Only if #TeamFortress2Classic had some sort of future matchmaking, it would throw #TeamFortress2 on its ribs. Potential players could flood in at the appointed times, do raids and generally have fun without overbearing deserted atmosphere.
No, I want this feature RIGHT IN THE GAME, not some cesspool of a Discord server filled with "events". An ability to book your gaming spot on servers and times of choice.
Privacy footprint is small if you don't shove your entire schedule into the thing, so I don't see trouble on that end. Only technicalities and #matchmaking instance that would book the spots or others servers will need to have some tiny bits implemented. A matter of updating and opting in to future matchmaking. I'm definitely not asking all #TF2C servers suddenly have this by default, just those that allow such batches of players.
OK, maaaybe there is an issue of notifying the players. Maybe you wanna make it an "event" in Discord or whatever planning app your friends use.
Then, how about we don't reinvent the wheel and use calendar? There is a file format for describing what is, where and when to come. The game could drop you that to add in your personal calendar. No hassle with bots, no hassle with emails, no proprietary systems with shady unreliability. Just a grassroots planning of your game session with random strangers or buddies on the Internet.
I think this will drastically improve the deserted situation with Team Fortress 2 Classic where players have to roll snowball of entry. Give your players simple tool and they'll grow interested in the online game!
But I also consider that idea of future matchmaking falls apart when players change time and have no means of communicating it with peers. Reissueing ICS (calendar) file is no-op, because by the time it's received it's already late.
Plus it doesn't have to be all about consistency with your personal calendar, it's just a game. It could become a calendar client of its own if that really was necessary. But this adds an overhead of authentication and making sure time periods are kept in sync between people.
For example, in case of Team Fortress 2 Classic, we could emulate event planning via means of Steam. Or could we? Does the game have an access to such API as group DMs? Unless it does, we can't have such feature without hoops. And don't forget how it misses the point of private booking entirely.
All the best parts of #TF2: no cosmetics, no unusuals, no unbalanced weapons, no ranks, no aimbots. It doesn't clog RAM and CPU, has polished settings, lighting, gamemodes, better achievements. Easy #LinuxGaming with #Proton and in-house installer. Not to mention that the game is constantly maintained by Team #Eminoma.
I'm like a teenager again, so much fun playing #TeamFortress2 again, hahaha! :0080: