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TF2 medal designs (favourite/least favourite)
1
#1
0 Frags +

I do a lot of concept art, consultation, or outsourcing for people who want medals done for their TF2 events - whether it's for charity streams, contests, or tournaments. Medals as an incentive to offer people to get them interested in their event, or offer a reward for participation that isn't (just) a cut of a prize pot, was what arguably caught casual and competitive players' interest back in the day, when competitive TF2 was still in growth. Now, mostly every tournament, leagues, competition, or charity event will almost always offer medals, and I think it's pretty cool.

https://i.imgur.com/MEWhOY3.png

This post wasn't made to talk about what worth medals really have to offer when money > medals, or things like optimization issues / gradual disinterest due to oversaturation of medals. This post also isn't to talk about how to change medals' functionality to be more worth it (e.g. what if medals' equip region was Action slot instead of a cosmetic? What if we could pick what medal we wanted to show off when people hit tab, like CS:GO?). This also wasn't a post made to talk about how you'd like medals to expand being offered monetarily beyond just charity events - which as of this day is a strict rule, and only once was this rule ever made exception for.

All of the above are valid issues for discussion but I honestly just want to know what medals in TF2 you guys like (if you care about medals) after the new ETF2L medal backlash a while back. Which medals have you liked the most? Likewise, which medal designs do you think are just not good? How much do you care about how a medal looks, and do you think design is important for attracting players to a competition/event, or getting them to return?

https://i.imgur.com/61jPmCl.png

Some background stuff for shit like "this medal is literally the same model with the same skin it's lazy": as time has passed on, Valve has shifted their guidelines: it's now preferred to have one model / multiple textures for tiers rather than different models per tier, but you're still allowed to do the latter. If you're a league or regular tournament, you're encouraged to recycle your medals that were already added into the game. If you're only annual / not running events constantly throughout the year e.g. charity events, you get more wiggle room on adding new medals per year. Also, the highest limit you can go for modeled tris is 1400, which means sometimes you gotta cut back on details.

I do a lot of concept art, consultation, or outsourcing for people who want medals done for their TF2 events - whether it's for charity streams, contests, or tournaments. Medals as an incentive to offer people to get them interested in their event, or offer a reward for participation that isn't (just) a cut of a prize pot, was what arguably caught casual and competitive players' interest back in the day, when competitive TF2 was still in growth. Now, mostly every tournament, leagues, competition, or charity event will almost always offer medals, and I think it's pretty cool.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/MEWhOY3.png[/img]

This post wasn't made to talk about what worth medals really have to offer when money > medals, or things like optimization issues / gradual disinterest due to oversaturation of medals. This post also isn't to talk about how to change medals' functionality to be more worth it (e.g. what if medals' equip region was Action slot instead of a cosmetic? What if we could pick what medal we wanted to show off when people hit tab, like CS:GO?). This also wasn't a post made to talk about how you'd like medals to expand being offered monetarily beyond just charity events - which as of this day is a strict rule, and only once was this rule ever made exception for.

All of the above are valid issues for discussion but I honestly just want to know [b]what medals in TF2 you guys like[/b] (if you care about medals) after the new ETF2L medal backlash a while back. Which medals have you liked the most? Likewise, which medal designs do you think are just not good? How much do you care about how a medal looks, and do you think design is important for attracting players to a competition/event, or getting them to return?

[img]https://i.imgur.com/61jPmCl.png[/img]

Some background stuff for shit like "this medal is literally the same model with the same skin it's lazy": as time has passed on, Valve has shifted their guidelines: it's now preferred to have one model / multiple textures for tiers rather than different models per tier, but you're still allowed to do the latter. If you're a league or regular tournament, you're encouraged to recycle your medals that were already added into the game. If you're only annual / not running events constantly throughout the year e.g. charity events, you get more wiggle room on adding new medals per year. Also, the highest limit you can go for modeled tris is 1400, which means sometimes you gotta cut back on details.
2
#2
3 Frags +

from the images you sent the hugs.tf medal seems to have a less detailed model which leads me to think its the ugliest
ozf summer cup by far the coolest one

from the images you sent the hugs.tf medal seems to have a less detailed model which leads me to think its the ugliest
ozf summer cup by far the coolest one
3
#3
8 Frags +

rewind 2 medals are really awesome

rewind 2 medals are really awesome
4
#4
10 Frags +

AsiaFortress medals in general. They're so good. Plus these AFLAN medal concepts:

https://twitter.com/xanwee/status/1029942835108147201?s=19

AsiaFortress medals in general. They're so good. Plus these AFLAN medal concepts:

[url=https://twitter.com/xanwee/status/1029942835108147201?s=19]https://twitter.com/xanwee/status/1029942835108147201?s=19[/url]
5
#5
8 Frags +

All Chapelaria medals are insane

All Chapelaria medals are insane
6
#6
8 Frags +
skatesthe hugs.tf medal seems to have a less detailed model which leads me to think its the ugliest

I actually really like the hugs.tf medal - primarily because the heart's design is meant to be two halves of a heart hugging, which was what one of the coordinators had pitched to me prior to me making the drafts of the 2017 medal concept. That being said it's not easy to pick up on and I can understand if it's very plain or doesn't look as outstanding as others though.

concordeAsiaFortress medals in general. They're so good.

Seconding AF medals. The AsiaFortress medals probably have my favourite medal designs. I do think Ruskeydoo's cobra and wolf/lion? models are smoother than iridescentFUZZ's dragon/phoenix which look less polished but I still really like the designs. Chapelaria's medals are also really nice and I like how they incorporated TF2 elements.

LBTF2's S9 Brazil-shaped medals were always my least favourite up until recently. They looked tacky to me and I wasn't a fan of the colours they picked. Now, I really don't like the Newbie Highlander Cup or RGL Prolander Cup medals. I think the designs are boring and the modeling is lacking, but I'm almost certain the modelers have the skill level to improve the designs while staying under the tri limit if given a chance.

[quote=skates]the hugs.tf medal seems to have a less detailed model which leads me to think its the ugliest[/quote] I actually really like the hugs.tf medal - primarily because the heart's design is meant to be two halves of a heart hugging, which was what one of the coordinators had pitched to me prior to me making [url=https://i.imgur.com/ZwEQqKr.png]the drafts of the 2017 medal concept[/url]. That being said it's not easy to pick up on and I can understand if it's very plain or doesn't look as outstanding as others though.

[quote=concorde]AsiaFortress medals in general. They're so good.[/quote]

Seconding AF medals. [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup]The AsiaFortress medals[/url] probably have my favourite medal designs. I do think Ruskeydoo's cobra and wolf/lion? models are smoother than iridescentFUZZ's dragon/phoenix which look less polished but I still really like the designs. Chapelaria's medals are also really nice and I like how they incorporated TF2 elements.

[url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_LBTF2_6v6]LBTF2's S9 Brazil-shaped medals[/url] were always my least favourite up until recently. They looked tacky to me and I wasn't a fan of the colours they picked. Now, I really don't like the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Newbie_Highlander_Cup]Newbie Highlander Cup[/url] or [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_RGL.gg_One_Day_Prolander_Cup]RGL Prolander Cup medals[/url]. I think the designs are boring and the modeling is lacking, but I'm almost certain the modelers have the skill level to improve the designs while staying under the tri limit if given a chance.
7
#7
match.tf
6 Frags +

My hands down all-time faivorites are Chapelaria 6s badges (ones with hats on them). Latest iSeries are nice, along with Essentials.

AsiaFortress Cup medals have something charming in them, 2015 FLAN is just a flan, but oh god, it has jigglebones! It's genuinely hard to tell what exactly makes a good medal.

Valve has definitely reduced the quality control of badges added to the game since some of the recent ones are extremely ugly (I'm sorry if I hurt one's feelings, but something that stands out of the regular badge-pin artstyle really grinds my gears).

I love when there is a nice touch, an idea wrapped into a small pin. Something that maybe represents the purpose or just well-done.

My hands down all-time faivorites are Chapelaria 6s badges (ones with hats on them). Latest iSeries are nice, along with Essentials.

AsiaFortress Cup medals have something charming in them, 2015 FLAN is just a flan, but oh god, it has jigglebones! It's genuinely hard to tell what exactly makes a good medal.

Valve has definitely reduced the quality control of badges added to the game since some of the recent ones are extremely ugly (I'm sorry if I hurt one's feelings, but something that stands out of the regular badge-pin artstyle really grinds my gears).

I love when there is a nice touch, an idea wrapped into a small pin. Something that maybe represents the purpose or just well-done.
8
#8
newbie.tf
22 Frags +

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fbPaC3rIjQ0/maxresdefault.jpg

the best no contest

[img]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fbPaC3rIjQ0/maxresdefault.jpg[/img]
the best no contest
9
#9
1 Frags +
tonyhttps://i.ytimg.com/vi/fbPaC3rIjQ0/maxresdefault.jpg
the best no contest

super mario sunshine vibes...

[quote=tony][img]https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fbPaC3rIjQ0/maxresdefault.jpg[/img]
the best no contest[/quote]
super mario sunshine vibes...
10
#10
-1 Frags +

i agree the AFLAN medals are super sick but the normal season asiafortress cup medals look kinda ass tbh

i agree the AFLAN medals are super sick but the normal season asiafortress cup medals look kinda ass tbh
11
#11
13 Frags +

-

-
12
#12
13 Frags +

anything but the new ugc ones

anything but the new ugc ones
13
#13
2 Frags +
AnaThoni really like these http://i.imgur.com/mmynhi9.jpg
[quote=AnaThon]i really like these http://i.imgur.com/mmynhi9.jpg[/quote]
14
#14
5 Frags +

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/865104814170432263/DE9B6E11D5A57C721A8F1441FA6F7E09AD33ABE4/

not quite in taste of a competitive "medal" as such but i like the colour spam on the blap medals

[img]https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/865104814170432263/DE9B6E11D5A57C721A8F1441FA6F7E09AD33ABE4/[/img]

not quite in taste of a competitive "medal" as such but i like the colour spam on the blap medals
15
#15
3 Frags +
AnaThoni really like these http://i.imgur.com/mmynhi9.jpg

that medal is nice but I'm not really a fan of the lower div medals or the copenhagen lan medals

probably my favorite is the DeutschLAN medal or this one

[quote=AnaThon]i really like these http://i.imgur.com/mmynhi9.jpg[/quote]

that medal is nice but I'm not really a fan of the lower div [url=https://i.gyazo.com/343efdb776a7fc4f9e5e0a95f913bc6c.png]medals[/url] or the copenhagen lan [url=https://i.gyazo.com/76304a6d42bcb59940b86ff8d482b06e.png]medals[/url]

probably my favorite is the DeutschLAN [url=https://i.gyazo.com/f7e29501a9a56000465ef3fc091eef9e.png]medal[/url] or this [url=https://i.gyazo.com/ae1264e265e0a703522587376484b528.png]one[/url]
16
#16
9 Frags +

More visual stuff is always nice like the ugc plat ones that shine or the rewind II ones that are relatively bigger because its more noticeable on the player model.

More visual stuff is always nice like the ugc plat ones that shine or the rewind II ones that are relatively bigger because its more noticeable on the player model.
17
#17
1 Frags +

I can agree with Concor. Asiafortress has by far the nicest medal imo. Has a really nice and simple look to it. The finalists medals also look really good, and are very shiny.

I can agree with Concor. Asiafortress has by far the nicest medal imo. Has a really nice and simple look to it. The finalists medals also look really good, and are very shiny.
18
#18
5 Frags +

https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/2/29/Backpack_UGC_Highlander_Season_6_Platinum_First.png

the OGs

[img]https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/2/29/Backpack_UGC_Highlander_Season_6_Platinum_First.png[/img]
the OGs
19
#19
1 Frags +

asiafortress div 3
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/9/92/Backpack_Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup_Division_3_1st_Place.png
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/2/29/Backpack_Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup_Division_3_2nd_Place.png
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/3/31/Backpack_Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup_Division_3_3rd_Place.png

dont really care for medals in them selves but i would LOVE to wear this cute medal on any loadout

asiafortress div 3
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/9/92/Backpack_Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup_Division_3_1st_Place.png
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/2/29/Backpack_Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup_Division_3_2nd_Place.png
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/3/31/Backpack_Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup_Division_3_3rd_Place.png

dont really care for medals in them selves but i would LOVE to wear this cute medal on any loadout
20
#20
-2 Frags +

https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/1/1d/Backpack_UGC_Highlander_Season_8_Platinum_First.png

These UGC S8 medals with roman symbols are the best, classic and very elegant

https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/1/1d/Backpack_UGC_Highlander_Season_8_Platinum_First.png

These UGC S8 medals with roman symbols are the best, classic and very elegant
21
#21
15 Frags +

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/111860808948719217/0A5BBE583C8EECC2922D0FB5E1493D701D79BA2F/

These are my all-time favorites in term of medal design.

[img]https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/111860808948719217/0A5BBE583C8EECC2922D0FB5E1493D701D79BA2F/[/img]

These are my all-time favorites in term of medal design.
22
#22
8 Frags +
uberchain(e.g. what if medals' equip region was Action slot instead of a cosmetic? What if we could pick what medal we wanted to show off when people hit tab, like CS:GO?)

Hey, I've already checked this in november 2016 with Eric, and he said no.

https://i.imgur.com/YZzzNp3.png

200My hands down all-time faivorites are Chapelaria 6s badges (ones with hats on them).

Thanks for the love! :)

Edit: You can check all of our medals here: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1508218120

[quote=uberchain]
(e.g. what if medals' equip region was Action slot instead of a cosmetic? What if we could pick what medal we wanted to show off when people hit tab, like CS:GO?)
[/quote]

Hey, I've already checked this in november 2016 with Eric, and he said no.

https://i.imgur.com/YZzzNp3.png

[quote=200]My hands down all-time faivorites are Chapelaria 6s badges (ones with hats on them). [/quote]

Thanks for the love! :)

Edit: You can check all of our medals here: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1508218120
23
#23
5 Frags +

The ESL participant is the best imo
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Electronic_Sports_League

The ESL participant is the best[url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Electronic_Sports_League][/url] imo
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Electronic_Sports_League
24
#24
0 Frags +
2002015 FLAN is just a flan, but oh god, it has jigglebones!

Oh yes, I remember Ruskey telling me about the polarizing/IMO perfect 2016 FLAN medal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GUMduW7R3g

In general, some of the charity/non-competitive contest medals like the Random Acts of TF2, Rally Call 2018, Jump Jam, or Winter Wonderland medals (shoutout to the Special Snowflake for cheekiness, and the Charitable Heart for inclusive pride subtlety) are pretty fun.

gemmnot quite in taste of a competitive "medal" as such but i like the colour spam on the blap medals

I remember when the 2018 ones were posted to Twitter this year and somebody got mad about why they had to go and break TF2's art style with the rainbow shit - when it's literally three Valve games all combined together into one and we have medals, let alone items, made by even Valve that already broke the style.

StatsThe ESL participant is the best imo
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Electronic_Sports_League

I have similar feelings about the Rally Call 2016 Participant/Helper medal, but it's because I think blue and white go really nicely together, which are also colours present on ESL's participant medal.

[quote=200]2015 FLAN is just a flan, but oh god, it has jigglebones![/quote] Oh yes, I remember Ruskey telling me about the polarizing/IMO perfect 2016 FLAN medal.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GUMduW7R3g[/youtube]

In general, some of the charity/non-competitive contest medals like the Random Acts of TF2, Rally Call 2018, Jump Jam, or Winter Wonderland medals (shoutout to the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Special_Snowflake]Special Snowflake[/url] for cheekiness, and the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/TF2Maps_Charitable_Heart]Charitable Heart[/url] for inclusive pride subtlety) are pretty fun.

[quote=gemm]not quite in taste of a competitive "medal" as such but i like the colour spam on the blap medals[/quote]I remember when the 2018 ones were posted to Twitter this year and somebody got mad about why they had to go and break TF2's art style with the rainbow shit - when it's literally three Valve games all combined together into one and we have medals, let alone items, made by even Valve that already broke the style.

[quote=Stats]The ESL participant is the best[url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Electronic_Sports_League][/url] imo
https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Electronic_Sports_League[/quote] I have similar feelings about the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Rally_Call_Charity_Tournament]Rally Call 2016 Participant/Helper meda[/url]l, but it's because I think blue and white go really nicely together, which are also colours present on ESL's participant medal.
25
#25
6 Frags +

They're a bit noisy but I can't help but love the Chapelaria Ultiduo medals. The AsiaFortress medals- I gotta say I LOVE them. Simple colors but the modeling, idea for the symbols (cardinal animals? Yes please), and the use of strategically placed contrast are a big win.

Also perhaps I'm biased but big ups to SediSocks who simplified my pin design and took my enamel pin concept and turned it into a medal.

http://jasbutts.com/projects/gallery/TOTH-pin-2017.jpg

https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/e/e5/Steamworkshop_tf2_jaunty_globetrotter_thumb.jpg

Least favorite is probably the Copenhagen Games medals. The concept isn't bad but it suffers from the model being way too flat and having a lot of detail that relies on the texture alone to make out. Especially when viewed at such a small scale it all muddles together.

They're a bit noisy but I can't help but love the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Chapelaria_Ultiduo]Chapelaria Ultiduo medals[/url]. [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_AsiaFortress_Cup]The AsiaFortress medals[/url]- I gotta say I LOVE them. Simple colors but the modeling, idea for the symbols (cardinal animals? Yes please), and the use of strategically placed contrast are a big win.

Also perhaps I'm biased but big ups to SediSocks who simplified my pin design and took my enamel pin concept and [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Jaunty_Globetrotter]turned it into a medal[/url].

[img]http://jasbutts.com/projects/gallery/TOTH-pin-2017.jpg[/img]

[img]https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/e/e5/Steamworkshop_tf2_jaunty_globetrotter_thumb.jpg[/img]



Least favorite is probably the [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Tournament_Medal_-_Copenhagen_Games]Copenhagen Games medals[/url]. The concept isn't bad but it suffers from the model being way too flat and having a lot of detail that relies on the texture alone to make out. Especially when viewed at such a small scale it all muddles together.
26
#26
1 Frags +

The TF2Maps Ray of Sunshine medal is my favorite due to the incorporation of color.

Least favorite is probably some of the ugc medals, personally im a big fan of medals having stuff like a ribbon and a clear medallion, I find some of the ones that are look more like pins kind of just look insignificant in game. Traditional medal styles (like most ETF2L ones from previous seasons) have always just been more appealing to me ingame.

The TF2Maps Ray of Sunshine medal is my favorite due to the incorporation of color.

Least favorite is probably some of the ugc medals, personally im a big fan of medals having stuff like a ribbon and a clear medallion, I find some of the ones that are look more like pins kind of just look insignificant in game. Traditional medal styles (like most ETF2L ones from previous seasons) have always just been more appealing to me ingame.
27
#27
3 Frags +

I gotta admit even tho they are not the most shiny or whatever this one is my favorite. I guess they just make me a bit nostalgic remembering when I started playing and saw people wearing this medal, and it made me want to have it too...

Those are also very beautiful, and if you have jigglebones enabled the small blades will rotate like a saw when you move, I think it's pretty nice

I gotta admit even tho they are not the most shiny or whatever [url=https://wiki.teamfortress.com/w/images/a/a9/Backpack_Tournament_Medal_-_FBTF_Cup_6v6_1st_Place.png]this one[/url] is my favorite. I guess they just make me a bit nostalgic remembering when I started playing and saw people wearing this medal, and it made me want to have it too...

[url=https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/941704820304144452/39919EC07FD0B2ADE2057A5793AF4362030DA04E/?interpolation=lanczos-none&output-format=jpeg&output-quality=95&fit=inside%7C637%3A358&composite-to=*,*%7C637%3A358&background-color=black]Those[/url] are also very beautiful, and if you have jigglebones enabled the small blades will rotate like a saw when you move, I think it's pretty nice
28
#28
25 Frags +

least favorite: the bacon strips

https://i.imgur.com/o7jZE6L.png

least favorite: the bacon strips
[img]https://i.imgur.com/o7jZE6L.png[/img]
29
#29
2 Frags +
NickzzzzzikaThose are also very beautiful, and if you have jigglebones enabled the small blades will rotate like a saw when you move, I think it's pretty nice

Jigglebones :)

Edit: And they are paintable.

[quote=Nickzzzzzika][url=https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/941704820304144452/39919EC07FD0B2ADE2057A5793AF4362030DA04E/?interpolation=lanczos-none&output-format=jpeg&output-quality=95&fit=inside%7C637%3A358&composite-to=*,*%7C637%3A358&background-color=black]Those[/url] are also very beautiful, and if you have jigglebones enabled the small blades will rotate like a saw when you move, I think it's pretty nice[/quote]

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vPRjiLLGR4]Jigglebones[/url] :)

Edit: And they are paintable.
30
#30
4 Frags +

yo uhhhhh anyone wanna make an asia fortress team?

yo uhhhhh anyone wanna make an asia fortress team?
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