Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch Updates Released

October 10, 2012

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 HTTP downloads on Mac not sending an HTTP referer

Team Fortress 2
  • Updated materials/models for the Champ Stamp, King of Scotland Cape, Stovepipe Sniper Shako, and Freedom Staff
  • Fixed a server crash that could occur if a Spy was disguised holding the Gunslinger
  • Fixed the Lacking Moral Fiber Mask being tagged as a misc item instead of a hat
  • Fixed the Gunslinger not accepting "Sappers Removed" strange parts
  • Overhealed players that are bleeding or on fire can now pickup healthkits to remove these conditions
  • Added tf_dingalingaling_repeat_delay (default 0) which limits how often the dingalingaling sound can play
  • Removed outdated tip about the Spy's Enforcer
  • Updated the localization files
  • Vote system
    • Allow kicking of connected players that haven't joined a team in Mann vs. Machine
    • Added sv_vote_issue_kick_spectators_mvm (default 0) which allows players to kick anyone that isn't team invaders, as long as they've passed the sv_vote_issue_kick_min_connect_time_mvm timer, if enabled
  • Mann vs. Machine
    • Added two new tours of duty, each with new unique loot:
      • Operation Oil Spill, with 6 new intermediate skill missions
      • Operation Gear Grinder, with 3 new expert skill missions
    • If a player connects to a MvM game through matchmaking and loses their connection, their spot will be held for a brief duration and they will be given a chance to reconnect
    • After victory on a Mann Up server, the players will be put into a lobby together.
    • Improved matchmaking searching status screen
  • Mann vs. Machine balance changes:
    • Explosive Headshots
      • damage is now 150 regardless of upgrade level
      • damage is done in one tick instead of the previous six
      • added a slowing effect based on upgrade level (50%-80% slow, 2-4 second duration)
      • radius still scales with upgrade level (unchanged)
    • Marked For Death duration reduced to 7 seconds from 15 seconds when the target is a giant robot
    • Reduced the "effect bar recharge rate increased" upgrade from 20% increments with an 80% cap to 15% increments with a 60% cap

Saxxy Contest Rules Update

October 06, 2012

<a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/saxxyawards2012/"><img src="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/saxxy2012.jpg" width="440" height="360" border="0"></a>

In just under a month, we'll start accepting entries for shorts made with the <a href="http://www.sourcefilmmaker.com/">Source Filmmaker,</a> Valve's filmmaking tool. You'll be able to submit in five different categories (Best Action, Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Original Universe and now Best Replay) with the hope of taking home a Saxxy at the star-studded <a href="http://www.teamfortress.com/saxxyawards2012/">Second Annual Saxxy Awards.</a> So if you've got an SFM opus in you, crack those knuckles and get creating — November 1st'll be here in no time.

Also, a couple of quick changes for entrants:

<b>We've Added a Replay Category</b>
The Source Filmmaker is the perfect resource for creators looking to dramatize the TF2 mercenaries' off-hours — but after we announced the Saxxy rules, we realized we'd under-represented some of the great dramatic, comedic or just plain violently entertaining moments in-game. So we've added a new category to celebrate all the creators out there who'd rather make their movie magic on the battlefield.

<b>You Can Use Non-SFM Tools for Post-Production</b>
Because the SFM didn't ship with a few post-production features, like titling and transitions, we've decided to let people use other effects and editing tools for this year's contest.

Remember, though, that nothing makes us happier than people using and giving feedback on the SFM. We want this tool to keep getting better and better, and to do that, we'll need creative folks like you pushing the SFM in new directions.

Saxxy Contest Rules Update

October 06, 2012



In just under a month, we'll start accepting entries for shorts made with the Source Filmmaker, Valve's filmmaking tool. You'll be able to submit in five different categories (Best Action, Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Original Universe and now Best Replay) with the hope of taking home a Saxxy at the star-studded Second Annual Saxxy Awards. So if you've got an SFM opus in you, crack those knuckles and get creating — November 1st'll be here in no time.

Also, a couple of quick changes for entrants:

We've Added a Replay Category
The Source Filmmaker is the perfect resource for creators looking to dramatize the TF2 mercenaries' off-hours — but after we announced the Saxxy rules, we realized we'd under-represented some of the great dramatic, comedic or just plain violently entertaining moments in-game. So we've added a new category to celebrate all the creators out there who'd rather make their movie magic on the battlefield.

You Can Use Non-SFM Tools for Post-Production
Because the SFM didn't ship with a few post-production features, like titling and transitions, we've decided to let people use other effects and editing tools for this year's contest.

Remember, though, that nothing makes us happier than people using and giving feedback on the SFM. We want this tool to keep getting better and better, and to do that, we'll need creative folks like you pushing the SFM in new directions.

Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch Updates Released

September 28, 2012

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:


Shared Changes (TF2, DoD:S, HL2:DM)
  • Improved the performance and stability of the libraries used for in-game HTML display

Team Fortress 2
  • Added new promo items
  • Fixed hats sometimes appearing multiple times in incorrect locations when changing classes
  • Fixed Demoman shields not reducing explosive damage in non-MvM games
  • Fixed the tf_bot_add command using the same name for all of the bots when adding multiple bots simultaneously
  • Updated the localization files
  • Moved map descriptions into the localization files
    • Map descriptions will still be loaded from the maps folder first if they exist
  • Updated Mann vs. Machine
    • Fixed a bug where players could only buy 1 upgrade at a time from the upgrade station
    • Fixed a bug where the Victory dialog would sometimes show during incorrect times

Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch Updates Released

September 22, 2012

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 client crash bug caused by overflow of the audio cache
  • Fixed a bug that allowed server browser network activity to continue after choosing a server

Team Fortress 2
  • Added new promo items
  • Unlocked the "What's in the Sandvich Box?"
  • Unlocked the "What's in the Companion Square Box?"
  • Fixed a server crash related to Demoman bot AI
  • Updated the Tin Pot to use the correct skin for each style
  • Fixed seeing the fire texture on Gold Botkiller items in DirectX 8
  • Updated the localization files
  • Updated Mann vs. Machine

    • Matchmaking search criteria supports selecting multiple missions
    • Mann Up servers will retry notification of mission victory to game coordinator, to ensure loot is eventually granted in the case of service disruption
    • Matchmaking will prevent late joining into the a server near the end of the last wave
    • Added a new currency UI element to indicate money that is active in the world
    • Added the tour number to the information on the scoreboard
    • Fixed the Medigun overheal duration attribute causing the overheal effect to decay faster, rather than slower
    • Added the ability to buy projectile penetration for the Crusader's Crossbow
    • Fixed a false positive for the achievement "Clockwork Carnage"
    • Added a new command "bot_hurt"
      • Parameters -name [bot name], -team [red/blue/all], -damage [amount]
    • Fixed the Demoman shields not saving their upgrades upon round reset
  • Updated koth_king
    • Reflections fixed for the floors and some glass windows
    • Modified model file for the sign 6 through 9 to avoid Red signs on Blu side of the map
    • Modified light pole to merge bulb and pole into a single model for perf
    • Fixed location where mini-sentries can shoot through a bush without being seen
    • Clipping pass
    • Added glass on footbridge roof and lights nearby
    • Prop reduction for perf
    • Some props changed to non-solid for player mobility
    • Adjusted health and ammo in various spots
  • Community requests:
    • Add a new server ConVar "tf_avoidteammates_pushaway" to control whether or not teammates push each other away when occupying the same space
    • Add a new server ConVar "tf_arena_override_team_size" to allow server owners to set the maximum team size in arena mode

Halloween is Only Fifty Days Away!

September 12, 2012

<a href="http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/browse?appid=440"><img src="http://www.teamfortress.com/images/posts/halloween_2012t.jpg" width="440" height="233" border="0"></a>

It's a well-established fact that every Halloween, all the ghosts, goblins, Draculas, bigfoots, Frankensteins and Area 51 aliens leave their house at the cemetery to scare humans. But what would happen if you snuck down to the cemetery <i>before</i> Halloween? <b>You would die.</b> Of scaredness? No! <b>Of boredom.</b> That's because between now and October 31st, all the monsters are busy having meetings (about terror) and conducting focus groups (to test all the latest scaring techniques). Oh no! What's that chupacabra doing lurking in the shadows? (Answer: Reading a spreadsheet about blood.)

Scariness doesn't just <i>happen</i>, people. It's serious business. That's why we're giving you until October 1st to fill the Steam Workshop with <b>horrifying Halloween-themed cosmetic items.</b>

If you're not an item-making sort of person, you can still keep busy. Why not <a href="https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/browse?appid=440&p=1">visit the workshop</a> and rate other people's Halloween-themed items? Rating terrifying items will also help you build up your resistance to being scared before we unleash this year's Scream Fortress update. Other tips: Pay people to jump out and yell "Boo" at you. Have somebody paint ghosts on their car and then try to hit you with it. If you know an ugly person, why not ask them to try scaring you? Every little bit helps.

Halloween is Only Fifty Days Away!

September 12, 2012



It's a well-established fact that every Halloween, all the ghosts, goblins, Draculas, bigfoots, Frankensteins and Area 51 aliens leave their house at the cemetery to scare humans. But what would happen if you snuck down to the cemetery before Halloween? You would die. Of scaredness? No! Of boredom. That's because between now and October 31st, all the monsters are busy having meetings (about terror) and conducting focus groups (to test all the latest scaring techniques). Oh no! What's that chupacabra doing lurking in the shadows? (Answer: Reading a spreadsheet about blood.)

Scariness doesn't just happen, people. It's serious business. That's why we're giving you until October 1st to fill the Steam Workshop with horrifying Halloween-themed cosmetic items.

If you're not an item-making sort of person, you can still keep busy. Why not visit the workshop and rate other people's Halloween-themed items? Rating terrifying items will also help you build up your resistance to being scared before we unleash this year's Scream Fortress update. Other tips: Pay people to jump out and yell "Boo" at you. Have somebody paint ghosts on their car and then try to hit you with it. If you know an ugly person, why not ask them to try scaring you? Every little bit helps.

Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch Updates Released

September 11, 2012

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 allowed malicious servers to execute restricted console commands on players
  • Fixed a bug that allowed malicious servers to prevent players from executing console commands

Team Fortress 2, Day of Defeat: Source and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch Updates Released

September 07, 2012

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)
  • Performance improvements

Team Fortress 2
  • Added the Fall 2012 crate key to the Mann Co. store
  • Fixed The Escape Plan not using the same taunt as The Equalizer
  • Community mapping request:
    • Added Parentname to the attributes for func_flagdetectionzone

Team Fortress 2 Update Released

September 05, 2012

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
  • Added replay_name ConVar to set the name of the replay bot
  • Added a notification to Steam Trading when a user's backpack is full
  • Fixed tv_name ConVar not working
  • Fixed non-robot Snipers playing some of the robot Sniper lines
  • Fixed the looping tank sound not playing if it was spawned far from the player
  • Fixed Monoculus health bar not showing when Monoculus spawns
  • Fixed tank destruction effects playing at the map origin
  • Fixed bots not displaying in the server browser properly
  • Updated the localization files
  • Updated Koth_King
    • Added some geometry to hide floating staircases outside of playspace
    • Performance improvements from prop reduction, additional surfaces tagged as nodraw, and reduced overlay counts
    • Fixed some building faces where extra faces were being generated behind windows/etc due to spaces in geometry
  • Updated Mvm_Decoy
  • Updated Mvm_Coaltown
    • Blocked bots from being blasted into the tank tunnel
    • Blocked giants from getting stuck under the stairs in the final pit
  • Updated Mvm_Mannworks
    • Blocked bots from being blasted into the tank tunnel
    • Added nobuild to stairs on center building where Engineers could build out of reach of Sentry Busters
  • MvM changes
    • Fixed a client money display issue when purchasing or selling bottle charges after changing classes
    • Fixed an issue in the Server Browser where replay bots would add to the player count
    • Fixed a bug that would sometimes cause the bomb to get positioned incorrectly when dropped
    • Added safeguards to prevent bots from getting stuck in certain cases
    • Fixed sniper rifle reload upgrade not reducing the time delay from hip shot to scoping
    • Fixed Steel Gauntlet robots failing to destroy minisentries on slopes
    • Fixed the party leader’s mission completions showing in the game lobby instead of your own
  • Community-submitted schema changes:
    • Backpack sounds updated for Rogue's Col Roule, Cozy Camper, Scrap Pack, Professor's Pineapple, Scottish Handshake, Monoculus!, Manniversary Paper Hat, Party Hat, Googly Gazer, Liquor Locker, and Something Special For Someone Special
    • Weapon sound changes:
      • The Pain Train now uses Equalizer sounds
      • The Conscientious Objector now uses Kurkri sounds
      • The Amputator now uses Bonesaw sounds
      • The Solemn Vow now sounds like a wrench
      • The Market Gardener now uses Shovel sounds
      • The Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker now uses the Horsemann's Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker sounds
    • Weapon crafting changes:
      • The Teufort Tooth Kickers and Professor's Peculiarity are now craftable
      • The Cozy Camper, Sun-on-a-Stick, and Sharpened Volcano Fragment are now craftable with tokens
    • Weapon cosmetic changes:
      • Added new styles to the Big Country, Professor's Peculiarity, and Copper's Hard Top
      • The Third Degree now vaporizes enemies on kill like the Phlogistinator and the Manmelter
      • Loosened equip region restrictions for the Whiskered Gentleman, Sight For Sore Eyes, Googly Gazer, and Nine-Pipe Problem
      • The Birdcage, HOUWAR, and Scrap Pack can now get kill assists in Pyroland
      • Updated attribute text to be more clear on the Loch-N-Load, Force-A-Nature, Soda Popper, and Family Business
        • Weapon functionality is unchanged