Team Fortress 2 bulks up with whopping Heavy update August 19

by Ross Miller { Aug 13th 2008 at 4:00AM }

The perpetually patched Team Fortress 2 is about to get its "largest update ever" (dare we say heaviest?) next week on August 19. In the lead-up, Valve is releasing new information and screenshots about the patch each day, as well as a "special installment to the 'Meet the Team' series of video shorts," according to the press release. The community map cp_steel was revealed on the first day.

Besides new weapons and achievements for the Heavy class, the next update will include new multiplayer maps and a "brand new gameplay mode," possibly related to the new type of environment we heard about earlier this month. As with the other updates, Valve is offering a free Team Fortress 2 weekend starting August 22 at 2pm ET.

Tags: dlc, steam, team-fortress-2, tf2

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Cal @ Aug 13th 2008 4:38AM

I've been playing TF2 a helluva lot lately and I really cannot wait to see what awesome stuff Valve puts out this time. I don't play the Heavy much, but with 7 "new" maps in the update (not to mention a new game type), I'm sure going to be coming back to the game. Not that I don't already.

and inb4wheresmy360update?

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 6:08AM

Actually it's only three maps.There is Steel,New PL Map and a game type involving "five maps" - Maybe something a la Hydro?

Still, with so many people playing TF2 here, maybe we could start a clan?

Cal @ Aug 13th 2008 6:33AM

Ah yes, it does seem to be similar to Hydro since it uses the words "five new arenas". But still, lots of new content to try out in the update.

WhoMe @ Aug 13th 2008 6:35AM

Whatever it is, this method of morseling out news is brilliant of course. This way they'll be in the news all week, every day.

Good job, Valve marketing team.

x876543 @ Aug 13th 2008 8:57AM

If you haven't already tried it, I recommend trying the new Npire map which is a CTF with only one "intelligence" suitcase at the end of the map. It's super fun and completely changes strategy and game play dynamics.

KrazyIan @ Aug 13th 2008 4:43AM

The amount of Valve's attention this game gets after release is just staggering. They don't even charge for any updates or additional maps.

FOXHOUND @ Aug 13th 2008 7:12AM

shhhh, don't give them any ideas!

mcatrage @ Aug 13th 2008 7:42AM

It's because they're mainly a PC developer.

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 7:58AM

TF2 is the hook, and they want to keep you on it. While you are playing TF2, you're using s=Steam, and Valve want you to keep using Steam.

Haggard @ Aug 13th 2008 9:51AM

That's probably true Al. I bought GRID off it just the other day for about £20. It's around £25 in shops :D

Wiinterfang @ Aug 13th 2008 10:55AM

Valve loves his fans a little too much.

Mr.ESC @ Aug 13th 2008 11:33AM

I would buy the content for the xbox 360 but just release it.

TF2 is aweosme in the meanwhile I'm playing Bad Company and is almost like TF2 except you can't see sh*t most of the time.

aMac @ Aug 13th 2008 4:59AM

I decided to finally get Team Fortress 2 less than a week ago (slowpoke.jpg) and it really -IS- as fun as I'd heard about for the past year.

It's currently the most compelling reason I have to boot to Windows, and that's something I rarely could be bothered with.

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 6:03AM

That's why I strongly advise you to wait till the Free Week-end ends before you starting playing again.Six Heavies on your team can really spoil the game.

Either way, expect no Pyro's and lots of Medics,Spies and Snipers.

Heh {XBL: P4nic 4tt4ck} @ Aug 13th 2008 3:28PM

Can't wait until the free weekend. My kill count as spy and sniper is going to be through the roof! :D

David78 @ Aug 13th 2008 5:16AM

Typical Valve right here - they only give a shit about PC. I could see if they only released TF2 on PC, but they didn't, so they should update the other versions too.

OSUJay @ Aug 13th 2008 5:37AM

From what I understand, Microsoft won't allow Valve to release the update for free on the 360. Now I don't know if Microsoft wants Valve to charge for the updates or if Microsoft is wanting to charge Valve to be able to put out the updates but either way, Microsoft is to blame for the lack of updates on the 360.

As for the PS3, well that's EA's version, Valve isn't PS3 developers.

Haggard @ Aug 13th 2008 9:52AM

^OSUJay hit the nail on the head.

Alexisonfire @ Aug 13th 2008 1:32PM

I'm a little skeptical about that. The "Microsoft not giving things away" argument seems fairly weak to me, especially when Gears of War has released two map packs for free and all of Halo 3's have turned free after a given time. Yes, there are many games out there that charge for updates, but I doubt Valve would do that.

And I haven't heard of Microsoft charging people to put up free content before.

I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna just have blind faith in someone on the internet if they don't have proof to back it up.

Waqman @ Aug 13th 2008 5:52AM

Those lazy assholes at Valve should think about releasing this for 360 and PS3.

Nomi @ Aug 13th 2008 5:59AM

read ^

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 6:05AM

How about you just get of your ass and buy the PC Version, because TF2 on consoles is pretty much what H3 beta was to the full version of Halo.

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 6:25AM

Well done making console owners look like retards. Here, have a cookie!

jakfoood @ Aug 13th 2008 6:44AM

unfortunately Jakka, some people don't have a pc suitable for gaming. I used to be in that category.

also, woot.

Fosssil @ Aug 13th 2008 6:56AM

"because TF2 on consoles is pretty much what H3 beta was to the full version of Halo"

Poor analogy, because the Halo 3 Beta had arguably better gameplay (with a vastly superior melee system and better weapon balance across the board) than the full version does.

But I'm guessing what you were implying was that the PC version is more full-featured than the console versions. In that regard, I agree with you.

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 7:21AM

@ jakfood

Have you even looked at TF2 minimal requirements? 1.7Ghz Single Core/512MB/DirectX8-based Card.

Trust me,this game will work on 95% of PC's.And thanks to the art-style it still looks good even on the lowest settings.

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 6:09AM

Have you noticed how EVERYBODY loves TF2 and there's absolutely no criticism towards the game? Quite interesting considering that THIS IS THE INTERNET.

Keep up the good work and spread the word(vide aMac), Valve!

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 6:33AM

Pfft, I wouldn't say that. They made a pigs ear of the Medic update (tho they got it right the next time) and you ALWAYS some whining twat with a 360 who blames Valve and not Microsoft for the lack of updates, or their mum for not buying a better PC (No, wait, it's because they like a pad for FPS games, and not keyboard and mouse like the people who aren't lairs).

Blazur @ Aug 13th 2008 8:36AM

My only gripe about TF2 is that I don't have enough free time to play it.

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 6:26AM

A "special installment" of meet the team?

Meet the civilian?

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 6:29AM

Meet the Train?

FOXHOUND @ Aug 13th 2008 7:15AM

I still think the "Meet the Spy" is going to end up being a video of every character mentioned thus far, which is either revealled to be a Spy... Or the Spy being in the background of every one of the videos, stabbing all the met character thus far in a crazy outtake of sorts.

GenBanks @ Aug 13th 2008 6:53AM

CP_Steel is an awesome map, I can't wait to play it on public servers. I play it in clan games but when we try to put it on our server people don't like it because of having to download the map. It's a CP attack/defense map, but the final point can be captured any time. If they manage to do that, they win. It's hard though, because it takes a really long time to cap. They can also win by capturing all of the CPs in order.

Can't wait to see what else they have in store!

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 8:13AM

Personally, I can't stand Steel. It's just too complicated even before you get to the unlocking checkpoint thing. It's a good idea, but it's too easy for lucky bullshit wins becuase, understandably, no one wants to be the engi who sits on the last point, picking his nose doing nothing for ages.

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 8:35AM

I agree about the learning-curve, but Al when's the last time you've played Steel? E takes YEARS to cap and there's no way it can possibly be ninja'd by a Scout or a Soldier.In fact I've hardly ever seen anybody capping E before the bridges go up.And if your team was bad and couldn't fight off against two scouts and a handicapped soldier then I guess the other team deserved that ninja cap.

Also as an Offensive Engineer,I assure you it's safe to just build a Level 3 Sentry to protect E then move onto the actual battlefield and support your teammates with a dispenser and teleports.

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 9:42AM

Awhile since I found it annoying getting raped by a few scouts over and over. I guess they fine tuned it a bit. We'll see.

The Aggie CEO @ Aug 13th 2008 7:18AM

Whoa, whoa whoa...........

FREE WEEKEND!?!?!?!

like they gonna give the shit away for free that weekend!?!?!?

Stop playin!!?!?!

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 8:07AM

YES!!!!!!????!!!!!!£££££££

(For that weekend anyway)

Haggard @ Aug 13th 2008 9:57AM

I don't quite understand what you're saying, but you can play the full version of TF2 completely free over that weekend.

The Aggie CEO @ Aug 13th 2008 10:57AM

I was wondering if they were giving it out for free......

but I guess not......lol

from what you all are saying its just going to allow people to download and play for free and then make U pay after said weeken??

lotrfish @ Aug 13th 2008 4:29PM

Yes, you get to play it for free but only that weekend.

However, the updates are always free.

The Aggie CEO @ Aug 13th 2008 6:26PM

thanx dude..........

hell I might just go ahead and buy it now anyways....lol

getting tired of waiting for the PS3 updates

shivr @ Aug 13th 2008 8:09AM

ahh yes, the free weekend at the beginnign of this summer is what convinced me to buy this game the day that ended. Best purchase evar... especially consitering the only online multiplayer fps i've spent any time on is counterstrike, which just simply doesn't measure up now...

Jakka (Not sure why he got banned?) @ Aug 13th 2008 8:41AM

Yeah, the reason why I chose TF2 over CSS is community.Way more friendly and fun.I guess each game attracts different folks.Btw,the TF2 part is an actual conversation as quoted by a friend of mine that recently started playing TF2.

CSS:
OMG U R SUCH A FUKIN NOOB U CANT EVEN NOSCOPE WITH AWP!!1 URE PERMBANNED FROM DIS SERVER U PIECE OF SHIT.

TF2:
-Man, you're such a noob.
-Well, actually I just bought this game a few days ago.
-Oh...sorry about that then.Need any help or advise?

FOXHOUND @ Aug 13th 2008 9:22AM

LoL If only they were that kind to me when I told them I was using a wired X360 controller for the PC version initially. ;D

I was "converting" myself from console gaming to PC gaming at the time... and keyboard+mouse was too hard to pick use at first(but I still wanted to play with my friends). So until my friend's server went up for me to "practice" upon, I used the controller.

Poisoned Al @ Aug 13th 2008 9:59AM

CSS rewards twitch skill.

TS2 rewards teamwork, tactics and strategy.

The latter is usually preformed better by those people who's voice has broken and promotes more civil conversation anyway.

Except when everyone starts screaming at the huge number of crap engies and snipers on an attacking team.