TF2lobby has long gone and replaced by TF2Centre - although the quality of play is still the same there are decent lobbies as hosts can limit players from joining unless they meet a set criteria (hours played, lobbies played in, etc).
I think TF2 has moved on from IRC in the form of
http://tf2pickup.net/ - the quality of players is really strong and participants are forced to use use mumble and even communicate.
People move on from games - I understand that which is why I don't see neither what you or abda's words as a dick move, Lt. Personally, I stay for the people - I personally have my doubts about this matchmaking system: What format it's going to be, class limits, whitelists, etc. There's also some, granted troll-like, suggestions that Valve will put up matchmaking tickets (think similar to the MvM Mann Up tickets) as some believe all Valve see TF2 for now is a cash-cow.
TF2's comp scene feels a little at a cross roads with 6s and Highlander being considered the primary formats - both with advantages and disadvantages but both have very toxic elitism against the other.
TF2, I think, doesn't need competitive matchmaking - the community has built support etc without Valve's help. What TF2 does need is Valve backed competitions and more promotion from the company other than a blog post (that they basically copy/paste from e-mails the league sends them anyway).
I'll see what Valve has to offer as there was more than just the matchmaking anyway (such as Stream list in game, etc) Valve have told us they're going to add.
Total Members: 304
