mario 64 Master 19:02, 5 June 2007 (UTC)
 * But conversly, it is a special technique. I see it was deleted (I'm sad :C ), but I think it could be an article about the style. There are a lot of Gravity Gunners out there.

Free to Half Life 2 Owners?
I have Half Life 2, yet when I go to the Half Life 2 Deathmatch page on Steam, it says I can buy it for $9.95. This article says the game is offered as a free download to all Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One owners. . Is this article incorrect, or am I missing something? It says it is free to all HL2 owners, yet as far as I can see I can't get it for free. --60.240.209.89 11:27, 18 June 2007 (UTC)
 * You must be logged into Steam and have the HL2 key registered to your Steam account. Are you viewing the page in Steam or your web browser? Is HL2DM in your Steam Games list anywhere? Remember to expand all the sections. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 14:44, 18 June 2007 (UTC)
 * On the "my games" tab there is only one section called "Installed" and has only Garry's Mod, Half-Life 2, and Half-Life 2: Lost Coast. They are the only games listed on the "my games" tab. When I go to the "store" tab and go to the Half-Life 2: Deathmatch page, I only have the option to buy the game standalone for $9.95, or in bundles with other games. There is no option anywhere to download it for free. --60.240.10.126 12:10, 21 June 2007 (UTC)
 * There should be another section called 'Not Installed' - the text should be greyed out. If there isn't, close Steam, go to your Steam directory (usually C:\Program Files\Steam) and delete the files ClientRegistry.blob, Steam.dll and SteamUI.dll. Then restart Steam - it'll download new versions of these files, see if that makes any difference. Did you originally install HL2 from a CD or download through Steam? —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 15:17, 21 June 2007 (UTC)
 * There is no "Not Installed" section for me. I tried deleting those files from the directory after closing the application completely, and after it updated the game still did not appear on the games tab at all. I tried going to the product page (via steam) again, and I am still only presented with the option to purchase the game for $9.95. I originally bought and installed HL2 from Steam only a week ago, and it is working fine and I had no trouble downloading or installing it. I then read on this article that Deathmatch is available to all HL2 owners, but steam acts like I have to purchase it. --60.240.10.126 07:11, 22 June 2007 (UTC)
 * Hmm. I can't really help you, I'm afraid. Your best bet is to try the Steam Support site, there may be some answers there. Good luck. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 10:25, 22 June 2007 (UTC)
 * Thanks, i'll check that out. I will report back here if it turns out that the game is no longer free or similar. Thanks for your help. --60.240.10.126 12:40, 22 June 2007 (UTC)
 * Well it turns out that it is not free, so I removed the false claim from the page 60.240.10.126 00:13, 26 June 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm afraid your own personal experience does not give you authority to do that. If you can cite a source that says the majority of owners of HL2 don't have HL2DM, then I'll allow the removal. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 11:59, 26 June 2007 (UTC)
 * I can't cite a source that says the majority of HL2 owners don't have HL2DM, because thats not what the issue is about. It is about the fact that Wikipedia claims that Deathmatch is free to ALL owners of HL2, which is false. According to Steam support forums, Deathmatch comes in various bundles, but owning HL2 does not give you Deathmatch for free unless it came in the bundle. See this topic (http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571451) on steam support. 60.240.207.59 02:07, 27 June 2007 (UTC)
 * *removes silly indentation* Okay, I've updated the article to reflect that. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 17:21, 28 June 2007 (UTC)
 * *removes silly indentation* Okay, I've updated the article to reflect that. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 17:21, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:AR2HL2DM.jpg
Image:AR2HL2DM.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 01:46, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:CrossbowHL2DM.jpg
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BetacommandBot 10:23, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:CrowbarHL2DM.jpg
Image:CrowbarHL2DM.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 10:48, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

Not just free for Radeon cards?
I have an ATI FireGl. I think it's misleading to say all ATI cards with the Radeon name. I was able to redeem the free HL2DM and Lost Coast offer.Dude902 23:46, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:AR2HL2DM.jpg
Image:AR2HL2DM.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

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BetacommandBot 11:32, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:CrowbarHL2DM.jpg
Image:CrowbarHL2DM.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 17:44, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:HL2Combinesoldier.jpg
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BetacommandBot (talk) 18:15, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

The weapons section violates Wikipedia policy
Specifically, the section of WP:NOT that says no game-guide content. Right now the table there gives exact damages and other details, as well as instructions and tips on how to use them. The whole table needs to go, and if the weapons section is to be kept, it needs to give a general overview and no more. Bhamv (talk) 09:39, 23 May 2008 (UTC)
 * It's been two weeks, and no response. Does that mean I can boldly trim the weapons section now? Bhamv (talk) 04:52, 5 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Go ahead - it's a good weapons section for a game guide, but Wikipedia isn't a game guide, so it has to go. Mind leaving a permanent link here to the last revision before your pruning? Thanks. —Vanderdecken∴ ∫ξφ 19:48, 5 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Ok, the trim's done. The link to the last revision is here:   By the way, this means a lot of the images from the original table are now orphaned, so I wouldn't be surprised if they get deleted soon.  Bhamv (talk) 10:47, 6 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Yepp, they're now marked for deletion.   CWii ( Talk  18:31, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

No Servers?
When I try to play Half Life 2: Deathmatch, Steam cant find any servers. Is it just me or is anyone else having this issue? I am connected to the internet and Steam isn't down as it can find GMod and CS:S servers perfectly. Any help?

Resurrected
I brought this article back from a redirect, to get it out of the already too lengthly Half-Life 2 article. If Lost Coast, a single level tech demo, can have it's own featured article, I don't see why Deathmatch can't. Integration with the Half-Life series page is the other option, but I think this article deserves a little more time to grow. --Pyroguy (talk) 23:15, 10 December 2010 (UTC)

Not free anymore
The offer that allows ATI and Nvidia video card owners to download the game for free has now expired, and the article should be changed to reflect this. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.63.227.189 (talk) 06:27, 18 March 2012 (UTC)