Halloween night contest (prizes won, no more emails)

We have a puzzle for you tonight.  Terry has provided us with another TF2 related scavenger hunt - so another 'thank you' to him for keeping things interesting.  This hunt's not easy, so the prize is going to be good.  The third person to correctly email us all 8 answers receives a Kringle Collection (clean).  The first and second person with correct answers each receive a regular key (not an eerie key).  If you send incorrect answers your email does not add to the count and of course you won't win anything.

Today we run (because the Horseless Headless Horsemann wants your head to be his first for Halloween) down the haunted memory lane to see what Valve gave us on this holiday in past years.

All of these answers can be found on the Wikipedia pages that are about the last 3 Halloween events in the Update Gallery section - all of the answers will be in the gallery images. (Links at bottom). Some answers are found in the text, some you have to analyze the picture, and others you have to read handwriting. You don't need to note which update the questions are from, just find the answers to the questions.

Happy Halloween and have fun!

1. What will the mangled corpses of the recently deceased plague the living with?

2. Why is getting the exact same hat better?

3. Where was Zepheniah Mann’s estate?

4. What did Zepheniah Mann write his Last Will and Testament on?

5. What was scary enough to give you white hair and put you in an insane asylum?

6. What can the introductions cause people to have?

7. What class of TF2 character does the Monoculous come from?

8. What can be earned later because “there’s always next Halloween”?

First Annual

http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Haunted_Hallowe%27en_Special

Second Annual

http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Scream_Fortress_Update

Third Annual

http://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Very_Scary_Halloween_Special

Update: prizes have been won, no more emails please.

This contest's key winners were "penGwin.Breeze" and "Branabus #KOTH minisentry".  The Kringle Collection winner was "PeteTehHitman". Congratulations to all 3 and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We will continue the Eerie key and other item giveaways throughout the Halloween event until November 8th, so keep checking back for the latest item values as well as your chance to win.

Answers:

1. CANDY!!!

2. You earned it!

3.  22 diseases/sicknesses

4. His arm skin

5. Last Year's (2009) Halloween Special

6. Heart Attacks </3

7. The Demoman

8. The Eye-chievements

Eerie Halloween keys (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two more Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #31 and #131 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for this contest.

Today there were 3 Eerie key winners instead of 2 since I screwed up and told #30 he won.  So my mistake is your good fortune.  This contest's winners were "Trach10berg", Meleellamasheep, and "FanAt[!]c~". Congratulations to all 3 and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We will continue the Eerie key and other item giveaways throughout the Halloween event until November 8th, so keep checking back for the latest item values as well as your chance to win.

Sometime today we will be giving away a clean Kringle Collection for a contest.

Two more keys for Eerie Tuesday (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two more Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #30 and #130 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: keys won, no more emails please.

This contest's winners were "Æ51\ Para" and "nelliel [akagumo]". Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway!  Details are here.  Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address.  Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We will continue the Eerie key and other item giveaways throughout the Halloween event until November 8th, so keep checking back for the latest item values as well as your chance to win.

Eerie Tuesday key (key won, no more emails)

We are giving away one Eerie key right now. It goes to emailer #55. Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: key won, no more emails please

This contest's winner was "| Reines.Ei | Cabu" Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We will continue the Eerie key and other item giveaways throughout the Halloween event until November 8th, so keep checking back for the latest item values as well as your chance to win.

Eerie Monday, part 2. (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two more Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #29 and #129 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: these keys have been won, no more emails please.

This contest's winners were "mattpond (snivy)" and "Squidward Tortellini". Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We will continue the Eerie key and other item giveaways throughout the Halloween event until November 8th, so keep checking back for the latest item values as well as your chance to win.

An Eerie Monday key (key won, no more emails)

We are giving away one Eerie key right now. It goes to emailer #77.  Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: this key has been won, no more emails for this contest please.

This contest's winner was "ᴿᴺᴳ GrandpA ★` ツ"  Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We will continue the Eerie key and other item giveaways throughout the Halloween event until November 8th, so keep checking back for the latest item values as well as your chance to win.

Eeriest Sunday key (key won, no more emails)

We are giving away one more Eerie key for Sunday right now. It goes to emailer #66. Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: key has been won, no more emails for this contest.

This contest's winner was Meep. Congratulations to him both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We will continue the Eerie key and other item giveaways throughout the Halloween event until November 8th, so keep checking back for the latest item values as well as your chance to win.

Eerier Sunday (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two more Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #20 and #120 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails please.

This contest's winners were "Chode of Honor" and "Lt. Underscore". Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Eerie Sunday (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two more Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #28 and #128 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do.  If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails please.

This contest's winners were Judgement and Admiral. Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Eerie Saturday, final round...(keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two more Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #20 and #120 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: these keys have been won.  no more emails for this contest please.

This contest's winners were "Lulz # DVD" and "Joey Is A Pootis".  Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Eerie Saturday round #2 (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #31 and #131 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: these eerie keys have been won, no more emails please.

A winner forfeit his winning eerie key because he sent multiple emails.  Folks, don't let this happen to you.  Send one email per contest.

This contest's winners were Knighthammer323 and ZenSharpShooter. Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Trade Scanning Software question cont'd...

Another trader had a follow-up question about our Trade Scanning software that monitors actual trades to give us pricing information...(along with our team of expert traders of course, can't forget them).

"How exactly does it work? I mean does it connect to the Steam API and how do you know a price is real and not just a wild trade or something?  Wouldn't a voting system be better?

- Jimmy Fallon's Gangsta Persona"

A quick re-cap of our response to a previous question:

• First off, our software runs 24/7/365. It is still a work in progress and for our site revamp we are going to have it integrated into the site so that we are real-time. It shows prices of trades that occur and the value in keys and/or metal that is exchanged. For now, I go through the output which is a mysql database and examine each trade.
• Many of the trades from the software (80-90%) confirm prices already on the spreadsheet. So if you don't see a price change, it often means that is just where a price has 'settled'. If a trade shows a price different from the spreadsheet I try to confirm this with feedback from my pricers as well as publicly listed prices for items (outpost, tp, trade servers). About half the time a trade is not for the price listed, there is no confirmation in the marketplace. In that case, the price stays the same. What causes this? Typically a quicksell, someone just trying to liquidate. The other half of the time, the price has indeed shifted and after the same research as above, we adjust the price on the sheet. And if there are multiple trades in the database showing a real change in price then we look for confirmation but ultimately require less proof since it is already there. Most often in this case the price is adjusted.

In response to Jimmy's (great name btw) question:

While we can't divulge exactly what happens with the software, it does track trades using the Steam API.  We see the relevant information: the item, the quality (genuine, vintage, dirty, etc), the date and then a value that was exchanged for it.  It can be in keys or metal or both.  When we have it tweaked to be real-time we will have a 'ticker'.  More on that later.

With trades that are wildly out of the market-price range, based on standard deviations, they are automatically ignored.  Anything that sneaks through, say, for a new item that has no average price yet, as I said we inspect each trade so I will just see the discrepancy then.

Voting on item values is not a good alternative to actual trade prices.  I get emails every day from people who think their item is worth a HOUWAR because it has the same rarity.  There are teams of people out there whose goal is to bump the prices of their own items.  Remember the B.M.O.C. back in the early Spring?  Just like the stock market, prices are what people pay (not what owners think their loot is worth).

An Eerie Saturday morning...(keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two Eerie keys right now. They are going to emailers #27 and #127 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do. If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: keys have been won.  no more emails for this contest please.

This contest's winners were Frog Boy and "Epalaka, Acutulus Unus". Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Two Eerie keys up for grabs right now (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away two Eerie keys right now.  They are going to emailers #26 and #126 (one each). Email us now, one email per person, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and instant disqualification if you do.  If you don't win, tell your friend and maybe he or she will.

Update: these Eerie keys have been won.  No more emails for this giveaway.  Many more giveaways to come....keep checking back and tell your friends.

This contest's winners were Eu-L.C.F. and ScorchedEclipse. Congratulations to them both and good luck to everyone for the next Halloween giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Eerie keys. boo.

So in celebration of the Halloween event, we will be giving away a bunch of Eerie keys!  Keep your eyes out for giveaways that will happen in the normal way.  We will announce with each giveaway what and how many we are giving away.

Spectral Halloween Special

Team Fortress 2

• Scream Fortress Event 2012
• Fixed a bug where buildings would be invisible during their setup time
• Mann vs. Machine
  • Added the map Mvm_coaltown_event with a special Halloween mission
  • Fixed a bug where players money would not be set properly when restoring a checkpoint
  • Fixed server crash on vote to restart mission

Undocumented changes

• Updated the localization files
• Added the Ghostly Gibus, Rump-o'-Lantern, Sir Hootsalot, The Master Mind, The Scarecrow, The Crone's Dome, The Executioner, The Bonedolier, The Plutonidome, The Spooky Shoes, The Spooky Sleeves, The Zipperface, The Boo Balloon, The Unknown Monkeynaut, The Grand Duchess Tutu, The Grand Duchess Fairy Wings, The Grand Duchess Tiara, The Dead Little Buddy,The Voodoo Juju (Slight Return), The Exorcizor, The Wraith Wrap, The Coffin Kit, The Bat Outta Hell, The Skull Island Topper, Halloween 2012 Community Bundle, Voodoo-Cursed Item (Armory),Voodoo-Cursed Old Boot, Voodoo-Cursed Skeleton, Voodoo-Cursed Bag of Quicklime, Voodoo-Cursed Robot Arm, Voodoo-Cursed Novelty Bass, Voodoo-Cursed Sticky-Bomb, Voodoo-Cursed Nail, Voodoo-Cursed Soul (Armory), Zombie Scout, Zombie Soldier, Zombie Pyro, Zombie Demoman, Zombie Heavy, Zombie Engineer, Zombie Medic, Zombie Sniper, Zombie Spy, Pile of Curses, Eerie Crate, Eerie Key, Strange Part (Armory), Strange Part: Halloween Kills, Strange Part: Robots Destroyed During Halloween, Halloween Paints, and UGC Season 6 Medals
• Added new unusual effects: Knifestorm, Misty Skull, Harvest Moon, It's A Secret To Everybody, Stormy 13th Hour.

Screamfortress is coming very soon!

Looks like it begins tonight and goes for 2 weeks until November 8th.  If history is any guide, it will be sometime soon...around primetime on the West Coast of the US.   We will be all over the new items and their prices, of course.  Plus we will be having giveaways for the entire event.  Stay tuned.  Plus plus, we will have another one of Terry's scavenger hunts this weekend - the prize?  TBA - but it will be worth a good amount of candy.

http://www.teamfortress.com/blizzbobarrabas/

Friday key #1 (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #31. Email us now, only once, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: contest is over, this key has been won.  no more emails please.

This contest winner was Team Rocket Grunt. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Read our response to a reader's recent question on our Trade-scanning software and Pricing here.

There once was a key named Thursday (and he's gone, no more emails)

and he went to emailer #50. Email us now, only once, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.  Don't send multiple emails.

Update: key has been won, no more emails please.

This contest winner was Flash Gordon. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details arehere. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Read our response to a reader's recent question here.

Trade Software / Pricing Question

Typically I try to respond to most emails we get asking questions.  This one came in and I thought I would share:

"Can you explain the trade analysis software you claim to use?  Someone said that you manipulate prices on this sheet for your own gain like that silver medigun.  I think your prices are fair but your response would be helpful to me.  

-rckcndy"

First off, our software runs 24/7/365.  It is still a work in progress and for our site revamp we are going to have it integrated into the site so that we are real-time.  It shows prices of trades that occur and the value in keys and/or metal that is exchanged.  For now, I go through the output which is a mysql database and examine each trade.

Many of the trades from the software (80-90%) confirm prices already on the spreadsheet.  So if you don't see a price change, it often means that is just where a price has 'settled'.  If a trade shows a price different from the spreadsheet I try to confirm this with feedback from my pricers as well as publicly listed prices for items (outpost, tp, trade servers).  About half the time a trade is not for the price listed, there is no confirmation in the marketplace.  In that case, the price stays the same.  What causes this?  Typically a quicksell, someone just trying to liquidate.  The other half of the time, the price has indeed shifted and after the same research as above, we adjust the price on the sheet.  And if there are multiple trades in the database showing a real change in price then we look for confirmation but ultimately require less proof since it is already there.  Most often in this case the price is adjusted.

Secondly, we do not manipulate prices.  I reduce prices of items in both my and my contributors backpacks every day.  I have been estimating TF2 item prices for close to 3 years and update the site daily.  We don't let anyone just 'vote' on prices.  If we get feedback we check it out and respond accordingly but never allow direct changing of prices.

The overzealous reddit witchhunt was based on one reddit user's opinion of one item's price that differed from ours.  He had followed us for many months looking for anything and that's all he could conjur.  Reddit labeled my account(s) 'scammer' and saved the world for all the cute kittens.  However, in response to that issue I stopped trading personally to ensure that there is no appearance of impropriety.  A pretty large sacrifice on my part since I enjoyed trading but I get how things looked.

Anyway, I hope that answers some questions.  We're moving forward and you will see some big changes soon.

Another key for Wednesday (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #42. Email us now, only once, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: this key has been won, no more emails for this contest please.

This contest winner was ang98320. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details arehere. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Key for Wednesday (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #51. Email us now, only once, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: key has been won, no more emails for this contest please.

This contest winner was Broseph Stalin. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Tuesday's key (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #29. Email us now, only once, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: key won, no more emails please.

Today's contest winner was Accidental Ninja. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Monday key #2 (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #42. Email us now, only once, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: key won, no more emails for giveaways for now.

Today's second contest winner was Xietyz and he'll receive his key whenever he wakes up from his slumber.  Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Key for Monday (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #29. Email us now, only once, and include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: key won, no more emails.

Today's contest winner was Blizz.  Email responses were a little delayed I had to take a call.  Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Sunday's 2 free keys (keys won, no more emails)

go to emailers #6 and 46 (one each). Email us now only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: keys for today have been won, no more emails for this giveaway please.

This contest's winners were Vincent and Jose. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

2 more keys for Saturday (keys won, no more emails)

go to emailers #2 and 62 (one each). Email us now only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for this giveaway.

This contest's winners were Aaron and William. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

First Saturday giveaway...(prize won! finally!)

Our first giveaway for today is a scavenger hunt of sorts and comes from contributor Terry (who previously sent in a puzzle not long ago).  The winner will be emailer #3 who sends in all correct answers.  Translation: if you get everything right and are first to email, you don't win.  You have to be the 3rd email in our inbox with the correct answers.  If your answers are incorrect, you don't win and your email doesn't add to the count.  As always, send your steam id link and only one email per person.

The winner gets 2 keys.

Follow these instructions carefully!!!
Go to http://steamcommunity.com/app/1840 Click on the “Videos” tab. Use the drop arrow that
currently says “Show: Most Popular (Week)” change it to “Show: Most Popular (All Time). I will not make
you watch every single video (I’m not that cruel), but the top 15 you will have to watch in order to win.
I give you a very specific quote from 5 of the videos (They will not repeat in any other videos). When
you find the specific quote you must have the correct time it is said during the video (There will be a 2
second difference acceptance. Ex. Your answer is 1:34, the correct answer is 1:36. It will be accepted
since it is only 2 seconds apart from the quote. The time to write down is when the first word of the
quote is said.). You also need to include the person who uploaded it and the title of the video. In summary, you need to find 15 things total: Video Title, Name of Uploader, and Time of Quote from 5 different videos.

Quotes you have to find. n_n

1. Sometimes you just need a little less gun.
2. How many wonders can one backpack hold?
3. Why did you kiss my ear?
4. TO THE LEFT! MAGGOTS!
5. Slap my hand!

Update: this prize has been won, thanks for your entries.  No more emails for this giveaway please.

Today's winner was Ehren. Honorable mentions go to Andrew and Chris for being the 1st and second emails we received.  Congratulations to Ehren and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Answers:

1. TeamFormers, Donvius, 7:58
2. Just One More Hat, Jojje, 0:40
3. Those Aren't Pillows, Dan the Man, 0:44
4. Meet the Soldier Directed by Michael Bay, Alfa.SqD, 0:42
5. The First Wave, Kostamoinen, 3:47

Friday key goes to (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #51. Email us now only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: this key has been won, no more contest emails until the next one is active.  Thanks.

Today's winner was Kitty. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Thursday key (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #35. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: key has been won, no more emails for this giveaway please.

Today's winner was Armand. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

A key for Wednesday (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #41. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here. Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: key has been won, no more emails please.

Today's winner was Tomas. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

New update

Team Fortress 2

• Fixed a common "FindModel" crash for replays
• Fixed the Crafty Hair not using styles for the yellow and brown hair
• Improved the "Restore" UI for customizing items in backpack
• Fixed floating arrows on carried objects
• Mann vs. Machine
  • Added a penalty system to deter players from repeatedly abandoning Mann Up games
  • Corrected the respawn time for the Mannslaughter mission
  • Updated MissionCycle behavior. Servers will always cycle to a mission listed in the MissionCycle file.

Undocumented Changes

• Added the What's in the Portal 2 Soundtrack Box?

Tuesday key (key won, no more emails)

Ok so our ride was late again. We are giving away a key to emailer #31. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: key has been won, no more emails please.

Today's winner was Steven. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

Monday's key (key won, no more emails)

goes to emailer #31. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.  Don't send multiple emails, no warnings and you will be disqualified from this and other giveaways.

Update: key has been won, no more emails for this giveaway please.

Tonight, the actual 31st email we received was sent from someone who sent us multiple emails.  He was disqualified and will not be allowed to win any more contests.

Today's winner by default was Rysh. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

2 keys for Sunday (keys won, no more emails)

One key each will go to be emailers #9, and 59. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for giveaways for now.

Today's (yesterday's actually, I forgot to add this snippet) winners were Carlos and William. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

3 Saturday keys (keys won, no more emails)

One key each will go to be emailers #4, 24, and 44. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for this giveaway please.  Today I wasn't able to email everyone who entered, bad connection where I'm at.

Today's winners were Martin, Quin and Eric. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

The key to a good Friday night (key won, no more emails)

is to be emailer #51. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails please...

Allen was today's winner who sent email #51. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

Late Thursday keys (keys won, no more emails)

Ok so our ride was late.  We are giving away 2 keys instead of 1 to emailers #2 & #42. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails please...

Colin and Kyle were today's winners who sent email #2 and #42. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

Wednesday key (key won, no more emails)

We are giving away a key to emailer #45. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: key has been won, no more emails please.

Taylor was today's winner who sent email #45. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

A key for Tuesday (key won, no more emails)

We are giving away a key to emailer #32. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: key won, no more emails please.

Nyss was today's winner who sent email #32. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

New update, Total War items now tradeable, crate 49

Team Fortress 2

• Updated materials/models for the Champ Stamp, King of Scotland Cape, Stovepipe Sniper Shako, and Freedom Staff
• Fixed a server crash that could occur if a Spy was disguised holding the Gunslinger
• Fixed the Lacking Moral Fiber Mask being tagged as a misc item instead of a hat
• Fixed the Gunslinger not accepting "Sappers Removed" strange parts
• Overhealed players that are bleeding or on fire can now pickup healthkits to remove these conditions
• Added tf_dingalingaling_repeat_delay (default 0) which limits how often the dingalingaling sound can play
• Removed outdated tip about the Spy's Enforcer
• Updated the localization files
• Vote system
  • Allow kicking of connected players that haven't joined a team in Mann vs. Machine
  • Added sv_vote_issue_kick_spectators_mvm (default 0) which allows players to kick anyone that isn't team invaders, as long as they've passed the sv_vote_issue_kick_min_connect_time_mvm timer, if enabled
• Mann vs. Machine
  • Added two new tours of duty, each with new unique loot:
    • Operation Oil Spill, with 6 new intermediate skill missions
    • Operation Gear Grinder, with 3 new expert skill missions
  • If a player connects to a MvM game through matchmaking and loses their connection, their spot will be held for a brief duration and they will be given a chance to reconnect
  • After victory on a Mann Up server, the players will be put into a lobby together.
  • Improved matchmaking searching status screen
• Mann vs. Machine balance changes:
  • Explosive Headshots
    • damage is now 150 regardless of upgrade level
    • damage is done in one tick instead of the previous six
    • added a slowing effect based on upgrade level (50%-80% slow, 2-4 second duration)
    • radius still scales with upgrade level (unchanged)
  • Marked For Death duration reduced to 7 seconds from 15 seconds when the target is a giant robot
  • Reduced the "effect bar recharge rate increased" upgrade from 20% increments with an 80% cap to 15% increments with a 60% cap

Undocumented changes

• Total War promos are now tradable.
• Added Mann Co. Supply Crates Series 49 and removed Series 44
• Added new Mysterious Promos
• Added "Silver" on the names of normal Botkiller weapons.

Monday daily giveaway (key won, no more emails)

We are giving away a key to emailer #29. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: key has been won, no more emails please.

Benjamin was today's winner who sent email #29. Congratulations to him and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

Free Sunday keys (keys won, no more emails)

Right now we are giving away 2 free keys (one per person) to emailers #3 and #43. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for this giveaway please.

E.M. and Annon were the 2 winners. They were emailers #3 and #43, sent a link to their steam profile and emailed only once. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

More free Saturday keys (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away 2 free keys for the night owls (one per person) to emailers #2 and #52. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for this giveaway thanks.

Allan and W.H.C were the 2 winners. They were emailers #2 and #52, sent a link to their steam profile and emailed only once. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

We are changing the contest back to a daily format. That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises. Keep checking back for your chance to win.

Saturday morning keys (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away 2 free keys (one per person) to emailers #5 and #35. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for the contest.

Michael and Zach were today's 2 winners. They were emailers #5 and #35, sent a link to their steam profile and emailed only once. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Reminder: send a link to your steam profile with your entry.  You will not win if you don't send this.

Also, we are changing the contest back to a daily format.  That means every day until further notice we will have free items, with Halloween stuff to come as well as a mix of hats and even some surprises.  Keep checking back for your chance to win.

Friday night keys (keys won, no more emails)

We are giving away 2 more free keys (one per person) to emailers #8 and #48. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: keys have been won, no more emails for this giveaway please.

C.Y. and Daniel were today's 2 winners. They were emailers #8 and #48, sent a link to their steam profile and emailed only once. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

Free key for Thursday (key won, no more emails)

Right now we are giving away a free key to emailer #20. Email us only once, include a link to your steam profile (many names have duplicates). Contest details and answers to most of your questions are here.

Update: key for tonight has been won, no more emails please.

For tonight, there can be only one!  That one who won was Terra.  He happened to be emailer #20, sent a link to their steam profile and emailed only once. Congratulations to them and good luck to everyone for the next giveaway! Details are here. Some of you have asked questions that the answers to are right there in the link, including our email address. Take a moment to read it if you have questions.

State o' the TF2 market - October 1st edition

Fall has (at least for the past 2 years) brought a different wave to TF2 trading.  Back to school for many traders so trading is lighter during the week and spikes on the weekends.  Any update from Valve, however, always changes this and users will open up their backpacks or start crafting whenever there are new items.

The early-summer Pyromania event was a very busy time.  Although the items prices have come back to earth - this "Meet the" update proved popular.  Valve always mixes things up and the 'pyrovision' twist kept it interesting.

The Mann vs. Machine update from the summer has since passed and most of these items have stabilized in prices.  Gold Botkiller items continue to drift downwards but at a slower pace now and may find their bottoms soon and start to drift up - we'll watch and see.  From a gaming perspective, the new mode was a welcome addition to the TF2 brand.

Fall items from the Fall key event fell in value quickly probably due to a lot of crates being opened and there not really being a "marquee" item from the crates that everyone typically wants.  Track Terrorizer is the closest to this but it has since come back to the key to key + half range.

Halloween items will come into play soon.  Some items have been trading higher, with the Spine-Chilling Skull 2010 and Voodoo Juju being the biggest gainers.  Some of the Haunted items from 2011 have seen an uptick as well.  We will adjust these prices as we see trades coming in but keep in mind asking prices will spike and desperate buyers may skew the market up.

The winter 2011/2012 items have since seen a jump.  All-father and especially Kringle Collection have both enjoyed gains - lucky you if you have a clean version of either.  We'll follow the other holiday items as well to see if any come into play.

Also remember that our trade analysis software is running 24/7 and as the Halloween event approaches we will step up the sheet updates to more than the standard once-per-day (our human contributors unfortunately can't run all day and night).  Our giveaways will also follow suit and we will have a bunch of new freebies for our loyal audience.  Until then, keys will continue to be our go-to freebie.

Big site upgrade coming soon.  Lots going on behind the scene with relation to that - more information will come later.  Feel free to contact us with suggestions, ideas, corrections.