A game is trying to keep its core audience alive, can “Save TF2” revive Team Fortress 2? A long-running (January 2024) campaign demanding changes to Valve’s beloved video game Team Fortress 2 (TF2) gained significant momentum over the weekend. The surge is being driven by a global petition aimed at addressing the “sniper bot crisis” plaguing the multiplayer shooter. The hashtag #savetf2 went viral on social media and the website temporarily crashed due to heavy traffic.
TF2 was released in 2007 but is still a hit due to its core user base. Next to Counter, it’s also Valve’s most talked about game. In fact, many of the skill sets found in many current games (Valorant, Overwatch, Rainbow Six, etc.) were available in TF2 long before that. According to Steamdb’s data, the game had more than 200 thousand users before the bot crisis started and the current number of users is around 100 thousand. Reactions to Valve, which has not done anything against the bots added to the game for 5 months, continue. Players found the solution by launching a Save TF2 petition.
What is the Save TF2 petition?
The Save TF2 movement isn’t just about signing a petition; it’s about making noise. Gamers are planning an online event to directly call on the game’s creator, Valve, to fix the bot problem. They’re using social media and online forums to spread the word with messages like, “TF2 has been dealing with harmful aimbots for over 5 years, and it’s time Valve did something about it.” This online protest, happening on June 3rd, is expected to draw a lot of attention and support from TF2 players worldwide.
The Negligence TF2 has faced from Valve as well as the problems it has caused are absolutely Horrendous.
It's been 2 years. nothing changed.
JUNE 3RD!
Posts, Artworks, Videos, Documentation
Let's show them how bad it REALLY is! #FixTF2 #SaveTF2 https://t.co/1IkaYGEunD pic.twitter.com/xofBhtB40h
— shork (@ShorKtf2) May 26, 2024
A community united in frustration
Thousands of TF2 players took to social media to share their frustration with the bot problem and spread the word about the Save TF2 petition. Many expressed disappointment with Valve for not doing enough to fix the issue, highlighting bots’ negative impact on the game. Some players reached out to gamers who might not even play TF2, explaining that any game could be ruined by bots if left unchecked. There was a shared hope that this collective voice might finally make Valve listen and take action to save TF2.
The campaign to rid TF2 of bots is being championed by prominent figures within the community, including WeezyTF2 and other well-known TF2 content creators. They have been instrumental in organizing the #FixTF2 initiative, which aims to galvanize support for the cause. Anyone interested in contributing to this effort can sign the Save TF2 petition by providing the necessary information.
The petition has started.
Sign it, and let's save tf2.#FixTF2 #SaveTF2
— HIGH SOLDIER TF2 (@High_solder_tf2) May 26, 2024
A turning point for TF2
The Save TF2 movement represents a pivotal moment for the TF2 community. Frustration over the bot crisis has reached a boiling point, and gamers are uniting to demand action from Valve. The upcoming online event and the ongoing petition are clear signals that players are no longer willing to tolerate the detrimental impact of bots on their beloved game. Whether this collective effort will succeed in prompting Valve to take decisive action remains to be seen, but it marks a significant chapter in the ongoing battle to preserve the integrity of TF2.
The current Save TF2 campaign is not the first instance of the TF2 community rallying together to advocate for change. Throughout the game’s history, players have organized events, petitions, and online discussions to address various concerns, including balance issues, bugs, and the desire for new content. This rich history of community engagement demonstrates the deep passion and dedication that players have for TF2, and it underscores the importance of their voices in shaping the game’s future.
Featured image credit: Team Fortress / YouTube
