Valve Releases Full Code for Team Fortress 2, Thrilling Modders

Surprise! Valve has just dropped a major update to the Source SDK, including the complete Team Fortress 2 client and server code.

Valve says this update enables players to build entirely new games using its source code—unlike Steam Workshop or local mods, it gives modders full access to modify, extend, and even completely rewrite Team Fortress 2 in nearly any way they can imagine.

You won’t be able to sell anything you create with it—meaning all mods or spin-off content must be released for free on a non-commercial basis—but creations can be published on the Steam Store, appearing as new games in the Steam game list.

“Players have invested heavily in their TF2 inventories, and Steam Workshop contributors have created much of that content,” Valve explained in a blog post. “Most items in the game today are the result of the TF2 community’s hard work.

“To honor that, we’re asking TF2 mod makers to respect this connection and avoid creating mods designed to profit from Workshop contributors’ efforts. We hope many mods will continue to let players access their TF2 inventories, if it fits the mod’s design.”

Valve also announced a major update to all its multiplayer back-catalog Source engine titles, adding 64-bit binary support, a scalable HUD/UI, prediction fixes, and numerous other improvements—not just for TF2, but also for DoD:S, HL2:DM, CS:S, and HLDM:S.

Back in December, after seven long years, The Team Fortress 2 comic released its seventh and final update. The comics have not only been a rich source of new details about the game’s characters and stories, but also a testament to Valve’s enduring commitment to one of its oldest franchises.