by Chris "Pip the Intern" Holt

Greetings, citizens.

For those of you who are obsessed with Valve’s Team Fortress 2— I bring strange tidings indeed.

Valve has announced a new map, a new video, and new weapons for Team Fortress 2. The new map is called “Goldrush” and is in a new game mode called “Payload.” Essentially, one team is trying to drive a cart full of explosives into the other team’s base. One team is charged with defending, while the other team “pushes” the cart by standing near it— the more people near it, the faster it goes.

Additionally, there will be new weapons to unlock for all classes, starting with the Medic. Check out the article on Shacknews for more details.

Finally, there will be a new video in the “Meet the Team” press campaign, this time for the scout. According to stats, he happens to be my best class. Hurrah!

by Chris "Pip the Intern" Holt

Greetings, citizens.

For those of you who are obsessed with Valve’s Team Fortress 2— I bring strange tidings indeed.

Valve has announced a new map, a new video, and new weapons for Team Fortress 2. The new map is called “Goldrush” and is in a new game mode called “Payload.” Essentially, one team is trying to drive a cart full of explosives into the other team’s base. One team is charged with defending, while the other team “pushes” the cart by standing near it— the more people near it, the faster it goes.

Additionally, there will be new weapons to unlock for all classes, starting with the Medic. Check out the article on Shacknews for more details.

Finally, there will be a new video in the “Meet the Team” press campaign, this time for the scout. According to stats, he happens to be my best class. Hurrah!

So this will all make the game a lot better, right? Right? Well, maybe. I have hope, but I also have some fears. I’m not sure what I think about the prospect of new weapons. One thing I’ve come to realize is that the classes are so balanced now (save, perhaps, the Medic) that I worry any additional guns would destroy the equilibrium. One wrong move and the entire Jenga block tower tumbles down. I worry that new players will find themselves heavily outgunned by experienced players if indeed you can earn special guns through experience. Color me a “purist” but I fear change. This game is just so good right now. Can it get any better?

That said, I’ve always trusted Valve in the past and they haven’t led me astray so far. Giving medics better abilities may ensure that it’s not just the unlucky noob on your team that is saddled with the responsibility of being “team doctor.” Maybe the doctors will be more desirable for players to play— less like Dr. Dolittle, and more like Dr. McNinja. The new map “Gold Rush” seems like a great adaptation of something similar in the original Team Fortress. And I can’t wait to see the new “Scout” video.

So maybe I’m not so much afraid of change as I am “cautiously optimistic.” See you in the Badlands….

-Pip