<a href="http://media.steampowered.com/steam/news/9825/Demo_and_Pyro_2.jpg"><img src="http://media.steampowered.com/steam/news/9825/Demo_and_Pyro_2_mast.jpg" width="100%" border="0"></a>

Hey, Scout superfans! Scout here. Some doll-makin' company called NECA told us they were gonna make action figures based on the <i>best, most popular team member in TF2.</i> Well, I just opened the box they sent us, and not to tell NECA their business, but MAN these two dolls do not look <a href="http://media.steampowered.com/steam/news/9825/Demo2_RGB.jpg">anything</a> <a href="http://media.steampowered.com/steam/news/9825/pyro2_RGB.jpg">like me</a>.

Don't get me wrong, logically they GOTTA be ME. Right? I just dunno why they didn't start with my traditional outfit, or at the very least Scuba Scout or Kung Fu Fortress Scout or whatever. I guess they're tryin' the most obscure variants first to whet your appetite for the good ol' Classic version.

Still, the way I see it, <a href="http://store.valvesoftware.com/product.php?i=FTF202">Chubby Firefighter Scout</a> and for some reason <a href="http://store.valvesoftware.com/product.php?i=FTF204">One-Eyed Black Scout</a> are better than no Scout at all. So be sure to hit up your favorite retail establishments (Toys 'R' Us, FYE and Hastings) or online (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/NECA-Series-Fortress-Deluxe-Action/dp/B009V0NS2C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359421725&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and the <a href="http://store.valvesoftware.com/index.php?t=2&g=7" target="_blank">Valve Store</a>) because these odd-lookin' Scout dolls are gonna sell like odd-lookin' hotcakes.

<b><i>—Scout</i></b>

Hey, Scout superfans! Scout here. Some doll-makin' company called NECA told us they were gonna make action figures based on the best, most popular team member in TF2. Well, I just opened the box they sent us, and not to tell NECA their business, but MAN these two dolls do not look anything like me.

Don't get me wrong, logically they GOTTA be ME. Right? I just dunno why they didn't start with my traditional outfit, or at the very least Scuba Scout or Kung Fu Fortress Scout or whatever. I guess they're tryin' the most obscure variants first to whet your appetite for the good ol' Classic version.

Still, the way I see it, Chubby Firefighter Scout and for some reason One-Eyed Black Scout are better than no Scout at all. So be sure to hit up your favorite retail establishments (Toys 'R' Us, FYE and Hastings) or online (Amazon and the Valve Store) because these odd-lookin' Scout dolls are gonna sell like odd-lookin' hotcakes.

—Scout

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 client crash during demo playback
  

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)

• Fixed a bug that was preventing some crashes from being reported
  
• Fixed the chat window not accepting characters for some languages
  

Team Fortress 2

• Added raw mouse input for the Linux version
  
• Fixed missing text in the recipe descriptions for The Rescue Ranger, The Loose Cannon, and The Vaccinator
  
• Updated the equip_region setting for The Bootie Time
  
• Updated The Menpo to be paintable
  
• Updated The Last Straw to be paintable
  
• Updated The Digit Divulger with new styles
  
• Updated The Rescue Ranger so it can be used as an ingredient when crafting
  
• Updated the localization files
  
• Updated the Item Import Tool
  • Improved UI layout
    
  • Added support for facial animations
    
  • Fixed skins sticking after a different DMX was loaded
    
  • Added support for LOD testing
    
  • Hats will automatically add an Unusual attachment point to bip_head
• Vintage-quality items and Botkiller items that are otherwise tradable can now be listed on the Steam Community Market
  

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 The Robo-Sandvich, The Festive Sandvich, The Festive Buff Banner, and The Festive Huntsman to the list of items allowed in Medieval mode
  
• The Prize Plushy can now get assists in Pyrovision
  
• Fixed a server crash caused by players bleeding to death
  
• Fixed spectator bots picking up the bomb in Mann Vs. Machine
  
• Fixed The Bazaar Bargain counting crit-boosted body-shots as headshots
  
• Fixed The Festive Holy Mackerel using the wrong sounds
  
• Fixed Strange Buff Banner and Strange Sandvich not always tracking usage
  
• Fixed seeing the fire texture on The Soldier's Stogie in DirectX 8
  
• Fixed missing style names for The Barnstormer
  
• Fixed the achievement "The Great Deflate" not counting certain Balloonicorn and Reindoonicorn items
  
• Updated paint effects for The Hot Dogger, The Salty Dog, The Counterfeit Billycock, and The Cold Killer
  
• Updated the localization files
  

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=9714"><img src="http://media.steampowered.com/steam/news/9714/saxlettermayo.png" width="100%" border="0"></a>

A letter from Saxton Hale has been posted to the TF2 blog. <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=9714">Click here</a> to read it.

A letter from Saxton Hale has been posted to the TF2 blog. Click here to read 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 new promo items
  
• Mann Vs. Machine
  • Fixed clients being able to issue mp_tournament_restart, tournament_readystate, and tournament_teamname commands
    
  • Fixed an exploit that allowed players to stun a mini-boss
    
  • Updated mvm_bigrock with some new func_nobuild areas
• Fixed a regression where minicrits were being affected by long-range damage fall-off
  
• Fixed a client crash related to arrows and bolts
  
• Fixed an exploit where certain player conditions could be used indefinitely
  
• Fixed clients seeing incorrect stats during changelevel
  
• Fixed the Tomislav playing firing sounds when it wasn't firing
  
• Fixed being able to score assists with yourself in certain situations
  
• Fixed being able to cross into enemy spawn rooms using the high-five taunt
  
• Fixed Festive versions of weapons not completing a set when equipped
  
• Fixed a client crash when viewing the Top Sellers tab in the Mann Co. Store
  
• Fixed styles not working properly for The Barnstormer
  
• Updated The Digit Divulger to allow skin to be seen in the knuckles and wrist area
  
• Updated The Cold Killer to add paintability and fix unusual effect placement
  
• Genuine-quality items and festive items that are otherwise tradable can now be listed on the Steam Community Market
  
• Updated the localization files
  

<a href="http://store.tf2.com/?hidecarousel=1&appid=440#cat=1194199205&p=2"><img src="http://media.steampowered.com/steam/news/9661/stamptaunteffect.jpg?t=1356638708" width="100%" border="0"></a>

Though we think we’ve done a good job rewarding community contributors who make cosmetics and weapons, we could definitely do more for TF’s diligent, underappreciated map makers. With that in mind, we’re trying two new approaches to the problem.

<b>Map Stamp Improvements</b>

After taunting in a community map that you’ve contributed to, you now leave behind a trail of large stamps. The more you contribute, the longer the trail!

We’re now also tracking hours played in each map. In the “Maps” section of the in-game Mann Co. Store, you can see how many hours you’ve played each community map and how many times you’ve contributed to it. Plus, occasionally, on check out, you’ll be gently reminded that it might be nice to add a stamp to your cart for a map that you’ve played frequently but haven’t contributed much to. After you’ve seen this reminder once, you can have it show other map stamp suggestions by checking the “Support Community Map Mapers” box near the “check out” button.

<b>Map-Specific Strange Filters</b>

Sold in the store, these new filters let you set your strange weapons to only track events on specific community maps. For instance, if you only care about kills on “Yukon”, you can change the filter on your shotgun to just capture that. When filtering stats for a weapon, you’ll also get a custom rank modifier. So, in the aforementioned “Yukon” example, you’d now have a “Strange Canadian Shotgun”. The goal is to give players who really like specific community maps a way to both track their stats on those maps and broadcast their interest even when they’re playing on other levels.

Note that in both cases, 100% of the revenue (minus net taxes) goes to the contributor, so let’s get out there and support our map makers!

Though we think we’ve done a good job rewarding community contributors who make cosmetics and weapons, we could definitely do more for TF’s diligent, underappreciated map makers. With that in mind, we’re trying two new approaches to the problem.

Map Stamp Improvements

After taunting in a community map that you’ve contributed to, you now leave behind a trail of large stamps. The more you contribute, the longer the trail!

We’re now also tracking hours played in each map. In the “Maps” section of the in-game Mann Co. Store, you can see how many hours you’ve played each community map and how many times you’ve contributed to it. Plus, occasionally, on check out, you’ll be gently reminded that it might be nice to add a stamp to your cart for a map that you’ve played frequently but haven’t contributed much to. After you’ve seen this reminder once, you can have it show other map stamp suggestions by checking the “Support Community Map Mapers” box near the “check out” button.

Map-Specific Strange Filters

Sold in the store, these new filters let you set your strange weapons to only track events on specific community maps. For instance, if you only care about kills on “Yukon”, you can change the filter on your shotgun to just capture that. When filtering stats for a weapon, you’ll also get a custom rank modifier. So, in the aforementioned “Yukon” example, you’d now have a “Strange Canadian Shotgun”. The goal is to give players who really like specific community maps a way to both track their stats on those maps and broadcast their interest even when they’re playing on other levels.

Note that in both cases, 100% of the revenue (minus net taxes) goes to the contributor, so let’s get out there and support our map makers!