A Look at TF2’s Unused Content; Part 2
Since there seems to be some demand for this, I fired up GCFScape and a few other programs and decided to take another look at the land of TF2’s content. All of the stuff in this article is viewable using GCFScape, VTFEdit and the Source SDK. Again, I’ve decided to start small with this one again.
Found in the content GCF under “resource”
A small fact that not many people know about the source engine is that in most of the early games, the kill icons and other small HUD icons were stored in TTF format, the small format as most fonts, making them usable in word or such. Three fonts were left in from Counter-Strike it seems, under “TFLogo”, “tfd” and “tf”, cementing the whole TF2 was built from the Counter-Strike code thing. As you can see, this is the Counter-Strike logo font and the HUD font, and the final smaller HUD one I left out for space.
// Weapon strings
…
“TF_Weapon_Medikit” “Medikit”
…
“TF_Weapon_Tranq” “Tranquilizer Gun”
…
“TF_Weapon_Flag” “Flag”
…
“TF_Weapon_Watch” “Invisibility Watch”
…
“TF_Weapon_LunchBox” “Lunch Box”
…
// Hints
“”Hint_spotted_a_friend” “You have spotted a teammate!”
“Hint_spotted_an_enemy” “You have spotted an enemy!”
Found in the content GCF under “resource”
This stuff was found in the big text file TF2 uses to store most of the text you see in-game. The first batch of stuff is what appears to be weapon strings, the first two are left over from development of course. I found the next two things I found interesting; TF2 counts the flag and watch as separate weapons. The Lunch Box is just the sandvich for those going WTF, it’s just got a strange name behind the scenes. The hints cement the whole minimap thing. The text is from notably Counter-Strike’s minimap.
Found in the materials gcf under “materials/Skybox”
At first glance this looks like Badland’s skybox, but it’s not. Badland’s skybox is lighter and is already in the GCF under a different set of files. This is notably under a series of files with “sky_night_*” prefix; It’s not used in any of the current maps, which leads to the conclusion VALVe has some kind of map planned, or was working on one and scrapped it. I’m pretty sure this thing was not here before the Scout update, VALVe keeps messing with my mind.
Found in the content gcf under “models/Tools/camera”
This doesn’t just fall under the “Why would they model this?” category, this falls under the “Why would they model this so well and not use it.” category This thing looks incredibly nice and the texture is pretty high quality. Too bad it’s not used.
Found in the content gcf under “models/flag”
I’m not saying anything about this. Just… yeah…
Found in the content gcf under “models/turret”
These appear to be very early sentry guns. These have animations and everything, but also seem to have a more TFC look .
Found in the materials gcf under “materials/console”
Not even surprised this is here. For those who never played TFC, this is the menu background from that. It was probably a placeholder for the background in development or something.
This just about sums this up. I’ve got a part three of this planned for those who are looking forward too that. There is still a bit of stuff left to show you, but that should be the last part.
/neatstuffthatyoumighthavealreadyknown
Stumble it!
The Scoot responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 8:09 pm #
Shit. My cat fell on the keyboard. Can someone delete that?
Muffin Man responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 8:23 pm #
You didn’t spot the neutral intel skin yet? I was about to comment on part 1 about it, but since you were hinting about a part 2, I didn’t.
Just a correction: The night skybox is a recoloured Gold Rush skybox. There are a few maps using it already, but I don’t remember any names. I’m pretty sure it’s been there since the Heavy update.
Killa-Ewok responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 8:38 pm #
Woah this is awesome.
Kollega responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 8:51 pm #
Camera isn’t only in TF2 archives. This model also resides in Half-Life 2,Episodes’,and Portal’s resources. I thought it’s a Garry’s mod feature,but it seems it was modelled by Valve. Still got no idea about it’s purpose.
Zanpa responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 9:02 pm #
I do think the night skybox is, as well as the red payload cart, put in here for custom maps.
But… The TFC turrets are fonctional ?
Someone MUST put it on someone’s server.
2tone responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 9:44 pm #
On the 5elements server I used to play on, they had a 2fort map with an evening sky, Half Life HeadcrabZombies and custom sounds.
Makes for good times.
blitz responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 10:48 pm #
rofl at Scoot’s comment. your cat must be fat.
Scattergunner responded on 19 Apr 2009 at 11:58 pm #
I think d night skybox might be used at a map called tf_2fort_night (I believe that’s it’s name, I’m not really sure) I haven’t played on it yet, I’ll confirm this “theory” when I use it.
LaZodiac responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 12:21 am #
For all you know, the cameras ARE there. We just can’t see them.
nipzor responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 12:26 am #
very nice post! looking forward to number 3
Miyari responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 1:01 am #
I was digging through the files a few days ago with Garry’s Mod and came across the TFC-style flags. I was wondering, who are the people whose faces are pictured on these flags?
House.Keeper responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 2:19 am #
“These appear to be very early sentry guns. These have animations and everything, but also seem to have a more TFC look .”
Going back to my TFC days, those look a whole lot more like the spawn-room protection turrets that would sit on the ceiling (floor in some maps) and kill any enemies that somehow sneak into spawn. (Most notably on Well, where players could swim up through the water tunnels into / out of spawn.
They definitely don’t look anything like a sentry.
House.Keeper responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 2:20 am #
These posts are awesome BTW, really looking forward to # 3!!!! This shit is GOLD!
Jokerine responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 2:30 am #
I love how the weapons and other HUD icons are stored in TTF format in some VALVe games. The Half-Life 2 font will be very useful when I start writing a thesis about the influence of videogames in real-life violence: I’ll include “drawings” of the weapons and such. Good times.
The camera intrigues me. At first I thought it would be a world model (almost an “avatar”) for the spectator, but I don’t think that’s it. But it looks really well made. Mmm… I hope we found out something about it in the next update.
ah| Dr. Dick responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 5:25 am #
The camera is in nearly every source game. I’m sure you’d fine lots of hidden goodies in TF2s cut content since it went through so many incarnations.
HelisPoe responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 5:41 am #
Valve loves them hidden easter eggs. I like eggs.
Yes I do.
Himmelstoss responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 6:03 am #
Oh my god the flag is epic. If I ever get around to making a map, I’m using that thing.
n00bie51 responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 6:47 am #
What House.Keeper says rings true. Remember, similar devices can also be seen in Black Mesa in Half-Life.
Secret Agent Clank! responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 7:18 am #
The camera’s available in GMod, but not under TF2. I was planning on using it for a comic. =3 And no, LaZodiac, that’s a film camera, not a surveillance one. Those are the ones that are around…
The flag, of course, is the old ctf flag from TFC. SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT! It could be the courier placeholder. =V
The sentry looks like the HL1 sentry, tbh. I fight those in Sven Coop. Sure it wasn’t meant to be used. What Housekeeper said.
For everyone, the 2fort night map actually does use that. It’s a sunsetty thing more than an actual night (which disappoints me a little).
@muffin Man: Heheh. Actually, that one’s already in use in some custom maps.
Dracula Guy responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 7:26 am #
@Secret Agent Clank: The Camera is in the TF2 content for sure though. The flag is defiantly based off of the old flag, but… yeah.
The point about the night skybox is that no current VALVe map uses it.
Pad See Ew responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 10:07 am #
Hey mappers, why not use the damn flags in some damn map?
Himmelstoss responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 11:18 am #
sky night’s been there before.
Dracula Guy responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 11:24 am #
@Himmel: Is it used in any offical maps though?
Then it’s unused content
nineteen responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 1:05 pm #
There’s something of a difference between the TFC-esque sentry/securiguns animating and actually working, at least without the influence of a mapper, plugin or mod.
As for the old-school flags, sure they’re neat, but for the love of god, don’t actually use them in maps, they’re hideous and don’t suit the rest of the game aesthetic.
Kollega responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 3:05 pm #
Maybe night skybox is the one used in “Meet the Engineer”? Just guessing.
Himmelstoss responded on 20 Apr 2009 at 3:30 pm #
@Kollega – probably. They look at least somewhat similar.
Deepsmeg responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 12:56 am #
I’ve played ctf_2fort_classic and well classic.
Can’t remember what flags were used. These would look good for it, not the intel.
The TFC turrets were taken out of HL1, IIRC. Thought process being that they already existed, so less modelling needed.
I like seeing all this old stuff come back.
Stuff like cp_warpath is great, and would be even better as a Valve official one, along with cp_canalzone2 and ctf_badlands_classic!
KortoloB responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 1:38 am #
I found some interesting sounds in sounds/vo/medic1.wav and medic2.wav. Seems like some scrapped generic sound from the old TF2, the more realistic one.
Kool4Kats responded on 21 Apr 2009 at 7:52 am #
Saw mosta that in Source SDK
Anonymous responded on 22 Apr 2009 at 12:17 pm #
This is some pretty cool stuff. Just a note though, I remember seeing the night skybox long before the scout update. I’m not sure how long it’s been there, but it’s been a while.
CharlesMan responded on 23 Apr 2009 at 5:38 pm #
I believe there is also something along the lines of “An enemy is using your teleporter!” in tf_english.txt.
TunaSammich responded on 28 Apr 2009 at 8:14 am #
I’m pretty sure the camera is used when smoothing .dem files. Not 100% sure though. I know I have seen it before.
FullMetalMC responded on 28 Apr 2009 at 8:27 am #
is this everything? this unused stuff is awesome
Dracula Guy responded on 28 Apr 2009 at 8:28 am #
@FullMetalMC:
No, it’s not, one more part coming.
FullMetalMC responded on 28 Apr 2009 at 8:42 am #
really?? when?
Dracula Guy responded on 28 Apr 2009 at 8:50 am #
When I stop being lazy. :3
FullMetalMC responded on 29 Apr 2009 at 2:40 pm #
stop being lazy nao kthxbai
ace.dark responded on 29 Apr 2009 at 5:19 pm #
Look what you made me do, you made me make some of them appear in Gmod :3
ubercharged.net - A Look at TF2’s Unused Content; Part 3 & One Strange Thing responded on 11 May 2009 at 5:00 am #
[...] I missed that the flag has three skins besides the one I posted awhile back. Now, these things are the pinnacle of awesome, and you mappers had better use these things. [...]