Whenever I attempt to start a game, everybody's team goes from random (or their chosen team) to the - signifying no team. If I don't cancel the countdown and have everybody pick a team for a second time, the game becomes a free-for-all. Why does this happen? How can I prevent it so that I don't have to cancel every countdown?

Hi,

Use 1.5 patch instead of 1.4

I'm already using 1.5

This would usually happen when you change a critical game setting after the players have chosen their teams.

Try the following:

Start a game in single player with the exact same settings you would be using for your multiplayer game play. Then exit the game and host a multiplayer game. The settings should be pre-saved now (I mean the map, pop, game speed etc). Now do not make any changes to these settings after the players have chosen their teams.

P.S: Also make sure you do not change the map as well after the players have chosen their teams. This may also have a direct impact on the team selection.

Good luck.