<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/"><img src="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/war_01.jpg" height="424" width="440" border="0"></a>

So: how is the War update different from our other class updates?

In many ways, it's not. Like any other class update, the War update will reveal three new weapons each for the Demoman and Soldier throughout the week, as well as some maps, achievements, and surprises, right up until the day of release, when everything we've been teasing goes live.

Where the War update differs from other class updates is that we've decided to mix things up a little with, as the Administrator would say, "a healthy competition." A secret, exclusive seventh weapon has also been developed by the TF2 team. In other words, either the Soldier or the Demo (but NOT both) is walking out of this update with one more weapon than the other. If you want your class to have it, you're going to have to fight for it. The more Demomen you kill as the Soldier class will help ensure the Soldier gets the weapon at the end of the week. The more Soldiers you kill as the Demo will help the Demo class get the exclusive seventh weapon. Check back daily to see how your class is doing at the <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/" class="standardLink">War hubpage</a> — this is also where you'll see links to all the leaked previews of the weapons, maps, and surprises releasing soon with this update.

What if some of you try to cheat to bump the numbers? We'll know. (Though we also know many of you won't be able to resist trying anyway.)

Alright, enough talk. Who'd you rather see get this exclusive new weapon? The <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/demomanupdate" class="standardLink">Demoman</a>? Or the <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/soldierupdate" class="standardLink">Soldier</a>? The War starts right now, so get out there and vote with your kills!

So: how is the War update different from our other class updates?

In many ways, it's not. Like any other class update, the War update will reveal three new weapons each for the Demoman and Soldier throughout the week, as well as some maps, achievements, and surprises, right up until the day of release, when everything we've been teasing goes live.

Where the War update differs from other class updates is that we've decided to mix things up a little with, as the Administrator would say, "a healthy competition." A secret, exclusive seventh weapon has also been developed by the TF2 team. In other words, either the Soldier or the Demo (but NOT both) is walking out of this update with one more weapon than the other. If you want your class to have it, you're going to have to fight for it. The more Demomen you kill as the Soldier class will help ensure the Soldier gets the weapon at the end of the week. The more Soldiers you kill as the Demo will help the Demo class get the exclusive seventh weapon. Check back daily to see how your class is doing at the War hubpage — this is also where you'll see links to all the leaked previews of the weapons, maps, and surprises releasing soon with this update.

What if some of you try to cheat to bump the numbers? We'll know. (Though we also know many of you won't be able to resist trying anyway.)

Alright, enough talk. Who'd you rather see get this exclusive new weapon? The Demoman? Or the Soldier? The War starts right now, so get out there and vote with your kills!

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/war/administrator/" class="standardLink">Friendship ends in one day</a>.

Friendship ends in one day.

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3130"><img src="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/001/tf01.jpg" width="460" height="468" border="0"></a>

<i><strong>TF2map.net's Payload Race & A/D CTF Contest</strong></i>

What happens when you give some TF2 mappers six months to make a map? What happens if that map is payload race or a resurrected Team Fortress Classic game mode, Attack/Defend CTF? <a href="http://plrctf.tf2maps.net/" class="standardLink">TF2maps.net</a> decided to find out. Take 'em for a spin and place your votes!

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3130">Read the full blog post</a>.

TF2map.net's Payload Race & A/D CTF Contest

What happens when you give some TF2 mappers six months to make a map? What happens if that map is payload race or a resurrected Team Fortress Classic game mode, Attack/Defend CTF? TF2maps.net decided to find out. Take 'em for a spin and place your votes!

Read the full blog post.

<a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/550/"><img src="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/BillsHat.jpg" width="445" height="382" border="0"></a>

Those of you who pre-ordered <i><a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/550/" class="standardLink">Left 4 Dead 2</a></i> (for PC on Steam or at participating retailers) now have exclusive access to the momentous event they said would never happen. For the first time in history, two separate Valve universes collide. That's right: it's a <i>Left 4 Dead</i>/<i>Team Fortress</i> crossover! This is <strong><u>not</u></strong> fan fiction! This is <strong><u>not</u></strong> a dream sequence! The characters from <i>Team Fortress 2</i> <strong><u>will</u></strong> team-up with Bill's hat from <i>Left 4 Dead 1!</i>

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3045">Read the full blog post</a>

Those of you who pre-ordered Left 4 Dead 2 (for PC on Steam or at participating retailers) now have exclusive access to the momentous event they said would never happen. For the first time in history, two separate Valve universes collide. That's right: it's a Left 4 Dead/Team Fortress crossover! This is not fan fiction! This is not a dream sequence! The characters from Team Fortress 2 will team-up with Bill's hat from Left 4 Dead 1!

Read the full blog post

The good news is that yesterday's $2.50 sale saved the company. The bad news for our bean counters is that, as a "thank you" from all of us on the TF team, we're rolling back prices like it's Thursday. That's right — <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/440/" class="standardLink">Team Fortress 2</a> is BACK ON SALE at its original, company-busting Thursday Super Sale of the Century price of just $2.49! But only until 1:00pm PDT! And this is the last time we're doing this! There will be no more sales!

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3037">Read the full blog post</a>

The good news is that yesterday's $2.50 sale saved the company. The bad news for our bean counters is that, as a "thank you" from all of us on the TF team, we're rolling back prices like it's Thursday. That's right — Team Fortress 2 is BACK ON SALE at its original, company-busting Thursday Super Sale of the Century price of just $2.49! But only until 1:00pm PDT! And this is the last time we're doing this! There will be no more sales!

Read the full blog post