Phatose on 1/10/2010 at 03:37

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I know some of you play TF2. The latest update is interesting, to say the least. You can buy a hat for $10, which does nothing.

The whole micro-transaction thing has never been something I'm keen on, but TBH, the pricing alone here makes me wonder if Valve is yanking our chains something fierce. The full polycount pack is $50, but the game itself is $20. And everything in the pack can be found in game - admittedly, randomly, but still findable.

At the very least, they got balls of steel.

T-Smith on 1/10/2010 at 05:03

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All the "Purchase Only" items are cosmetic only (paints, hats).

Regardless, I think this is a great move on Valve's part. They've been supporting this game for 3 years now. Nowadays companies charge money for new maps/features all the time (latest Red Dead - pay $10 for features that should have been in the full game). Valve's been releasing free content, and now they've found a way to give TF2 players what they want while making some extra cash. All the new weapons and support items can be found via normal means (I already have a couple, crafted one of them). But for that impatient player who's tired of wasting hours upon hours looking for the Tower of Hats? Just drop a few bucks and you're good.

I think it's a really good system. It doesn't break the game (since all the items with actual effects can be obtained normally), appeases impatient players without alienating people who won't buy anything, and gives Valve more money. It's win-win for everyone.

Vernon on 1/10/2010 at 08:19

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Dunno about you guys but I can't wait for the rest of the dress-up barbie fun house accessories

catbarf on 1/10/2010 at 13:13

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And this is why the update has pissed me off enough to stop playing TF2. I'm fine with cosmetic items being paid for, but when they give actual benefits (and some of them are quite powerful) it no longer appears optional.

I have never gotten a hat, so I don't think I can trust random drops to get me the hats eventually.

And on another note, great job Valve for utterly raping the simplicity and accessibility of the original game.

Nameless Voice on 1/10/2010 at 14:18

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Or a €17.50 pyro hat for a game I bought for ~€6.50.

The "full set" stuff does sound powerful, but it limits you to using those items as opposed to picking the ones you like best. E.g. headshot immunity for the sniper comes at the cost of not being able to use the razorback (meaning that spies can just backstab you instead of headshotting you), and a fully charged bodyshot from another sniper will kill a sniper anyway.

I've never found a hat drop in 180+ hours of game time, but I've crafted one from all the other duplicate junk I've found.

We'll see how it goes.