TF2 Newbs (Team Fortress 2) Blog

1. |N| Octo reset the HLstats today. Time to go re-establish your dominance on your favorite Newbs server!
2. Here is an updated list of TF2Newbs admins, and here too.
3. {N} Crap wants everyone to know that image posts in the chatrooms intended to suddenly shock/gross out people will be considered trolling, and thus a bannable offense.
4. Some Newbs have been the targets of phishing (hackers trying to take your items and/or infect your computer with viruses, etc.). Most of these messages have some form of the following: “My friend tried to trade an unusual with you, but can’t. So trade me here [link].” Report these by posting on this Newbs thread.
5. Diablo 3 has launched its first expansion, “Reaper of Souls”, and a number of Newbs members (myself included) have taken up the game and started their own group and forum thread. Keep in mind that Diablo 3 is not a Steam game, but a Battle.net game, which runs its own separate client program, but the two clients play well enough that you can alt+tab into the Newbs 2Fort chatroom while you’re playing a Battle.net game. Oh, and Diablo 3 is only $19.99 until March 23rd…!
6. For you Amazon.com frequent customers, now you can automatically give to a charity of your choice with each purchase; see here.

[N] Obey

Hi Everyone!

We here at the Newbs blog are preparing for a new event that we’d like to share with everyone in the community. We’ve decided to call it “Meet the Admin”, where you will get a chance to ask (almost) anything and all questions of the admins of our servers.  Ever wondered what Crap’s favorite ice cream is?  Ever thought about what sports Octo likes to play?  Ever wonder how JiB learned those sweet dance moves?  This is your chance to find out those answers and more about the admins that help us run Newbs.

This Q&A will work much like a Reddit AMA, where we will be opening up a thread to all of you to ask any and all of your questions. You may have seen examples of this earlier on the forums but if you haven’t, it’ll go something like this: We will make a post on the forums, you guys will get a chance to post on the thread asking whatever question you like, then the person answering will quote your question with their answer, so be sure to keep an eye on the thread. Sounds simple? You bet! All you have to do is come up with a question you want answered and make sure to follow the thread and blog posts to see the results. The more questions we get, the more everyone can get to know the admins.

For the first Q&A, Octo will be answering your questions.

In the interest of time and making sure people aren’t locked into something forever, after the first question is asked we’ll be limiting this to a period of 2 weeks. After which, we’ll pick our favorite and most interesting questions, and post a more detailed interview here with a vote on who should be next. We’ll keep you updated on who is getting ready for which weeks, so keep checking out the blogs for news and updates.

The more communication the better I say and giving you guys and gals direct access doesn’t get much better than that.

See you on the forums!

http://www.tf2newbs.com/forum/index.php/topic,12128.new.html#new

 -Newbs Blog Team

The major changes in this patch deal with removing exploits in maps and loadouts. Here’s a top three:

Top 3 Changes:

1. While on RED on the third Dustbowl map, you can no longer build a teleporter in the spawn door. This will prevent your team from having a means to continue to circumvent that spawn door after BLU takes the first point.
2. Fixed lots of prop collision and clipping on Dustbowl and 2Fort.
3. Fixed an infinte healing exploit related to loadout presets.

In Other News:

Here’s an interesting article in PC Gamer with Valve’s Gabe Newell pulling an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session.

Full Patch Notes

• Fixed an infinite healing exploit related to loadout presets
• Fixed a bug where Medics would be unable to deploy their ÜberCharge
• Fixed an exploit in Mann vs. Machine mode related to purchasing upgrades for free
• Fixed workshop contributors not being able to view all of their submitted items using the in-game menus
• Fixed Strange versions of The Southern Hospitality not tracking sentry kills
• Fixed The Fortified Compound not triggering the same taunts and voice lines as The Huntsman
• Fixed not hearing the taunt sounds for The Boston Boom-Bringer and The Infernal Orchestrina on Mann vs. Machine maps
• Fixed Natascha using the wrong material for the viewmodel
• Fixed Killstreak sheen effects for the Flying Guillotine (style), The Bat Outta Hell (style), The Unarmed Combat, The Wrap Assassin, The Chargin’ Targe, and The Splendid Screen
• Updated the equip_regions for The Sangu Sleeves, The Huntsman’s Essentials, The Lucky Shot, and The Soldier’s Stash
• Updated The Crusader’s Crossbow and The Festive Crusader’s Crossbow to use the same crosshair as The Huntsman
• Updated cp_dustbowl
  • Fixed Red team’s stage 1 spawn door pushing players in the air
  • Fixed collision on windows, props, and rooflines
  • Fixed floating props
  • Fixed players building inside the alternate exit from the Red spawn in stage 3
• Updated cp_mountainlab
  • Fixed exploit on rafters near control point 2
• Updated ctf_2fort
  • Fixed collision on train-wheels prop outside Blu base
  • Fixed clipping on window ledges
  • Fixed collision on pipes in flag rooms
  • Fixed texture alignment on world map textures
  • Fixed clipping issue in the middle where Blu could stand in the sky
• Updated pl_goldrush
  • Added nobuild area under the train tracks to prevent teleport trap near Blu spawn in stage 1
• Community request:
  • Added convar hud_combattext_batching_window to be used with hud_combattext_batching
    • maximum delay between damage events in order to batch numbers
    • min 0.1, max 2.0, default 0.2

Undocumented changes

• Renamed the Baronial Bouncer, Cutthroat’s Cloak and Garrett Badge to Gilded Guard, Criminal Cloak and Baronial Badge, respectively
• Updated the localization files

All servers have been patched.

Here’s the short version:

1. The Steam Client patched today
   • Added IP server tracking to Favorites, in case they change IP addresses
2. Team Fortress 2 patched today
   • Four new promo cosmetics; pictures below
     
   • Fortified Compound (the new bow) now available; see below
3. Terraria patched yesterday: mostly bugfixes
   • (Added Feb 20) Hinted that the next major patch is being dubbed the “Lunar Patch”
4. Announced: the “Free to Play” movie release, and it’s “Free to Play Competitor’s Pack”

1. Steam Client Patchnotes:

General

• Fixed “App already running” error when re-launching app in some cases
• Fixed some cases where the Uninstall progress dialog could stick around forever
• Added more UI feedback to the login dialog if Steam needs to download account data
• Added a Show Password option in Big Picture mode to simplify password entry when using a controller
• Added IP tracking to game server favorites. Favorites will automatically update to new server IP addresses if the game server is using a persistent account
• Disabled Family Sharing in Offline mode

Windows

• Fixed bug forcing Japanese text input to hiragana mode on focus change
• Fixed repeated crashing in GameOverlayUI.exe when running as Administrator

Linux / SteamOS

• Added an auto-detect step for audio outputs when booting SteamOS for the first time. You can change the selected output device using the Audio option under settings
• Added under/overscan and brightness settings to the initial SteamOS startup UI
• Added support for selecting your sound input device on SteamOS (for voice chats)
• Fixed device volume not being reset to 100% when changing audio device outputs
• Improved the error messages when Steam is unable to adjust system Audio settings from within Big Picture mode
• Updated the Steam Runtime libraries

Mac OS X

• Fixed launch issues for certain games using non-standard memory allocation routines

2. Team Fortress 2 Patchnotes

• Fortified Compound is now available
  • Awarded in Genuine quality to players who pre-purchase Thief before February 25, 2014.
  • The Sniper bow is currently uncraftable, unpainable, and untradable.
  • The game’s base price is $49.99; the pre-order is on sale for $44.99, with the “Master Thief Pack” that contains digital art/comic content, soundtrack, and in-game consumables.
• Added new promo items: Baronial Bouncer, Cutthroat’s Cloak, Dread Hiding Hood, Garrett Badge
  • Also awarded in Genuine quality to players who pre-purchase Thief before February 25, 2014.
  • All four items are currently uncraftable, unpaintable, and untradable
  • They are not yet available; they are themed for the above Thief game.
  • Baronial Bouncer: Soldier hat
    • 
  • Cutthroat’s Cloak: Sniper accessory
    • 
  • Dread Riding Hood: Sniper hood/facemask
    • 
  • Garrett Badge: All-class cosmetic badge
    • 
• Fixed a client crash caused by trying to load an invalid URL
• Fixed Medigun particle beams not always appearing while healing players in DirectX 8
• Fixed a case where clients would hear/see crit effects when their attack was not a crit
• Fixed the Carbonado Botkiller Minigun using the incorrect material for the Minigun
• Fixed a Mann vs. Machine bug related to upgrades after a retry/reconnect
• Updated the Unarmed Combat to add the item_type description
• Updated sv_pure so client will detect corrupt or modified VPK files
  • Use Steam to verify local cache to fix corrupt files
  • Use the custom folder to customize the game
• Item server stability:
  • Improved performance when manipulating multiple items at the same time (claiming multiple item drops, etc.)
  • Improved performance fetching persona names for item descriptions (gifted by, etc.)
  • Improved performance generating Steam Community Market data for item tooltips

   

3. Terraria Patchnotes for 1.2.3.1

Balance Changes:

• Spectre Hood doesn’t increase mana usage anymore.
• Made it slightly easier to advance in frostmoon waves.
• Made several frostmoon monsters shoot slower and do less damage.

Bug Fixes:

• Fixed bug with a naked arm drawing over some vanity shirts.
• Fixed bug where Autopause played bad with Chest renaming (and sign editing a bit).
• Fixed bug where Brick Layer and Cement Mixer were not reducing stack quantities when placing items.
• Fixed bug where prefixes were not getting set properly on a world load.
• Fixed bug where coins would disappear during Quick Stack.
• Fixed an exploit where you could duplicate coins with Quick Stack.
• Fixed crashes when starting the dedicated server in a language other than English.
• Fixed an issue where Team Dyes were causing crashes when used with Capes.
• Fixed a bug where the map was drawing Fireblossom wrong.
• Fixed a bug where the map was showing Water Candle as Band of Regeneration.
• Fixed bug that was causing maps from older versions to erase.
• Fixed a bug where Chests could not be placed on 2×1 tiles. There had to be a solid tile to the right of the chest to place it.
• Fixed several typos.
• Fixed bug where in-game options Map Control section wasn’t blocking input like the regular controls.
• Fixed bug where Hardcore characters couldn’t open the menu after death.
• Fixed bug where opening a chest with a sign open would lock the inventory.
• Fixed bug where stylist had a hole in her selling list if you didn’t meet a requirement.
• Fixed bug where Magnet Sphere applied venom and Venom Staff did not.
• Fixed the problem with the familiar wig and missing hair.
• Added Butterfly Bottle recipes.
• Fixed non-animating critter cages.
• Due to layering issues, you can no longer show a shield and a cloak at the same time.
• Gemspark blocks now properly glow when dropped as items in the world.
• Fixed bug where hidden accessories still applied their dye color (wings still apply it if hidden but in the air).
• You can only equip one pair of wings at a time.
• Face accessories that shouldn’t show hair no longer show hair.
• Fixed the Cthulhu typos in game.
• Mech bosses no longer spawn randomly if another boss is alive. You can still summon multiple bosses manually.
• Hardmode bosses will no longer spawn if no player is above ground.
• Fixed an issue where placing a bucket on a mannequin would eat it whole
• Fixed workaround delay for placing things on mannequin starts using your items.
• The travelling merchant can no longer spawn in lava.
• Fixed problems with rescued NPCs not having any names.
• Fixed the recipe for Super Mana Potions. They now correctly create 15 Super Mana Potions.
• Fixed the Stylist name “Esmeralda” to not have a space at the end.
• Platinum coins now stack to 999.
• Fixed an issue where tiles might not update properly in multiplayer.
• Fixed torches being able to be placed on wrong sides of slopes (that leaves them in air).
• Fixed the problem with altars/pots/chests spawning in bugged conditions.
• Fixed a bug with ice bricks not blending with snow blocks.
• Fixed the Fairy Bell buff from breaking quick buff.
• Chests should no longer lose their names in multiplayer.
• Fixed bug where players would fall into tiles when walking into a ceiling with a mount.
• Fixed bug where Cogs could be overwritten by another item in the Steampunker’s shop.
• Fixed bug where prefixes would be lost when you buy an item from the shop with right click.
• Fixed bug where long hairs would draw the front part in the player’s feet when in reverse gravity.
• Fixed bug where palladium pickaxe and drill would say they can mine adamantium and titanium when that’s no longer the case.
• Arcane Rune Walls now count for housing.
• Fixed bug that allowed mana hair to go pink when you armor that gives max mana.
• Fixed bug where capes did not show properly when mounted.
• Fixed issue where maps were not saving on some worlds.
• Fixed bug where Blue Moon and Harpoon had invisible hit boxes near the player.
• Fixed bug where frostburn wasn’t applied in pvp when using flower of frost.
• Fixed bug that allowed levers to be placed and immediately broken.
• Fixed bug where queen/king statues didn’t teleport stylist and traveling merchant respectively.
• Fixed bug where painted tiles did not draw on the map properly.
• Fixed bug where steampunk workbench was not craftable.
• Fixed bug where you could have Fairy Bell and other light pets up simultaneously.
• Fixed a few language issues pointed out on the forums.
• Fixed a bug where Extendo Grip let you open chests that would instantly close again.

And Two Notes from the Developer:

• “We just put out a hot fix to stop the Travelling Merchant from always spawning and to allow players to buy stuff when they have several stacks of platinum.”
• “The team had a meeting last night and we have laid out the groundwork for 1.2.4: The long anticipated Lunar update. This will be our next big focus for the next few months.”

4. A “Free-to-Play” Package You Can “Buy”?!?!

Yup! Valve has released a feature-length movie, titled “Free to Play”, that chronicles the efforts of three professional Dota 2 gamers as they try to win the million-dollar prize at the 2011 International Championships. This documentary was completely produced by Valve.

The movie will be free to download when it releases this March 19th. You can also buy a Dota 2 “Free to Play Competitor Pack” (price coming soon) thru Steam or the Dota 2 Store, which will have three pro player item sets, a Free to Play courier, a special ward, and a custom HUD skin.

Here is a link to the PC Gamer article, with a movie trailer. And here is the link to the official movie website.

[N] Obey

Feel free to join in at random times and see what we’re talking about.

Server Name: murmur.tf2newbs.com
Port: 15120

The usual TF2Newbs rules apply, so no griefing/slurs/etc. Behave and have fun!

[N] Obey