Before we get 360 update complaints (I'm probably too late), Microsoft requires charging for downloads, and each game only gets one free for updates 'n' such. So, Valve is waiting 'til they have all the classes updated before they do that, because they don't want to nickle 'n' dime the fans.
@Paul_Is_Drunk: I thought it was because the original Orange Box engine already maxed out the 360, and the updates would put it over the top.
But your point is also valid too, although I've never heard of the "one free update" rule.
@Aperture_Kubi: That's silly. TF2 runs well even on old PCs.
If you want an example of something maxing out the 360 (& the PS3) look towards Dragon Age.
I think the one free update rule is so that companies can update their games, which is a necessity this gen it seems, but still force all other add-ons to be bought. Microsoft really has been pushing that service, and they probably make A LOT of money off of it. Think of it like iTunes for video games.
Can we be sure, in the comments, to understand one thing?
There is a specific reason why the 360 hasn't had any class updates. They broke the 360's memory allocation. There isn't enough ram for all of the hats and items and sounds that have been added.
Also, they have updated the 360 a few times. Just recently they added server side (host side) class limit abilities and a crit/no crit feature.
Ever since I picked up Orange Box for 360 to get Portal and HL2, I've been in love with TF2. I bought it for PC for $20 not long after.
I'm still eagerly awaiting the Engineer update. By far my favourite class to play, though I do mix it up as the team needs.
Something funny I noticed the other day; about 95% of the time I end up on the Red team. I never pick a team, I always select the Random or go with the team with the fewest players.
@Squiffy: Well... it doesnt really matter. Each round if the "defending" team didnt meet the objective , team colors are switched. BLU always attacks. RED always defends.
@Steed123: I'm not expecting anything insanely different for the Engi. I'd just like a little variety maybe. Like two different turret types (flamethrower vs rocket launcher maybe?) or something to sub in for teleporters or dispensers.
Just variety, not "zomg he needs to be uberer." I'm sure all the classes will eventually get updated.
@Mercsenary: Well, yeah. I don't often play defend/attack maps, though.
I normally stick with CTF and capture point ones. Attack/Defend tends to be overfull of ubermedic zergs that win in 10 seconds.
Nothing against that type of map, I'm a bigger fan of games that go on for ages hehe
Edit: Hrm, this speakup tag got added on automatically... odd... I dunno if I should delete it or not!
I like that they keep supporting the game with updates but I do have a little bit of a beef with the content of those updates. When it originally came out TF2 had a chance to be the next big competitive shooter, but a lot of these updates have been so ridiculous and have messed with the balance so much that the game really doesn't get the respect it deserves.
@☆Giroro G66☆: There is a large competitive tf2 network. competitive leagues run a different version without the updates and with a few other tweaks.
I wonder how they justify the cost of the updates? I mean everyone and their mother has bought and played this game, it's such a great game and a staple of multiplayer, and now they sell it for $5 or less...
But there is no subscription fees, and no DLC or anything. So where are they pulling the revenue to support the updates.
Let me be clear, I think the dedication is amazing and I love and support it 1000%. BUT, I just wonder how they justify the cost of having a support team. I guess they just chalk it up to marketing, since it is this kind of support that makes Valve such a pillar in the videogame industry.
@dirtybacon: I have a friend that bought L4D2 because of how much support Valve has given to his first love, TF2. Since they have updated it so much, and he got it for so cheap he sort of thinks he owes it to them. A lot of it is making a name for themselves as a developer of a good product.
Look at the L4D2 boycott. People wouldn't have even blinked if EA or Activision released a sequel so soon.
Every time they release a major update for TF2, they see a sales increase of 20% for the game. Its not just a good moral decision, its a good buisness decision.
@Wolfnave: It's not just that. According to Microsoft's DLC "rules" Valve is being forced to make gamers pay for the console version updates (assuming they come out some time before 2013).
@Tacticalspoon: they were actual patches, not just server maintenance. usually skill rebalances on a half dozen or so skills. once a week, i believe, would be slighty above their average but in the first year the game was out was about right.
@shadydentist: & @clayfish101: with no monthly fee and a fully instanced based world (even the supposedly open world towns) it's really hard to classify guild wars as an MMO. certainly not an MMO in the traditional sense.
It's the only game that I still find myself playing 2 years after it was released; and I will continue to play it until TF3 comes out if that ever happens.
It's funny that 2 years after that game is still current and the graphics are still some of the best out there.
I originally sent this as a reply to another poster, but I'd like to give everyone a free shot here.
If you haven't tried TF2 and would like a free Steam Guest Pass, please let me know. I'd be happy to send you one to let you experience this awesomely addictive game. Please be TRULY interested in trying it. I don't want to pass it on to someone who won't appreciate it.
@devincarney: I can drink to that. When they dropped the price to 2.49 for a a few hours, I bought 4 copies that I gifted to friends who have never used Steam.
@BoTheDestroyer: That was such a great deal, and I honestly should have bought a few copies to sit on as well. I'll drink to good friendship and good games!
360 really got the shaft on updates on this. Sad I buy all valves games on 360 and pc. Sadly TF2 destroys the 360 verison. Like two completely different games.
Anyway i hope all these updates might be something they learn from in the future for hopefully tf3. Hopefully they will have teh game more "together" so xbox don't get screwed (cuz i prefer to play on xbox more comfy in my recliner :) But knowing valve tf3 will probably be sometimes in 2015 or later lol. L4d2 being the only time i've seen them dish out something fast.
@snkrumble: Wait wait - you're saying the XBOX version got the shaft? Play it on the PS3, and your opinion will change, my friend. I'm *jealous* of the XBOX version.
@RedLinkJ: If I got the discussion right the PC version gets an update almost every week, the XBOX version every half a year and the PS3 version hasn't changed since its release, right?
So all the additional content and all the Kotaku posts regarding content updates for TF2 where talking about the PC version.
And I've been so naive to think the updates where for all three systems alike.
@TheKleiner: Yup it's all for the PC version. Valve can't add anything more to the Xbox version becuase of a combination of Microsoft rules and the fact that they've hit the RAM limit with the retail game and so literally can't add more.
The PS3 version on the other hand wasn't developed by them, but EAUK, and so valve won't and can't update it, and neither will EAUK because they're useless.
So Valve do what they can on the platform they're allowed to do whatever they want on: The PC.
@snkrumble: idk why anyone would buy these games on a console... the amount of people online playing, the community, and the amount of updates/support will ALWAYS be greater on a comp
@Phydeaux: I have no doubt that they'll find a way eventually, but where did you read that they'd already overcome these technical hurdles? I've not heard that they have.
@snkrumble: They've said it time and time again. They'll only update the 360 version when they're done updating the PC version so that 360 users will only have to pay once for the update.
@F1v3K: There are still a metric shit-ton of people playing on TF2 360 console considering the lack of support we get, the community is well-behaved and cohesive and all we ask is a little support from the company that made the product. I wouldn't even expect it out of them if they didn't already promise it.
11/18/09
To celebrate, the entire Blu team lined up for a picture!
11/18/09
11/18/09
But your point is also valid too, although I've never heard of the "one free update" rule.
11/18/09
If you want an example of something maxing out the 360 (& the PS3) look towards Dragon Age.
I think the one free update rule is so that companies can update their games, which is a necessity this gen it seems, but still force all other add-ons to be bought. Microsoft really has been pushing that service, and they probably make A LOT of money off of it. Think of it like iTunes for video games.
11/18/09
There is a specific reason why the 360 hasn't had any class updates. They broke the 360's memory allocation. There isn't enough ram for all of the hats and items and sounds that have been added.
Also, they have updated the 360 a few times. Just recently they added server side (host side) class limit abilities and a crit/no crit feature.
11/18/09
I'm still eagerly awaiting the Engineer update. By far my favourite class to play, though I do mix it up as the team needs.
Something funny I noticed the other day; about 95% of the time I end up on the Red team. I never pick a team, I always select the Random or go with the team with the fewest players.
11/18/09
They made his tech upgradable a while back, probably all they'll do for it.
11/18/09
11/18/09
Just variety, not "zomg he needs to be uberer." I'm sure all the classes will eventually get updated.
@Mercsenary: Well, yeah. I don't often play defend/attack maps, though.
I normally stick with CTF and capture point ones. Attack/Defend tends to be overfull of ubermedic zergs that win in 10 seconds.
Nothing against that type of map, I'm a bigger fan of games that go on for ages hehe
Edit: Hrm, this speakup tag got added on automatically... odd... I dunno if I should delete it or not!
#speakup
11/25/09
#speakup
11/18/09
11/18/09
TF2 is still 10x better than CoD:MW2 though.
11/18/09
11/18/09
But there is no subscription fees, and no DLC or anything. So where are they pulling the revenue to support the updates.
Let me be clear, I think the dedication is amazing and I love and support it 1000%. BUT, I just wonder how they justify the cost of having a support team. I guess they just chalk it up to marketing, since it is this kind of support that makes Valve such a pillar in the videogame industry.
11/18/09
Look at the L4D2 boycott. People wouldn't have even blinked if EA or Activision released a sequel so soon.
11/18/09
Valve has already commented on this.
Every time they release a major update for TF2, they see a sales increase of 20% for the game. Its not just a good moral decision, its a good buisness decision.
11/18/09
#tips
11/18/09
11/18/09
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For a non-MMO, it certainly is.
11/18/09
@shadydentist: & @clayfish101: with no monthly fee and a fully instanced based world (even the supposedly open world towns) it's really hard to classify guild wars as an MMO. certainly not an MMO in the traditional sense.
11/18/09
11/18/09
It's funny that 2 years after that game is still current and the graphics are still some of the best out there.
11/18/09
If you haven't tried TF2 and would like a free Steam Guest Pass, please let me know. I'd be happy to send you one to let you experience this awesomely addictive game. Please be TRULY interested in trying it. I don't want to pass it on to someone who won't appreciate it.
Just drop me a message. First message gets it!
11/18/09
11/18/09
And plus, my friends either already have it, or have absolutely no interest in it. I'd prefer giving it to someone that would appreciate it!
Check your messages, Shyn. :D
11/18/09
11/18/09
Here's hoping they'll have it on sale again!
11/18/09
11/18/09
Anyway i hope all these updates might be something they learn from in the future for hopefully tf3. Hopefully they will have teh game more "together" so xbox don't get screwed (cuz i prefer to play on xbox more comfy in my recliner :) But knowing valve tf3 will probably be sometimes in 2015 or later lol. L4d2 being the only time i've seen them dish out something fast.
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
Done and done :)
11/18/09
So all the additional content and all the Kotaku posts regarding content updates for TF2 where talking about the PC version.
And I've been so naive to think the updates where for all three systems alike.
11/18/09
The PS3 version on the other hand wasn't developed by them, but EAUK, and so valve won't and can't update it, and neither will EAUK because they're useless.
So Valve do what they can on the platform they're allowed to do whatever they want on: The PC.
11/18/09
11/18/09
11/18/09
#speakup
11/18/09
How many times do I have to repeat myself?
11/20/09
11/20/09