Valve releases Team Fortress 2 SDK allowing creators to make new games based on TF2

Two years after radio silence, Valve has finally provided a big change for Team Fortress 2 by releasing the Source SDK with all of TF2's client and server game code. What Vlave is saying to gamers who asked them to update TF2 is to fix the game yourself and that’s a good thing. Modders now have much-needed freedom to make the game better.

“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,” Valve wrote in an official blog.

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/tuYn8m8Bbtpic.twitter.com/ka0GkrQJ5n

— Team Fortress 2 (@TeamFortress) February 18, 2025

What this means is that anyone will now be able to modify TF2’s code and make separate games. A great example of this is Garry's Mod which was made from Half-Life 2 and is available as a separate purchase on Steam. Speaking of G-mod, the spiritual successor ‘s&box’ also allows players to do something similar.

Team Fortress 2 has a massive bot problem and while there are still a lot of players, the game is unplayable with bots using aim not giving anyone a chance. Maybe with this much power, modders will be able to resolve some issues.

‘Bro remembered his password’ - Fans react to latest TF2 update

If it’s one thing that gamers love is the developers giving them freedom to do what they can’t. Team Fortress 2 SDK is a huge upgrade and something that was needed for the community going insane asking for updates regularly. There’s even a campaign called ‘Save TF2’ which is finally realized.

As one can expect, players are quite happy, maybe on the same level as when Valve released the final issue of Team Fortress Comic last year. Let’s check out how everyone reacted -

@valvesoftware casually going "fuck it, we're out, you guys maintain it" is peak gold right now.

— RedDawnWarrior (@RedDawnWarrior) February 18, 2025

bro remembered his password

— Jon (@jonsyishere) February 18, 2025

"We can't count to three, but that doesn't mean you guys can't."

TF3 here we come baby! pic.twitter.com/0IgcYMBuiE

— Loki (@LokiXY) February 19, 2025

Also Read:Valve is making a Steam Console to compete with Xbox and PS5: Rumors

Multiple old games also received an update

Apart from SDK, Valve also updated various older Source engine titles with 64-bit support and various other improvements for modern standards. While this may only be a fresh coat of pain, it will make the games run better on modern hardware. These games include 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.