Non-TF2 related: Sid Meier's Civilization V (PC/Mac) free this weekend

Dealnews has the scoop on Steam offering Sid Meier's Civilization V for either PC or Mac for free this weekend.  Link here.  Free play ends on May 27th.

Non-TF2 related: Disciples II: Gold Edition for free

Slickdeals has the details on this free PC version of Disciples II : Gold Edition here offered by Green Man Gaming.  Apparently it can be traded back in for a credit after May 26th.

New update...spy shoes, promos, crates...

Team Fortress 2

• Added The Sneaky Spats of Sneaking
• Added new promotional items^[1]
• Added koth_badlands to eligible quickplay maps
• Added changelevel_next server command which changes to the next map in the map cycle
• Added mp_restartgame_immediate ConVar which has the same effect as mp_restartgame without a delay
• Fixed The Manmelter using the wrong muzzle flash effect
• Fixed The Frying Pan not being positioned correctly for some classes

Undocumented changes

• Added Mann Co. Supply Crates Series 44 and Series 45, and removed Series 41 and Series 42.
• Added new strange parts: Demomen Killed, Soldiers Killed, Domination Kills, Revenge Kills, Critical Kills and Kills While Explosive Jumping.
• Updated Last Breath from a Steam Workshop submission.
• Updated localization files

Notes

1. ↑ The Cross-Comm Crash Helmet, the Cross-Comm Express, and the Doublecross-Comm

Non-TF2 related: Path of Exile & Midnight Club 2 freebies

Two PC gaming freebies to share with you all.  First is a free weekend, today until Monday for Path of Exile which is a game under development.  It's PC only and this is a chance to basically beta-test the game for the weekend.  Link here.

The second freebie is from Steam and is Midnight Club 2, to anyone who has purchased a game via Steam previously.  You will need to join Rockstar's group.  Looks like an older game, since it is not supported on Vista/Windows 7.  Link here.

New update, front runner for the scout, promos

Team Fortress 2

• Added The Front Runner
• Added new promotional items^[1]
• Added the UGC Highlander Season 6 medals
• Fixed a bug that sometimes prevented servers from reconnecting to the item server after dropping connection
• Fixed a client crash when using custom main menu .res files
• Fixed a bug that allowed buildings to be built in nobuild/respawn volumes
• Updated the localisation files^[2]
• Added Enabled/Disabled inputs for the mapobj_cart_dispenser entity
• Added ability to add custom colors in chat messages. ^[3] Use either:
  • \x07 followed by a hex code in RRGGBB format
  • \x08 followed by a hex code with alpha in RRGGBBAA format

Undocumented changes

• Added the Mann Co. Store Package.

Notes

1. ↑ Triclops, and Flamingo Kid.
2. ↑ In British English.
3. ↑ For server plugins only, players cannot use these.

TF2 Crate Sim

What more fun can you have than wasting hundreds of dollars in fake money?  If you're an avid crate unboxer then this may not do it for you, but to those who don't have a trust-fund it may be just good enough.  This crate simulator allows gamers to unbox most crates (the latest and greatest aren't there yet, only up to #36).  There is a tally of how much you've spent as well (at Valve prices for keys so if you buy them through other sources then you will have to factor in that yourself).

Poll results: Your opinion on "Duped" items

It appears that few Team Fortress players actually like duped items, or just don't really know what they are or simply don't care.  Loving a duped item may mean getting it for a cheap price or something else we are unaware of.

Poll: Your opinion on "Duped" items

Won't touch 'em!	1406 (42%)
Love them!	641 (19%)
What does duped mean? What's an opinion?	1262 (38%)

Votes so far: 3309
Poll closed 

New update

Team Fortress 2

• Added The Fruit Shoot
• Fixed a rendering error affecting sticky bomb particle effects
• Updated the main menu message notification system
• Updated the Frying Pan so it can also be equipped by the Scout, Sniper, Medic, Heavy, and Pyro
• Updated pl_thundermountain
  • Fixed a build-in-spawn exploit in the Blue spawn room for stage 2
• Community request
  • SetForcedTauntCam player input now accepts a value of 2 to allow the taunt camera to remain even while the player is dead

Undocumented changes

• Added the Dual-Purpose Fruit set.
• Added the Valve Store Shipment Box