VanillaTF2

Leftism — Although not TF2 related, this issue will affect everyone that will read this site. On November 6th, the Steams User Forums (SPUF) were defaced. Valve originally closed down the forums for unclear “maintenance” issues. The company later learned that the intrusion went much further than just the Steam forums alone as the investigation has revealed the intruders gained access to a number of other pieces of information relating to databases of the Steam client service. A full statement from Gabe Newell can be found after the jump.

It is stressed, however, that private information such as passwords and payment details are stored behind both encryption as well as passwords being hashed and salted – go and wiki/google/<insert preferred search method here> it if you don’t know what that means, I’m no computer security expert by any means. The investigation into Sunday night’s intrusion is still ongoing however there has been no evidence yet that any sensitive information has been cracked. Although account password changes are not being enforced at this moment in time, it is being advised by Valve as “not a bad idea”.

Torden — It’s starting to gain foothold this Ashkan‘ian monkey business. The latest installment features a new height of impressive names on the roster of invited celebrities to play 9v9 TF2, including a soldier showdown between former quakers  Notch (creator of Minecraft), and TF2′s own  Robin Walker. The game is commented by Nvc and Salamancer, with part 1 already racking up half a million views on facetube after a couple of days.

The bros at KritzKast made a dedicated site a while back, with all the details, demos and everything (including the 2 former matches). It’s at TF2mixup.com. Part 1/2: Badwater:

Torden — A major TF2 update tonight reveals a new map in the official map pool, none other than “our own” Gullywash, by  Arnold. Making a Valve supported map is one thing – Making one that would please hardcore Vanilla supporters is something completely different. It’s been a long development time, I’d just like to abuse my site to officially congratulate Arnold on job well done!

Although it is common practice for the latest version of maps to be used over outdated versions, ETF2L admins would like to remind teams that the “_pro” iteration is the only version teams are allowed to use at this moment in time default map, but if both teams agree, _final1 can be used. A decision on whether the latest version shipped in this value update, “cp_gullwash_final1″, will become the default league map will be made in the near future.

Torden — Some valve time ago, the ultra secret Mix-up match #2 saw some of our known competitive heroes duke it out with community members, headlined by devs Robin Walker and Jon Lippincott and Dave Riller – as arranged by Asskan. The demos made their ways to eXtv headquarters and now you’ll be able to watch it in all its Youtube glory, casted by Extine.

Not only did our friends over at Kritzkast document the happening by a post match interview, they even made a supersite including all media and information you would need about it (+ Mix-up match #1). Rumour has it, Ashkan has even cranked it up a Notch with a #3 in the works.

Here’s the first map:

Torden — Thinking about it, it’s a pretty big fish to reel in, or a complex jigsaw puzzle to solve – getting 12 busy people of all kinds of backgrounds and geographical locations and timezones to meet on the same server just a week after the initial tournament.

-But with the safe hands of Ashkan, dedication from contestants, and a bit of luck, the details for the upcoming showmatch are now looking pretty solid. And it goes a little something like this:

TF2′s Finest
Pro’s  TheSucker (medic),   Macisum (demoman)
Valve’s Robin Walker &   Jon Lippincott (soldiers)
Cadred’s Gonzo & Cynical Brit  TotalBiscuit (scouts)

Perhaps to many’s surprise, Brink wound up on top of last week’s cup. Their roster looks like this:

Admirable (medic), 2Easy (demoman)
Morte &  pliXs (soldiers)
Rulah & VokUS (scouts)

Rules: Vanilla + Kritskrieg + Ubersaw + equalizer (+ whatever valve cooks up)
Maps: Granlands + Viaduct decider
Time: 20CEST (11:00 PDT, 14:00 EDT, 19:00 BST)

VanillaTV will of course be covering the event, hopefully with interviews and all the bells and whistles. Expect more details, promos and stuff coming up this week. In the meantime, make sure to spread the word!

a. — In yet another content update for this beloved game, Valve has partnered up with WETA Workshop – a design studio with years of experience under it’s belt (The same guys that did SFX for Lord of the Rings movies) – to release Dr. Grordbort’s Infallible Aether Oscillators themed weapons for Soldier. Yes, in case you also don’t know who the fuck that is, head over here for a confusing explanation. Clearly, partnering up with game developers just isn’t cutting the cheese anymore. The update contains two weapons, a hat and a misc item. There’s also a comic that elaborates on backstory behind the weapons.

Torden — Update: They’ve been working fast, check the TF2blog!

Good news bros, our efforts aren’t going unnoticed by Valve. Here’s a word from
Robin Walker, after a mail I sent him about upcoming events + the ETF2L grand final:

Thanks for dropping me the email, Sivert, and I’m sorry I only got to reading it today, too late to post something to the TF blog about it. In the future, feel free to drop me a line a few days ahead, so we have time to help you!

I’ll get a news post up with the upcoming events you’ve listed. Thanks for sending ‘em my way.

Robin.

So, dear top teams: Do your best to schedule your games in good time, and of course, to show up for them. Speaking of which, a lot of people are interested in your demos. It’s a tiny job (unless you’re a Fisshu with magical computer problems), with grand rewards to those spectating your games. Click “add match media” on the top bar, and make sure to request matchticker rights if you don’t already have them.

A while ago we decided to change rants to a weekend thing. With perfect timing, the Valve’s latest changes to our game spawns reactions of all kinds. Here’s the latest rant (unsigned):

Updates updates and more useless updates!

So this morning, I turn on my computer and see that there’s a new TF2 update. But I’m really non-plussed about any updates nowadays. There was a time when I would frantically find out what was happening but not any more. Updates to me (and to most of you) are just ‘meh’. Looking at the update list, there’s all sorts of crap that Valve have added that we don’t need, especially since they haven’t been explained:

Added ‘The Medi-eval Medic’, ‘The Hibernating Bear’, and ‘The Expert’s Ordnance’ item sets.

Added new weapons: ‘The Claidheamohmor’, ‘The Back Scratcher’, ‘The Boston Basher’, ‘The Fists of Steel’, ‘The Amputator’, ‘The Crusader’s Crossbow’, ‘The Ullapool Caber’, ‘The Loch-n-Load’, ‘The Buffalo Steak Sandvich’, ‘The Brass Beast’, ‘The Warrior’s Spirit’, ‘The Candy Cane’, and ‘The Jag’.

But what the hell are these things? Should we care? Do they only work in the new ‘Medieval Mode’? The only thing that’s certain, unfortunately, is that these weapons and sets, along with the

Added 20 new hats,

is that they will (as usual) decrease your fps, and increase your frustration at anything pub – now theres a new wave of SELLING VINTAGE WEPS FOR WINTER CRATES and BUYING BUFFALO STEAK SANDVICH.

In case you don’t visit TeamFortress.com and have chosen to ignore the conveniently placed RSS link at the right, hold onto your privates as Valve have planned a minor downtime for Team Fortress 2. On November 9th, 2010, beginning 1pm PST (10pm CET) — Backpack, Loadouts, Crafting, Mann-co Store and Trading will be unavailable. The downtime will wrap up by 2:30pm PST (11:30pm CET)

The game itself will continue to work. All players will have their default appearance and weapons.

This downtime will be one of many in the upcoming days as Valve has created an official downtime thread for Team Fortress 2. You can access it here, subscribe to it to receive updates regarding planned maintenance.

- Abhorrence

Ah, the ever generous Valve, churning out content update and fixes like there’s no tomorrow! Well pre-pubescent boys and fat girls in their mid 20s, Valve has released a special Halloween update for Team Fortress 2 — including two custom maps and goody Halloween-exclusive stuff! Put that razor blade away and read on, here are the interesting changes:

• Added TF2Maps.net Art-pass contest winners:

1. Mountain Lab
2. Mann Manor

• Significantly improved engine vertex compression (large reduction in per-model memory usage)

Halloween 2010 Event -

• Mann Manor is haunted by the Horseless Headless Horsemann.
• Random gift drop in Mann Manor.
• 4 new Halloween achievements.
• Added new Halloween hats.
• Added a new Halloween weapon.
• Added Gift Wrapping of gifts to the store.
• Added a health penalty to the Rocket Jumper.
• Added the Sticky Jumper for Demomen to practice jumping.

CP_Coldfront also gets a slight facelift with some tweaks from the creator, Icarus.

A complete changelog can be read here. As always, launch Steam to acquire the update.

- Abhorrence

You can crib over the Mann-Co Update, paid DLC and game changes but there’s no doubt that the inclusion of paid content has made Valve an incredible amount of money. How much money? Well, Valve has revealed the community developers involved were paid a lofty sum ranging from $39,000 to $47,000 for each developer for royalties. The best part is, these cheques are only from the sales that occurred in the past two weeks!

Five Steam community members participated in the initial round of content creation. Rob Laro, Shawn Spetch, Steven Skidmore, Spencer Kern, and Shaylyn Hamm created items for Team Fortress 2 which were then made available to other community members for purchase from the in-game Mann Co. Store. Today they received checks for the first two weeks of sales, with royalties ranging from $39,000 to $47,000 per person.

Hopefully this will inspire many to venture into the developer territory. Who knows, maybe your next creation will be included in the next Team Fortress 2 update.

Full press release can be read here on eXtv. Credit goes to eXtine!

- Abhorrence