I have finally unlocked the new flamethrower for the Pyro – the Backburner
Hail The Backburner, Hail setting things on fire!
I got this for completing so many achievements with the Pyro, and I have to say: this is the best way for handing out unlocks that anyone has ever thought of. Yeah, thats right, bold. take that and shove it up you’re xp.
Achievements for the Pyro are quite varied, but they generally do one thing brilliantly; they encourage you to play the Pyro like its meant to be played. One is something like ‘Finnish off someone with your shotgun after setting them on fire’. Another is ‘Set 30 enemies on fire from behind’. That’s rewarding you for playing the class in the most effective way. The Pyro is built as a short range ambush character, so setting someone alight from behind, then shotgunning them when they are out of range of your flamethrower works wonderfully.
Other games (MMORPG’S I’m looking at you) reward you more for the time you spend playing, not so much what you do with it. I know thats a little bit of a generalization and an over-statement, but I think it’s pretty much there. Unlocks through achievements, however, are rewarding you for doing things right, and when it’s a team game, well thats a dynamic you want.
