Valve launches their Team Fortress 2 SDK, opening up the game to modders/creators
Valve opens up Team Fortress 2 to creators and modders with their Team Fortress 2 SDK
Valve has just delivered a massive update to their Source SDK, revolutionising the Team Fortress 2 modding scene with client and game code. This new SDK will allow developers and modders to create “completely new games based on TF2,” and develop mods that are deeper and more impactful than before.
This new SDK has been released with a non-commercial license and has confirmed that creations using the SDK can be released on Steam.
With this update, Valve has also enhanced all of their older Source Engine multiplayer titles, adding 64-bit binary support and other improvements. This includes a scalable HUD/UI, prediction fixes, and more. Team Fortress 2 has also been updated.
The TF2 SDK has arrived!
Mod makers, rejoice! We’ve just released a massive update to the Source SDK, adding all the Team Fortress 2 client and server game code. This update will allow content creators to build completely new games based on TF2. We’re also doing a big update to all our multiplayer back-catalogue Source engine titles (TF2, DoD:S, HL2:DM, CS:S, and HLDM:S), adding 64-bit binary support, a scalable HUD/UI, prediction fixes, and a lot of other improvements!
Unlike the Steam Workshop or local content mods, this SDK gives mod makers the ability to change, extend or rewrite TF2, making anything from small tweaks to complete conversions possible.
The SDK is licensed to users on a non-commercial basis, meaning that any mod created using the SDK must be free, and any content in those mods must be free. TF2 mods may be published on the Steam Store, and after publication will appear as new games in the Steam game list.
Players have a lot of investment in their TF2 inventories, and Steam Workshop contributors have created of a lot of that content. The majority of items in the game now are thanks to the hard work of the TF2 community. To respect that, we’re asking TF2 mod makers continue to respect that connection, and to not make mods that have the purpose of trying to profit off Workshop contributors’ efforts. We’re hoping that many mods will continue to allow players access their TF2 inventory, if this makes sense for the mod.
– Valve
Mod makers rejoice: The Team Fortress 2 SDK has arrived! We've updated the Source SDK with all of TF2's client and server game code. Change, extend, or rewrite TF2, and publish them as mods on Steam. https://t.co/tuYn8m8Bbt pic.twitter.com/ka0GkrQJ5n
— Team Fortress 2 (@TeamFortress) February 18, 2025
With this update, Valve has opened TF2 to the game’s community. The game is now theirs to do with as they will. Gamers can make small tweaks to the game or release full conversions. Even new games can be built using Team Fortress 2 as a baseline.
Today is a good day for the Team Fortress 2 community. However, this change likely marks the end of Team Fortress 2’s development. Furthermore, this likely signals that Valve will not be making changes to overcome TF2’s bot problem. Regardless, today is a good day. Valve is not abandoning TF2; they have set it free.
You can join the discussion on Valve releasing their Team Fortress 2 SDK on the OC3D Forums.
