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* Testing and tuning various class, item, and weapon changes
* Testing map changes and variants
* Running higher level, game-wide experiments (like doubling player health)
* Testing new technologies without the risk of breaking the game

The beta is available to anyone that owns a copy of TF2. To install, launch Steam, open the Library and install “Team Fortress 2 Beta” from your games list.

What’s in the initial release?

Three Natascha variants:

* -40% damage
* -25% damage, -25% health
* Spin-up/down time increased, slowdown-on-hit effect falls off over distance.

Map changes:

* cp_granary: new entrance added into the RED and BLU mid ramp room.
* cp_5gorge: 5 CP version of cp_gorge.

Misc balance changes:

* Players being healed by a medic are immune to movement-impairing effects generated by hit-scan weapons.

FAQ:

Are there items in the Beta?

* On signing into the beta, you’ll be automatically granted all the achievement based unlockables. As we add new items for testing purposes, these will automatically be added to your backpack. Random items drop are turned off, and the store will not be available.

Will Beta items be changed or removed?

* In response to the feedback on them, items in the Beta may change, or be removed at any time. Don’t get too attached to them.

Are there Beta servers? Can we host our own?

* We’re running a set of official Valve Beta servers, and it’d be great if other server administrators want to chip in. Details are here. (Use “-game tf_beta” with HLDSUpdateTool to install the server files for the Beta).

How do we give feedback?

* Visit the official TF2 Public Beta forum

--- March 09, 2011 ---


An Important Note:

Generally the beta is the place where we do design testing, so the game itself is fairly stable. But today we’re releasing a large update specifically for the purpose of stability testing. In particular, we’re testing out our new Replay system, which has been in the works for over a year. As a result, a large amount of code has changed. We wanted to ship it to the beta first, where we can get the bugs ironed out, before we move it out to the main TF2 branch. So please jump in and take a look – we’d love to hear feedback on the UI as well as any bugs you run into.

Also, we'll be wiping all items in the beta at some point in the near future. We will re-grant the achievement items, and any items we're actively tuning afterward.


Gameplay:

* Bots:
o Bots now work on Payload maps
+ Added payload to Offline practice
o Spy bots!

Medic:
* The Quick-Fix:
o Megaheal (the uber) effect now also applies to the medic

Pyro:
* The Detonator:
o Detonation particle effect increased to better match the radius

Soldier:
* Reduced rage generation rate with Battalion’s Backup by 50%

Spy:
* Fixed a bug that prevented domination lines from being played with the Eternal Reward


Maps:

* Added koth_badlands



General:

* Added Replay system that allows you to edit and publish movies of your play experiences (full Mac support in the next few days)
* Added in-game Coaching system
* Added in-game Voting system
* Added training for the Demoman, Spy and Engineer
* Temporarily enabled crafting and trading
* Synced with changes from the official releases