Image: “Team Fortress 2” (2024) Video Game Key Art
“Team Fortress 2,” or “TF2,” is an online multiplayer first-person shooter game. The game was developed and published in 2007 by Valve Corporation. During gameplay, players join either the red or blue team and choose one of nine character classes to play as. Each of the nine classes has differences, making individual gameplay interesting and more enjoyable. The nine classes consist of: Scout, Soldier, Pyro, Demoman, Heavy, Engineer, Medic, Sniper and Spy. Each of these classes has different characteristics that cause players to have a different gameplay experience. In addition to the gameplay, there is also a large community of fans who immerse themselves in the plot of “TF2” found in the comics. The game often makes references and/or outright gives players information about the world of “TF2” that is explained more thoroughly in the corresponding comics. However, in the community of “Team Fortress 2” there is one time of year that is very anticipated for a majority of fans. As the leaves start to fall and September comes to an end, “TF2” fans know what is to come. Once October makes its appearance on the calendar, fans fire up their gaming platforms to see the annual event of Scream Fortress.
Oct. 1, 2024 was “Team Fortress 2” players’ first chance to embrace the arrival of Scream Fortress. Players were then able to view Halloween maps from previous events and also able to view the holiday-restricted cosmetics, which are outfit pieces or costumes that you can put on the characters you choose to play as. Not long after, on Oct. 10, 2024, Scream Fortress had officially begun, bringing new Halloween maps for players to enjoy such as Blazehattan, an apocalyptic, burning, overrun version of Manhattan. Another map that became available to players goes by the name Circus. This map takes place inside an uncanny, unsettling circus tent that gives anyone with a fear of clowns a shiver of anxiety. There’s so much more to Scream Fortress than new maps. In addition to the limited-time event’s new maps, there is also the addition of new custom game modes. Custom game modes offer a different gameplay experience by adding new game mechanics in addition to the preexisting game experience. For example, the custom game mode Tug of War is a new game mode that was added this year to the Scream Fortress collection. When playing Tug of War, all aspects of the game remain the same except for the individual teams having to gain control over what is known as a capture point. Once either team does this, a cart travels towards the opposing team’s checkpoint. Once this is completed, a clock for the opposing team begins to count down. Victory is achieved once the opposing team’s clock reaches zero. Likewise, a team is defeated once the cart reaches the team’s checkpoint and the clock reaches zero. This is one of many of the custom game modes to be released with the Scream Fortress event. Another primary feature of Scream Fortress is the completion of contracts. The Halloween contracts are challenges for players to complete, in return, they receive a Halloween Package which contains seasonal cosmetics. After Scream Fortress 2024 officially began, new cosmetics were added in addition to the cosmetics from previous years. One example of the new cosmetics is a hat that can be used by all classes called “Triboniophorus Gentlemannus,” which appears to be a small alien creature with a pipe and a top hat. Another new cosmetic that was added to the game is a fun pair of spider eyeglasses that may be used by all classes called Spider Sights. Though the examples mentioned above can be used by all nine of the “Team Fortress 2” classes, there are a few new cosmetics that are designed only for particular classes. For example, if someone were to use Spy as their primary class, they could use the Nightfall Veil and the Shadow Shroud with their Spy. However, they could not use those cosmetics on any of the other eight classes. Another aspect of Scream Fortress that creates a lot of stir in the “TF2” community is the amount of information given to players that give reference to the comics. Fans of “TF2” that go beyond just playing the game find enjoyment in the fact that Scream Fortress directly references different plot points of the comics and brings them to the gameplay. As you can see, there are a lot of different key aspects of Scream Fortress that have “TF2” fans anticipating its release.
Scream Fortress has been ongoing since Oct. 10 and will continue until Nov. 7 of this year. Many fans are doing everything they can to experience the limited-time event to the fullest by playing all of the Halloween maps, playing all of the custom game modes, completing all of the contracts, collecting as many seasonal cosmetics as possible and so much more. Scream Fortress adds just a little bit more to the unique game style that “Team Fortress 2” already expresses to its fans. “TF2” already has a charm that is not commonly seen in many newer and more modern games. However, Scream Fortress adds everything that “Team Fortress 2” could have been missing. With the addition of Halloween Maps, Custom Game Modes, Cosmetics and many other in-game features, Scream Fortress creates an annual fandom-wide sense of excitement and appreciation.
So, what are you waiting for? Scream Fortress ends Nov. 7, so be sure to check out all the new limited-time features the game has to offer. Your mission begins in 60 seconds.
Payton Vogt is a second-year English major.