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</div>It is perhaps no surprise that big changes are in store for Team Fortress 2. The last major update brought about a new "backpack" system for item inventory, a tease at new head gear options for each class, code that indicated "upgradable" weapons, and more.
Shacknews had a chance to talk to Valve's Robin Walker about some of the major changes and additions coming to Team Fortress 2. If you're worried about your favorite shooter becoming too much of an RPG, you will want to read this.
Walker continues on to state that future item unlocks may become more than just cosmetic. However, they will take things one step at a time to ensure the gameplay isn't broken as a result of too many changes being made at once.
He says that there is a "possibility" of more character customization. Nothing is set in stone and a lot of what happens will fall upon the reaction of the fans. Another possibility comes in the form of consumable items, one use items that provide a temporary benefit to the player.
Those who were worried about items being permanently deleted form their backpack can breathe a sigh of relief. Walker states that "as soon as the next update ships they'll be able to find any item, including ones they've deleted in the past. The reason we shipped it in the last update, even though there was no real reason at all to use it, was to get some real world testing. So thanks to the 270 people who went ahead and deleted items!"
Finally, the "Meet the..." videos are not finished. The final three classes (Medic, Spy, and Pyro) will have their own time to shine.
For more on the future of Team Fortress 2, including a few details we may have missed here, head on over to Shacknews.
</div>It is perhaps no surprise that big changes are in store for Team Fortress 2. The last major update brought about a new "backpack" system for item inventory, a tease at new head gear options for each class, code that indicated "upgradable" weapons, and more.
Shacknews had a chance to talk to Valve's Robin Walker about some of the major changes and additions coming to Team Fortress 2. If you're worried about your favorite shooter becoming too much of an RPG, you will want to read this.
Are the head-slot items being added before the Sniper update?
Robin Walker: The plan is for the head-slot items to be out before the Sniper pack is out, but if we don't get them done in time they'll just be bundled into the pack.
How will these items work on a basic level? Will they randomly drop from players that people kill?
Robin Walker: We're going to try a few different things, but the first ones won't manifest themselves inside the game itself, because it'd allow servers to cheat the system.
Will these items carry bonuses that impact gameplay?
Robin Walker: Right now they're all cosmetic only, but it's obviously more interesting if they become more than that, so we're still thinking about that. Shipping them without gameplay changes seems like a good way to tackle the first problem, which is to ensure we don't break our silhouette based class identification. It also starts us on another path that we're interested in, which is allowing players to have some control over their appearance.
Robin Walker: The plan is for the head-slot items to be out before the Sniper pack is out, but if we don't get them done in time they'll just be bundled into the pack.
How will these items work on a basic level? Will they randomly drop from players that people kill?
Robin Walker: We're going to try a few different things, but the first ones won't manifest themselves inside the game itself, because it'd allow servers to cheat the system.
Will these items carry bonuses that impact gameplay?
Robin Walker: Right now they're all cosmetic only, but it's obviously more interesting if they become more than that, so we're still thinking about that. Shipping them without gameplay changes seems like a good way to tackle the first problem, which is to ensure we don't break our silhouette based class identification. It also starts us on another path that we're interested in, which is allowing players to have some control over their appearance.
Walker continues on to state that future item unlocks may become more than just cosmetic. However, they will take things one step at a time to ensure the gameplay isn't broken as a result of too many changes being made at once.
He says that there is a "possibility" of more character customization. Nothing is set in stone and a lot of what happens will fall upon the reaction of the fans. Another possibility comes in the form of consumable items, one use items that provide a temporary benefit to the player.
Those who were worried about items being permanently deleted form their backpack can breathe a sigh of relief. Walker states that "as soon as the next update ships they'll be able to find any item, including ones they've deleted in the past. The reason we shipped it in the last update, even though there was no real reason at all to use it, was to get some real world testing. So thanks to the 270 people who went ahead and deleted items!"
Finally, the "Meet the..." videos are not finished. The final three classes (Medic, Spy, and Pyro) will have their own time to shine.
For more on the future of Team Fortress 2, including a few details we may have missed here, head on over to Shacknews.
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