Because of Valve's Silence (reasons given above), they have not released any new information about TF2, nor
will we see any until they are close to release it upon the masses. Who knows if this is best, but it's the
reality that has to be dealt with.
- New Engine
I hit this one already, but it is important enough to note in it's own right. Valve has announced that they
are developing their own game engine built entirely by their own in-house team
(no specific information has been given other than it does exist) and will be
using it for Team Fortress 2 (this was the cause for one of the "scratch & restarts" of the game).
- CS Impact?
TF Enthusiasts are worried that huge success of Counter-Strike will change the focus of TF2, or kill it completely.
In a couple interviews it was noted that TF2's gameplay would not be totally like TF and TFC.
They were going to go with a slightly more realistic feel (you can get a rough idea of this by the
available info screenshots and movies) somewhat like the (then) very young modification,
Counter-Strike. I don't believe this has changed since the huge success of CS, mainly due to the fact that
CS2 is going to be created, as well.
Quote from Gabe Newell, "What's Minh working on? He's working on Counter-Strike 2,
which will use the same engine as TF 2." (2001/05/16)
- Scope of the Game
The age old questions of TF2. From the same post that gives us the CS2 information, I'll let Gabe fully
explain what they are doing for TF2 these days:
"So, to paraphrase a frequent question, "What the f*ck is up with TF 2?" Well, TF 2 isn't easy. There is still a ton of work to do on it. TF 2 has to be something really innovative, or there's no point to it. If TF 2 doesn't add dramatically to the genre and is just a more bigger better version of TFC or Counter-Strike or any of the many cool mods already out there, then nobody's going to give a rat's ass about it. There are far more people working on TF 2 than will be working on Condition Zero. Robin and Yahn can have anything they need to make the game.
[...]
TF 2 has taken and will take a loooong time to get done. Hopefully we will get it right, and everyone will say
it was worth the wait. In the mean time, we are doing stuff like the SDK, Worldcraft updates, Blue Shift,
Condition Zero, spectator mode, TFC, supporting the MOD community, more maps, more models, and so on to
support the people who paid us money." (2001/05/16)
- Release Date?
So, the question everyone wants answered is when will TF2 be released. The answer is not known, though I can
provide some insight to the development cycle and product schedule that TF2 Falls into.
Development cycle. Many people have forgotten that the Voice Communication, VGUI, New Half-Life Netcode, New Models
& Animations, and Tracker (unreleased, currently) are all TF2 Technology that is to be used in Half-Life so
they can use their experience in working with it in a real game and apply it to TF2 when creating it. So obviously,
TF2 wouldn't be released until after these are out long enough to learn from.
Product Schedule. Currently Counter-Strike Condition Zero is the hot topic (and Randy Pitchford has been
interviewed by everyone and their brother about the game). Condition Zero uses the Half-Life engine and will
be a free multiplayer update to Counter-Strike. Certainly anyone can see it would be poor marketing to kill
off the potential sales of one game/expansion (Condition-Zero) with the release of a huge full game (Team Fortress 2).
So TF2 will be out at least a few months after Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.
Actual development. I've given two tips on knowing what TF2 has to wait for in order to be ready. That
does not mean it will be out right when these two requirements are fulfilled, simply that those
who like to keep track are able to know it will at least be that long. The game could be
in development for another few years, and just like gameplay information,
it won't be known until Valve is ready to tell us (like it or hate it).
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