Back when we launched the Propaganda contest, we originally figured it'd be a cakewalk to judge. You might not know this, as it's a well-kept industry secret, but normally with giveaway tie-in contests for video games, you get about 10 entries. Seven of these are virulently racist. The other two are pornography. The last one, regardless of its quality, wins by default.

However, the recession must be a lot worse than we thought, because apparently all of you are unemployed and have nothing better to do than spend real hours drawing incredibly time-consuming art for virtual prizes. No joke: as of contest's end last night, we have <strong>in excess of 11,000 entries</strong>—and almost every one of them deserves to be framed on the wall of one of Gabe Newell's castles.

In fact, while we've managed to wade through your mountain of entries carefully enough to select a first, second and third place winner below, we're nowhere near through categorizing our many favorites, and we've got plenty more prizes to give away. So just because you don't see your entry below, don't assume you haven't won anything. (Still, with 11,000 entries, don't bet against it, either.)

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3253">See the winners here!</a>

Back when we launched the Propaganda contest, we originally figured it'd be a cakewalk to judge. You might not know this, as it's a well-kept industry secret, but normally with giveaway tie-in contests for video games, you get about 10 entries. Seven of these are virulently racist. The other two are pornography. The last one, regardless of its quality, wins by default.

However, the recession must be a lot worse than we thought, because apparently all of you are unemployed and have nothing better to do than spend real hours drawing incredibly time-consuming art for virtual prizes. No joke: as of contest's end last night, we have in excess of 11,000 entries—and almost every one of them deserves to be framed on the wall of one of Gabe Newell's castles.

In fact, while we've managed to wade through your mountain of entries carefully enough to select a first, second and third place winner below, we're nowhere near through categorizing our many favorites, and we've got plenty more prizes to give away. So just because you don't see your entry below, don't assume you haven't won anything. (Still, with 11,000 entries, don't bet against it, either.)

See the winners here!

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/part5/index.htm" class="standardLink"><img src="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/war_part5.jpg" width="420" height="350" border="0"></a>

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/soldierupdate/" class="standardLink">Soldiers</a> continue to hold the lead in the war—but like an M&M lodged up their collective noses, the <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/demomanupdate/" class="standardLink">Demoman</a> refuses to melt away quietly. In other M&M-Stuck-Up-Drew-Wolf's-Nose metaphor news, the Soldier's lead remains thin as a candy coating. In fact, judging from our most recent numbers (4923531 Soldiers killed to 5056134 Demomen killed), the Demo actually seems to be closing the gap as the War hurtles to a close.

For all you conscientious objectors to the war, you can still make some postwar memories to tell your grandchildren, because Team Fortress 2 is having another free weekend starting Thursday night as soon as the update goes live (though you can start <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/440/" class="standardLink">preloading</a> now).

As for all you soldiers fighting the good fight in the trenches, only to find the Demo-controlled media back home painting you as incompetent monsters, this <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/" class="standardLink">update's for you</a>.

Soldiers continue to hold the lead in the war—but like an M&M lodged up their collective noses, the Demoman refuses to melt away quietly. In other M&M-Stuck-Up-Drew-Wolf's-Nose metaphor news, the Soldier's lead remains thin as a candy coating. In fact, judging from our most recent numbers (4923531 Soldiers killed to 5056134 Demomen killed), the Demo actually seems to be closing the gap as the War hurtles to a close.

For all you conscientious objectors to the war, you can still make some postwar memories to tell your grandchildren, because Team Fortress 2 is having another free weekend starting Thursday night as soon as the update goes live (though you can start preloading now).

As for all you soldiers fighting the good fight in the trenches, only to find the Demo-controlled media back home painting you as incompetent monsters, this update's for you.

If there is a tragedy in war (besides all the killing), it is that there must be a <i>loser</i>. Currently, we all know who that loser is.

Drew Wolf, who still has a red Peanut M&M lodged so deeply up his nose that hospital doctors were unable to extract it. "It will probably melt after a while," they told me. (I had to drive him to the hospital.) "Maybe put his head under a heat lamp for a bit."

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/part4"><img src="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/medic_mm.jpg" width="410" height="329" border="0"></a>

The other loser, of course, is the Demoman, who JUST SLIGHTLY trails the Soldier in overall kills. So tonight is the <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/part4" class="standardLink">Demoman's update</a>: no Soldier information whatsoever. New weapons? <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/demomanupdate/index.htm#item_1" class="standardLink">Read all about 'em</a>. New comic? <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/demo" class="standardLink">No Soldier to be seen</a>.

Go get 'em, lads. This war ain't over yet.

If there is a tragedy in war (besides all the killing), it is that there must be a loser. Currently, we all know who that loser is.

Drew Wolf, who still has a red Peanut M&M lodged so deeply up his nose that hospital doctors were unable to extract it. "It will probably melt after a while," they told me. (I had to drive him to the hospital.) "Maybe put his head under a heat lamp for a bit."



The other loser, of course, is the Demoman, who JUST SLIGHTLY trails the Soldier in overall kills. So tonight is the Demoman's update: no Soldier information whatsoever. New weapons? Read all about 'em. New comic? No Soldier to be seen.

Go get 'em, lads. This war ain't over yet.

The <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/soldierupdate/" class="standardLink">Soldier</a>/<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/demomanupdate/" class="standardLink">Demo</a> war has generated more email than any event in Team Fortress history. The number one question I'm being asked is "are you going to publish any new information over the weekend?" Absolutely we are. In fact, here's some news right now: As of THIS MOMENT, there is still an M&M lodged up TF artist Drew Wolf's nose. Drew's in the hospital, and the entire team's thoughts and prayers go out to that brave little peanut M&M. Well, have a great weekend everyone!

Oh, also: <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war" class="standardLink">Casualty update</a>, <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/crafting" class="standardLink">crafting</a>, and a <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/saxtonhale" class="standardLink">Saxton Hale comic</a> about the war from 1962.

The Soldier/Demo war has generated more email than any event in Team Fortress history. The number one question I'm being asked is "are you going to publish any new information over the weekend?" Absolutely we are. In fact, here's some news right now: As of THIS MOMENT, there is still an M&M lodged up TF artist Drew Wolf's nose. Drew's in the hospital, and the entire team's thoughts and prayers go out to that brave little peanut M&M. Well, have a great weekend everyone!

Oh, also: Casualty update, crafting, and a Saxton Hale comic about the war from 1962.

A day later, the war rages on—the <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/" class="standardLink">kill tally</a> is, quite literally, in the millions, and the <a href="http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80" class="standardLink">forums</a> are alive with the sounds of people having good, friendly fun while hurling bitter, teary-eyed recrimination at one another.

You'll be happy to know the <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/demomanupdate/" class="standardLink">Demo</a>/<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/soldierupdate/" class="standardLink">Soldier</a> War has even taken hold inside the Valve offices. Sides have been drawn. Normally cheerful co-workers point fingers and whisper angry things about other co-workers' mothers. It's dark, folks. The police have been called eight times today. Granted, times two, three and seven were was because TF2 team member Drew Wolfe kept getting an M&M stuck up his nose, but I think you take my point: this thing's starting to get <i>interesting</i>.

So what better move on our part than to add fuel to the fire? Check out our new <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/propaganda" class="standardLink">Propaganda Contest</a>, which has prizes like a one-of-a-kind exclusive in-game item for use by you and you only, NAMED after you and you only, and bearing your name (and your name only) on it.

Keep fighting the good fight, Sollys and Demos. Here are a couple sprays for you to support your cause: <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/soldier_prop_spray.tga" class="standardLink">Demo</a> or <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/demo_prop_spray.tga" class="standardLink">Soldier</a>.

A day later, the war rages on—the kill tally is, quite literally, in the millions, and the forums are alive with the sounds of people having good, friendly fun while hurling bitter, teary-eyed recrimination at one another.

You'll be happy to know the Demo/Soldier War has even taken hold inside the Valve offices. Sides have been drawn. Normally cheerful co-workers point fingers and whisper angry things about other co-workers' mothers. It's dark, folks. The police have been called eight times today. Granted, times two, three and seven were was because TF2 team member Drew Wolfe kept getting an M&M stuck up his nose, but I think you take my point: this thing's starting to get interesting.

So what better move on our part than to add fuel to the fire? Check out our new Propaganda Contest, which has prizes like a one-of-a-kind exclusive in-game item for use by you and you only, NAMED after you and you only, and bearing your name (and your name only) on it.

Keep fighting the good fight, Sollys and Demos. Here are a couple sprays for you to support your cause: Demo or Soldier.