All it took was two years and a massive mobilisation of TF2’s community
For about a week earlier this month, my inbox was absolutely rammed with emails fromTeam Fortress 2players complaining about the game’s bot problem. I’d only just started this job and was still setting up my email signature at the time (sorry, TF2 community), but thankfully all that shouting has finally been heard by the people who matter most. For the first time in two years, Valvetweetedthrough the official TF2 account today that they’re finally going to do something about the bots. My inbox is thankful.
Even though it launched 15 years ago, Team Fortress 2 is still one of themost played games on Steam. While it’s still got nothing on Valve’s perennially popularCS:GOandDota 2, it has ahigher active player countat time of writing than current darlingV Rising, which just sold more than a million copies in a week. But the people frustrated with the bots flooding TF2 say the issue has gone on for two years, and repeated attempts to get Valve to listen have failed. “These bots use aimhacks, attempt to kick other players, and spam racist messages in chat and on mic,” more than one player said in an email to RPS. Another simply pleaded: “Valve please do not let TF2 die.”
Here’s what Valve has posted in response to concerned TF2 community members:
TF2 community, we hear you! We love this game and know you do, too. We see how large this issue has become and are working to improve things.
Team Fortress 2 is free-to-play onSteam. Watch out, there are bots about, although not for much longer though, hopefully.
