Author: John Irwin

TF2 Jam was last week, hence the artwork featured here. We walked through our experiences with it.

In that time another update dropped, YAY!

However someone took this as a good time to troll Valve with some shoddy content. Which raises questions about the nature of trust in this industry.

The Overwatch beta is returning. And why do we care? Well that’s a very good question. Good enough for player of the week.

Your chance to be a part of the Matchmaking beta is NOW! A steam group created by valve gives you the chance to sign up for the beta, but also check out the changes they are making to the system. If you want to give it a go, Check it out here.

However, More news that might interest you, Random Hats are now dropping in the game again. Thats right you too could walk away with the TF2 hat without buying a key. Just keep playing…thats all we ask.

While your at it, why not check out the National Heavy Boxing League (NHBL) Who are putting on shows with their fighters this weekend. Check here for all the details.

A couple of updates in the week fix a few issues and make one big change to the Pyro.

This is also the week where the TF2 and cosplay community remember Nick Pivato. The world famous Saxton Hale Cosplayer who passed this week.

Also In the episode is details about PugChamp, The new Comp Pick up service, The Iron Gauntlet a Workshop Showcase of MvM Themed items. From the Overwatch side, the beta has been held back til the mid February. But the reason, new maps and more importantly, new game modes. Plus region specific merch. Its a good week.

A few choice cuts are added to from the Tough Break update.

Mark Laidlaw has finally retired following 18 years of service to Valve, including writing Half Life 1, 2 and possibly 3. 

The 2016 Winter 72Hr TF2 Jam is about to kick off. Find out what it is and how you can take part.

Beginnings 3 isn’t possibly the best title for this now third iteration of the annual Jump competition.

In Overwatch the fans be making the music.

With the full crew of all 5 hosts, We continue talking about the tough Break Update. This week, we take a look at all of the changes to all of the classes and the game itself. Its going to be long trip, so buckle in to listen to us break down the tough break balance changes and how the game now feels to us.

Now I could put each individual item changed in the show notes, but you really don’t want me to list the changes……..do you?

The Tough Break Update (part 1)

26 new contract objectives
4 new Weapon Collections
Cosmetic Cases

2 new community taunts, Bad Pipes & Bucking Bronco
1 new Valve taunt, Mannrobics

4 new community maps:
Snowycoast
Vanguard
Highpass
Landfall

Things you might have missed:
Updated the scoreboard, Strange Count Transfer Tool, ranked background by Makani, all Strange parts can now be applied to Strange cosmetics items, on spawning friendly players will show an outline for 10 seconds.

In Overwatch news, there’s a new official theatrical trailer which you must see.

Please note, this was recorded just before Smissmas 2015, so we may mention things that have been subsequently fixed or are just plain wrong, but felt oh so beautifully right at the time. Sorry.

The one where:
Crash does map making tutorials
77K steam accounts get compromised a month
The Aperture science facility is real
Workshop Wonderland is just about to close
B4nny was seen in TF2 matchmaking
Also
Overwatch Beta is off until next year
Comp overwatch is a thing… kinda
Blizzard asks the community to help build their site
and we learn from an excited Jeff Kaplan that any new heroes and maps will be free.

Oh, and Uberchain has officially joined the show. Wahoo!

We were so close to having a full line up this week, unfortunately, 1 of our hosts couldn’t make it. Who you ask. Listen and you’ll find out. Even with out him, it was still a great show where lots of fun was had by all.

Its been a busy week. As such we talk about the Arkham Knight workshop contest winners, the Workshop Wonderland, a secret nerf to the charge and targe, the Yogscast Jingle Jam, b4nny spotted in matchmaking and the amazing (player of the week winning) Comic made by Medli20.

All that is just TF2. Even after all that we still talk about the overwatch beta shutting down for Christmas and some of the overwatch models making their way into SFM.