Updates to Team Fortress 2 and Day of Defeat: Source have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The specific changes include:

Orange Box Engine

• Fixed an exploit that allowed files to be uploaded to the server at arbitrary locations in the file system


• Fixed a server crash caused by a client packet claiming to be an HLTV client when HLTV is disabled on the server


• Fixed a server crash caused by spoofing a client disconnect message


• Fixed a server crash caused by sending malformed reliable subchannel data


• Fixed a server crash related to unbounded settings on some convars

Team Fortress 2

• Bullet spread algorithm changed to fire a bullet right down the crosshair under these circumstances:


• The first bullet of a spread weapon (except for rapid fire spread weapons like the minigun)


• The first bullet of a non-spread weapon if it's been >1.25 seconds since firing


• Added a "Disable HTML MOTDs" option to the multiplayer->advanced dialog


• Added "motdfile_text" convar to servers, which allows them to specify a text file that's shown instead of the HTML MOTD to clients who've turned on this option


• Fixed radius damage not tracing out of enemies when the explosion occurs within them


• Fixes rockets & grenades doing no splash damage when fired point blank into enemies


• Added missing snowpuff particles for DX8 players (honest)


• Restored LOD for the Demoman player model


• Fixed being able to alt-fire with the fists while stunned as a Heavy


• Fixed CTF_Sawmill not ending the map when mp_timelimit hits during the middle of a round


• Fixed the "The Big Hurt" achievement not being awarded for players who already have the required count


• Fixed sv_pure not reloading the map's custom particle file


• Custom particle effects contained within maps must now be placed in the \\particles directory


• Fixed another case where items weren't being validated properly in class loadout slots

Community requests

• Removed centerprint texts for TF_FLAGTYPE_INVADE CTF game mode


• Changed TF_FLAGTYPE_INVADE CTF game mode capture reward from 10 kills to 1 capture


• Added OnCapTeam1 and OnCapTeam2 outputs to the item_teamflag and func_capturezone entities


• Fixed HUD "carried" image for the TF_FLAGTYPE_ATTACK_DEFEND and TF_FLAGTYPE_INVADE CTF game modes using the wrong team color


• Fixed dropped flag for the TF_FLAGTYPE_INVADE CTF game mode using the wrong skin

Updates to Left 4 Dead have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The specific changes include:

Engine

• Fixed an exploit that allowed files to be uploaded to the server at arbitrary locations in the file system


• Fixed a server crash caused by a client packet claiming to be an HLTV client when HLTV is disabled on the server


• Fixed a server crash caused by spoofing a client disconnect message


• Fixed a server crash caused by sending malformed reliable subchannel data

Left 4 Dead

• Novint Falcon support is now enabled by default

We continue our look at the revamped marine structures in NS2 with the new design for the Infantry Portal.

The gameplay function will remain the same as in NS1, which is to allow marine players to respawn after they've been killed. The IP will also have one additional feature which is that marines can instantly rejoin their squad by using the computer screen on the back, once the IP has been upgraded.

The technology behind the Infantry Portal concept is based on current scientific experiments with teleportation, or, more accurately, the successful transfer and encoding of information from one atom to another. Essentially, when the photons have been triggered in just the right way their parent atoms enter a quantum state in which atom B takes on the properties of atom A, after which process atom A disappears.

So, in the case of the infantry portal, all of the physical information of marine A is imprinted onto empty-marine-blob-of-atoms B, which has been created from the similar 3d printing technology used in the armory. Then the consciousness of marine A is downloaded into marine B, all in the space of several seconds.

Thanks for reading, and please join us next week when we discuss advanced quantum electrodynamics and how that relates to the new TSA marine electric toothbrush that has been added to the game.

In the meantime here are some renders of the IP model and a short video showing the deploy and active animations.

We have a special surprise for you today! Our newly resurrected AUDIO UPDATES!
Audio Update #0.5 August 17th 2009

We will be taking questions, comments and concerns for this months full audio update on our forums in our "Ask the Team" section in the appropriate thread. So be sure to get your questions in before August 28th so we have time to record and edit!

As promised here are some new images done by Sickjoe!

It's definitely about time we tell you what has been going on.

The 2.4 patch has been coming along nicely. All that is left to do is a few small tweaks and some more testing. However, no release date has been set just yet.

Here are some screenshots of four (that's right, four) new maps that will be included in this upcoming patch.

Genesis (Type: Attack and Defend the Zone)
Brand new map and gametype. One team tries to get to and stay in the zone while the other tries to keep them out. Teams switch roles 3 times (4 quarters)


Ksour (Type: Invade/Defend)
Remake of a TFC map by Zouave of the same name.


Fusion (Type: Invade/Defend the Zone)
Brand new map and gametype. Similar to Attack and Defend the Zone, but with multiple zones. Teams switch roles after one team captures all 3 zones.


Napoli (Type: Invade/Defend)
Complete re-imagining of a CS:S map of the same name.

Updates to Team Fortress 2 and Day of Defeat: Source have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The specific changes include:

Day of Defeat: Source

• Fixed an engine crash


Team Fortress 2

• Updated PL_Hoodoo. Changes from community mapmaker Tim Johnson:


• "Added a balcony at 2-1 that I've rotated and cleaned up so it's a much better point, it attracts less sentry spam but is still holdable. 2-2 has a bit more breathing room and the one way route between BLU/RED spawn in stage 3 has gone and in its place some stairs up to the second level accessible from BLU's side."


• Added "tf_ctf_bonus_time" ConVar to set the CritBoost bonus time for capturing the intelligence (0 to disable it)


• Added "tf_arena_first_blood" ConVar to toggle the first blood feature in Arena mode (0 to disable it)


• Added missing snowpuff particles for DX8 players


• Fixed rocket jumping


• Fixed sticky bomb attachment to props. They will now only ignore the saws in sawmill


• Fixed Scouts going into reference pose in double jumps


• Fixed the Ubersaw not displaying team colors


• Fixed Spies disguised as RED Scouts not cloaking properly


• Removed two more text messages for TF_FLAGTYPE_ATTACK_DEFEND CTF game mode

Drill Instructor Staff Sergeant Dwight T. Barnes stormed into the billet with the grace of an angry grizzly. Everybody knew a storm was coming. "Alright listen up you maggots, I... Where the hell is private Wilkins? And Anderson! God damnit we have a whole squad worth of Marines missing right fucking here! I want answers or I swear to god you'll be chipping paint with toothpicks for the rest of your military service! Now what happened to those Marines?"

The driller approached me with a look of utter contempt like he always did, "Private Pettersen, you're a real smartass, why don't you tell me where they're headed?" He was baiting me. He was always baiting me the old bastard.

"Permission to speak freely Staff Sergeant?" I asked carefully.

He frowned slightly, "granted."

"Navy took'em, Staff Sergeant." If the Drill Instructor's eyebrows could've gone any further up at that answer he could've claimed to have a hairline for the first time in twenty years.

"You taking me for a walk son? I've heard a lot of bullshit in my day, but that one is a real prize winner, you know that private?"

"They said that since we're technically an army branch and have no visible connections with the navy, we also had less rights to keep Marines as our ground pounders, Staff Sergeant."

The Drill Instructor's face reddened for a second before a smile spread slowly across his lips. It was the single most horrifiying thing I've seen to this date. "You know, for a guy who looks like he could suck a golfball through a garden hose you aren't as stupid as you look private." He turned and walked down the row of Marines standing at attention. "Write them off as casualties of war and slap up more of those 'Uncle Dwight needs you' posters."

"Yes, Staff Sergeant!"

"We need more Marines in this mans army! Get into contact with our IT division and tell them to get good use of the new website they've been talking about in the cafeteria hours. It looks powerful enough to pack a real punch on the younger generation."

"Yes, Staff Sergeant!"

"I'm very happy with being able to walk around in places, but if I don't have a hat to wear, I'll look like a smuck. I need objectives met god damnit!"

"I think you mean 'objects' Staff Sergeant."

"What the hell are you talking about?! And where is Tranum?"

"Your orderly isn't here, Staff Sergeant."

"Well where the hell is he?"

"...navy, Staff Sergeant."

Dwight reddened again, but smiled in the way we all know and hate. At least those of us who are still alive. "That means I need a new orderly Pettersen, and you’re it. Now quit standing there like an idiot and get me that phone!”

---

For those of you who didn't catch what the driller was on to about with his missing devs...I mean marines; here's a summary in more familiar terms.
Operation Black Mesa has launched its new website! This cool new update is done by our very own webmaster and he’s done a great job with it. Access allround should be easier and the looks and layout have both been streamlined to work better, faster and more HECU like.

That aside, Operation Black Mesa is currently recruiting! We are in need of the following:

1.Modellers
2.Texture artists
3.Animators
4.Coders
5.Concept artists (1 or 2 positions free so be quick J)

If you think you’ve got what it takes, either apply on our forum under applications, by pm’ing me or by sending an email to stigsydtangen@yahoo.no.

3 more screenshots added to the Media page, 2 of the new Egypt style world and one of the very new and very early North Korea map. To view just click the thumbnails above or you can simply make your way to the media page.

Just getting hold of photos of North Korea to style and set the lighting etc for the N.Korea maps is hard enough..

More to come soon

This weekend only! Save 66% on everything Half-Life. Or get the Valve Complete Pack for 10% off.

The Valve Complete Pack
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Half-Life
Half-Life: Opposing Force
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Half-Life: Source
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Half-Life 2: Episode One
Half-Life 2: Episode Two
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Half-Life 2: Deathmatch

Updates to Team Fortress 2 have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The specific changes include:

Team Fortress 2

• Fixed "r_rootlod" being marked as a cheat, which prevented it from being changed and caused a significant performance loss for some GPUs


• Changed "The Big Hurt" Scout achievement to be "Stun 2 Medics that are ready to deploy an UberCharge."


• Fixed Announcer overtime bug on KOTH servers using mp_timelimit


• Due to many requests, added server ConVar "tf_overtime_nag". When set to 1, it keeps the broken announcer behavior


• Fixed tournament stopwatch not displaying the time in the HUD


• Fixed a bug with cloak meter regen and drain rates


• Fixed Spies not being able to go invis while reloading


• Fixed pipebombs sticking to saw blades


• Fixed weapons not being hidden properly during loser state anims


• Fixed a case where radius damage didn't reduce damage to self


• Fixes Demomen taking too much damage from their pipebombs


• Fixed a case where items would never show up in the backpack, even though they were available to equip


• Fixed a case where items weren't being validated properly in class loadout slots

Community requests

• Removed centerprint texts for TF_FLAGTYPE_ATTACK_DEFEND CTF game mode


• Changed TF_FLAGTYPE_ATTACK_DEFEND capture reward from 30 kills to 1 capture