2012 is shaping up to be a transformative year for Team Fortress 2. This week, Valve outlined just some of the improvements and additions in store for the long-running multiplayer game, including a new “Meet the Team” entry, Steam blog, and top-secret projects.
“The TF2 team is working on something brand new for 2012. We can't tell you what it is, because they won't tell us, but what they WILL say is that it isn't a hat, it isn't a map, and go away,” said the studio in its latest blog update. “From this we can only conclude that the TF2 team is working on some ungodly hat-map hybrid that you can wear on your head while you run around in it. You heard it here first. Also last, because they just told us it's not that either. But it's really cool.”
Also cool (well, technically “hot”) is the promise of a new “Meet the Team” video for the Pyro, which promises buckets of blood and more insight into his (or her?!) background. In addition, Valve has launched its Steam Workshop Blog, offering a consistent stream of news and updates for the Steam-based modding site that was glimpsed earlier this week in Bethesda's Skyrim Creation Kit preview.
Lastly, Valve hinted at the “imminent unveiling of another secret” which will make its second annual Saxxy Awards bigger and better than before, implying that at least one of the two surprises may have something to do with enhanced content creation tools.
Team Fortress 2 celebrates its 5-year anniversary this October, and its first full year as a free-to-play title in June. Those seems like a good causes for celebration. Also, hats.
