There's a very big update to TF2 coming tomorrow – it will include 4 maps, which means it will be around 200MB.

It's recommended you all go to Steam Settings and enable Beta Participation in the first tab – that should get you high download speeds.

As usual, our servers will be updated as soon as the update is out, and cp_badlands will be put twice in the mapcycle so we can all learn it.

Full list of changes:

Source Engine

• Refactored how lightmaps are downloaded to the graphics card at level load. On some hardware configurations this can lower level load times significantly
• Optimized some particle systems to improve performance on some hardware configurations
• Player stats are now sent up as they change, rather than when the player dies
• Improved playback of sub-frame sounds
• Fixed a crash caused by alt-tabs during map load
• Eliminated unnecessary temporary memory allocation in scenefilecache

Team Fortress 2

• Badlands released
• Changes to Dustbowl
  • Added a new access point to the stage2 attacker gates (drop-down left from spawn), allowing attackers a way to reach the left route without being subjected to the spam and sentry gun fire
  • Fixed a gap in stage 3, cap 1 that allowed a player with to wiggle above the "ceiling" clip
  • Fixed a gap behind stage 1, cap 1 house
  • Fixed a high perch on stage1 cap1 house roof
  • Fixed a perch offering view of nodraw textures and the skybox (stage1 cap2 rock barrier)
  • Fixed a few places where rockets/demoman pipes could pass through non-solid models
  • Sealed up a gap over stage1 lower start gate
  • Clipped off tall windows in stage 3 to prevent sentry guns from behind built behind them
• Changes to Capture the Flag Well
  • Fixed trains not starting on map spawn
  • Removed cap association from red spawns that were spamming console
• Changes to Granary
  • Removed spawn timing advantage from the middle (from -3 to 0)
  • Fixed several model perch exploits (red, blue cp1 gate and blue cp2 gate pipe)
  • Fixed a few places where players could get stuck between containers and silos
  • Adjusted playerclips on red container that made it appear like players were floating
• Added a small delay (200 ms) before a zoomed sniper shot can get a critical hit
• Added server side convar mp_fadetoblack. Same functionality asCounter-Strike, used mainly during in-person tournaments and LAN events
• Added flamethrower "sizzle" sound when the Pyro is hitting a target
• Updated explosion debris to be a bit darker
• Fixed idle players not being kicked from the server if mp_allowspectators was set to 0
• Added ctf_well to the default mapcycle.txt file
• Added ctf_well to the default motd.txt file
• Fixed floor tile material type
• Fixed some weapon damage info missing from TF2 game stats
• Made some small changes to the Demoman viewmodel that were causing performance problems
• Added exec'ing a <class>.cfg file on the client when you select a class to play.
• Added a new timer to the HUD to show the value of mp_timelimit. This is useful if you're playing a timed match on 2Fort, where you only set a timelimit on the server and no other win conditions.
• Added server log entry for buildings destroyed by their owner
• Fixed sentry gun shadows being clipped
• Updated glass material

SourceTV

• SourceTV now uses a hidden slot on the game server. This allows for 24player servers to also have a SourceTV proxy connected to it
• Fixed Pyro's flamethrower flames not showing up in SourceTV