Those games seem like they're for the hyper competitive types, and that's just not me. Back when I was in high school in the late 90s we would play the original team fortress over the lan in the computer lab. The best part about it for me was trying to come up with funny things to say in the chat.
Same thoughts here - it's like you had to be in it at the very beginning to have any enjoyment - otherwise your first hours in the game are just getting killed over and over again