On August 1st, 2013, I embarked on my first session of Team Fortress 2. The experience was, at first glance, unremarkable. I joined through Quickplay, participated in a few matches, explored Training Mode, completed it, and then returned to play.

However, my discovery of the "Servers" tab marked a pivotal moment. It opened the door to custom maps and community-driven content, which profoundly altered my experience of the game.

I explored a variety of game modes such as Deathrun, Super Zombie Fortress, Surf, and VSH. However, it was the Achievement maps, particularly achievement_turbo_v14, that captured my attention in the early stages. In retrospect, it was an unusual choice, but it possessed a unique charm.

Over time, my preferences evolved. I found myself drawn more to competitive modes, such as Instagib and GunGame, in contrast to the chaotic, casual modes I had initially enjoyed.

During this period, I also acquired The Orange Box for the Xbox 360. While the TF2 experience it provided was rudimentary compared to the PC version, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would likely still appreciate it today.

A year later, I began experimenting with Coaching mode to offer tips and guidance to players. Unfortunately, I was often kicked from servers and never earned the Professor Speks despite my efforts.

Five to six years later…

Unless one has been living in seclusion, it is highly likely that they are familiar with DFS.tf (Dispenz0r’s Fun Server). From 2012 to 2024, DFS was a central pillar of the TF2 community and contributed significantly to the cultural development of the game.

You may wonder, "Why 2019?" That is the year I joined, specifically on May 24, 2019. From that point on, my experience with TF2 would never be the same. The dynamics of DFS defy easy description; it was, in many ways, a surreal experience. It is something that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Without DFS, I would not have encountered a number of games and experiences that have since become important to me. These include A Hat in Time, Deltarune, Dwarf Fortress, and Persona. Moreover, DFS introduced me to various new TF2 game modes: Slender Fortress (where I earned my 100-win Queen Vanessa outfit), PVM (particularly countless hours spent on tm_stadium), and TF2Ware, though I never succeeded in fully completing the badge.

DFS also sparked an interest in construction and custom content creation, which is a hobby that I would later pursue with vigor.

I fully immersed myself in campaigns such as Sinister Fortress and Pumpking’s Putrid Palace. Earning my Haunted Goose was a rewarding accomplishment, and the grind for dfs_jungle was demanding but ultimately fulfilling.

Unfortunately, I never managed to acquire a Snatcher Key, but I took solace in the achievements I did obtain.

At some point, I was introduced to Redsun.tf. Credit for this discovery goes to my friend gobaoscar.

Initially, Redsun was simply a name mentioned in conversation, and I did not immediately engage with it. However, my curiosity eventually led me to explore it further.

DFS was beginning to wind down. Its final event occurred on September 5th, 2023, marking the official shutdown of the server. I participated in this last event, where my character appeared as a green Heavy with a rubber face and a default loadout. It was a fitting sendoff.

Yet, that was not the ultimate conclusion. On April 1st, 2024, DFS returned in a way. The revival wasn’t quite as we remembered it, and the experience felt somewhat disjointed. The server had undergone significant changes and adopted a dystopian theme that introduced a number of familiar yet altered elements. Despite the oddity of the experience, I found myself appreciating its new direction.

Several maps and events later, we were thrust into a time-traveling finale where we sought to prevent the Dystopian from taking over DFS. The event was an exciting conclusion to a chapter that had lasted over a decade.

On the same day, an announcement appeared on the Red Sun Over Paradise Steam group. While it might have seemed like just a coincidence to some, the timing felt far more meaningful to me. It carried a weight that connected these events in a way I couldn’t ignore.

As I reflect on these events now, I see it as part of a larger arc. Although it is no longer what it once was, the memories and the moments spent there remain a defining part of my journey.

As of February 20th, 2026, I have firmly planted myself within arclight.tf and newmoon.tf to continue my long journey. To me, it feels less like a new beginning and more like a natural progression. It is a place where past experiences quietly converge. Rather than chasing nostalgia, I’ve come to value consistency, familiar faces, and a steady sense of belonging.