A Look at TF2’s Unused Content
Most know that TF2 once was a very different game. The Scout had a nailgun, the visual style was still receiving finishing touches. TF2 was even planned to be a modification using the original Half-Life engine with the subtitle “Brotherhood of Arms” at one point. And it was most likely completed, according to certain information. Three to four revisions of the game were made according to Valve.
TF2, before the Source Engine was even completed.
What most are not aware of, is that quite a bit of old/unused content is still left in the game files for TF2. Most of this content is hidden away in two GCFs, “team fortress 2 content.gcf / team fortress 2 materials.gcf” and are easily viewable with the right tools. Let’s start with the simple stuff first.
Found in the materials gcf under “vgui/gfx/VGUI”
This is a pretty familiar icon. If you don’t recognize it, it’s the Counter Strike: Source logo. Now, I found this with the name “TF_logo”. It’s a simple thing, but it shows that the game is probably partially based around some of Counter Strike: Source’s programming. Or they just used the icon in testing. Who knows, who cares. The next bit of content is more interesting.
Found in the materials gcf under “sprites/minimap_icons”
Now this is neat. If this isn’t obvious I don’t know what is. Seems a minimap feature was planned and scrapped. The resources are here at least.
Found in the content gcf under “models/weapons/w_models”
From left to right. Tranq Gun, Nailgun, Lead Pipe, Syringe, Crowbar, Club, Branding Iron, Beer Stein, Bear Trap, Concussion Nade, EMP, Frag Nade, MIRV Nade, Napalm Nade, Heal Nade, Gas Nade and Nail Nade.
This is one of the more interesting things. Some of these are items seems in the trailers, but some are new. Most importantly of all, this shows Valve was planning TF2 to have grenades like TFC. But of course, all of the above got scraped, and were never even textured.
SOUND: “Stop the Courier!”
Found in the content gcf under “sound/vo”
This is an annoucer sound file, which seems to hint at some game mode that was planned. I’d guess either hunted or the orignal control point mode, where you took a flag to the point instead of capturing after a certain ammount of standing on the point.
Found in the content gcf under “models/props_trainyard”
Now this is one that is a huge hint, or a huge letdown. Obviously, this model is just the bombcart, except RED, hinting at a duel payload. I’m sure most of you remember this image from the scout update.
If you squint close enough at the background, it’s noticable the background isn’t any of the current maps. And even more neat is the two bomb carts if you look even closer. Of course, when the scout update came around, this map was nowhere to be seen, even if someone did make a map based around it some time later.
That’s most of the main unused content hidden away in TF2, there are still some more small things for those who want to look around in there. I might continue this if you want a small followup article. That’s all kids.
/neatstuffthatyoumighthavealreadyknown
Stumble it!
Doctor Decapitation responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 2:43 am #
that sound trank may be for ctf attually, not delivering a flag to a point or hunted
n00bie51 responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 2:58 am #
But then Valve realized the majority of players are probably too dumb to understand what a “courier” was.
Good finds, DG.
Paper Shadow responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 3:00 am #
Phoenix accidentally posted a couple more articles. It was funny…
2tone responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 3:01 am #
Bear traps should be implemented in any game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJspcQPy6kc
Secret Agent Clank! responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 3:03 am #
@n00bie:
Superlol. XD
It was what Dustbowl was back in TFC.
I’d love to see a return. There are actually a few custom maps designed as that. Most notably for me, the TFC classic Avanti (Avanti Avanti Avanti Avanti!). There’s also a ctf_dustbowl, albeit somewhat unfair towards RED.
Classic’s where it’s at yo.
Except the nadespam. And the Medic infections. And the conc exploits. And the Spy having no cloak. Uh…
Boris responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 4:16 am #
these are prett cool finds, and I tink that the map in the background looks pretty sweet, maybe it’ll be brought in that new update that’s cominf out before the sniper one…
n00bie51 responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 4:34 am #
SAC, you know it’s true.
Secret Agent Clank! responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 5:00 am #
Yeah. TFC players are smarter than TF2 players LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Zanpa responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 5:25 am #
Actually, the red cart was put in for custom mappers.
jellyman223 responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 5:52 am #
lol Heal Nade? More like the HOLY HAND GRENADE! Those who saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail will know, for those who don’t I present this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOrgLj9lOwk&feature=related
Dracula Guy responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 5:54 am #
The name of the model is heal grenade, so I just went with that.
alex responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 6:06 am #
Nice article
Ze FirePowered! responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 6:22 am #
@jellyman223
Medic says: “Mein Gott, bless zhis zhy hand grenade, zhat wizh it zhou maysz blow zhy enemy’s to tiny bizs, in zhy mercy”
EIN
ZWEI
FIVE!
Anonymous responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 6:52 am #
do more please
soylent robot responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 7:21 am #
this is very awesome :3
Sheepshifter responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 7:22 am #
I wonder why Valve left all that in there, was it just for people like you to find?
Coming Second responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 7:35 am #
@ jellyman, or we could’ve played Worms 2/Armageddon. The TF2 model looks EXACTLY like the one featured in those games, although it functions slightly differently…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAVtyHxRl04&feature=related
Dracula Guy responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 7:44 am #
@Sheepshifter: Sometimes game devs just don’t have time or just don’t care enough to remove stuff.
Pyrit responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 7:58 am #
I think I remember seeing a version of TF2 which had one team as aliens, oddly enough. People refer to it as ‘Team GabeN TF2′, so I don’t know if it was ever official.
Secret Agent Clank! responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 8:53 am #
Or they could be used later, should the dev’s consider it. =3
Although mostly TF2, because how many others get updated like this? XD
Dracula Guy responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 9:00 am #
@Secret Agent Clank!: Most of this stuff has been in the GCFs since release, not counting the payload.
Jakka responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 9:14 am #
Red Payload is pretty self-explanatory.
It’s there so modders can make a reverse-role payload if they feel like it.
Corodan responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 9:19 am #
Already knew this, but was still refreshing. I was really hoping to see the Nailgun, actually. Seemed like an awesome weapon!
And the Dual Payload was like a master toying with it’s dog. IT WAS A LIE.
Baejung92 responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 10:40 am #
Great finds. I’d love a follow-up article by the way
Jokerine responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 11:00 am #
Whoah, I’d never noticed the dual Payload background. The idea of pushing little cart all the way to the top sounds interesting. I hope VALVe releases that map one day, although I can already sense the sticky bombs spamming!
Also, I’m somewhat glad they scrapped the crowbar as a weapon. Yeah, it’s iconic and all, but it is just way too Half-Life for me. I can’t really see any class using it, either… The Engineer, maybe?
Dracula Guy responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 11:03 am #
@Jokerine: In TFC, all the classes had crowbars instead of individual weapons.
ExAstris responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 11:29 am #
A lot of this has already been documented at the TF2Wiki, if you Google it. Interesting, though.
Dracula Guy responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 11:31 am #
@ExAstris: I’ve got a few more things up my sleeve not on there. That’s for the next part though, it will come.
ExAstris responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 12:07 pm #
Exiting
What, might I ask, do you use to locate these gems of TF2 heritage?
That could be a whole blog post in itself.
Dracula Guy responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 12:17 pm #
@ExAstris: GCFScape (http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?p=26) and hunches + luck. The models were a combination of GCFSpace + Source SDK (HL Model Viewer). You can view the contents of steam games with GCFSpace, it’s quite neat to do so.
Ryan Williams responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 1:24 pm #
The custom map argument regarding the red payload is fair enough, but there’s still the fact that the Scout update background image:
1. Shows an official payload map we’ve not seen YET
2. Has a red payload in it
Those minimap icons are pretty cool. From what I recall during the original TF2 media hype (going way back to 1999 here), one of the big things about the game was having a commander with a map overview, as well as squad systems, a more realistic wartime setting, etc.
Fortunately those cool ideas weren’t lost because Battlefield 2 basically seemed to have been crafted around the original TF2 design document.
Secret Agent Clank! responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 1:29 pm #
@Drac: Yeah, that’s what I said. If the dev’s decide to use it, it’s still there. =\
nineteen responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 1:32 pm #
This stuff is fascinating, I’ve seen a fair bit of it already through my own time with the HL Model Viewer.
+1 for a followup article!
FlyingHat responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 1:39 pm #
To think that the Medic could’ve had his own Holy Hand Grenade.
Scattergunner responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 2:58 pm #
I already knew some of this thx 2 the tf2 wiki, but I had missed some things as d “hidden” red payload . I hope d next post will be as good as d first. Good job mate! LOL
Syneisha responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 5:20 pm #
That courier sound effect reminds me of two game modes that are possible, this:
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/TF2/Creating_a_Single_Flag_Keep-Away_map#The_Finished_Product
Where the player has to hold their intel for an ammount of time, and this:
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/TF2/Flag_Based_Goal_Systems#Reverse_CTF
Where the player takes their intel to the centre, or a certain point of the map.
-Syneisha
Morphine responded on 15 Apr 2009 at 7:42 pm #
I mistook the Branding Iron for a potato masher. Here I thought the ‘Chef’ class really did exist…
Cisk responded on 16 Apr 2009 at 12:28 am #
Hey, this is a sweet article; was anyone else hoping for the nailgun in the scout update? no? oh well.
+1 for follow up.
Polterjunge responded on 16 Apr 2009 at 11:09 pm #
@Ryan Williams: True. As far as I know, Valve mentions the commander system also in the developer’s comments.
Team Fortress 2 » Arkiv » En titt på sånt som inte används responded on 17 Apr 2009 at 2:38 am #
[...] Ubercharged Postad i übercharged av Thogge [...]
Randomini responded on 06 Aug 2009 at 5:19 pm #
In case anyone was wondering, the background image is in fact an early version of the last level of Pipeline! Pretty cool, that.
Ezuca responded on 14 Dec 2009 at 2:42 am #
any posts like this in here…wanna read more…thanks by d way
Axe Murderer responded on 18 Dec 2009 at 12:58 pm #
Its funny, because of the massive ammount of time that was lapsed between the release of payload race and that picture. it was obviously full of riddles and holes because it took valve, the best company on the planet (yet slow) that long to do it.