Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is Valve’s class-based multiplayer shooter, first released on 10 October 2007 and now free to play. Players choose one of nine distinct classes, each with its own tactical abilities, and Valve keeps adding game modes, maps and equipment. It suits anyone who wants a shooter with a sense of humour that runs on almost any PC.
How to get it
TF2 is distributed only through Steam. Install Steam, open the Team Fortress 2 store page and click Play Game. Steam currently lists Windows and Linux as supported platforms. The store page still shows old macOS requirements, but macOS is not among the supported platforms Steam lists for the game today.
What’s free and what isn’t
The game is free under a “Commercial License”. Steam lists in-app purchases: the game sells cosmetic items, and Valve’s own description jokes that hats are the most important update. Steam also sells The Orange Box bundle, which contains TF2 alongside other Valve games, for $19.99.
Community content and servers
Steam lists Steam Workshop support, a level editor, Steam Trading Cards, developer commentary and cross-platform multiplayer. Community servers and Workshop maps are part of the game’s design, which is why it has stayed active for so long.
Very low system requirements
| Windows | Linux | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 (32/64-bit), Vista or XP (as listed) | Ubuntu 12.04 |
| CPU | 1.7 GHz or better | Dual-core Intel or AMD at 2.8 GHz |
| Memory | 512 MB RAM | 1 GB RAM |
| Graphics | DirectX 8.1 | GeForce 8600/9600GT or Radeon HD2600/3600, OpenGL 2.1 |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
These are Valve’s original listings and have not been updated for current operating systems.
Anti-cheat
TF2 is a Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) enabled game, as the Steam page states. Running cheats on VAC-secured servers can lead to a VAC ban on your Steam account. Download TF2 only through Steam; no other site distributes it legitimately.
Questions
Is Team Fortress 2 free?
Yes. It is free on Steam, with optional cosmetic purchases.
Does Team Fortress 2 work on Linux?
Yes. Steam lists Linux as a supported platform alongside Windows.
Can I still play TF2 on a Mac?
Steam does not list macOS as a supported platform for TF2.
