Team Fortress 2 updates on 360 this year (for a price) [update]
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Aug 22nd 2008 at 5:00PM }
Update: It seems GameSpot has pulled this story, though as of this update the story headline is still displayed on GameSpot's 360 page. For what it's worth, Kotaku is reporting the same thing, so we're not sure exactly why GameSpot's article has been pulled. See our original post below.
Gamers with the Xbox 360 version of Team Fortress 2 have had kind of a rough time. First we see the PC version get Medic updates and achievements, then the Pyro gets the same treatment, and now our good friend the Heavy is getting his own update (not to mention the Sandvich). We 360 gamers have sat idly by as PC gamers get to romp about with new weapons and there's a even a new map on the way. It's time to cheer up fanboys, because Valve has confirmed to GameSpot that all of the TF2 content released thus far should be hitting the Xbox 360 before the end of the year.
And now be sad again, because it looks like it's going to cost you. In an interview with VideoGaming247, Valve boss Gabe Newell spoke about the updates saying, "On the consoles, they want us to charge money for them, because that's in their model, and our model is very much more to grow the community by giving out free updates." Boy, we like the sound of Valve's model much better. From the sound of things, it's soundling like Microsoft wants Valve to charge for their content even if Valve doesn't want to (now that sounds familiar).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rick @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:07PM
Yeah, ok. So, 360 players will get the chance to pay for only the updates that are available by the time the DLC is released...and we get to pay for it. Fine, I don't mind paying that much. But Valve will likely continue free updates on the PC version into next year until they update all the classes (if there's some sort of release schedule on each class update, I'm not aware of it, so someone correct me if there is one). Then we'll get to pay for what, another 1 or maybe even 2 DLC packs on the 360 to bring us up to date with the PC version? And we only have to wait a year or more for that to happen? Sounds great. NEXT.
Sentox6 @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:11PM
It's "soundling", eh? :P Sorry.
I love my 360... but anyone who plays any variety of FPS with a controller is crazy in my book.
It's interesting that we still get all that Burnout Paradise content for free, though. Perhaps because the PS3 is a competitor for that game.
Nick @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:34PM
I felt the same when I started playing on a Console, but now I can't imagine playing on a PC.
Maybe it's just that I suck hardcore either way ;)
I just have more fun on my console. I don't have to worry about keeping my system up to spec, I get to have it hooked into my awesome sound system and flat screen TV in another room, and it just WORKS.
If I do get an updated HTPC with a rockin' video card, maybe I'll look elsewhere, but even then - what MS has done with Live, it makes me want to come back again, and again, and again, and again. It's just easy, fun and again - it works.
So count me in. I'll pay this time, next time and the time after that. I JUST WANT IT.
Scorch @ Oct 15th 2008 2:25AM
Your book is messed up then, I have tried the pc version of tf2, I found the controls to be sloppy, in-accurate, and just not as fun.(even after 10 hours of practice.)
The thing is, it all has to do with what you're used to, reguardless of how 'bad' you think console controls are for fps, some of us are actually good at fps on consoles, and can excel at it with little effort. In fact, most of us console gamers feel the same way about you pc gamers.
Mr.ESC @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:17PM
Damn you Microsoft...I'm still goign to buy that anyway and to be honest I knew that was coming.
Oh well.
Of couse that I could get it for PC with mods and everything.
Mr.ESC @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:18PM
*going
Jonman @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:18PM
Today's Penny-Arcade post sums up this nicely.
MC Double Def DP @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:20PM
Bill Gates still gets his money, even from beyond the grave.
Tep @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:31PM
That's pretty dumb, the community for Team Fortress 2 is dead and there are only about 5-10 people playing at anytime. So yeah Valve, go ahead put all that hard work for an update you're small but caring community won't buy.
Shashwat @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:43PM
So the DLC will cost 10 bucks. That's half the cost of TF2 on Pc. guess i will just buy it for pc then.
Shashwat @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:44PM
I mean to say it will cost "at least" 10 bucks.
Conor @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:46PM
How much to fix the lag issues eh?
PAGETWO STM @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:36AM
hey man lag is due to people who have shit connections i host 16player matches every night with no lag what so ever find some one who can host and it wont be an issue or if any one on x3f whats to hit me up for a lag free game all are welcome
MDJ2010 @ Aug 23rd 2008 8:44AM
Yeah I rarely have lag issues, and quite frankly only have an 8Mb broadband line, but its just sooo much fun. I really can;t wait for this update. Shame that it's probably going to drop around Gears 2 release date. Although it'll allow for a less stressful option from the Gears 2 mp, which is going to be manic!
ZenGaijin @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:55PM
I can't wait it sucks it took so long and that we have to pay but at least its there.
DsK UK @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:21PM
I thought MS had a policy of "if it's free on another platform, it'll be free on ours"
Also, if this is the case, how come all those burnout paradise updates have been free?
...Taking that small quote sounds more like they could be talking bout EA (which isn't surprising) as they published the orange box
LuckyEMS @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:23PM
fuck TF2 finish Episode 3 already
Krugmik @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:42PM
Please Troll Somewhere else LuckyEMS, This is for people who love Orange Box for TF2
Rob A @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:54PM
patience now, would you rather them rush it, and make a real turd, or let them take their time and do it right?
Alexander @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:06PM
I thought the publisher decides the price of DLC, not Microsoft? Isn't that why Gears of War's DLC whas 10 bucks?
horngreen @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:20PM
I got a launch original Xbox and was a BETA tester for LIVE. I now have a 360 and generally don't mind paying for DLC but I think I'm done with gaming overall. Gamer pics/themes/most DLC all being charged for is getting old. I guess the 360 is my last console.
Chris @ Aug 25th 2008 10:16AM
you're the sucker that is buying those gamer pics and themes. You can still play games and not buy that BS.
monkeywithnoeyes @ Aug 23rd 2008 8:55AM
buy a ps3 instead where you dont get charged for pictures you cant view first, or themes. Theres no restrictions on demo's. And its all dedicated servers...so no more will you have your games suddenly come to an end with "host has left". Its supported by the mod community...and because its an open network theres absolutely no excuse that free pc updates to games shouldnt be free ps3 updates also.... or yeah, and the whole service is FREE!!!!!
Obviously i'm going to get countless blind microsoft fanboys crying "troll" at me now. But the fact is that i myself am an xbox fanboy, i love the console for its games...i do not however love microsoft or their business ethic in screwing its customers over. And the sad truth is that live USED to be ahead of its game, but its slowly getting eclipsed by psn all the time.. especially here in the uk where microsoft charge TWICE as much for live as they do in the states...aswell as dlc. Now also take into account that p2p gaming benefits americans alone because they manoplise on the hosting, and the bitter taste that UT3 has left with its removal of the uk servers after only a MONTH.. and its no surprise that people are seriously losing faith in this "premium" service.
Its a joke..and if you're happy with it then you deserve to have MUG written on you and be charged for the exact same thing others get for free.
Rob A @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:43PM
Lately I've been considering selling my orange box and buying the PC version. Free updates, user created maps, Gmod 10, the more I think about it, the more it sounds like a good idea.
Kid Chemical @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:59PM
I called this many moons ago.
And it would be more EA requiring Valve to charge since they are the publisher, not Microsoft.
Saeth @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:14PM
Valve is the 360 version, EA is the PS3.
Alexander @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:49PM
EA published the Xbox 360 version.
Saeth @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:13PM
...for a price? Damn this nickel and dime shit. If MS/Sony keep going down this pay dlc route then I'm just going to ebay both their consoles and go back to PC.
VeHeMeNcE @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:54PM
I thought MS wasn't allowed to charge for content if it's already offered for free? Lame.
Chase @ Aug 23rd 2008 6:58AM
Damn it, Microsoft.
BFBeast666 @ Aug 23rd 2008 8:32AM
Alright. I don't mind paying for worthwhile DLC, but for UPDATES? Sorry, gameplay tweaks like those are filed under "updates" in my book. I like TF2, but I haven't touched it in about half a year, so Valve can stick their paid update where the sun don't shine.
Alexander @ Aug 24th 2008 3:32PM
They are gameplay updates, new maps, modes and weapons.
BOSS @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:52AM
I think there is something fishy about this..especially when EA can offer new modes and other stuff for free for Burnout Paradise, Bioshock had free content, Rainbow Six Vegas had multplayer content free and so on...seems to me like Valve is trying to cash in on this and blaming Microsoft for it.
George @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:23PM
I Personally don't care if they make us xbox gamers pay for the updates just as long as we get the its like valve has forgotten about the xbox community but yeah i know they have been try to get them free but they obviosly have't try hard all they have done is waste the time of the xbox gamers!
Jonah Falcon @ Aug 23rd 2008 2:55PM
GameSpot article is back up.
Nastradoomus @ Aug 25th 2008 2:43PM
Hey xboxfanboys, i have been complaining about this for the longest time. I'm so mad that we have to actually pay for it but hey that's MS. Anyway I can never really get alot of serious people to play some great games on TF2360 if anyone is interested in playing some games im on all the time, add me Idlewillkill
nick @ Aug 25th 2008 12:35PM
Some content I don't mind paying extra to receive, but this is the sort of update that if everyone doesn't buy, it kinda hurts the game. So if I buy the update and my friends don't, then what-- we can't play together? or am I at an advantage? I suspect the former.
I love TF2 on the 360 and it is by far my favorite game, and I've played for many hours, so I'm really looking forward to the updates.
I do, however, believe there is a time and a place for free content. I've always felt gamerpics and themes should have been free (many are basically ads anyway) and any game where you're playing against a lot of other people, the maps/updates should be free. I can see charging if you're extending single player capability, but this game isn't single player.
As far as the PC version, I actually bought it just to play the updates, but I still prefer the console version.
TV's Rob @ Aug 25th 2008 3:23PM
The class updates are all fine and good, however, can't they fix the skywalking and flying sentries in Dustbowl? Or, the ability to get under the map in Gravelpit? Or, getting stuck under the the capture point in Hydro? Or, shooting through the cracks in the door before the match begins? Should we have to pay to make the game less horribly broken?
360 Player @ Oct 4th 2008 2:25PM
To the people that say there are never more than 30 or 40 people on at a time: I agree with you that early on, people didd't play this game much, and yes, the lag was terrible, but Valve fixed most of the lag and now there are a lot of servers that are usually full. Yes, Call of Duty and Halo both killed a lot of the TF2 fan base, but its coming back, but when the update is released i believe a lot of people will start to come back.