Pyromaniacs Meet The Sniper in Mega Update
It has been a busy few days for Team Fortress 2 related news and I think it is about time it was all brought together in one, nice and neatly wrapped package for your reading pleasure. If you want to Meet The Sniper, find out about the Pyro update and learn more then read one. If not, well then why are you reading this blog?!
I must say the Meet The Sniper video (seen below) is surely one of the best ‘Meet The’ videos since we saw the Engineer. While the Pyro update may have been the focus of Valve’s attention these past few days, and the attention of many gamers, for me the Meet The Sniper video has been the highlight.
It is this video more than anything which is enticing me to jump like a maniac back into Team Fortress 2. The conflict between the Sniper and his dad in the video provide the backdrop for learning more about the character. The Sniper views himself as being a master of his profession unlike others, for example the Soldier who are more wild and thoughtless killing machines.
Little touches such as the bobblehead and the little jars of, well I will let you watch that part to see what I mean, these little touches are what make the ‘Meet The’ videos so great. In turn these are the things which make Team Fortress 2 so great. It is something I am sure I touched upon in my mini-review of the Orange Box that the appeal of TF2 is the characters such as the Sniper.
Indeed this is what makes TF2 so special, you are not just simply playing some random avatar who has some special abilities, you are playing a character. The joys of the ‘Meet The’ videos has been their ability to provide so much detail and background to the characters. It is not something you expect in a multiplayer game, to become attached to characters. You will be playing the game as a Sniper and start thinking about how your dad disapproves of your chosen career path, you will be playing as an Engineer and wish you could just sit down and play some music while your turret goes to town on the Blue team.
Simply put I am feeling guilty for having abandoned Team Fortress 2, though I have had my reasons what with my various computer and university woes getting in the way. Anyway I recommend you read this piece by Alec on Rock, Paper, Shotgun which further explores the love affair many people have with Team Fortress 2.
Onto the Pyro updates then! The first big bit of Pyro related news is seeming confirmation from Robin Walker that the Pyro is female.
We’ve never been terribly happy with the Pyro, in particular with her shallower skill curve than other combat classes.
emphasis added by yours truly
This was taken from an interview Walker did with csnation.net.
The full detailed list of changes to the Pyro class and Team Fortress 2 in general can be found here while a more fancy and artful type can be seen here.
While the update was known as the ‘Pyro Update’ there were many other changes and additions to the game itself that didn’t focus solely on the Pyro character. The two big non-Pyro changes are the inclusion of two new maps: cp_fastlane and ctf_turbine.These two maps were created by community members Arttu “skdr” Mäki and Bill Johnston respectively.
It really is great to see some more fan made maps getting added to the full game in an official manner. This just goes to show the respect Valve has for their fans and community members. This is a great endorsement of the skills of the two map makers and they must feel great at seeing their work feature in the latest update. Congratulations to both of them.
Other changes in the Pyro Update include alterations to both cp_well and ctf_well along with some alterations to the Soldier’s rockets.
So the Pyro herself. The Pyro character now has a new ability for her regular flamer. The new alt-fire mode produces a blast of compressed air to launch back whatever is in the path of the killer air. This allows the Pyro to push back their victims into a larger group of enemies as well as many other devious tricks.
Along with the three new unlockables, The Flare Gun, Backburner and Axtinguisher (more details on those here) there are 35 new Pyro Achievements my favourite of which is this:
The OMGWTFBBQ achievement calls on the Pyro to kill an enemy using a taunt. Quality.
After all this Team Fortress 2 writing, I think I need to actually play it!
Tags: Meet The Sniper, Pyro, Team Fortress 2