Valve is handing Team Fortress 2 modders the keys to the dominion, so long as they don't attempt to make any cash from it. The corporate has added the shopper and server sport code to the Supply software program growth equipment (SDK), permitting followers to create new video games and experiences primarily based on TF2.
"In contrast to the Steam Workshop or native content material mods, this SDK provides mod makers the flexibility to alter, prolong or rewrite TF2, making something from small tweaks to finish conversions potential," Valve defined. Modders will be capable of publish their creations as new video games on Steam if they need.
The primary catch is that Valve is providing the TF2 supply code on a non-commercial foundation, so any mods or content material therein which can be primarily based on the SDK must be accessible without cost. The corporate additionally notes that a lot of the content material that's in gamers' inventories — a lot of the in-game gadgets, in reality — had been created by the Steam Workshop group. "To respect that, we're asking TF2 mod makers proceed to respect that connection, and to not make mods which have the aim of attempting to revenue off Workshop contributors' efforts," Valve stated. "We're hoping that many mods will proceed to permit gamers entry their TF2 stock, if this is sensible for the mod."
On prime of including the TF2 supply code to the SDK, Valve is making different updates to its different multiplayer video games that run on Supply, its outdated sport engine. These embrace 64-bit binary assist, a scalable heads-up show/person interface and prediction fixes for the likes of Day of Defeat: Supply, Half-Life 2: Deathmatch, Half-Life Deathmatch: Supply and Counter-Strike: Supply.
It's not too stunning that Valve is handing over the TF2 supply code at this level. The sport has largely been in upkeep mode for a very long time as the corporate targeted on different tasks. It took the corporate years to treatment a serious bot invasion, indicating simply how low TF2 is on its listing of priorities. Giving followers the shopper and server code could possibly be an indication that Valve is able to wind down official assist for the sport.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/computer/valve-hands-the-team-fortress-2-source-code-to-modders-183223667.html?src=rss
