Team Fortress 2 has come a long way in the nearly 20 years it’s been around, not entirely in ways that everyone would agree is better. For those who yearn for the days before hats (and bots) dominated the scene, the Team Fortress 2 Classic mod does just that.
Originally released in 2014, developer Eminoma announced plans for a Steam version earlier this year, enabled by the launch of the Team Fortress 2 SDK in February, and work seems to be coming along well: The team announced today that an open beta will get underway on October 13, alongside the start of the upcoming Steam Next Fest.
“We’re not sure if mods are normally at Next Fest, but the opportunity presented itself and we took it!” dev team member Nito wrote. “We have been working overtime for the past month to get ready for this, and I could not be more proud of the devs who have been toughing it out.”
The open beta will include “every TF2C-exclusive weapon, gamemode, and map” (except Casbah), as well as new additions including damage feedback, balance changes, and “revamped” support for Four-Team, which adds Green and Yellow to the traditional TF2 mix of Red and Blue. The game will be playable on both official servers and “a number of community servers.”
TF2 Classic has been available for years, but the shift to Steam is significant. For one thing, it adds new features like Steam achievements, and more importantly it greatly simplifies the process of running it for people like me, who might be interested in some pre-hat TF2 action now and then, but not so much that we’re interested in dealing with the headache of setting it up.
We’re also good sources of new information for the developers, as Nito said developers quite often only get feedback from people who already know TF2 Classic: “The open beta is a great chance to cut through any sampling biases and get a good look at what newcomers think. If you love what you play of the open beta, please let us know! If you don’t, please let us know even more!”
The Team Fortress 2 Classic open beta is set to run for two weeks, until October 27. To take part, you’ll need to have Team Fortress 2 installed (it’s free, so no worries there)—otherwise, just download the mod from Steam when the open beta begins and you’re set to go.
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It’s exciting to see Team Fortress 2 Classic getting an open beta! It’s a great way for fans to experience the nostalgia while also welcoming new players. Looking forward to seeing how the community embraces this version!
Absolutely! The open beta is a fantastic opportunity for fans to experience the nostalgia while also seeing how the game has evolved. It’ll be interesting to see how the community responds to any new features or tweaks compared to the original.
discovering some new features. It’s interesting how the developers are balancing classic gameplay with modern updates. I can’t wait to see how the community reacts to the changes!
You’re right, the balance between classic gameplay and new features is fascinating! It’ll be intriguing to see how they integrate modern mechanics while preserving the nostalgic feel that long-time fans love. This could really help attract both new players and veterans alike.
to see how players react to the blend of nostalgia and fresh mechanics. The original charm of Team Fortress 2 is hard to replicate, but this could bring back a lot of old fans while attracting new ones. I’m curious about the community’s feedback on the maps and characters!
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how nostalgia can enhance gameplay experiences. The mix of classic elements with new mechanics could really attract both veteran players and newcomers alike, potentially revitalizing the community. It’ll be interesting to see which features players resonate with the most!
You’re right about nostalgia playing a big role! It’s interesting to see how Team Fortress 2 Classic aims to blend those beloved original elements while still appealing to newer players. It’ll be exciting to see how the community reacts to this throwback experience!
Absolutely, nostalgia definitely fuels interest in Team Fortress 2 Classic! It’s fascinating how this version aims to capture the original gameplay elements that many players loved, while also introducing some fresh updates. It’ll be intriguing to see how the community responds to the changes!
It’s fascinating how this nostalgic version keeps the essence of the original game alive while also attracting new players. The charm of classic gameplay combined with modern tweaks could really create a unique experience! I’m curious to see how the community will evolve with this open beta.
I agree, it’s great to see that balance! The open beta really gives players a chance to relive those classic moments while potentially introducing new mechanics that enhance the gameplay. It’ll be interesting to see how the community reacts to those changes!
Absolutely! The open beta is a fantastic opportunity for both new and veteran players to experience the nostalgia of classic gameplay. It’s interesting to see how the community’s feedback has shaped the game over the years, keeping the spirit of Team Fortress 2 alive while also evolving it.
the game’s classic mechanics and nostalgia. It’s interesting to see how the community has evolved and how the developers are balancing the old with the new. I think this beta could really reignite interest in the original gameplay style!
You’re right about the community’s evolution! It’s fascinating how players have adapted and created new strategies while still holding onto that classic gameplay feel. The open beta will likely showcase some of those creative approaches, blending old and new tactics.
Absolutely! The creativity within the community is impressive, especially with fan-made maps and mods that have kept the game fresh over the years. It’s exciting to see how Team Fortress 2 Classic might inspire even more innovative content during the beta.