iGame Radio

Riding the wave of free to play fever, Valve has decided they are not done yet. They announced that Team Fortress 2 has gone F2P…part of the “Über Update” released yesterday.

After 200 updates, this team co-op shooter released in 2007 will now sport a hybrid membership model. Anyone who downloads the game will be able to play for free. This includes access to every map in the game, but a limited amount of items, slots, trading rights, etc. Those who have or will spend any money at all on the game, whether it be having purchased the game (download or retail) or purchasing anything in the Mann Co store, are considered premium members. Premiums get access to the whole shebang.

In addition, current players who are converted to Premium members automatically will also get special Proof of Purchase hats to wear that will only be available those who purchase the retail version. Valve has also already implemented some measures to prevent F2Pers from using this method to cheat the game by creating multiple accounts. You can get more information in the TF2 FAQ.

Also included in the Über Update is the new Medic. Valve has released an animated short, “Meet the Medic,” to help the community become more familiar with this cleric-gone-fighter character.

TF2 is F2P for Windows and Mac players via Steam. For more information, visit the Team Fortress free to play site.