That still doesn't really address the problem of our API keys being blocked when we were starting from scratch. Even if we didn't want to start from scratch, the previous developers that were running under the RGL PUGs label are not allowing us access to any of their work to look at. So while I'm glad other pug sites are finding success using serveme, we are going to use what works in the first place for us and would allow us greater flexibility in the future.

Been across the country for the weekend, so I have been unable to maintain the servers. All 4 should be operational now.

We actually originally going to use the serveme API for integration. However, we discovered that either my API key or IP must've been specifically blacklisted. Other RGL devs' keys seemed to work, but we felt being able to directly handle the servers to insert our custom configs and plugins, along with not needing to add another failure point of interacting with another service, was a better decision. If we were able to 1. access to API, and 2. upload custom plugins, then we'd gladly explore using it.

Back to weekly update #6
NEW:
- It's now random which captain picks first
- Winning a PUG no longer decreases your elo, regardless of other factors
- Volume per-notification can be adjusted
- Increased post-pug voice channel lifetime from 8 to 15 minutes
- There is now a pre-ready option for 10 minutes
-- We plan to add an alert when it expires in the next update, along with being able to customize how long you want your pre-readies to last

FIXES:
- Fixed players getting kicked from servers they are pugging on
- Fixed players not being able to use voice activity when channels are merged
- Fixed missing player stats in queue
- Fixed ineligible player role picks not being shown
- Fixed one of the servers having a 30min config instead of 20min

Forgot to mention this in the big reply post, but this is ready to be pushed in the next update

Will be fixed in next update

(No update, just catching up on replies)

Pre-ready has been in the works and should be ready in the next update.

We don't want to turn a balancing mechanic into something other than balancing. There's already existing elo multipliers depending on number of pugs played as a class, which class you're playing, and your elo relative to the pug.

This is planned to be included within a larger elo update in the future.

Throughout alpha, it was actually pretty difficult to get players to click the sub button in the first place. This might not be the case now with bug fixes and the relocated sub button though.

We've discussed this internally previously and the route we would go is likely to have a separate map testing queue.

We actually do not change or touch your discord alias, nor does the app have permission to change a player's name globally across multiple servers unless you click 'Authorize' on a page like the following that says something like "Access to change your nickname" (which we don't do). We do not store any discord user data permanently except for your discord id. I have never seen this happen, so if/when it does, please DM me or document it somehow so that can get that figured out.

https://i0.wp.com/www.lovattostudio.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/image-000331-1.png?fit=1465%2C933&ssl=1

In the works for a future update, but we're still exploring ways that moderation could not possibly be an issue when it launches.

We initially switched from a hard 30 minute config because players didn't seem satisfied with ties, but we are currently pending testing for a custom plugin (mentioned in #109) that would use midcap for tie breakage after time runs out in a standard 30min config.

There was an incident a few years ago that started a policy of not having any open channels for a long-term general hangout in the RGL discord. The current timeout is 8 minutes after a PUG ends, but can be extended to 15 minutes if that seems more reasonable.

We will make it so that you can adjust volume per-alert in the next update.
Our goal isn't to replicate another website, and some things that seem simple may be either more complicated or not our current priority, Totally open to answering questions and discussing/clarifying though!

They should resume this coming Sunday, since the bulk of my moving is complete (see #102).

Weekly update #5
ADDED:
- New customization/options menu
- Added log out button to options menu
- Soundpacks are now available if you don't love the soothing voice of Gilbert Gottfried
-- Also includes each of the 9 classes, vibraphone, and Thurston Waffles. More will be added over time.
- Desktop notifications are now available
FIXED:
- Being subbed out now included in progressive ban length
- Servers now have an extra safe guard against being chosen for a new PUG if it's being used in a current PUG
- Reconnected notification no longer shows when never disconnected

Smaller weekly update #4
- Fixed auth login stuff
- Increased post-pug voice time to deletion from 5min to 8min
- Fixed premature channel deletion before moving all of blu to red's voice
- Successfully moved the 2 Dallas servers to Chicago

Due to feedback from the community about b4nny config taking too long to play, we are currently working on reverting it back to the scrim config and adding a rule to break ties through who caps mid at the 30min.

Not going to quote everyone, but we have plans to customize your experience, including different voice packs (feel free to send me ideas). A chat system is also currently in the works that would allow for easy moderation and cross-chat between discord and site. I am also working on distinguishing 6s and HL more as well.

We are likely going to implement an "XP" system separate from elo, similar to what faceit had iirc.

Weekly update #3 is now live!
Note that updates may not always release on Sundays over the next month since I'm in the process of moving.

ADDED:
- Added active PUGs count to sidebar
- Elo adjustments now show as alerts
- Added score to active PUG cards
- Added 2 more dedicated servers to reach a total of 4
- Changed 6s cp config from scrim to "b4nny" config (now that we have enough servers where hogging one isn't a huge issue)
- Increased PUG auto-kill timeout from 60min to 100min to adjust for potential overtime
- Increased ready up time from 45sec to 60sec
- Increased player pick time from 45sec to 55sec
- Added check if user is discord verified during login
- Added discord voice channel called 'MOVE TO TEAM' that will automatically move you to your team voice channel upon joining
- Increased channel deletion delay from 1min to 5min or whenever all players leave
- Blu team will be moved to red team's voice channel after 30 seconds
FIXES:
- Fixed PUGs not showing on profiles for red players
- Fixed default member card avatars on 404s
- Fixed blu scores not properly updating
- Fixed lobby falsely saying there are enough players
- Fixed valid lobby not starting upon 2nd captain toggle
- Fixed previous map vote display persisting
- Fixed browser interaction popup not showing
- Adjusted class breakdown grid padding on profile
- Refined pug baiting criteria
- Changed authentication session system (please let me know if this breaks anything for you)
- Allowed donovin to captain

The weekly update #2 - The "ARE YOU SURE?" update - is live!
(Apologies for the delayed weekly update, as I wanted to make sure everything was good to go instead of rushing anything.)

NEW:
- Moved substitute player button from player card menu to a dedicated button
- Added required reason for substitution
- Reverted minimum sub votes to 3 to sub a player
- Added sub status to player card
- Added PUG bait warning when removing from class/captain in Ready-Up stage
-- If a PUG does not start, any players that leave after readying will be restricted from captain or banned. These get progressively longer.
- Added 2nd dedicated server, currently adding 3rd as well

FIXED:
- Captains should now properly be assigned to the top 2 elo players
- Alert sounds should now properly play provided page interaction
- Elos should now properly update if you have no elo upon login
- Servers should now properly upload to demos.tf

Thank you once again to everyone that has been testing and providing feedback!

You're definitely right that we need to add more servers. Thankfully I think we've found a good candidate for a server host after the spree of unreliable ones (major nationwide server outages tonight didn't help with this). I'll likely be adding more from them this week after confirming with those who played on them.

The #1 weekly beta update is now live!
NEW:
- Captains are now decided by top two elos
- Lobbies now accurately display that it's waiting for 2 captains, not more players
- Made elo a bit more visible on readied players
- Switching classes/teams is now blocked in HL pugs. We are still internally deciding off-class rules/guidelines for 6s.
- Fixed some more site crashes
From previous updates this week:
- Fixed bug that caused servers to stutter
- Fixed minimum captain elo acting as a maximum
- Fixed servers not properly being marked as used
- Fixed killed pugs affecting elos. This previously gave some users negative elo when the pug was not played.
- Increased minimum elo for captained pugs

We also now have a dedicated Chicago PUG server!

Thank you to everyone that has tested beta so far, please continue reporting any bugs/feedback!

We will likely not be running PUGs until item servers are back up, but rest assured we are making great progress with fixing all the bugs!

Due to nfo server [issues] and site issues, PUG are currently on hold. We are working as fast as we can and will keep you updated, expect a fix by the ~10th after we do thorough internal testing and confirm things are actually working.