An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Fixed players not being able to push the payload cart on some maps
• Fixed a client crash related to the main menu
• Fixed a client crash when exiting the game
• Fixed not being able to pickup item_bonuspack entities that have not been assigned to a specific team
• Added self-damage when using the Short Circuit's orb to attack an enemy at close range
• Added the new Pyro weapons to the list of weapons that can be found via random drops
• Added The Heartfelt Hero medal for the Hugs.tf 2018 community event
• Updated ctf_foundry
  • Organized powerup locations to be more consistent with other maps
  • Removed the crit powerup in the center of the map
  • Fixed the return times for dropped flags

(Image credit - @AndyThybo)

Hugs.tf is celebrating its fifth birthday this weekend! To celebrate, they're returning to screens once again; offering jumps, pubs and, most importantly, more hugs! Tune in this Saturday at 15:00 UTC to catch intense show matches, Team Fortress 2 themed artwork, and a curious event named "MGE Tag Team Chess", all raising money for Special Effect!

You can donate cash here, and click here to donate items courtesy of http://scrap.tf. All donations of £10 or more will earn you a brand new medal - The Heartfelt Hero!

The National Heavy Boxing League has released their Season 7 Highlights! Watch your favorite boxers and get ready for the playoffs!

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

Matchmaking Changes

• The initial load time into a match no longer counts against a player's abandon timer
• Changed the timeout before a missing player is marked as having abandoned a competitive match to be three minutes from the first time a player disconnects from the server, rather than from the moment the match is formed
• Queue times should now be significantly faster when dealing with large numbers of placement and recently-placed players in queue
• Moved the Competitive MMR change notification so it no longer overlaps your rank
• Fixed continuing to receive the prompt to rejoin a match after you have been dropped from said match
• Fixed a case where players would receive a rank change in matches that dissolved due to abandon

General

• Added a stomp animation to Pyro that plays when coming down after blasting off from the Thermal Thruster
• Added HLPugs.tf tournament medals
• Added Gette it Onne! tournament medals
• Added TFCL tournament medals
• Added Copenhagen Games tournament medals
• Fixed Medics having an accelerated Übercharge build-rate when healing full-health Snipers who are using The Razorback
• Fixed being able to capture control points during setup time
• Fixed the Golden Wrench not having an offset when using minimized viewmodels
• Fixed the Private Maggot Muncher hiding the Soldier's hat when equipped
• Fixed the Medic's auto-call feature not including enemy Spies disguised as the Medic's team
• Fixed The Lugermorph not displaying when inspected in the backpack
• Fixed unusual effects on the Brass Bucket rendering in the wrong spot
• Fixed Mann vs. Machine late-join failing for parties of two or more
• Fixed the Short Circuit orb not changing particle color after being deflected
• Fixed the Short Circuit orb not being able to destroy rockets/grenades during the first 0.25 seconds of their lifetime
• Updated models and materials for the Private Maggot Muncher
• Updated the localization files

TFCL has announced three new seasons starting in May! Get ready for 6v6 Season 4, Highlander Season 2, and Ultiduo Season 5!

Registration for all three tournaments has already begun! Matches start on May 4th. Visit the TFCL website for more information.