New update released...

Team Fortress 2
- Fixed Cp_Foundry not ending the map in the middle of a round when mp_timelimit is hit
- Fixed the Spy saying 'Prego' for one of his 'Thanks!' lines
- Fixed incorrect player animations for the Buff Banner and the Battalion's Backup
- Fixed some cases where strange Ullapool Cabers and wrenches would fail to correctly count kills
- Improvements for client stability
- Updated the localization files
- Crafting changes:
- Added crafting recipes for weapons introduced during the holiday update
- When selecting items for use in crafting, the items selected will show their quality in addition to the item name
- Ellis's Cap can now be used as a crafting reagent (Admin: these are now craftable)
- Item changes
- Added The Lucky Shot helmet
- Added The Killer Exclusive to the Mann Co. store
- Added Mask of the Shaman to the item drop list
- Fixed particle display problems for items with multiple effects
- Fixed the Dr. Whoa paint not drawing correctly for the Blue team
- Updated the Desert Marauder and the Villain's Veil so they can be equipped together
- Updated the Fancy Dress Uniform and the Kringle Collection so they can be equipped together
- The Bombinomicon no longer shakes the screen and has a delay before the explosion so that Snipers, Spies, and others can get better feedback on the actual cause of death
- The Bazaar Bargain functionality has changed: only one stored head is lost on a miss or a bodyshot and no heads are gained when missing while crit-boosted

New crate # 37 also apparently (strange items and hats)
"The Bazaar Bargain"
"The Big Earner"
"The Blutsauger"
"The Liberty Launcher"

"Cosa Nostra Cap"
"Private Eye"

Spreadsheet upgrade on its way

A lot has been happening loyal traders!  We've been working with our developer to bring a more useful UI experience to the spreadsheet and like what we see so far.  Multi-column sorting, custom search results, and more!  We are excited to get the prototype live but have to wait a wee bit longer until some of the finishing touches have been added.  Stay tuned.

How to interpret prices

We see that some misinterpret the sheet and want to make sure it is very clear what the prices mean.  Prices are in refined metal, unless noted.  When an item trades in keys or buds typically we will reflect that on the sheet.  Most importantly: prices are averages and never absolute.  If a price says "3 +/-" that means it could be 2.66 refined or 3.33 refined is the range we see as an average price.  Could that mean it trades for 2 ref?  Not likely and you are likely to do a transaction closer to the range stated...although that could involve time.  If the price says "2 - 3" that means on average prices are between 2 and 3 refined.  Could that item trade for 1.88 refined?  Certainly.  Would it trade for 1.33 refined?  Not likely a good deal for a seller and you could take more time to find a transaction closer to the range stated.

Someone who wants an item will likely pay a price in the area of what is on the sheet.  Traders who are only looking for profit will offer lower and/or try to sell higher.  Prices are not infallible and the sheet is briefly behind the market as changes in prices inevitably happen.  When trading and someone tells you something that is different than what you believe or is on the sheet, get several opinions.  If you think something is off, tell us.

How many keys for buds? Lawd!

So the price of Bill's Hat and Earbuds are changing by the hour apparently.  As they continue to change hands at higher and higher prices, we will continue to change the average price on the sheet.  Don't get angry at us we are only the messenger.  There is no one set price but as always sellers will try to get as much as they can and buyers want them on the cheap.  Of course there are rumors...one going around is that someone deleted 50 or so.  Well, sorry to burst your bubble but someone would have to delete hundreds or thousands of either to effect the price.  The price jumps are simply due to more people wanting earbuds and bill's hats.  Maybe it's the coming armageddon?  Who knows!  That is all.

Winter Crate Poll Results

Nothing earth shattering here with a fairly even distribution of the new crates.  Valve throws in some of the others for good measure.

Naughty crates	660 (55%)
Nice crates	672 (56%)
Series #34	211 (17%)
Series #33	172 (14%)
Series #32	117 (9%)
Series #30 (salvaged)	163 (13%)
I got a winter key too!	232 (19%)

Votes so far: 1193
Poll closed

New update...

Team Fortress 2

• Added community-created winter items to the drop lists, the craft tables, and the store
• Added the Spirit of Giving
• Gifts from Secret Saxtons and Piles o' Gifts now have a chance to grant a gift in addition to whatever item they would have granted normally
• Fixed hearing the deny sound while rotating a sentry during placement
• Manmelter balance tweaks:
  • Added particle effect on muzzle that appears when ready to fire
  • Increased projectile speed while maintaining the same travel arc
  • Increased extinguish range
• Added festive lights to all ropes and cables
• Fixed a problem that would sometimes allow the detonator projectiles to crit on burning targets
• Updated the localization files
• Updated the gamehaptics file:
  • Added draw/melee swing/melee hit/crit forces for the The Sharp Dresser and the Spy-cicle
  • Added draw/recoil/reload/crit forces for the Pomson 6000
  • Added draw/recoil/crit forces for the Manmelter
  • Added draw/recoil force for the Wrap Assassin
  • Added melee hit/world hit force for the Third Degree
  • Added crit forces for the Holiday Punch
  • Fixed missing forces for Demoman swords
  • Refined recoil force for the Sandman

Undocumented changes

• The Spirit of Giving and Secret Saxton have been distributed to all players.

Get coal for Christmas : win!

Valve continues to mix it up with more holiday madness (link here).  This is less a TF2 thing rather a Steam contest where they give away things like games, coupons on games and more.  Now you can get coal in your steam account.  Rack 7 of them up and craft them for a special Steam gift.  Or hold on to them where each coal is an entry into the Steam grand prize drawing on January 2nd.  Merry Christmas indeed!

Can I have a Holiday Headcase for Christmas, Santa?

Prices are starting to reveal themselves and we have again updated the Australian Christmas items.  The newer weapons are in high demand and can sell above the average prices listed.  However, these prices are what the majority of them are going for.  Strange Festive weapons are very expensive with respect to their non-festive counterparts.  May they go higher once they are no longer available?  Only Santa knows.

One interesting thing we are noticing is the premium traders are paying for festive keys in items.  Some profit-making trades are occurring with festive keys for hats/miscs/weapons.  This is not true for the metal equivalent for the keys.  Most trade in the 3 ref range, and slightly higher at times.

We await how and when Valve will release the final few winter items.  I don't know about you, but I want my Ebeneezer!  Trade on.