Summer refresh in Team Fortress 2 on Steam, featuring an array of community-made content, revives game's popularity.
Team Fortress 2, the beloved multiplayer first-person shooter, has made a comeback on Steam's top sellers chart following the significant July 24 update. The game shot up over 50 places on the chart this week and is currently holding its ground in the top 20.
The update, which Valve referred to as a "much-needed" one, introduced a plethora of new content and improvements. Among the additions are ten new community-made maps, such as Citadel, Aquarius, and Fulgur, as well as updates to existing maps like cp_fortezza. The maps feature reworked routes, improved visuals, and clipping fixes to enhance gameplay.
Balance changes were also implemented in the update. Consecutive Wall Climbs no longer reduce preexisting speed, while Mini-Sentries' damage has been increased from 50% to 80%. Crit-boosted Miniguns' damage has been raised from 60% to 70%, and the Point-blank damage of the Mighty Slam was reduced. Hale’s damage to buildings was also rebalanced, with level 1 buildings now destroyed by a single punch, level 2 and 3 buildings requiring two punches, and the Wrangler Shield adding one more punch.
In addition to the map and balance changes, the July 24 update also introduced 23 new items, 4 taunts, and 14 Unusual effects. Half of these new items target hats, while the other half apply to taunts.
Bug fixes were also addressed in the update, addressing crashes, incorrect knockback, AFK detection issues, round timer bugs, weapon-specific bugs, and other gameplay inconsistencies. Visual and stability improvements, as well as standard maintenance tweaks, were also included.
The update has been well-received by the TF2 community, helping to bring the game back into Steam’s top 10 bestsellers. This demonstrates ongoing community engagement and developer support for the game. Valve has also announced a larger update for August 27 focused on Mann vs. Machine content and hinted at another major patch near Halloween.
Minor fixes continued with a patch on July 25, which fixed issues like Wrangler shield movement and missing sounds for a specific taunt.
The July 24 update was a substantial content and quality-of-life improvement package, reinforcing TF2’s longevity and active player base.
- The recent updates in Team Fortress 2 have revitalized the game, as it has risen to the top 20 on Steam's bestsellers chart, having won back the interest of numerous players.
- The upcoming tournament season promises an exciting gameplay experience, considering the introduction of 23 new items, 4 taunts, and 14 Unusual effects in the July 24 update, designed to enhance the technology used in the game.
- With the balance changes implemented, such as increasing Mini-Sentries' damage and adjusting the damage of Hale's attacks, players now have an opportunity to re-strategize and win more games in the forthcoming tournament.
