Valve Unleashes TF2 Source Code, Empowering Modding Community

Valve's Source SDK receives a major update, granting full access to Team Fortress 2's codebase. This unprecedented release allows modders to create entirely new games based on TF2, extending beyond the limitations of Steam Workshop.

This open-source access empowers creators to modify, expand, or even completely rewrite Team Fortress 2. However, commercialization is prohibited; all resulting mods and derivative content must be distributed free of charge. Despite this restriction, creations can be published on the Steam Store, listed as independent games.

Valve's decision acknowledges the significant community contributions to TF2, particularly through Steam Workshop. The company requests that modders respect this investment and refrain from creating mods intended to profit from existing Workshop content. Ideally, many mods will maintain compatibility with players' existing TF2 inventories.

This update isn't limited to TF2. Valve is also implementing a substantial update across its back-catalog of multiplayer Source engine titles. This includes the addition of 64-bit binary support, scalable HUD/UI, prediction fixes, and numerous other enhancements for Team Fortress 2, DoD:S, HL2:DM, CS:S, and HLDM:S.

The announcement follows the December release of the seventh and final chapter of the Team Fortress 2 comic series, a seven-year project that has consistently engaged fans and demonstrated Valve's ongoing commitment to this long-standing franchise.