Hey, Scout superfans! Scout here. Some doll-makin' company called NECA told us they were gonna make action figures based on the best, most popular team member in TF2. Well, I just opened the box they sent us, and not to tell NECA their business, but MAN these two dolls do not look anything like me.

Don't get me wrong, logically they GOTTA be ME. Right? I just dunno why they didn't start with my traditional outfit, or at the very least Scuba Scout or Kung Fu Fortress Scout or whatever. I guess they're tryin' the most obscure variants first to whet your appetite for the good ol' Classic version.

Still, the way I see it, Chubby Firefighter Scout and for some reason One-Eyed Black Scout are better than no Scout at all. So be sure to hit up your favorite retail establishments (Toys 'R' Us, FYE and Hastings) or online (Amazon and the Valve Store) because these odd-lookin' Scout dolls are gonna sell like odd-lookin' hotcakes.

—Scout

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:

• Fixed a client crash during demo playback

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 was preventing some crashes from being reported
• Fixed the chat window not accepting characters for some languages

Team Fortress 2

• Added raw mouse input for the Linux version
• Fixed missing text in the recipe descriptions for The Rescue Ranger, The Loose Cannon, and The Vaccinator
• Updated the equip_region setting for The Bootie Time
• Updated The Menpo to be paintable
• Updated The Last Straw to be paintable
• Updated The Digit Divulger with new styles
• Updated The Rescue Ranger so it can be used as an ingredient when crafting
• Updated the localization files
• Updated the Item Import Tool
  • Improved UI layout
  • Added support for facial animations
  • Fixed skins sticking after a different DMX was loaded
  • Added support for LOD testing
  • Hats will automatically add an Unusual attachment point to bip_head
• Vintage-quality items and Botkiller items that are otherwise tradable can now be listed on the Steam Community Market

Race for first place as the Pyro, Heavy and Spy in the upcoming game Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Save 10% when you pre-purchase on Steam today.

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 The Robo-Sandvich, The Festive Sandvich, The Festive Buff Banner, and The Festive Huntsman to the list of items allowed in Medieval mode
• The Prize Plushy can now get assists in Pyrovision
• Fixed a server crash caused by players bleeding to death
• Fixed spectator bots picking up the bomb in Mann Vs. Machine
• Fixed The Bazaar Bargain counting crit-boosted body-shots as headshots
• Fixed The Festive Holy Mackerel using the wrong sounds
• Fixed Strange Buff Banner and Strange Sandvich not always tracking usage
• Fixed seeing the fire texture on The Soldier's Stogie in DirectX 8
• Fixed missing style names for The Barnstormer
• Fixed the achievement "The Great Deflate" not counting certain Balloonicorn and Reindoonicorn items
• Updated paint effects for The Hot Dogger, The Salty Dog, The Counterfeit Billycock, and The Cold Killer
• Updated the localization files

Kritzkast is throwing a 12 hour Team Fortress 2 livestream on Saturday fundraising for Cancer Research UK. 12 hours! During the fundraiser various Team Fortress personalities will be making an appearance throughout the event. More details can be found here.

Item retirement FAQ

Q: What is happening to this set of nine hats in two weeks?
A: These items will no longer be sold in the store, randomly dropped, unboxed as unusuals, or acquired through crafting.

Q: What happens to copies of these items that are already in my backpack?
A: All existing copies of the items will remain unaffected.

Q: What about older crates that have these items as a potential drop?
A: Crates that contain these items will still have a chance at unboxing them in normal quality only.

Q: How will I now acquire these items?
A: These items are still useable in trading.

Q: Will these items ever come out of retirement?
A: No. Once an item is retired it will stay that way.

Q: Will more items be retired in the future?
A: Advance notice will be given if any other items will be retired.

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
• Mann Vs. Machine
  • Fixed clients being able to issue mp_tournament_restart, tournament_readystate, and tournament_teamname commands
  • Fixed an exploit that allowed players to stun a mini-boss
  • Updated mvm_bigrock with some new func_nobuild areas
• Fixed a regression where minicrits were being affected by long-range damage fall-off
• Fixed a client crash related to arrows and bolts
• Fixed an exploit where certain player conditions could be used indefinitely
• Fixed clients seeing incorrect stats during changelevel
• Fixed the Tomislav playing firing sounds when it wasn't firing
• Fixed being able to score assists with yourself in certain situations
• Fixed being able to cross into enemy spawn rooms using the high-five taunt
• Fixed Festive versions of weapons not completing a set when equipped
• Fixed a client crash when viewing the Top Sellers tab in the Mann Co. Store
• Fixed styles not working properly for The Barnstormer
• Updated The Digit Divulger to allow skin to be seen in the knuckles and wrist area
• Updated The Cold Killer to add paintability and fix unusual effect placement
• Genuine-quality items and festive items that are otherwise tradable can now be listed on the Steam Community Market
• Updated the localization files

United Gaming Clans have their Highlander and 6v6 leagues starting up for the spring season openers which start January 21 and January 23 respectively. In addition to the new seasons the UGC has also recently expanded to the Australian region in addition to their Asian, South American, and European regions. Players from any of these regions are encouraged to participate and join the fun! More details can be found on the UGC site.

The Team Fortress 2 Mix-Up Match charity matches have concluded and the team is actively working on polishing up and uploading the replays. So far the first two have been made available with rounds on Upward and Viaduct and the third round on Lakeside will be available soon. So soon in fact that we were told Monday was the day the final replay would be available. That's today!

The Mix-Up series raffles off a chance for three lucky winners via donations to play with developers and community celebrities in a Highlander best of three rounds. All donations and ad revenue will be donated to Doctors Worldwide.