In July of last year we outlined our position on gambling web sites, specifically noting that Valve has no business relationship with these sites. At that time we also began blocking many CSGO gambling accounts. You can view the original post here.

More recently, some gambling web sites started leveraging TF2 items. Today we began the process of blocking TF2 gambling accounts as well. We recommend you don t trade with these sites.

Come out to the Esports Arena in Santa Ana, California this weekend to experience some of the most competitive PC and Console shooters of the last decade. Esports Arena Rewind will showcase TF2, Halo: Combat Evolved and Shadowrun, with teams from all over the world including, Se7en, Jasmine Tea, Froyotech, EVL Gaming, Meat Market, and Street Hoops Esports. Click here to check out the tournament schedule.

Bouts start at 10am PST on Saturday with grand finals at 4pm on Sunday, so get out to Santa Ana or watch it streamed here.

• Fixed a bug related to changing teams that caused various issues related to weapon projectiles, Engineer buildings and game modes
• Fixed using the wrong thumbnail images for pass_district, pass_timbertown, and pl_swiftwater
• Fixed the developer commentary audio files not being played properly
• Fixed not being able to taunt with the Cleaner's Carbine
• Added the LBTF2 6v6 Season 14 tournament medals
• Added an option to hide the 'View Promotional Codes' button in the main menu
  • Can be toggled in the Adv. Options menu under the Miscellaneous Options section
• Updated the models/materials for the Special Snowflake 2016 and the Gift of Giving 2016 community medals
• Updated Mann vs. Machine mode
  • Fixed a case where late-joining a Mann Up match during the final wave could result in erroneously receiving a ten minute cooldown
  • Fixed a bug causing Invader's buildings to blow up if another Invader building of the same type is destroyed after the Engineer has died

• Fixed security issue reported by Amat Cama via GeekPwn

Issue #6 is live, everybody, and it's our biggest issue yet!

New to TF comics? Catch up here.

Prepare yourself, the UGC League Winter Season is about to start! Join the thousands of teams that played last season for some competitive TF2 action! The first week of matches starts January 23rd for Highlander, January 25th for 6v6 and January 27th for 4v4.

UGC has divisions across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Players from any of these regions are encouraged to test their skill and join the fun! Remember, January 31st is the sign up deadline. Visit the UGC website for more information.

• Fixed Winter 2016 Cosmetics Collection items not being marketable

• The CELT voice codec is now the default for all game servers
  • Community servers can enable use of the older steam voice codec with sv_use_steam_voice 1

In the classic Smissmas story "The Gift of the Magi", a girl sells all of her hair to a hair warehouse to buy her boyfriend a watch chain, but in a shocking twist, he looks at his watch and remembers she's bald and it's time to break up with her. That's when the Magi show up, and it is a BLOODBATH.

The point is, giving people gifts can bite you in the ass. Too much potential for twist endings. So this Smissmas, why not sit back, scroll down, and leave the gift-giving to us.

New Festivizer Weapons

The Festivizer now has more weapons it can festivize, including the Fire Axe, The Jag, The Kritzkrieg, Pistol, The Quick-Fix, Natascha, The Sandman, The Spy-cicle, Kukri, Shovel and The Scottish Resistance.

New Winter-Themed Community Cosmetics

We're shipping 17 new community cosmetics in the limited-time keyless Winter 2016 Cosmetic Case. Plus, The Festivizer can now be found as a bonus drop when opening the Winter 2016 Cosmetic Case.

New Taunts

Two new community taunts The Scotsmann's Stagger and The Didgeridrongo and one new Valve taunt, The Table Tantrum, are now available in the Mann Co. Store.

Casual Match Improvements

At the end of a Casual match, players will now be automatically formed into a new match with the same players and teams. You'll also get to vote on which map the new match will take place on.

New Autobalancing System

We're introducing a new autobalance system for Casual Matches and community servers that asks for volunteers to switch sides. Casual matches will reward you for switching teams by giving you the chance to earn bonus XP!

Big Sale in the Mann Co. Store

It wouldn't be Smissmas without the Spirit of Practically Giving. Look for 20%-75% off selected unlocked cosmetic crates, taunts, and tools in the Mann Co. Store through January 11th, 2017.

And last but not least... Stocking stuffers for everyone! Merry Smissmas! See you in 2017!

• All players who play TF2 during the event will receive a Stuffed Stocking as a gift! Stockings contain goodies for good little Mercenaries.
• Added the limited-time key-less Winter 2016 Cosmetic Case to the Mann Co. Store
  • Contains 17 new community-contributed items
  • The Festivizer can be found as a bonus drop when opening the case
• Added 3 new taunts to the Mann Co. Store
  • The Scotsmann's Stagger (community-contributed)
  • The Didgeridrongo (community-contributed)
  • The Table Tantrum (Valve)
• New weapons for the Festivizer!
  • Fire Axe, The Jag, The Kritzkrieg, Pistol, The Quick-Fix, Natascha, The Sandman, The Spy-cicle, Kukri, Shovel and The Scottish Resistance
• Mann Co. Store winter sale!
  • Look for 20%-75% off selected unlocked cosmetic crates, taunts, and tools in the Mann Co. Store through January 11th, 2017
• Matchmaking Improvements
  • At the end of a Casual match, players are automatically formed into a new match with the same players and teams
    • Players get to vote on which map the new match will take place on
      • There are 3 maps to vote on, chosen based on the maps everyone in the match had selected when they began searching for a match. The current map is always the first option.
    • This replaces the Rematch system
  • Players can now set their maximum acceptable ping by clicking the new gear icon in the top right of the Casual and Competitive matchmaking lobby screens and choosing "Ping Settings"
• New autobalance system to help with balancing teams when players leave a match. The system will ask players to volunteer to switch teams.
  • Automatically enabled for all Casual match servers
    • Players who switch will be able to earn bonus XP as a reward
  • Community servers can enable this new feature by using "mp_autoteambalance 2"

• Fixed security issue reported by Justin G. (sigsegv) and Linus S. (PistonMiner)
• Fixed not clearing the teleport condition for players who have their teleport interrupted before the teleport is complete
• Fixed PASS Time exploit related to bonus points
• Updated mat_monitorgamma so it can be adjusted in Competitive mode
• Fixed the ShouldPreserveSquad flag not being parsed correctly in Mann vs. Machine mode
• Fixed a bug related to bot Engineers and teleporters in Mann vs. Machine mode
• Fixed not being able to transfer Strange stats between versions of Jarate and the Sapper
• Fixed incorrect particle position for Unusual taunt effects when using the Racho Relaxo
• Added the ESA Rewind tournament medals
• Added the Winter Wonderland 2016 community medals
• Updated the Dalokohs Bar to fix a bug related to the health buff
• Matchmaking
  • The Competitive maps list has been updated
    • Added cp_granary and cp_badlands
    • Disabled cp_snakewater and cp_foundry
• Updated cp_metalworks to fix a texture problem
• Updated pd_watergate
  • Respawn times will now change depending on which team is in the lead: 8 seconds to leading team, 4 seconds to trailing team
  • Moved the current beer amount to the center of the HUD
  • Added a jump to low spawn route to give respawned players something to do en-route to mid
  • Added a light to illuminate roof-snipers better
  • Adjusted some clipping

The Yogscast Jingle Jam is back, and as always, all proceeds go to charity. You give funds to excellent causes, and they give you fun in the form of games and unique Team Fortress 2 items. Contribute $30 or more to immediately receive a host of awesome games, and more revealed EVERY DAY throughout December!

They have already raised more than $1,000,000, so head on over and donate while supplies last - and help make the world a better place!

LuckyLukeTF2 is back with more impressive TF2 action from Insomnia 58, the biggest TF2 tournament in the world. With teams from America, Australia and Europe, watch all the soldier-juggling, medic-gibbing action you want to relive from Insomnia 58 above or here.