So you thought that whole TF2 free weeklong weekend was cool? How about forever? That’s right, Valve’s eponymous multiplayer shooter Team Fortress 2 is now free to play.
Some of the seeds for this shift have been in place for awhile, to the keen-eyed observer. The Mann Co. store introducing microtransactions, and the more recent availability of free-to-play games on Steam along with the note from Valve spokespeople that they would be offering their own F2P games “soon,” it almost seemed like a dead giveaway. It is indeed, as Valve has stated, “the most ambitious update” they’ve attempted yet.
A few things have changed in the game as a result. The game now features Free and “Premium” accounts. The difference breaks down as follows:
| Free | Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack: | 50 slots | 300 slots (expandable up to 1000) |
| Items: | Standard | Standard, Rare and Cosmetic |
| Crafting: | Limited blueprints | All blueprints |
| Trading: | Receive items only | Full trading |
| Gifting: | Can receive gifts | Can give and receive gifts |
New players can convert their free accounts into premium accounts by making a purchase of any kind from the Mann Co. store, and anybody who purchases a retail copy of the game will get a special hat – the same hat given to players who’ve owned and been playing the game for years.
Already longtime players are concerned that this will lead to a rash of bad gamers, griefers and previously banned players smurfing around their old accounts, but Valve claims to be increasing their focus on watching out for this sort of thing. We’ll see how that holds up.
Are you interested in the game, now that price isn’t an issue? Let us know if you plan on playing in the comments!
