It's to be noted that these guys are in the early stages of development, so don't expecting them to go pushing carts or pulling off rocket jumps just yet. What they can do, however, is play a little King of the Hill, so if you'd like to see what it's like playing Team Fortress 2 with no friends, follow the steps below:

- To add bots to your game, use the console command tf_bot_add. This will drop a random bot onto a random team (assuming there is a free player slot). The tf_bot_add command can also take up to three optional arguments: , , and , in any order. For example, tf_bot_add 10 will add 10 random bots to the game with auto-assigned teams. Typing tf_bot_add pyro blue will add a Pyro to the blue team. Entering tf_bot_add red 5 will add 5 random bots to the red team. The command tf_bot_add red 3 heavyweapons will add three heavies to the red team.

- In order to put specific bots on specific teams (for a bots-vs-humans game, for example), you may want to disable automatic team balancing. To do this, enter mp_autoteambalance 0 followed by mp_teams_unbalance_limit 0.

- To remove a bot, use the console command kick . To remove all of the bots in the game, use the command tf_bot_kick all.

And that's it! Just make sure you've got some player slots left open for the bots, as they need to occupy them to enter the game.

Hit the link below for more detailed info.

Erectin a dispenser [Valve]

Spoils which come in the form of the final update to the game's characters for the week. Since the Soldiers won, the Soldier gets a bonus new item, which is a pair of "Gunboats", boots that when equipped greatly reduce the amount of damage absorbed from a rocket jump.

Everyone's a winner today, though, with the week of war drawing to a close with a gift all players can enjoy: two new maps. The first is called Gorge, and is "an attack/defense map with only two control points, designed for quick rounds and fast, frantic play". The second is called "Doublecross", and is "a fast-paced map that promises a lot of turnaround, with fighting focused on the main bridge and plenty of ways to fall off of it (or cause others to)".

[Team Fortress 2]

One piece of real news, though: Valve announced that it's begun transitioning new inventory into the game, but until the update goes live, players won't see it. [Update] It's now live. Run go get it.

That inventory should include new items for both Soldier and Demoman (check them out here) as well as new achievements - 35 each for both classes.

And the Winner is... [Team Fortress 2 blog]

As expected, the Soldier gets a pickaxe (which deals more damage the less health you have) and a banner, which can inspire his fellow troops.

The Demoman, meanwhile, gets a new sticky bomb launcher, one which sacrifices firepower for the ability to selectively detonate the bombs.

Both classes will also be getting 35 new achievements each. For more info, hit the link below.

[Team Fortress 2]

Valve have picked the three winners from a field of over 11,000 entries, each of which will receive one-of-a-kind in-game items. And boy do they deserve it. Especially that "Blue Devil" one. Let's hope there was a clause in the entry forms stating the winners may end up for sale in Valve's store!

[Team Fortress 2]

This is the "Direct Hit". It's a new rocket launcher for the Soldier, which is aimed at those who, well, like to aim. Its splash damage is greatly reduced, but in exchange, it's a lot faster and more powerful than a standard rocket. It also does extra damage on airborne targets, so if you've been trained to jump to avoid a rocket's splash damage, might want to keep your feet on the ground for the next few weeks.

In addition to the upgrade, there's yet another TF2 comic, along with the news that anyone sitting on the sidelines who is at all curious about what all this means, this weekend will see TF2 go free-to-play. Hell, it's not even a weekend; it starts on Thursday, meaning you get four days with the game for free.

[Team Fortress 2]

They're part of the "Close Combat Kit", which arms the Demoman with a sword and shield. The sword - "The Eyelander" - is a guaranteed decapitation if you score a kill, however equipping it will give you a decreased maximum health. Oh, and it's haunted.

The shield, meanwhile, is called "The Chargin' Targe", and if equipped replaces the sticky bomb launcher. As a shield with a giant spike sticking out the end, it provides not only increased protection against fire (+50%) and blast (+65%) damage, but can also be used as a stabbing weapon. Oh, and it also increases your chances of landing a critical hit when using a melee attack. So it's rather handy.

Finally, those looking for an update in the battle between Soldier and Demoman should know that the Soldier is slightly ahead.

Got all that? Great. Now kick back and enjoy a new TF2 comic.

As part of this struggle, Valve are running a contest, where the best user-submitted propaganda posters for the war win some prizes, like one-of-a-kind, in-game items named after the artist.

Though the competition is still running, Eric over on GSW has done a little digging and come up with some of the better entrants so far.

While some opt for more contemporary designs, as a history buff I can't go past these, calling on both World Wars for a little inspiration. They're by AgentScarlet, Fenomena and IgnisSolus rspectively.

For the rest, head below.

Propaganda Posters For TF2's Demoman, Soldier [GSW]

"EVERYTHING in your inventory now contributes towards something you actually WANT, and can build YOURSELF!" Valve declares."If you're super clever, you'll even be able to craft new items before others can earn them the old fashioned way."

The blog post links over directly to it; it can also be found by flipping through this newspaper portal. Which of course includes the funnies, and that means another manful episode of Saxton Hale. More on that in a bit.

Regarding crafting, players will get weapon blueprints (recipes listing items needed to build other weapons), some of them immediately, others will have to be earned or figured out by the players. So, no more swearing over which item was the most useless in your loadout. Just smelt it down to raw parts, follow the blueprint, and voila.

Now, regarding Mr. Hale. On page 5 of his comic, People have discovered a magic secret page that points to a page full of some more vintage comic-book spoof ads. Some readers have suggested that it might hint at future weapons and items. And no, I'm not talking about the bazooka used to murder Fred Astaire.

To get to the page, click on the words "poor monkey" here. Then you'll see that fake company Mann Co. is offering some commemorative plates honoring fake monkey astronaut "Poopy Joe," but its what they choose to depict that is so conspicuously intriguing.

• The PICKAXE Poopy Joe would have used to PIERCE the VAULT OF HEAVEN itself!

• The GIANT SWORD Poopy Joe would have used to fight off Soviet monkeynaut Vladimir Bananas! How do you like the taste of AMERICAN STEEL, comrade?

• The tiny BUGLE we gave him to blow on in case he got in trouble, so that we could launch ANOTHER MONKEY INTO SPACE to help him!

• If you order now, we'll include a bonus plate showing the EXPLOSION of his capsule. Try to imagine it reflected in the TEAR-STAINED EYE OF AN EAGLE!

So, three of these would have offensive purposes, and I'd guess a bugle could provide a kind of team buff effect. Again, this is nothing but speculation. The big news here is crafting. That definitely provides new items.

Also, note the rest of the ads on that page. Please do not staple a $550,000 check to a postcard addressed to Box 857 Saratoga N.J. Not only will you not, in fact, own Florida (man enough or no), you will probably not get any cool Mann Co. swag this time, because there is no such place as Saratoga, N.J. Your mail will be returned as undeliverable, provided someone doesn't cash the check first.

Weekend Update [TF2 Blog, thanks to all who sent this in]

Either the Soldier or Demoman class will be on the receiving end of that to-be-revealed unlockable. And Valve is letting players decide who gets it, having them vote via bodycount.

"If you want your class to have it, you're going to have to fight for it," writes Team Fortress 2 lead Robin Walker on the official blog. "The more Demomen you kill as the Soldier class will help ensure the Soldier gets the weapon at the end of the week. The more Soldiers you kill as the Demo will help the Demo class get the exclusive seventh weapon."

New weapons for the Demo and Soldier will be revealed over the course of the next week. And players can keep an eye on the kill contest at the TF2 War hub page. If you feel strongly about your class getting that seventh unlockable, we'd advise you to start contributing to the kill count pronto!

The War Update [Team Fortress]

These events play out in a webcomic that's popped up in a post on the Team Fortress 2 blog that simply says, "Attention employees...friendship ends in 1 day." In the rather lengthy comic, the administrator reacts badly to news that two opposing team members have formed a lasting bond of friendship. You can read the rest for yourselves at the link below, but pay attention to that last line.

"Nothing kills a friendship faster...than a healthy competition."

Could the mystery of the strange sound files be solved? Insert dramatic chipmunk here.

Attention employees... [Team Fortress 2 Blog - Thanks Jim!]

While some Team Fortress 2 players are left scratching their heads, some have already heard the Announcer's new dialogue used in game. The developer says the update is not related to a new game type.

"We've got something coming, but it's not a new game mode," Valve's Robin Walker says. "The key to understanding the new sound files is to figure out who's hearing them in-game, and who isn't."

Well, that's certainly cryptic, Mr. Walker! Since I've not heard them in-game yet, nor have I taken a survey of who has, we're still trying to figure this one out.

It seems to be suggesting that a new game mode is on the way for Team Fortress 2, one that sees players from opposing teams joining forces, much to the displeasure of the announcer.

So, what, you start a normal game then the teams are randomised? Reds and Blues vs Blues and Reds? That's one of my two impressions, and it's an intriguing one.

My other impression is that this is Valve, and this is Team Fortress 2, and both of them take great delight in fucking with us, so who knows, it could be the reddest of red herrings.

[thanks Sylon!]

Apparently since the game was released two years ago, there have been 97 updates for the game. 97! That's roughly one a week, and has to be some kind of record. Were there a place/organisation bothering to check for such things, anyways.

Sure, that speaks volumes about the commitment of Valve to the game and the ways Steam allows them to directly service their customers. That's surely why the point was made. But I like it because it shows how insanely passionate (not to mention important) TF2's vocal player base is, that their over-bearing presence has Valve so on their toes that they're updating a game on a weekly basis.

Valve's Holtman: Digital Direct Gives Developers More Pricing Freedom [Gamasutra]

They're slam-packed with in-game memes - Pyro's speechlessness, Demo-Man getting lit on egg nog, and Spy romancing Scout's mom under the mistletoe. Each set is $15.95 - a steep price to confuse your family, or a bargain to wow your friends, your choice.

2009 Holiday Card Collection [Steam via VG247]

No, not when it's Team Fortress 2. It doesn't matter this poor girl has no idea what she's being made to repeat. She's having a ball, and our cold, dead hearts are going to run a little warmer today.

"MEEEDICCC!" A TF2 inspired Halloween. *Pic HEAVY* [Craftster, via Dtoid]

Pitchford, speaking to Official PlayStation Magazine, called Valve's posture toward Sony - specifically as expressed by Doug Lombardi - similar to that of fanboys'.

"Doug Lombardi had to take a swipe at the PS3 again, and I thought it was foolish," Pitchford told OPM, according to AnalogHype.

I read it the same way I read fanboys," he added. "Like there's a guy who bought the Sony platform and he's a Sony guy, so he decides he's going to spend a certain percentage of his time bashing Microsoft. And there's a guy on Microsoft doing the same thing. Those guys are childish and narrow minded; It's the same kind of thing.

Pitchford wasn't done there. He also spoke of an "underlying sleaziness" in how Valve has treated the PS3 version of The Orange Box, relative to its support for the Xbox 360 version of Team Fortress 2.

I'm actually kind of mad at Doug because with the Orange Box, he said the 360 and PC versions are the good ones and the PS3 version is like the stepchild because some other developer made it. Well you Valve don't really think that, because look what you've done on the PC side. You've supported that, you've added all this content to Team Fortress 2, and you've left us hanging. It's hard to accept that genuinely, because I know the business, I know you guys make half the money on the PS3 version because you've got other fingers in the pie, and other developers getting a cut. It benefits you if nobody buys that, and only buys the PC version, because you make the most money. There's this underlying sleaziness.

Not that this settles anything but, there you go, equal time for PS3, albeit from a surrogate, in a great three-way Valve/Gearbox/Sony pissing contest.

For the record, we have inquiries into Gearbox regarding the accuracy of these quotes, and any clarification the studio might want to make.

President of Gearbox Questions Valve's Lack of PS3 Support [AnalogHype via Destructoid]

Kotaku reader Wayne T. received a form letter, two 1960s/70s era comic covers ("Saxton Hale's Jungle Brawl" and "Saxton Hale's Barbershop Action") and the most badass piece of mail the United States Postal Service ever sorted.

"I guess I'll forgive them for not having my spy crab kit in stock," Wayne told us. "P.S. - The woman probably wasn't impressed because I didn't send enough money. I'll fix that next time ..."

The deal's of course restricted to pre-orders of the PC L4D2, Steam or retail. However, if you've already preordered the game, never fear. "Just fire up TF2 and you'll find the hat in your next game," the ad states.

For the record, Valve offers this defense of shamelessly rending two continuities asunder just to make a fast buck:

Lest you think this is just some marketing gimmick, here's the intricate back-story justifying it: while conducting a science experiment on parallel dimensions, Bill's hat fell off a table into the Team Fortress universe.

Plausible. The hat preorder bonus accompanies a 10 percent discount, too.

Pre-Order Giveaway Madness! [TF2 Official Blog]

If anybody else has got gamer-themed costumes they want to share, throw 'em in the comments field. I would say email 'em to me — but given that I'm still receiving pumpkin pics even now in November, I doubt they'd get to me in time to be relevant. So comment away!

P.S. Sorry, guys. I wound up not going as Peach this year because I couldn't find anybody to be my Mario.

P.P.S. Check back at 5AM for a very special Batman: Arkham Asylum costume. It's so spiffy, this boss is giving it its own post.

These are actually colleagues of mine who posted their group costume to Facebook. I re-posted here so you could compare this Zoe to the Drag Zoe in the next three pictures.