Valve has just unveiled a significant update to the Source SDK, providing enthusiasts with the entire Team Fortress 2 (TF2) client and server game code. This monumental release empowers players to create entirely new games from the ground up. Unlike modifications through the Steam Workshop or local content mods, this update offers unprecedented access, allowing modders to modify, expand, and even completely overhaul Team Fortress 2 in virtually limitless ways.
However, there's a key condition: creations made using this SDK cannot be sold. Any mods or spin-off content must be distributed for free on a non-commercial basis. Yet, there's a silver lining—your creations can be published on the Steam Store, appearing as brand-new games in the Steam game list.
Valve acknowledges the significant investment players and Steam Workshop contributors have in their TF2 inventories. In a blog post, they emphasized, "The majority of items in the game now are thanks to the hard work of the TF2 community." They encourage mod makers to honor this connection and not to develop mods aimed at profiting from the efforts of Workshop contributors. Valve hopes that many mods will continue to allow players to access their existing TF2 inventory, where it makes sense within the context of the mod.
In addition to this groundbreaking update for TF2, Valve is rolling out a comprehensive update to all its multiplayer Source engine titles. This includes adding 64-bit binary support, scalable HUD/UI, prediction fixes, and numerous other enhancements for games such as TF2, Day of Defeat: Source, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch, Counter-Strike: Source, and Half-Life Deathmatch: Source.
This news comes on the heels of the release of the seventh and final update to The Team Fortress 2 comic back in December, after a seven-year wait. These comics not only serve as a rich source of lore for fans, offering deeper insights into characters and stories, but they also underscore Valve's ongoing commitment to one of its most beloved franchises.
