Team Fortress 2 News

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Added support for VR mode on OSX
• Fixed a bad material on the HDMI Patch
• Fixed a server crash on changelevel when the Replay system has been initialized but is not currently running
• Fixed the Soldier's grenades being hidden when equipping the Full Metal Drill Hat and the Soldier's Sparkplug
• Removed replay.cfg from depot and added replay_example.cfg to avoid clobbering user’s replay.cfg

When we first launched the Workshop back in 2011, we had no idea what the TF2 community was capable of. As the hats, beards, boots and hairdos started rolling in, we realized there was a huge well of creativity out there. But we didn’t appreciate just how deep those waters ran until the community-made updates started appearing. Now we've finally gotten to the point where we're able to shine a well-deserved spotlight on your efforts, starting with the Robotic Boogaloo Update, which includes 57 new items—the most community items we've ever shipped at once. Currently the items are only available in RoboCrates. RoboCrates will become rare drops after June 3rd.

This update is 100% created by the TF2 community. And when we say everything, we mean everything—the in-game content, the update hub website, the animated short, the comic, even the splash images in the Steam store. Even better, everything you created avoided the classic trap of using other companies’ intellectual property. (Those of you working on a Darth Vader Pyro mask, we've got some bad news for you.) Plus, in a first for the Team Fortress economy, all the creators of the Robotic Boogaloo Update have decided to share the revenue earned from the sale of RoboCrate Keys. That means that everyone involved will be profiting from this update, not just the people making hats.

This doesn't mark the end of Valve-produced TF2 updates, by the way. As far as we’re concerned, there's plenty of room for both to happily co-exist. We're in uncharted territory here, and it's exciting to be exploring it with you. Amazing work, everyone!

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:
Source Engine Changes

• Fixed server CPU spikes caused by compression of string tables and packets.
• Added sv_netspike, sv_netspike_sendtime_ms, and sv_netspike_output convars for investigating server performance
• net_compresspackets_minsize default value increased to 1024. This convar now also determines the threshold to determine when a "fragment" (logical game network message, before being broken up into network packets) is compressed.
• Added vprof_vtrace and vprof_report_oninterval convars, and tweaked vprof_dump_spikes and vprof_dump_oninterval to reduce output

Team Fortress 2

• Added the Robotic Boogaloo community update: http://www.teamfortress.com/roboticboogaloo/
• Fixed a chat exploit that would cause other clients to timeout from dedicated servers
• Updated the Mann Co. Store
  • Added RoboCrate Keys
  • Added A Random RoboKey Gift
  • Added Pile of RoboKey Gifts
  • Backpack Expanders on sale at 80% off
• Updated the localization files

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Added a missing material for the UGC medals
• Added server convars related to investigating server network and CPU utilization:
  • sv_netspike
  • sv_netspike_sendtime_ms
  • sv_netspike_output

Notes missed from yesterday's update:

• Added player avatars to the votekick menu
• Added -insert_search_path command line argument
• Fixed deflected Cow Mangler 5000 projectiles doing full critical damage instead of minicrit damage like other deflected projectiles

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Added UGC Highlander Season 9 and UGC 6vs6 Season 11 medals
• Fixed the Botkiller Sniper Rifle, Rocket Launcher and Spy Knife weapons using incorrect team materials for the arms
• Fixed a bug that allowed level 3 mini-sentries in Mann Vs. Machine mode
• Fixed a problem where underwater explosions would cause graphics corruption
• Fixed an issue with HDR rendering where auto-exposure would vary incorrectly in some areas
• Fixed an issue where objects underwater would not render properly
• Fixed incorrect ellipsizing of text in some cases for the Mac version
• Updated the Phlogistinator to reduce the rate for gaining MMMPH when attacking tanks and robots in Mann Vs. Machine mode
• Updated the Tuxxy tuxedo so it can be crafted
• Updated The Wilson Weave and The Ham Shank so they can be crafted, traded and gift-wrapped
• Updated the console so it can be accessed from the terminal that was used to run the game for the Linux and Mac versions
• Updated the Linux version
  • Fixed triggers never registering as "released" on certain game controllers
  • Fixed clipboard issues on some window managers, most notably KDE
  • Fixed a bug where the map list would be reversed
  • Made loading custom fonts for third party HUDs work on certain fonts

Hey, folks. The next time you launch TF2, Steam is going to perform a one-time conversion process to upgrade to SteamPipe, a new content delivery system that improves the way content is downloaded, updated and stored. (If you've already upgraded, don't worry, it's done.)

The conversion process will only happen once, and then things are gonna get a lot better. But be patient: The conversion probably will take some time. Even on a machine with a fast hard drive, it could take up to 20-30 minutes, during which time it might look like it's hung. But it's not. Don't interrupt it, just please be patient and let it think.

We're sorry to any of you who are getting subjected to a longer-than-expected conversion time. But ultimately, the benefits will be worth a little inconvenience. You'll get faster uninterrupted downloads, quicker boot times and map loads, and easier distribution, installation and management of mods. Read the FAQ for more info, and thanks again for your patience.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Added "Only allow map files" to the possible selections in the download filter option for clients
• Fixed a client crash related to the material system
• Fixed Diamond/Carbonado Botkiller weapons using incorrect team materials for the arms
• Fixed a vphysics regression where some items would travel farther than they should
• Improved performance and stability for the Linux version
• Removed range restrictions from viewmodel_fov_demo
• Updated the Ap-Sap so it can be gift-wrapped and have custom names/descriptions applied to it

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Added a new ConVar cl_first_person_uses_world_model to allow this mode to be used outside of VR mode
• Disabled plug-ins that would allow users to connect to secure game servers even when -insecure is specified on the command line
  • Continued use of such plug-ins will risk your Steam account getting VAC banned
• Added support for unloading the displayed URL when the user closes the info panel
  • Added ConVar sv_motd_unload_on_dismissal to allow server ops to control the default behavior of their MOTD
• Fixed a client crash related to doing a changelevel while firing the Minigun
• Fixed a bug where you could come out of a teleporter facing the wrong way in VR mode
• Fixed a bug with custom fonts not loading for third party HUDs on Linux.
• Improved performance and stability for the Linux version

ETF2L have opened the gates to sign up for their 15th 6v6 Season! New players are encouraged to visit their new player guide for some pointers on navigating the world of competitive play. As an added bonus, there's a trailer available to help promote the new season.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Prevent game servers from opening the MOTD panel more than once if the player connected through matchmaking or quickplay
• Added new promo items
• Fixed a bug where dispensers sapped by a Red-Tape Recorder would continue to heal players
• Fixed buildings destroyed by the Red-Tape Recorder not always displaying a death notice
• Fixed a bug in Mann Vs. Machine related to carrying buildings and using the "Upgrade Buildings" canteen
• Fixed the guitar sound not always playing when taunting with the Neon Annihilator
• Fixed missing cloak effect for the Wanga Prick
• Fixed the Bat Outta Hell using the Red team arms skin while on the Blue team
• Fixed custom cursors in VR mode
• Fixed Hydra input in VR mode
• Improved performance of Linux dedicated server binaries

We don't normally post TF2 cosplay on the blog, for two reasons: 1) We'd quickly turn into a TF2 cosplay site; and 2) Our hearts are shriveled little prunes of hate. But this amazing group of Team Fortress 2 cosplayers at Sakura-Con managed to win even us (and our prune-hearts) over. Any TF2 cosplayer group that can check off Jarate, Ol' Snaggletooth, Pyroland, Scout's Mom, Pink as Hell Paint, The Huntsman, The Eyelander, Merasmus, The Bombinomicon and even Lieutenant Bites has obviously been doing their homework. Awesome work, guys. More pictures here.

You may have heard that Reddit bought Team Fortress 2 today. We can officially confirm that this is in fact the case. So if any Reddit staffers are reading this: Hi, boss! We're working pretty hard over here. Well, back to work.

Okay, the Reddit guys've probably stopped reading by now, so we can be square with you: Reddit only thinks it bought us, because that's what we told them when we met them over the weekend to sign all the legal documents. What they don't know is that when a bird flew into a window during the signing and everybody on the TF2 team got scared and some of us started crying, that was a little something we in the business world call a distraction.

The "bird" that "flew" into the window? Not a bird at all. It was a squirrel launched from a t-shirt cannon by one of our guys across the street. The part where we got "scared"? Daniel Day Lewis-level method acting by the TF2 team. The part where some of us started "crying"? That was because the sound of the squirrel hitting the glass was a lot louder than we thought it would be and was legitimately scary. So technically real, but still under the umbrella of our overall deception.

Once the Reddit guys were thoroughly distracted, we took advantage of them awkwardly trying to avoid eye contact with us and switched the legal documents for new documents. Documents that said we actually secretly bought them. Business.

In celebration of our Reddit purchase, we're going to add some new Reddit-themed items to the game. There's also plenty of neat stuff we're working on and would love to tease. But realistically, because today is the International Day of Foolishness, anything we told you guys would just be met with suspicion. And when have we ever trolled our community? Never, that's when. Okay, maybe that one time.

This Saturday the French community will gather once again at the Futuroscope, in Poitiers, for the 2013 edition of the Gamers Assembly.

Will the team Punchline finally be able to overcome Webone, which appears to be their nemesis, or will a new champion rise?

12 teams… there can be only one winner. The rest will cry some more!

Click here for more info.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Fixed a bug that caused invisible players in the world
• Fixed Engineer bots in Mann Vs. Machine building disposable sentries that upgrade into tiny, red, level 3 sentries
• Added the Ready Steady Pan tournament medal for Season 2
• Fixed the Festive Axtinguisher, The Disciplinary Action, The Wanga Prick, and The Wrap Assassin sometimes floating in the world after death
• Removed the promotion restrictions from Croft's Crest, The Fortune Hunter, and The Tomb Wrapper
• Updated Mvm_Bigrock to fix a hole in the terrain
• Community requests:
  • Added new inputs for the tf_logic_koth entity: SetRedTimer, SetBlueTimer, AddRedTimer, AddBlueTimer
  • Added a "team" field to the teamplay_flag_event game event to identify which flag the event is for

Updates to Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:
Source Engine Changes (TF2, DoD:S, HL2:DM)

• Disabled Java for the in-game web browser

Team Fortress 2

• Added support for running VR mode on the Oculus Rift
• Fixed a server crash related to game stats
• Fixed custom paint not showing in the tool tip when you mouse-over an item in your backpack
• Fixed the Spy not holding sappers correctly in third person
• Fixed a bug where sentries would not rotate to face their target under some circumstances
• Fixed a scoreboard bug where domination count was reduced by 2 when a dominated player left the server
• Fixed the Fists of Steel not reducing damage from ranged weapons that use energy rings
• Fixed the death notice icon for the Eureka Effect
• Fixed the Neon Annihilator sometimes floating in the world after death
• Fixes for strange parts:
  • The Big Earner can no longer accept Long-Distance Kills strange parts
  • The Festive Grenade Launcher can now accept Critical Kills strange parts
  • The Neon Annihilator can now accept Sappers Destroyed strange parts
• Removed some description text from the Manmelter that incorrectly stated its projectiles could not be deflected
• Updated the Blind Justice so it can be equipped with other misc-slot items on the Demoman's face
• Updated the backpack image for the Upgrade to Premium Gift item
• Updated Mann Vs. Machine
  • Fixed the boss health bar sometimes disappearing
  • Fixed the uber Medics in Wave 4 of the Broken Parts mission charging at the incorrect rate
• Updated the localization files

Ever since we saw The Terminator, we've been keeping an eye out for the singularity that will trigger the robot apocalypse. So when Oculus VR contacted us about incorporating its terrifying future technology into TF2, we immediately called the police.

Luckily the Bellevue, WA police commissioner also saw The Terminator, and was able to patiently explain to us that this is nothing like that. So good news! We're adding Virtual Reality mode to TF2, custom-designed to work with Oculus's soon-to-ship Rift dev kits. All you'll have to do to get in on the non-terrifying, Terminator-free future of Team Fortress is pre-order a Rift kit. Once you've got it, add "-vr" to your command line options in Steam to access VR mode. Be sure to post in the forum and tell us what you think about it!

Still scared? Us too. (We accidentally watched The Terminator again in between paragraphs.) Visit the VR How-To Page on the official TF2 Wiki, which is packed with information about this new mode, and depressingly little information about how to stop the naked men that are on their way from the future to kill you.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Unlocked the "What's in the Portal 2 Soundtrack Box?"
• Added new promo Items
• Removed Salvage Crate #40, Crate #49 and Crate #54 from the drop list
• Added Salvage Crate #50, Crate #56, and Crate #57 to the drop list
• Updated the localization files

North American teams take on European teams in this weekend's showmatch hosted by TeamFortressTV. Europe's SNSD will be taking on North American Ginyu Force. Be sure to catch all the action Saturday March 9 at 22:00CET!

Updates to Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:
Source Engine Changes (TF2, DoD:S, HL2:DM)

• Added a new ConVar sb_filter_incompatible_versions. This will default to true and hide servers on the Internet tab that are running incompatible versions.

TF2Maps.net has opened up the voting for their 9th major map contest featuring Mann vs Machine maps from the community. Visit the voting site for all the details and vote for your favourite!