SC2Mapster

http://teamfortress.com/freetoplay/

Personally, I think they made it free just to compensate us for mapster being offline for 3 days. Another theory is that Valve sabotaged the curse servers and then launched a free TF2 to lure us away from mapster. Both theories are equally possible.

It also reminds me that I haven't played an online shooter since Quake 3 and UT1 :/

Having bought the game a month or two ago, I feel ever-so-slightly ripped off, with the only real difference being in a couple of attainable items (which seem to have relatively little worth). Overall, it seems like a good thing. I haven't played it in a bit, but it seems the experience has been improved a little bit.

It seems like they are making it permanent too. Strange. Perhaps Valve plans to launch a e-shop and shake down the community for micro-transactions? That seems the most plausible cause. That, or there is a sequel coming out and they want to expand the audience.

Quote from hawkerhurricane: Go

That, or there is a sequel coming out and they want to expand the audience.

Expand theyre audience.... I think this is the biggest FPS on PC atm.. Lol

I think everyone saw this coming to be honest... im surprised if anyone is honestly shocked. Their hat store is doing AMAZING. By maken the game free, they are opening up the ingame store to more users. I wouldnt be surprised if they make a great deal more money haven the game free than haven to pay for it (just like mmo's go free to play and end up maken more money)

to expand on this... if multiplayer on portal 2 really starts to open up. (lots of GOOD custom maps...ect) I wouldnt be shocked to see the price of portal 2 drop drastically as well (as they have a ingame store as well)

More hats incoming. btw isnt Alien Swarm free also ? This is not their first game.

@zeldarules28: Go

Or so I hope for you. From what a friend told me, a lot of servers have been banning everyone that can't show a buyer's hat because of the huuuuge amount of cheaters, griefers and AFK leechers that game with the free to play mode.

Wow I literally bought that game 2 days ago

Wait... you don't think they are doing that because they are coming out with TF3, and they are trying to get people hooked before it comes out do you? Cuz that would be awesome.

Quote from progammer: Go

More hats incoming. btw isnt Alien Swarm free also ? This is not their first game.

alien swarm was made by a new mod team they hired.. not directly valve ... if that makes sense.

Quote from TacoManStan: Go

Wait... you don't think they are doing that because they are coming out with TF3, and they are trying to get people hooked before it comes out do you? Cuz that would be awesome.

No. This (my guess of course) is 100% for profit.

Quote from Mozared: Go

@zeldarules28: Go

Or so I hope for you. From what a friend told me, a lot of servers have been banning everyone that can't show a buyer's hat because of the huuuuge amount of cheaters, griefers and AFK leechers that game with the free to play mode.

uhhh most servers use the anti cheat system..which works rather well.

@Molsterr: Go

I agree that this is likely to increase microtransaction revenue, but trying to increase the potential playerbase for TF3 would also be "100% for profit".

Just sayin'

Quote from hawkerhurricane: Go

@Molsterr: Go

I agree that this is likely to increase microtransaction revenue, but trying to increase the potential playerbase for TF3 would also be "100% for profit".

Just sayin'

Yes it would, but... I dont see TF3 anytime soon.

@Molsterr: Go

Er ehm, valve never release a title with number 3, ever

Quote from progammer: Go

@Molsterr: Go

Er ehm, valve never release a title with number 3, ever

Yea, it seems so. People still wait for the 3rd installation of Half Life's Episode stuff. :D

I'm intrigued anyway. I played TF2 a little bit when there was a free2play weekend and I thought it was OK.

I downloaded it, but I played twice, and I'm bored. Although the graphics are good, its hard to kill and it's too rushed. I didn't like the game, and I used to play team fortress 1 when I was a kid.

Quote from RodrigoAlves:
I downloaded it, but I played twice, and I'm bored. Although the graphics are good, its hard to kill and it's too rushed. I didn't like the game, and I used to play team fortress 1 when I was a kid.
----

its....very easy to kill.... and rushed? maybe your not playing a good game type or a modded server

@Molsterr: Go

I just downloaded Monkey Island 2 Special Edition. Now this game is EPIC! I love monkey island. I'm looking forward to playing Monkey Island 3 Special Ed. when it comes out. :)