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Team Fortress 2 'Mann vs. Machine' update rumored

Connor Sheridan
By Connor Sheridan, News Intern

Speculation for new robot-fighting mode with tower defense elements emerges from hidden assets.

The crazed red and blue mercenaries of Team Fortress 2 may soon have more to worry about than the other team of crazed mercenaries. Various hints spanning from 2010 to 2012 (many compiled in one handy location by Reddit users) point to a new mode which will pit the two teams against waves of robots.

The Engineer might not be the only mechanical mastermind in town.

The Engineer might not be the only mechanical mastermind in town.

"Mann vs. Machine," the rumored name for the update, was most recently indicated by a suspicious splatter mark appearing this week on the logo of Team Fortress' website. The splatter mark links to an image: a birth certificate which indicates the feuding brothers who founded the opposing RED and BLU teams had a third sibling named Gray, who was "absconded with" soon after birth.

Previous hidden assets on the Team Fortress 2 website and within the game's code have pointed to robotic variants of each of the game's nine distinct classes, which would theoretically compose the rank and file of the Gray team. Reddit users have speculated that references to waves as well as new deployable items for the engineer indicate the mode will have elements of tower defense.

Valve, the game's developer, recently debuted its final "Meet the Team" update for the Pyro class, and unveiled a new cross-promotional Team Fortress 2 map for the upcoming Sleeping Dogs today. Valve also has a history of promoting upcoming titles and features with elaborate alternate reality games.

Connor Sheridan
By Connor Sheridan, News Intern

Connor Sheridan is the News Intern at GameSpot in San Francisco. He loves Super Metroid and has seen "Weird Al" Yankovic in concert three times.

33 comments
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The_Mighty_KELP
The_Mighty_KELP

Why did GameFAQs have a link to a 2-month old article?

robertcain
robertcain

Can't wait for the new update, possibly including vehicles!!! Here's hoping TF2 goes as far as Counter Strike has in the PC multiplayer space

TevoxZi
TevoxZi

After 5 years, I'm both happy and surprised that Team Fortress 2 gets as much support from the developers as it still does. Rock on!

AuronAXE
AuronAXE

I hope they continue supporting the game. Valve did good with the Source Engine, rather than having to release games over and over like the CoD series for new features, everything is easily patched over.

JackNief
JackNief

If this pans over well, hey, maybe it will actually get me into the game.

Aero_Slasher
Aero_Slasher

If we can get Halloween Robot Soldier blowing up Grey Team Robot Soldier with all the "BEEP BOOP MAGGOTS" we can handle, then this update is perfect.

The_Mighty_KELP
The_Mighty_KELP

I dunno about this. While a new game mode might be interesting, I hope it's not robot versions of the TF2 characters. I like their human personalities, and don't think it'd work as well for robots.

Ryozo
Ryozo

 @The_Mighty_KELP However the characters are designed, I'm pretty sure Valve will make sure that TF2's signature zaniness would be in full effect.

 

That said, I see two non-exclusive possibilities.  One, three-way variants of certain game modes; and two, some sort of horde mode (GoW3's would be a close analogue, what with the tower-defense elements).

Marcster1994
Marcster1994 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

This is why I love Valve. They make content updates into a mystery.

And it's for free.

Zazabar11
Zazabar11

Interesting. The Team behind TF2 are amazing and continue to amaze. And for a free game?

vault-boy
vault-boy

This. Is. EPIC! Can't wait for this update, the last game variant (Special Delivery) was a lot of fun, and I bet this will be too. Also, it would be amazing if they did a 'Meet the...' video for Gary (so long as they have a good idea to make it funny like the rest of them).

SloganYams
SloganYams

So is it RED and BLU versus robot NPCs? Or is it just that one team plays the robots, because I don't see much difference in that scenario if the robots are just robotic versions of the traditional classes.

catsimboy
catsimboy

This is something I've been wanting for TF2 for a long time, well actually I wanted zombies not robots, but robots will do.

vguy555
vguy555 ranger

I'd be excited for any TF2 major update. :D

SolidTy
SolidTy like.author.displayName 1 Like

Valve Rumors always come true. I think Half Life 3 came out awhile back, right? :P

gamingfrendly
gamingfrendly

TF2 is the only online game that keeps me coming for more since it came out i stopped playing every online game i have TF2 is one of the 2 i still play

NightmareP3
NightmareP3

I have a feeling it'll come out when TF's Birth Day hits in 12 days.

DeViLzzz
DeViLzzz

It is ok if they add something different to the game but still give players the option to play it old school.  I don't know about this whole robot idea.  I know my son who is a hardcore TF2er won't like the idea.

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TheLingo56
TheLingo56 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

 @Gelugon_baat What's to put up with it's the most reliable game platform out there. Better than all others and more games than any others. Unless you have one that you can say is better.

SolidTy
SolidTy

 @TheLingo56 Look into DRM. Just in general, look into it and consumer's rights. Steam is great in terms of reliability and functionality. Unfortunately, there is an elephant in the room that one day gamers should scrutinize a bit more...

TheLingo56
TheLingo56

 @SolidTyI think I see what you're getting at you think people should try other platforms than just steam and you think steam is blocking other platforms because of how big it is. And I can agree but I personaly like it better this way so I don't have multiple platforms. Sorry if I misunderstood what you were tring to say that's just what I got out of it.

Dante200X
Dante200X

 @SolidTy Even still the DRM isn't that horrific. I could understand if the person said "wish I still cared enough for [insert game here that uses GFWL or always on ubisoft DRM] instead'.

SolidTy
SolidTy

 @TheLingo56 I have over a 100+ Steam games btw. Just pointing out that I'm not some sort of hater, but more that we should be aware of more than just functions and reliability.

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Poodger
Poodger

 @Gelugon_baat Then what were you referring to? Do elaborate... I have never had a single problem with Steam or Valve.

c_rake
c_rake moderator moderator

I hope this is real. Fighting off robot versions of existing classes would be pretty great.

 

Love how crazy this game keeps getting.

strawberry9
strawberry9

Wow that's fantastic. I still play TF2, and I'll definitely play this mode if it's real. 

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