Every once in a while, Team Fortress 2 pops its head out of the gravel to remind us all that it exists. 'Oh yeah, TF2,' we'll say, 'that's a lovely hat you're wearing. Are you up to much these days?' And yes, it is, as Valve has now implemented Steam Workshop support for maps.
The new Maps Workshop—currently in beta—collects up the community's vast range of unofficial maps. Here, in Valve's own words, is what it does:
'Are you great at making fun, addictive TF2 maps? Do you have no idea how to make a map, but you like playing on them? Are you only vaguely aware of what maps are and prefer to just walk in a single direction until you find what you're looking for? Introducing the Maps Workshop Beta, a place for all three of you to upload, enjoy or just learn about the existence of maps!'
Maps, then. If you're a map-maker, this seems like a neat way to get instant feedback on your creation. For players, though the change may be slightly less revelatory. TF2 has always auto-downloaded maps from the server list, negating the need to pre-prepare community content. Now, when joining a server running a Workshop map, the client will instead auto-download it through the Workshop. A change, then, but a slight one.
Nevertheless this is one of those updates that seems long overdue. If you'd like to browse the community's current crop of Workshopped maps, head over to Team Fortress 2's Steam Workshop page.
Update: The Steam page for XYK's Team Fortress 2008 mod has been pulled. As reported by Eurogamer, a screenshot from the project's Discord (also now shuttered) suggests Valve could not be convinced at this stage that the TF-2008 team has created a mod for the original game, and is 'not just repurposing leaked code'.
One of the most popular online action games of all time, Team Fortress 2 delivers constant updates—new game modes, maps, equipment and, most importantly, hats. Nine distinct classes provide a broad range of tactical abilities and personalities, and lend themselves to a variety of player skills. Shop For Team Fortress 2 Merchandise. One of the most popular online action games of all time, Team Fortress 2. Review Helpfulness Beta Enabled. Team Fortress 2 is the sequel to the game that put class-based, multiplayer team warfare on the map. It delivers new gametypes, a signature art style powered by Valve's next generation animation technology, persistent player statistics, and more.
As also reported by EG, it appears creator XYK left the project's Discord server with a distasteful parting comment.
Our original story follows.
Original story:
Turn back time with XYK's Team Fortress 2008—a TF2 throwback mod that 'reverts the game back to its 2008 version'.
Due on Steam on January 11, 2019, its creator says the SourceMod is an alternative to Valve's esteemed Team Fortress 2 and is designed for 'those who prefer the game before most of the later updates, and want the simpler old interface.'
As reported by Eurogamer, Valve has given the TF-2008 team permission to list the mod on Steam—but did ask that the original idea be altered beforehand. It seems XYK et al happily complied.
'We payed the Steam Direct fee, and are now working on an official Steam release,' says XYK on this Facepunch forum. 'The Steam team approved of me generating beta CD keys, but we're still waiting on Valve to approve the store page.'
XYK follows that with an update: 'Valve has gotten back with us, and notified us of some things that needed to be changed. We have done as they recommended, and are now waiting again, on the store page review.'
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Here's a trailer:
And here's some screens:
Free Team Fortress 2 Beta Download
Not much else is known about Team Fortress 2008, but you can follow its progress via its Steam page. Again, all going well, it's due January 11, 2019.