Dec 19, 2024

Team Fortress 2

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:

Updated the Brain Cane to fix problems with the texture and phong value
Updated The Battle Music
- Added missing Hat style
- Fixed the models due to clipping on Heavy's ears and misalignment on Engineer
- Improved and strengthen the Noise Cancellation
- Updated the materials to fix it not being shiny
- Updated the backpack icon to reflect the materials change
Updated cp_gravelpit_snowy
- Fixed potential incompatibility with external VScript files (thanks Le Codex!)
- Re-implemented cubemap reflections in ice cave
- Fixed perch spots
Updated vsh_distillery, vsh_maul, vsh_nucleus, vsh_outburst, vsh_skirmish, and vsh_tinyrock
- Restored Hale's resistance to knockback back to 75%
- Reduced bonus flame damage against Hale from 50% to 25%
- Hale can now do 1 extra Brave Jump before the Jump Fatigue kicks in (thanks Wendy)
- Weighdown is no longer blocked by the Jump Fatigue (thanks Wendy)
- Removed area-of-effect of Hale's normal punches (thanks Wendy)
- Demoman shields now absorb 70% of Saxton Punch! damage (compared to normal 50%) to make the following launch into the stratosphere survivable
- Fixed Hale taking mini-crits from Direct Hit and Reserve Shooter while underwater (thanks Bradasparky)
- Fixed airborne mini-crits of Direct Hit and Reserve Shooter applying against the wielder (thanks Bradasparky)
- Fixed Hale being able to stomp while underwater (thanks Bradasparky)
- Fixed Sweeping Charge not working against underwater opponents
- Fixed the bug that prevented Quick-Fix from mirroring a patient's wall climbing (thanks Bradasparky)
- Fixed Hale's faulty ground detection (thanks Bradasparky)
- Fixed Baby Face's Blaster's loss of boost not applying correctly (thanks Whurr and MilkMaster72)
- Fixed the voice lines refusing to play sometimes
Updated pl_patagonia
- Stage 1
  - Fixed the cart going under the elevator in extremely rare occasions (Thanks Shocked)
  - Fixed sometimes hearing outside soundscapes inside blue spawn
  - Fixed being able to build in a very high rooftop after point A
  - Fixed being able to build in blue spawn
  - Cart elevator is no longer the glitchiest thing in the universe
  - Fixed cart not rolling back after completing the elevator descent sequence
  - Now, if the cart is rolling into the elevator in overtime, the round timer will be set to 5 seconds left, to avoid unfair loses for blue. Timer will resume once the cart reaches the bottom (Thanks I. C. Wiener).
- Stage 2
  - Removed rollback from the train container ramp in last point (Thanks b4nny)
  - Gave blue more high ground for last point
  - Added an additional dropdown for blue for last point
  - Fixed being able to be teleported into red spawn as blue after capping point A
  - Removed long hill rollback before point C
  - Fixed bots getting stuck on the closed train doors after cap B
  - Fixed being able to leave stickies inside blue last spawn
  - Fixed being able to get stuck in the point C shortcut door for red. If you get trapped, it will kill you.
  - Fixed a pop-in issue relating to areaportals below point B
  - Fixed being able to enter the last blue spawn as red
  - Birdie (Thanks Explocivo808)
- Stage 3
  - Added a fenced section for the long wood cover wall in last point (Thanks b4nny)
  - Mirrored the window sniper spot in last point choke
  - Fixed being able to build behind a displacement rock wall in last point
  - Removed troll teleport spot in last point ending ramp
- All Stages
  - Slightly lowered sun brightness and slightly raised skylight brightness
  - Improved skybox transitions
  - The cart no longer tries to defy the law of physics
  - Ninjaneers have more freedom to be ninjas
  - The bots have learned how to play the map
  - Gave the cart another coronación de gloria

Dec 16, 2024

Team Fortress 2 Update Released

Team Fortress 2

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 missing No Gloves style for the Consigliere's Coverup
Added missing Versus Saxton Hale kill icons
Added some tournament medals
Fixed Taunt: Curtain Call voice lines overlapping with other Spy voice lines
Fixed the Playful Aurora and Frisky Morning Unusual effects not moving correctly
Updated Aurora Skies Unusual effect to fix a timing issue
Updated the Necroprancer to fix an issue with the materials
Updated the Dusk Duster to fix an issue with the materials
Updated the Dapper Noel
- Remade normal map to be compatible with OpenGL
- Re-baked Diffuse & updated backpack icon to reflect above changes
- Removed misplaced ambient occlusion
- Fixed problematic face flexes
- Fixed an issue where Engineer's beard was protruding from his goggles
- Fixed an issue with the jigglebones being disabled
- Rigged Sniper's hat to be compatible with his melee taunt
Updated Scrooge McDoc
- Transparent lenses are rigged to the correct bone (prp_glasses instead of bip_head) so it should now work correctly with taunts that move the glasses
- Improved scarf rigging and positioning to allow for better compatibility with shirt cosmetics
- Updated the backpack icon
Updated koth_overcast_final
- Fixed an issue with the models/materials
- Added back snow coverings (now using displacements) to some props that were missing them
- Fixed misaligned textures in various places
- Fixed weird lighting bug on a wall in blue spawn
- Fixed 'Hotel' sign not displaying properly
- Added back indicators under some health and ammo kits that were missing them
Updated cp_fortezza
- Removed sniper window leading into last
- Fixed Engineer being able to build in some doors
- Fixed some props being solid
- Slight art pass update
Updated vsh_maul
- Players can no longer hide from Saxton in the dark
- Fixed props inside other props
- Fixed z-fighting brushes
- Fixed missing particle effects for the water feature
- Fixed orientation of water feature particles
- Minor lighting changes around the cinema
- Adjusted LOD change distances for Cinema sign
- Updated VSH logic
- Grounded levitating props
- Aligned misaligned textures
- Fixed mis-textured walls
- Clipped upper metal beams
- Fixed clip brushes sticking out from walls that could be walked on
- Players will now be pushed off of the fire bell
- Adjusted cinema sign shadow
- Used spell check on Saxton's Package sign
- Updated how music is activated and deactivated
- Fixed clipping on the hanging big ornaments

Dec 11, 2024

Team Fortress 2 Update Released

Team Fortress 2

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:

Happy Smissmas 2024!

All players who play TF2 during the event will receive a Stuffed Stocking as a gift! Stockings contain goodies for good little Mercenaries.
Featuring 6 new community maps: Overcast, Fortezza, Penguin Peak, Patagonia, Cutter, and Maul
Added the Winter 2024 Cosmetic Case
- Contains 23 new community-contributed items
- The Festivizer can be found as a bonus drop when opening the case
Added 3 new community-contributed taunts to the Mann Co. Store
- Taunt: Fore-Head Slice
- Taunt: Peace!
- Taunt: Curtain Call
Added 18 new community-created Unusual effects
- 9 new effects for Unusual hats
- 9 new effects for Unusual taunts
All cosmetic and taunt cases will grant Smissmas 2024 Unusual effects instead of their normal Unusual effects during the event. This does not include crates.
Mann Co. Store winter sale!
Smissmas runs through January 7th, 2025

General

Fixed a client crash when previewing imported items in the Workshop dialog
Fixed showing an error model when equipping the Scottish Resistance
Fixed The Executioner not hiding the Scout's dog tags
Updated the Mountebank's Masque to fix a problem with the materials
Updated/Added some tournament medals
Updated vsh_distillery, vsh_nucleus, vsh_outburst, vsh_skirmish, and vsh_tinyrock
- General
  - Added the gamemode intro movie (made by Lacry, thanks)
  - Improved the delivery of VSH-related voice lines for Soldier, Engineer and Sniper
  - Updated some VSH-related voice lines for Saxton, Soldier, Engineer and Sniper (thanks The Rat Man)
  - Added Hale's kill icons
  - Visual improvements to Hale's Ability HUD (thanks Funicular)
  - Added a visual cue signaling an upcoming Saxton Punch!
  - Minor visual improvements to Saxton Hale and his particle effects
  - Fixed the boss bar sometimes starting invisible
  - Fixed a rare crash caused by seeing blood decals on Hale while playing on low graphics quality settings
  - Fixed a rare bug when Hale's Ability HUD textures become missing
- Balance Changes - Saxton Hale
  - Added Brave Jump Fatigue. Each consecutive jump will be less powerful, requiring a short break to restore to full strength
    - Weightdown ability is disabled during Jump Fatigue
  - Increased Hale's health by ~100HP per opponent
  - Adjusted Hale's health formula against 24+ opponents - Hale now gains 2000HP for every opponent past 23 (thanks Megascatterbomb)
  - Hale's resistance to knockback reduced from 75% to 35%
  - Head Stomp damage now scales with Hale's downward speed, dealing between 64 and 193 damage (previously dealt flat 195 damage)
- Balance Changes - Mercenaries
  - Explosives and fire now deal 50% more damage against Hale
  - The 40% minigun damage penalty now applies to full crits only
  - Broken Demoman shields now retain the charge ability
  - Demoman shields now absorb only 50% of the incoming damage upon breaking (a would-be-lethal blow will leave the Demo at 1HP)
  - Greatly decreased sticky trap damage reduction
  - Removed Scottish Resistance's 20% damage penalty
  - Baby Face's Blaster now loses 20% of its boost upon Wall Climbing
Updated vsh_tinyrock (additional changes)
- Improved performance
- Fixed odd clipping at one of the spawns
Updated vsh_distillery (additional changes)
- Improved performance
Updated vsh_nucleus (additional changes)
- Fixed setup time ending five seconds too early
- Improved detailing in some areas
- Improved clipping on staircases
- Increased control point capture time to 15 seconds
- Removed collision on some lights
- Changed damage model and damage amount of the toxic waste pit and puddles
Updated vsh_skirmish (additional changes)
- Fixed setup time ending five seconds too early
- Fixed an issue where Engineers could build in the crocodile pit
- Fixed not being able to wall climb certain trees in the main arena
- Fixed some lighting issues on stalactites and other props
- Parts of Hale's intro sequence no longer play while waiting for players
- Improved optimization and detailing in some areas
- Improved clipping on spiral stairs (Thanks Aar!)
- Updated security system
Updated cp_brew
- The shortcut from RED spawn to the "A" point now has a nobuild trigger
- Added floor indicator for the health kit in the "A" point wooden shack
- Adjusted "A" point wooden shack to allow more breathing room
- Fixed getting stuck on the "A" gate's frame
- Fixed teletrap near "A" point ditch route
- Fixed being able to place buildings inside an out-of-bounds room outside "A" point
- Fixed some stuck spots near "B" point
- Fixed being able to shoot through a crack in the BLU forward spawn
- Fixed floating props in the diner
- Fixed one way door not forcing itself closed
- Cleaned up some collisions and clipping across the map
- Improved lighting on all of the archways
Updated koth_krampus
- Fixed missing trees in skybox
- Improved look of waterfall texture near full health-kit
- Fixed minor visual errors
- Minor NPC clipping changes
- Fed krampus some oats
Updated pl_emerge
- Switched on the cart light
- Fixed RED players being able to sit on the edge of an exit of BLU's starting spawn
- Fixed some doors showing incorrect textures
- Fixed the final capture point displaying an incorrect string
- Fixed the map occasionally playing incorrect ambient sounds
- Minor visual and performance tweaks
Updated cp_carrier
- The Carrier now has full crits rather than mini-crits
- The Carrier now uses the robot voice lines
- Improved hearability of the Carrier's voice lines and footsteps
- Fixed visual bugs with the boss bar
- Fixed the Carrier sometimes becoming invisible while taunting
- Fixed animation glitches when a Demoman Carrier holds a Stickybomb Launcher
- Fixed occasional phasing through the elevator platform at BLU spawn
- Decreased size of the frog

Dec 6, 2024

TFConnect 2024

Team Fortress 2

(Image credit: Flapjack)

TFConnect is blazing a trail back like a man flying through the air in a stub-nosed sports car!

Veg-out to a gargantuan, bite-sized 80s’ internet throw-back event. The gnarly agenda includes an interview with Mike Morasky, award-winning composer of TF2’s legendary soundtrack. They also have the most epic server packed to the gills with gaming creators from across the web. Chaos makes a welcome return and there are spotlights showing the best of this community, the TF2 Quiz Show, MvM with Valve Devs, & much more!

The event streams, like totally live, December 7th from 6:30 am Eastern (12:30 CET) on the KritzKast Twitch channel.

Donations are now OPEN on the TFConnect website!

TFConnect has raised over $100,000 for charities including this year’s cause, SpecialEffect. This charity has a profoundly positive impact on quality of life, confidence and rehabilitation of disabled gamers.

Remember what the dinosaur told us, "Teamwork is very important."

Dec 5, 2024

TF2CC Newbie Cup IX

Team Fortress 2

TF2 Coaching Central is announcing the ninth iteration of their North American Newbie 6s Cup, a learning experience and friendly competition for people who are new to competitive 6v6.

Players with no to minimal competitive experience will sign up to be placed on a team of six, led by coaches who will teach the basics of the 6v6 format and help them learn the maps. Teams have a total of four weeks to learn and train together before facing off in a tournament with a prize pool of 18 keys for the winners and runners up. TF2 Coaching Central's previous Newbie Cup events have successfully prepared many players and teams to continue competitive play in RGL, the biggest North American TF2 league.

Sign-ups are open now! The deadline to apply and be placed on a team is December 11. Team and coach assignments will be made by December 14 and tournament matches, brought to you by Fireside Casts, will be the weekend of January 11-12, 2025.

Check out the TF2CC Discord for more info. Whether you're looking to dip your toes in competitive TF2 or a more experienced player looking to mentor newbies, feel free to join the community - with learning resources and pickup games running daily, all skill levels are welcome!

Nov 27, 2024

Operation Ghoulish Gambit

Team Fortress 2

Thought you were done being spooked, startled, terrified, or even downright horrified? Well GUESS AGAIN! Something very scary is coming just before Christmas. How scary exactly? We're sure you’d love to know, but unfortunately what’s in store for you is so scary, so terrifying, so unabashedly EVIL that you might immediately DIE if you even heard how diabolical things are about to get, and quite frankly nobody wants to be on the hook for that.

Operation Ghoulish Gambit is a new Mann vs. Machine charity event brought to you by Potato MvM! Complete over two dozen missions across new and returning maps! Event servers are available in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Click here to get started!

Feeling generous? Potato.TF is also hosting a charity fundraiser supporting the World Central Kitchen! Donate as little as $5 to receive an in-game medal! Have the link to your Steam profile ready and click here for more information.

Destroy those robots (and zombies) while you can! The event will run through December 15th, 2024.

Important Links: