GamesRadar - Team Fortress 2

Saxton Hale's Astonishing Blog Post (News)

Nov 1, 2009

Gamervision writes:
"While checking the message boards of one of my favorite comic artists, Mike Oeming, I came across a post simply entitled "Saxton HALE from Valve :)" wherein I found a link to the TF2Maps forums. I'm not entirely sure I can adequately describe the awesomeness contained therein, so I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves. Beware, what lies beneath is not for the faint of heart, or those of you with weak constitutions. Only the manliest of men should venture forth."

Icrontic: The Saxton Hale Rubber Stamp from TF2 Blog, Made for Real (News)

Sep 29, 2009

Team Fortress 2 fan and Icrontic member Quady the Turnip decided to actually manufacture the "SIGNED BY SAXTON HALE" rubber stamp that was used on TF2 Blog recently.

Team Fortress 2 Action Figures Are Credit To Creator (News)

Sep 9, 2009

Luke Plunkett of Kotaku writes:

"For all Valve's expertise in the software field, the studio has always lagged behind in one crucial area: merchandise. In particular, action figures, and in particular, Team Fortress 2.

Well, Half-Life as well, but people have done that. And it's "people" - not Valve - that are behind these Team Fortress 2 figures.

Sure, they're not what I'd have chosen - the game's exaggerated art style would be better-suited to vinyl figures - but that's what's called nitpicking. These are still awesome."

Valve Releases New Spy & Sniper T-shirts (News)

Jul 17, 2009

Continuing the on-going feud between Team Fortress 2's Spy and Sniper, Valve has decided to split the audience yet again with the release of two brand-new t-shirts for each character.

Valve: expect news about Team Fortress 2 on 360 (News)

Jul 3, 2009

OXM UK: Valve's Doug Lombardi confirmed that the company is still working on Team Fortress 2 content for Xbox 360 and will have "something to announce" before the end of the year.

Team fortress 2 map editing just got a lot easier (News)

Jun 16, 2009

Valve today released an update to theIR Source SDK, and included within were the source files for most of Team Fortress 2's original maps. Translation? It's now a lot easier to edit Team Fortress 2 maps.

Is the Spy the Scout's Father? (News)

May 31, 2009

New TF2 achievements expose the family relation between the Spy and the Scout. Shocking, yet heartwarming.

[TF2 Official Blog] New Unlock System Detailed (News)

May 23, 2009

Erik Johnson of VALVe writes:

"First off, a quick note: We put so much stuff into this update that we didn't manage to cover it all on the internets before the update went live, so we made a special Bonus page. In addition, our merchandising crew had as much fun coming up with Spy & Sniper themed merchandise as we did making the update, so make sure you go and check it all out.

Secondly, we wanted to take a moment to talk about the new item drop system in the update, since we're getting a lot of questions about it."

Team Fortress 2 update has new achievement scheme (News)

May 22, 2009

Are you digging the new Spy and Sniper weapons? What about the new way achievements are being handed out? Not as much fun is it? Valve has completely done away with rewarding players with new weapons by earning achievements instead putting in a much different system.

Team Fortress 2: Sniper Update Day 7 (News)

May 21, 2009

"I, [STATE YOUR NAME], endorse this. What I am about to show you embodies everything I cherish as a person. If I could sum me up in a single webpage, this would be that page. Also, if I die from excitement shortly after clicking this, please put what I am about to show you on my grave."

[Official TF2 Blog] Sniper/Spy Update, Day 5 (News)

May 19, 2009

VALVe "officially" releases the Meet The Spy video and reveals the Spy's new achievements.

[TF2 Official Blog] Day 6 Spy Update Hooray! (News)

May 19, 2009

Stavros Xanthis of VALVe writes:

"Today is Day 6 of Spy Update. Please to pursue this link to Ambassador, a new revolver for Spy. Hooray!"

[TF2 Official Blog] Sniper Update, Day 4 (News)

May 15, 2009

The TF2 Team writes:

"Day 4 of the Sniper update brings us... hold on, that's not...

Holy hell. All those conspiracy theorists on the TF forum couldn't have been right all along, could they? When the Pyro hears about this she'll be inconsolable."

Also note that VALVe has just confirmed that the Pyro is a female.

[Official TF2 Blog] Sniper Update, Day 3 (News)

May 14, 2009

The TF2 Team writes:

"Sniper shows off the latest addition to his arsenal: the Razorback, a beautiful hand-carved tribal shield with a shocking modification."

[Official TF2 Blog] Sniper Update, Day 2 (News)

May 13, 2009

"Day 2 of our Sniper Update is live, this time with a rundown on a new game mode and two new arena maps. Plus a postcard from Sniper, who likes to keep his parents updated on his exciting, legal, not-at-all-a-crazed-gunman job."

[Official TF2 Blog] Clarification of the abilities of the new Huntsman (News)

May 13, 2009

Robin Walker of the Official TF2 Blog writes:

"No, the Huntsman doesn't stun. It pins dead/dying players."

[TF2 Official Blog] New Info On The Sniper Update (News)

May 13, 2009

Robin Walker of the TF2 Official Blog writes:

"The Sniper has been a tricky class to update. In particular, designing an alternative to the Sniper Rifle has been a challenge. To understand why, we need to go back, way back, into the mists of time, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and we started working on TF2. If it helps, you can listen to the Doctor Who Theme while you read."

[Official TF2 Site] First New Sniper Unlock Revealed (News)

May 13, 2009

The TF2 Official Blog states:

"Any experienced sniper will tell you how irritating it is when your targets keep moving around. The question is how to stop these cheaters from wind-sprinting around like they own the place. And the answer is to pin them to a wall. How? With arrows!"

Guns that don’t shoot bullets (Feature)

May 6, 2009

“Guns don’t kill people, bullets do.” But do they have to? Not at all, and in fact, this is all the destructive power you’re going to get out of shooting bullets. ...

Valve Teases Team Fortress 2's Close Range Sniper Update (News)

May 6, 2009

The Team Fortress 2 team isn't quite yet ready to reveal what changes are in store for the game's Sniper class, on deck to receive new unlockables, but it's quite ready to tease those additions.

Thankfully, it doesn't sound like Valve will go ahead with its April Fool's Day plans to add jars of Sniper piss as a weapon, but do something almost as unexpected. Robin Walker writes on the official TF2 blog what the update plans to address with the Sniper class, which may bring the rifleman a little closer to his targets.

New Intel On Upcoming Team Fortress 2 Updates (News)

Apr 3, 2009

Greg Cherlin of the Official Team Fortress 2 Blog writes:

"It's been a couple of weeks since we posted, so we thought it'd be good to do some housekeeping. The next class pack will focus on the Sniper. It's actually shaping up to be the largest TF2 update yet, with multiple new maps and a bunch of gameplay tweaks. In addition, we've got another update in the works that should be done before the Sniper, and that one will include some new content for all classes."

Attached below are videos of skills and feats that were featured in the news update.

Team Fortress 2 updates include new class content, multiple maps (News)

Apr 3, 2009

Valve has released some details on forthcoming updates for their popular FPS Team Fortress 2. New content for all classes along with a specific update focused on the Sniper are discussed, along with the addition of multiple new maps and plenty of gameplay tweaks.

100 reasons fanboys hate shooters (Feature)

Mar 25, 2009

Cue the banjo! It wouldn’t be the Week of Hate without our trademark “100 Reasons” videos. In case you missed it, last year we targeted game platforms. So this year we thought we’d change it up and go after a few popular genres. Up first, the ubiquitous shooter. ...

Play Team Fortress 2 With SCRAWL on March 15th (News)

Mar 8, 2009

SCRAWL: "In a day over a week from now, SCRAWL will be having their first Community Playdate over the events channel on Xbox LIVE. We've decided to put aside the constant playdates of Gears of War and Halo 3 and bring something new in with Team Fortress 2."

Team Fortress 2's Scout Update Unveiled and Dissected (News)

Feb 25, 2009

Team Fortress 2 is currently one of the most popular online first-person shooters out there, largely due to the fact that it has a big user community, a variety of classes from which to choose and, most importantly, enjoys the full support of the Valve team in terms of patches, updates and new content.

[Official TF2 Site] One Updated Map & Another Community Map Revealed (News)

Feb 20, 2009

The TF2 Official Blog has just been updated with the latest on the newest content coming in next week's Scout update!

Official TF2 Blog: New Scout Achievements & Unlockable Revealed (News)

Feb 19, 2009

The TF2 Official Blog has just been updated with the latest on the newest content coming in next week's Scout update!

[Official TF2 Site] Two Community Maps Maps To Be Included In Scout Update (News)

Feb 19, 2009

The official Team Fortress 2 website has been updated with info on the two newest maps to be included with the Scout update: arena_watchtower & cp_junction!

Official TF2 Dev Blog: How Crits Work (News)

Feb 6, 2009

Greg Cherlin of VALVe writes:

"On Tuesday we shipped an update that added a bunch of features / bugfixes / balancing tweaks that came out of the community's feedback. In particular, it made some changes to the underlying TF damage system, and as part of that, it modified the way critical hits are determined. We thought it might be interesting to dig a little into the change, and hopefully give you some insight into our thinking."

Team Fortress 2: Meet the original Scout (News)

Feb 1, 2009

Joystiq writes:

"Hopping into the Way Back Machine reminds us that Team Fortress 2 originally sported a traditional art style. One of the first classes to get a redesign was everyone's favorite Boston southie, the Scout. Although concept artist Dhabih Eng promised to harm people if the original concept art for the Scout was ever released, Valve has nevertheless added the art to its blog. From a military look (as seen above) to a track-suit wearing delivery boy, the Scout has seen his fair share of edits. Those of you interested in the evolution of Team Fortress 2's Scout should check out Valve's blog."

'Very Different' Team Fortress 2 Mode Coming 'Soon' (News)

Jan 22, 2009

ShackNews writes:

"Team Fortress 2 developer Robin Walker has teased a new, "very different" mode will soon be added to the stylistic multiplayer shooter.
...
Walker also revealed that while the team is primarily focusing on bolstering the game's existing classes, it does have a running list of candidates for an entirely new class."

Weekend Deals (News)

Dec 13, 2008

Black Friday may be over but discounts for many things continue, including video games. Below are two great deals for the cheap gamer. Both are great prices for fantastic games. Banjo was already being sold at $40 but has now become a steal at Amazon. Team Fortress 2 is worth the money for hours of enjoyment. Make sure to look around for the best deals as they become even more frequent.

TF2 (PC) update is live. Engineer items now have 3 levels. (News)

Dec 13, 2008

A update for Team Fortress 2 released on December 11, 2008 contains some significant game play changes:

* The Engineer's teleporters can now be upgraded to level three. It will recharge faster the higher level it is
* The Engineer's dispensers can now be upgraded to level three. It will give out metal and heal faster as it is upgraded
* Spies will be able to recharge their cloaking ability by picking up ammo off of the ground or from health cabinets
* Some changes to the second part of the first stage of Goldrush to give the attackers more of an advantage
* Any weapons that fire bullets (shotguns, sniper's machine gun, heavy's minigun, etc.) can now break apart the Demoman's stickybombs
* The icon on the HUD for a person calling for Medic will now give more information to the medic (if the target is low on health, on fire, etc.)
* Added an achievement tracker that will allow people to choose specific achievements that they are trying to get
* There is now a custom icon for death messages when the player was killed from a critical hit
* Added a new particle effect for when a player enters the water
* Added smoke to the feet of a rocket jumping soldier
* Players will now have some particles swirling around them so other players can see when they are overhealed

XBox 360 owners can expect the same gameplay enhancements in the future.

Xbox 360 version of TF2 set to get 'massive' update (News)

Dec 12, 2008

Destructoid writes: "Recently Valve announced that the Xbox 360 version of Team Fortress 2 (packaged in the Orange Box collection) is receiving a "massive" update that will "include pretty much everything" that Valve has "shipped on the PC in the last year." That includes classes, levels, and weapons upgrades that 360 owners haven't been able to touch thus far.

The posting on the official TF2 blog cautions that no date has been confirmed for the content, but we're sure plenty of players are excited about their forgotten console port of the popular multiplayer game. In addition to the Xbox 360 news, the posting also provides information on an abundance of content for the PC version that should roll out "within the next few days."

Players will be able to upgrade Teleporters and Dispensers to level 3, as well as recharge their cloaking ability as a Spy by picking up stray ammo. Valve also informed readers that the next big class pack will feature the Scout. Last, but not least, Valve will be porting some of their engine improvements from Left 4 Dead into TF2 to ensure that players have an easier time building turrets outside of spawn points."

Rumor Killers: November 18 (News)

Nov 18, 2008

Has Square Enix cancelled a Final Fantasy game?

TGR Verdict: Rumor Killed

Is Valve planning to release another class for Team Fortress 2?

TGR Verdict: Rumor Very Likely

Did EA and the NFL Conspire to Ruin the 2K Football Franchise?

TGR Verdict: Rumor Very Likely

Left 4 Dead teases a new Team Fortress 2 class (News)

Nov 15, 2008

Eagle eyed players of the Left 4 Dead demo have discovered some interesting information on the back of cereal boxes in the game. Seems the fake cereal is giving away free Team Fortress 2 action figures and urges people to collect all ten. However, there are only 9 classes in TF2. Could this be Valve's way of hinting at a new class for the game?

Gaming's Most Evil Pranks (Feature)

Oct 16, 2008

You’re not supposed to like griefers. You’re supposed to look down on their childish pranks designed to frustrate and humiliate. You’re supposed to frown at the way they ruin it for everyone else. But we don’t care as long as it’s funny. That’s why we’ve collected some of our favorite game-related pranks of all time. ...

Xbox360 Team Fortress 2 DLC will not be Free (News)

Aug 31, 2008

Gameplanet writes:

"The DLC package will not be free, unfortunately. No price has been finalized yet, but Valve's is aiming for USD$10 or as little as possible.
Still no plans were revealed concerning the PS3 port."

Xbox Live Marketplace Update: Tuesday 26th August 2008 (News)

Aug 26, 2008

Console Monster writes: "With the release of Castle Crashers tomorrow, many of you will be saving your Microsoft Points but thankfully there is some free content to download. Here is the full update for Tuesday 26th August 2008:

Name: Team Fortress 2 - Meet the Sniper Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: TNA iMPACT! Head to Head Trailer #2
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions

Name: Tiger 09 Bay Hill Theme
Price: 150 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox Live Regions..."

Valve: ALL TF2 updates coming to 360, PS3 ignored (News)

Aug 22, 2008

Kotaku:

"Owners of the Xbox 360 version of Team Fortress 2 will be scarfing down sandviches and delivering payloads later this year, as Valve is finally bringing all the updates delivered via Steam to the Xbox Live Marketplace. That means new, class-specific Achievements, new unlockable weapons for the Pyro, Medic and Heavy, new gameplay modes and new maps, all on your Xbox 360."

Valve Teases 'Team Fortress 2' Update On Consoles (News)

Aug 15, 2008

MTV Multiplayer writes: "Do you ever get jealous at the amount of free updates Valve delivers for "Team Fortress 2? on the PC? You might be a console gamer.

Few people would blame you. "Team Fortress 2? has yet to receive a content update - free or otherwise - from Valve. But that doesn't mean they aren't thinking about it.

In response to the recent reveal of new maps, modes and character tweaks for "Team Fortress 2," I asked the studio if console owners could look forward to this, as well.

Valve's answer to MTV Multiplayer is open to interpretation. "[There is] nothing to announce - yet," said Valve vice president of marketing Doug Lombardi."

Mike Seedon's open letter on the EA Orange Box PS3 thing (News)

Jul 28, 2008

Aeropause has received a letter from Mike Seedon on Orange Box PS3. Hit the jump to read through this well written text.

TF2 Trading Cards - Part 3 (News)

Jul 25, 2008

TF2 Official Blog:

"For this week's update, we've got another set of trading card images to take a look at. The focus of our most recent achievement update, the Pyro is a character that players may have seeing a lot of lately - making life a nightmare inferno for both the Spy and Medic."

VALVe: TF2 360 updates for late summer (News)

Jul 13, 2008

Kerry Davis, Software Engineer at VALVe, has replied to gamer texas2cali stating that the Xbox360 version of Team Fortress 2 will be receiving updates late summer. Weapon unlockables will not be part of the update though, "at least not for now" adds Kerry.

The Most Gratuitous Headshots Video Ever (Video)

Jul 3, 2008

The series that pioneered the idea of squad-based online combat finally brings out its second chapter - and it looks different than we expected.

The Most Gratuitous Headshots Video Ever (Feature)

Jul 3, 2008

Two minutes. One video. Fifty-five perforated skulls. ...

Orange Box petition reaches 2,000 signatures (News)

Jun 23, 2008

The Orange Box petition, handled by Mike Seedon, has reached 2,000 signatures. Has the time finally come for Playstation3 gamers to be heard? We sure hope so.

Team Fortress 2 - Meet The Sniper (Video)

Jun 18, 2008

The series that pioneered the idea of squad-based online combat finally brings out its second chapter - and it looks different than we expected.

TF2 Pyro Achievement List Leaks (News)

Jun 18, 2008

A complete list of the 35 new Pyro-specific achievements in Team Fortress 2 was leaked along with their respective images.

Team Fortress 2: "Meet The Sniper" released (News)

Jun 17, 2008

Here it is folks, enjoy!

Pyro unlockables next for Team Fortress (News)

Jun 2, 2008

The Pyro class is next in line to receive an Achievement and unlockables upgrade in Team Fortress 2, Valve has confirmed.

The last class to receive the upgrade goods was the Medic, whom can now receive unlockable weapons for collecting specific Achievements based on its healing abilities.

For example, earn all 36 of the Medic's achievements and you can get your hands on The Ubersaw, "which will take damage done in melee ...

Team Fortress 2 360 DLC Announcement 'Soon' (News)

May 22, 2008

Since its release as part of the Half Life 2: Orange Box last October, the PC version of Team Fortress 2 has a gotten a number of content additions and gameplay improvements, including new achievements and weapons for the Medic class and two new maps: Dustbowl and Gold Rush. The console versions of TF2, however, haven't gotten squat -- until now. Shacknews reports that Valve is planning to bring all of the PC's content updates to the 360 version of TF2.

SCRAWL: Orange Box Petition Reaches 1,000 Signatures (News)

May 18, 2008

SCRAWL writes:

"The petition for The Orange Box on the PLAYSTATION 3 has finally reached over 1,000 signatures. For those of you that are uninformed, a fellow gamer started this petition for those of us who've been ripped off by all the various faults in the PLAYSTATION 3 version."

Note also that the petition website, which has been visited over 4,400 times since it has been launched 4 weeks ago, has been redesigned for the occasion. Here is the link in case you still do not know about it:
http://www.freewebs.com/aat08

EA claiming ownership of TF2 trailers on YouTube (News)

May 6, 2008

On the official STEAM forums, user ajcoll5 reports:

"I just got an email from YouTube today saying that a trailer for Team Fortress 2 has just had ownership claimed and that they are putting ads on my video because thats what the "owner" (EA) wants. I wouldn't care if it was Valve, but EA wasn't the one who developed TF2"

ajcol5 additionally took a screenshot of the mail received:
http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/6805/31819553rl7.png

Hit the jump to keep up to date on the development of this story.

Team Fortress 2 - Meet the Scout Trailer (Video)

Apr 21, 2008

The series that pioneered the idea of squad-based online combat finally brings out its second chapter - and it looks different than we expected.

Team Fortress 2 update "just after" April 15 (News)

Mar 28, 2008

Valve's major update to Team Fortress 2 on PC looks set to hit in the latter half of next month."[We] don't have an exact date yet, but should be just after American tax day (April 15)", the developer's Doug Lombardi told CVG.It's narrowed down - slightly - the 'April' date for the update that we reported on yesterday.Valve's update marks the debut of unlockable weapons for TF2's classes, with the Medic the first to receive the feature. It will ...

Team Fortress DLC Price Is Up To Microsoft And Sony (News)

Mar 14, 2008

Kotaku writes: "Recently, Valve went on record saying that they'd like their upcoming Team Fortress 2 map pack to be free on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but admitted that such a situation might not be possible. Many wondered if this uncertain future was the result of EA meddling or interference from the platform holders themselves.

We contacted Valve to clarify and their VP of marketing Doug Lombardi informed us that, "The platform holder owns the final call." So just as we'd suspected, whether or not we see these maps for free is indeed up to Sony and Microsoft."

The best griefing videos ever (Feature)

Mar 10, 2008

Deliberately trying to ruin someone else's game online is something we can't approve of. But if you do it well enough, it's something we can definitely laugh at. ...

Valve Patches Team Fortress 2 on 360 (News)

Mar 4, 2008

Valve has released a patch for Team Fortress 2 on the Xbox 360. If you haven't seen it already, the next time you fire up the Orange Box's multiplayer fragfest you'll be prompted to install the update.

The update fixes a number of known exploits, changes some game balancing and bandwidth issues, tweaks some menu problems and adds rumble support for TF2's weapons.

Gamers first started reporting they'd downloaded the patch on Saturday, and a Valve rep posted the full details of the update on the Xbox.com forums today.

News from GameTrailer TV's Visit to Valve (News)

Mar 1, 2008

* New plush toys are in the works. TF2 characters will soon be your bedside companions, starting with the Heavy.
* There is presently no Counter-Strike 2, howeverÂ¿
* Â¿if they go ahead and start development on a Counter-Strike 2, they are leaning to taking an approach similar to what was done with TF2. Re-evaluate everything but try to stay close to the heart of Counter-Strike.
* That's not to say that CS2 would match TF2's art style.
* Portal 2 is sort of, kind of confirmed (again).
* Kim Swift wishes to explore more of the Aperture Science labs themselves, to provide more of a look at the building.
* Some very impressive Left 4 Dead footage is being shown
* Gabe states that L4D will greatly appeal to fans of Counter-Strike
* A PS3 version of L4D isn't completely ruled out, and may one day be developed.
* Goldrush for TF2 is looking to be a rather massive map, easily the size of Dustbowl with the same texture style.
* Nothing in development for the Wii and that is something Valve really wants to look at.
* Episode 3 is being worked on, in case there was any doubt.

GT TV Goes to Valve - Counter-Strike 2 Rumors Abound (News)

Feb 29, 2008

A promotional video for an upcoming episode of GameTrailers TV seems to indicate they have some exclusive information about a possible Counter-Strike 2 in the works.

In addition, they'll have new footage of Left 4 Dead, a look at a new map for Team Fortress 2 (presumably it will be Goldrush), and an interview with Gabe Newell.

No word on console TF2 updates (News)

Feb 15, 2008

Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Team Fortress 2 continue to be left in the dark when it comes to content updates for the game. With Valve releasing its "largest update" ever for TF2 on PC yesterday, we dropped the developer a line to find out what the score is with new stuff for the consoles. "We haven't yet announced what's coming to consoles - nor when, how or for how much, etc.," Doug Lombardi told us. But don't doubt that the ...

New TF2 Maps Still Undecided for Consoles (News)

Feb 2, 2008

Clarifying reports made earlier this week, Valve marketing VP Doug Lombardi has told Shacknews that plans to bring new maps and content to the console editions of Team Fortress 2 are still up in the air.

"More Portal for Sure" - Valve + News on Gordon's Whereabouts (News)

Jan 31, 2008

Eurogamer Said: Valve has said it will definitely be making more Portal, confirming plans to add significantly more than just "a bunch of new puzzles".

Speaking to Eurogamer, spokesperson Doug Lombardi said it was less a matter of if and more a matter of what and when.

"There'll be more Portal, for sure. But the details of that, to be honest, we're still working out," he said.

"The only smart thing we did for Portal was to hire those seven kids and give them the support they needed to make the game."

Unsurprisingly Valve is reluctant to be rushed by a release schedule. It's adopting the same policy for Half-Life 2 finale Episode Three.

"Gordon is our number one guy," said Lombardi. "In Episode One I think we left people with some big questions. After Episode Two people saw it was going somewhere.

"With Episode Three we want to live up to the promise of where we are taking things to; there's a lot of work being done to make sure we deliver on that promise."

He added, "Exact details on what's next for Gordon are a way off; probably months not weeks."

Oh Yeah: And CTF_Well For Team Fortress 2 Is Out In A Few Days (News)

Jan 24, 2008

Valve are answering the 'More CTF!' cry in a surprising way.

Their tentative due date is tomorrow - Thursday the 23rd of Jan - but it may slip till next week. It's Well, stripped of its control points, restructured slightly, and transformed into a Capture-The-Intelligence map. Also: it's great.

Revealed: Valve's major TF2 changes (News)

Jan 23, 2008

PC Gamer's got a load of new info on the major changes coming to Team Fortress 2, which Valve teased everyone with earlier this month. Referred to as a 'large-scale modification' by the developer, it turns out it's unlockable weapons that are set to be made available to each of the game's nine classes.

It'll roll out first for the Medic, which will receive two new items, but Valve will then gradually introduce unlocakbles to the remaining class roster.

"These will be alternative versions of their current loadouts that, once unlocked by earning a certain number of achievements, you can pick and choose from on a new 'Loadout' menu", PC Gamer UK explains.

Valve confirms Team Fortress 2 class changes (News)

Jan 16, 2008

CVG is reporting Valve has revealed tweaks in the pipeline for Team Fortress 2 classes in the wake of news that the developer plans "a large scale modification" to the core of the game.

According to Valve's Robin Walker, the Pyro is set to receive an important boost and the developer's tinkering with the Solider too.

"We are indeed investigating Soldier changes, and one of the changes we're trying out is focused on making Soldiers a little more careful firing their rockets at point blank targets. As for the Pyro scoring, we have a minor tweak coming down the pipe. He's going to get a small amount of points for every enemy he ignites."

Earlier this week Valve promised that a "significant gameplay tweak" for the Medic class is on the way too, and that all the game's classes will eventually receive similar treatment.

Valve confirms Team Fortress 2 class changes (News)

Jan 16, 2008

Jan 16, 2008 Valve has revealed tweaks in the pipeline for Team Fortress 2 classes in the wake of news that the developer plans "a large scale modification" to the core of the game. According to Valve's Robin Walker, the Pyro is set to receive an important boost and the developer's tinkering with the Solider too. "We are indeed investigating Soldier changes, and one of the changes we're trying out is focused on making Soldiers a little more careful firing their rockets at point blank ...

New Team Fortress maps shun 360, PS3? (News)

Jan 14, 2008

Jan 14, 2008 Two new Team Fortress 2 maps that are being created by Valve may not be released for Xbox 360 and PS3. ShackNews reports that the developer has told them that the maps are "undecided" for the consoles. But they will definitely release on Team Fortress 2 on PC. One of the new maps remains a mystery, however the other is a remake of Badlands, which players of Team Fortress Classic will be familiar with. Valve additionally expects to ship other TF2 content before the two maps ...

New TF2 Maps, Achievements and 'Large Scale' Gameplay Shift Within 2 Months (News)

Jan 11, 2008

Two new maps for Valve's Team Fortress 2 will hopefully arrive within the next two months, the studio has informed Shacknews.

One of the new arenas is a remake of Team Fortress Classic's Badlands map, with an emphasis on more vertically-oriented gameplay due to the presence of control points on towering spires.

"Our estimate is that both these maps should be out within the next 2 months," Valve employee Robin Walker told Shacknews. "We expect to ship other new content before that."

The Orange Box and 19 Games Available for $75 on Steam (News)

Dec 31, 2007

As if The Orange Box weren't already the best value in gaming, those who have yet to make the $50 plunge can get an even better deal through Valve's Steam service. For a mere $75 gamers can purchase Orange Box and 19 additional titles.

If you already have The Orange Box then you can still get some more Half-Life goodness by downloading the game's main tune, "Still Alive" by Jonathan Coultan at Amazon.com. The entire album is discounted by about $2, available at Amazon for $7.99.

New Team Fortress 2 maps in the pipe (News)

Dec 12, 2007

Dec 12, 2007 Valve Software is set to release new maps for Team Fortress 2, the team-based multiplayer sequel featured in The Orange Box. Shacknews reports that the developer plans to release the maps individually for PC and in a map pack for TF2 on Xbox 360. As yet there's been no mention of the maps releasing for the PS3 version. Quite what the maps are and precisely when they'll be released also has yet to be announced. In related news, a patch for Team Fortress 2 on Xbox 360 that ...

Valve on art style: industry plays it safe (News)

Dec 10, 2007

Dec 10, 2007 Valve's art director on Team Fortress 2 reckons games have a long way to go when it comes to art style. "I think video games are at such infancy in terms of art style, actually developing it. We're dealing with 4000 years, really, of art and conceptual design," Moby Francke told Gamasutra. "For it really not to be utilized, and for the industry to basically dwell in a certain type of genre, which has been around the 1980s up to present time - it's pretty much all they're ...

Orange Box updated to lag-free edition (News)

Oct 29, 2007

Oct 29, 2007 Valve has released its promised Orange Box Xbox 360 patch, which apparently fixes the crippling lag owners have been complaining about since release. The vast majority of complaints stemmed from gamers trying to participate in 6v6 or 8v8 matches, where "connection to host lost" messages become common place. The new patch - which should stream down your internet wire the next time you boot up the game - reduces network bandwidth usage, improves overall game performance and ...

Play Team Fortress 2 with Valve this Friday (News)

Oct 17, 2007

The event kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m. EDT, and Gametab has provided a full list of gamer tags after the break if you want to take part.

Valve Aware of TF2's Xbox Live Lag (News)

Oct 16, 2007

Team Fortress 2, part of Valve's epic The Orange Box compilation that was released last week, is experiencing some serious lag issues on Xbox Live. The vast majority of complaints stem from gamers attempting to participate in more competitive 6v6 or 8v8 matches, where "connection to host lost" messages became common place or gameplay rendered completely unplayable by never ending lag.

Valve realizes things are amiss, however, and told 1UP the studio has already dispatched a title update to Microsoft. Unlike the PC world, patches are not immediate and the hopeful remedy has to make the rounds through Microsoft's certification process and through the Xbox Live pipes. Valve anticipates the title update will arrive in gamers' hands either sometime this weekend or early next week, but no specific date is available.

Team Fortress 2: The Demoman speaks (News)

Oct 10, 2007

Oct 10, 2007 Here we go again. Valve effortlessly displaying its rapier wit and sublime touch for character, with the fourth 'Meet the...' video feature from Team Fortress 2. This time it's the Demoman who's ready for his close up and personal monologue. And reet funny it is too, like. We've been playing The Orange Box all day, from Team Fortress 2's chaotic action to Portal's deliciously atmospheric brainwrangling. This movie just about puts the cherry right on the top of the cake. Speaking ...

Team Fortress 2 (Review)

Oct 9, 2007

Oct 9, 2007 Let's not dwell too much on the original mod for Quake and Half-Life - that was ten years ago, not everyone played it, and TF2 is very obviously aimed at new players as much as old. Worth mentioning, quickly, is that it's got the same nine classes but fewer weapons for each, grenades have been removed entirely (thank God) and, well... look at it. Look what they did to it. The changes might sound like simplification, but like the art style it's more about exaggeration. The Spy used ...

Team Fortress 2 primer (Feature)

Oct 9, 2007

Oct 9, 2007 The Orange Box goes live at 12:00 am Pacific Time on Oct 10, and 8:00 am in the UK. If you're on the beta now, prepare to own some noobs when the great unwashed come flooding in. And if you haven't preordered, you're going to need a headstart. Either way, it's time to brush up on a few of the lesser-known factors in the TF2 ...

Team Fortress 2 (Screenshots)

Oct 9, 2007

TF2 - Friendly Fire Being Removed (News)

Sep 26, 2007

RPS can confirm that friendly fire will indeed be removed from Team Fortress 2 in the update rolling out in a couple of hours.

Lead developer Robin Walker told us that he did indeed email German forum Gamestar to say that the mode was never meant to be left in.

"We shipped it by mistake, as it wasn't something we wanted to be a part of the game. We haven't built the game around having it in, and it just stops it from working," explains Walker. Breaking both the Spy and the Pyro, the TF2 team decided that friendly fire prevented the game from being any fun to play, and it will soon be gone completely.

Team Fortress 2 map tour (News)

Sep 14, 2007

Sept 14, 2007 Team Fortress 2's six maps that will ship with the game are previewed in ye olde news reel style footage that's hit YouTube. On display - 2Fort, Granary, Dustbowl, Well, Hydro and GravelPit. We have it on good authority that these movies are shown before you play the map if you're brand new to the level. To give you a brief tour of the level's layout, like. Anyway, get viewing. Courtesy of ...

Team Fortress 2 amuses us (News)

Sep 12, 2007

Sept 12 2007 Why is it that so many games fail spectacularly to make us laugh? 'Cos they lack witty talent, skilled writing and expert direction, probably - vital virtues that Valve has in spades, illustrated especially well during its recent mirthsome vids for Team Fortress 2, repeated again to good effect in this Engineer introduction. Once more, we have a solid, rounded and appealing character. And a tightly scripted monologue paired with a perfectly chosen voice actor. This softly-spoken ...

Engineer takes point in new TF2 screens (News)

Sep 10, 2007

Sept 10, 2007 One of Team Fortress 2's nine playable classes, Engineer, takes centre stage in new screenshots from the online blaster, along with his trusty deployable sentry gun. The shots actually act as a tease for a forthcoming “Meet the Engineer” trailer from Valve that features the wrench-wielding defence ...

New Team Fortress 2 trailer ramps up the laughs (News)

Aug 24, 2007

Aug 24, 2007 We've got another snippet of footage from Valve's much anticipated Team Fortress 2 that introduces us to our second troop class - The Soldier. Take a gander, and what's immediately apparent that Team Fortress not only has the playful aesthetic of CGI animation, it also shares a similar off-kilter brand of humour. Were not going to ruin it for you, suffice to say it is actually rather smart and wouldn't be too far out of place on an episode of Futurama. It's also a nice little ...

Team Fortress 2 screens tease new trailer (News)

Aug 21, 2007

Aug 20, 2007 This week Valve plans to release a new trailer focusing on Team Fotress 2's rocket launcher-wielding class the Soldier. Presumably we'll get similar trailers for all of the game's classes before TF2 releases. Check out the three screenshots we've uploaded by clicking the Images tab. They provide a sneak glimpse of the forthcoming Soldier movie, although as you'll see two of the screenshots are pretty blurred - a bit of a shame ...

Team Fortress 2 Won't Feature PC-Xbox 360 Interplay (News)

Jun 19, 2007

A couple of months ago, it was reported that cross-platform multiplayer interaction for Team Fortress 2 was achieved at Valve's offices and the developer confirmed that interplay between the PC and Xbox 360 version of the game was "technically done."

Unfortunately, Valve's Doug Lombardi, who revealed that such a cross-platform multiplayer between PC and Xbox 360 was possible, has now confirmed that it won't make it into the final game.

Valve Confirms Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2 & Portal Launch Dates (News)

Jun 15, 2007

Last night, Valve representatives confirmed to Shacknews that the studio's upcoming trio of Source-powered games will ship for all announced platforms on October 9, 2007. The suite, sold at retail and through Valve's Steam download service, will consist of the shooter sequel Half-Life 2: Episode Two, the team-based multiplayer game Team Fortress 2, and the action/puzzle game Portal. Valve is handling development of the games on PC and Xbox 360, with EA UK's Chertsey, Surrey office bringing the titles to PlayStation 3.

Valve's industrial revolution (Feature)

May 18, 2007

Back in 1996, two Microsoft executives quit their spectacularly high-paid jobs, formed a games company and made the best game ever. Twice. They didnt like the way retailers were throttling the industrys creativity, so they cut them out. They did what a lot of mod teams were doing, they hired them. They published any game they liked through their digital distribution network, however commercially risky, and saved several independent developers in the process. Their revolution was so successful ...

Team Fortress 2 - hands-on (Preview)

May 18, 2007

The first surprise, playing Team Fortress 2, is how incredibly bloody it is. Its fantastically good fun, too, but you can pretty much see that just from looking at it. The explosive gore, bony hunks of shredded men and severed heads are more of a shock among these beaming cartoon smiles, but you soon realize theyre entirely necessary. In TF2, things do what they look like they should do. A direct hit from a smoke-belching rocket looks like it ought to rip someone apart, so it does. But ...

PC-Xbox 360 play for TF2 "technically done" (News)

Apr 11, 2007

Valve Software says cross-platform support is in place for Xbox 360-PC play for Team Fortress 2, after revealing it was technically feasible back in March. "Technically it's done," the developer's Doug Lombardi told IGN of Xbox 360-PC play; Valve's Robin Walker then followed up to reassure that controller issues won't be, well, issues, explaining that staffers who worked on the Half-Life series on Xbox are working on TF2 on Xbox 360. "... we did the Xbox port of Half-Life internally, and we ...

Team Fortress 2 cross platform play is done (News)

Apr 11, 2007

Doug Lombardi of Valve has told IGN that PC and Xbox 360 gamers could well be playing against each other when Team Fortress 2 is released for both platforms later this year. "Technically it's done," said Lombardi, although it's not 100% definite that cross-platform play will be included in the final game.

It looks highly unlikely that cross-platform will be possible for PlayStation 3 players though.

Team Fortress 2 - hands-on (Preview)

Apr 6, 2007

For fans of the original game there's an eerie sense of déjà vu when playing the 2Fort map in Team Fortress 2. Even if you'd already been told it was a remade version of the popular Team Fortress Classic map, or realized simply by looking at the map's name, its layout already exists as a semi-familiar strategy map in the back of your mind. There's that central bridge across the moat, treacherous to cross and half-concealing the alternate entrance to the enemy base. There are the ...

Half-Life 2 (Preview)

Apr 3, 2007

Wed like to suggest that with every passing month we get closer to playing the next chapter in one of the best FPS of all time, but like some sort of cruel tease with a delicious chocolate bar on the end of a piece of string, Valve keeps moving the release date for the re-energized Half-Life 2 further and further away, leaving us scampering about like frothing fools. However, despite the slip from last autumn to this spring to this autumn, our over-eager ears are kept pricked up, and theres the ...

Team Fortress 2 could support Vista vs. 360 play (News)

Mar 29, 2007

Valve says there is no technical reason why Team Fortress 2 players on the PC running Windows Vista couldn't play with and against Team Fortress 2 players on the Xbox 360.

"We'd love to, technically from our side, there's no reason why we can't," Robin Walker, designer and engineer at Valve, told GameInformer.

"[I]t really comes down to knowing Microsoft has announced that Shadowrun is going to do that, but they haven't let anyone outside of Microsoft, I mean we don't have an API or anything."

Asked whether fan-made modifications for the PC version could conceivably appear on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 as downloadable content, Walker said, "From our perspective, we'd like to do it all.

"We'd love to have the Xbox and PC play together, and technically, from our side, there's no technical reason why you can't - the engine is the same, the network they use is the same."

"It really comes down to negotiations with Microsoft," he added.

Valve: Team Fortress 2 could have Vista-360 play (News)

Mar 29, 2007

There's no technical reason why Team Fortress 2 couldn't allow PC players and Xbox 360 players to play against each other, says developer Valve. "We'd love to, technically from our side, there's no reason why we can't," said Valve's Robin Walker, designer and engineer on TF2, speaking to Game Informer. "It really comes down to knowing Microsoft has announced that Shadowrun is going to do that, but they haven't let anyone outside of Microsoft, I mean we don't have [the necessary development ...

New Team Fortress 2 details (News)

Mar 24, 2007

A trickle of tantalizing new information on Valve's almost decade-long delayed Team Fortress 2 has been revealed in German gaming magazine PC Action.

A translation over at the Halflife2.net forums provides a summary of article, which includes details on TF2's new gameplay modes, maps, weapons, and classes - not to mention somewhat down to earth comments on the competiton's class structures by Valve's Robin Walker himself.

Of noteworthy mention however was the possibility of cross platform multiplayer between the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of TF2.

In short, while technically feasible, Valve is still uncertain whether it will make it into the final game - possibly even being up to the likes of Microsoft and Sony to get the wheels in motion for it to happen in the first place.

TF2 brings out the big guns - new art (News)

Feb 27, 2007

Alright so there's no screenshots to offer but Valve has given us two pieces of fresh concept art from Team Fortress 2, which is enough to keep us quiet until we get up close and personal with the game at GDC next week. In case you're wondering, the two pieces of art show the different levels of the sentry gun, which for you TF rookies out there is constructed by the wrench-wielding engineer ...

Valve Provides Update on Team Fortress 2 (News)

Feb 12, 2007

Following the announcement of The Black Box and The Orange Box release date and content, Valve Software has provided an update on the status of Team Fortress 2, the long-anticipated sequel to Team Fortress Classic, a team and class based multiplayer first-person shooter.

Breaking into Team Fortress 2 (News)

Sep 1, 2006

Team Fortress 2 fans have been waiting forever for their team-based messiah to arrive - and by golly, we really do believe it will finally appear early next year. The latest evidence is a fresh video, which gives a fun showcase to six of the nine classes in TF2 and their unique skills. Hit the Movies tab above to check it out. Team Fortress 2 will be bundled along with Half-Life 2: Episode Two and the first-person puzzler Portal when it launches early next year. Three games, one release, and ...