I'm a filthy fucking casual gamer.

I run on a small SSD, an i3, and a secondhand monitor with a broken power button. This was the first multiplayer game I played and thoroughly enjoyed since the 1999 Counter Strike. I enjoy the nostalgia gameplay feel: no ADSing and tanky characters. It reminds me a bit vanilla TF2 before hats became a thing.

Before this update I would come home from work, put some music on in the background, and play. I had my graphics set to the best settings that wouldn't dip below 60 FPS. I would play a few hours a day, repair an objective, diffuse some C4, and maybe play a medic for a while. I enjoy being support because I can contribute without being a "good" player. I made Silver 1 in competitive matchmaking. And I've earned enough in game credits to buy the 5 mercs I want each with a bronze loadout of my choice.

I enjoyed being a filthy fucking casual gamer until this update.

Now I play like I have PTSD. First I turned my music down, then I turned it off, then I switched to headphones so I could listen for footsteps. I started messing with my graphics to get the contrast of the shadow to show up better. My support play is nearly destroyed because hanging back from the front lines just makes me a target. I check my flank more often than a buck-sergeant in his second tour of 'Nam.

The people who play him are the worst form of hypocrite. They talk about how broken he-who-shall-not-be-named is, but they play him all the same. These apologists will be the first to state how overpowered he is, as if the acknowledgement of the character's traits will absolve them of their 53-12 record in 6 minutes of objective mode. Play the damn game and don't apologize.

But the hate, oh the hate. The players on both sides will rupture with the most septic insults. I am even starting to hate the voice acting of he-who-shall-not-be-named and his smarmy comments.

This post is not a call to action, nor a request. Its not even necessarily a complaint. I just want someone to listen.

I understand conceptually that he is probably not as OP as I think he is, but he wrecks.my.shit.every.day.