VanillaTF2

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

DISCLAIMER: This is a discussion post. The purpose isn’t to achieve anything, or to insult anyone, it’s just my personal thoughts (naturally not that of anyone else in dignitas etc.) to hopefully provoke some discussion on an otherwise under-discussed topic.

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Ooooh. An update! That’s an interesting release, isn’t it?

Let’s just cover, very quickly, what was released in yesterday’s update (29th Sept, 2010).

• Item store added, where players can purchase TF2 items (with real £ or [where is my euro key] $).
• Trading facility opened up.
• Item sets added, including set bonuses similar to a MMO, such as the scout , 25HP bonus.

What did you think when you first saw this update? I know what I thought: “what the F*C* (capital letters) have they done now?!“.