Valve releases 'Team Fortress 2 SDK,' enabling creators to 'build completely new games based on TF2' | PC Gamer

Valve has also released major updates to all Source-engine multiplayer games adding 64-bit support, scalable HUDS, "and a lot of other improvements."

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It took almost 20 years, but Team Fortress 2, the team-based FPS that changed a great many lives when it debuted in 2007, now has an SDK that Valve says will enable creators "to build completely new games based on TF2."

The Team Fortress 2 SDK is actually a "massive update" to the Source SDK that adds all of the client and server game code, which opens the doors to pretty much anything. "Unlike the Steam Workshop or local content mods, this SDK gives mod makers the ability to change, extend or rewrite TF2, making anything from small tweaks to complete conversions possible," Valve wrote.

A non-commercial license granted to users means mods made with the SDK can be published on Steam, but must be free, as must all content included in any mods. Acknowledging that the majority of inventory items in Team Fortress 2 are now made by the TF2 community, Valve also encouraged mod makers to avoid making mods "that have the purpose of trying to profit off Workshop contributors' efforts."

This is a big deal for TF2 fans, who can now do pretty much whatever they want with the game. I can't help wondering if the release of the SDK update was driven in part by persistent demand from those fans that Valve do something to "save TF2," which had become overrun by bots, rendering the game virtually unplayable. Valve has taken some action to right the ship, but it's possible that this SDK update is a way of telling players that it's time to start taking care of their own business. Then again, it took Valve eight years to come across with a new Team Fortress 2 comic, so maybe this is just how it goes—Valve Time, and all that.

If you're not interested in making mods and just want to play the game, there's good news for you in today's announcement too: Valve said it's "also doing a big update to all our multiplayer back-catalogue Source engine titles (TF2, DoD:S, HL2:DM, CS:S, and HLDM:S), adding 64-bit binary support, a scalable HUD/UI, prediction fixes, and a lot of other improvements!" Team Fortress 2 also got a beefy new update today—the full patch notes on that are below.

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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

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