That there is a this kind of economy in TF2 is amazing to me. TF2 is the last great game I've ever played, but it's old in terms of video game lifespan and I feel that it's kind of a niche among shooters; you always hear of people playing Call of Duty/Halo...I can't think of a single friend or acquaintance who has ever mentioned TF2 in passing.
It's such a great, nuanced game that I thought it would attract the kind of players who would frown upon ingame purchases...and the fact that it's free also made me assume that most players would be the non-paying type. Glad to see that Valve's dedication to the game has some payoff to them.
Saying TF2 is old in terms of lifespan is a joke, particularly when comparing it another well-known Valve title, Counter-Strike, which has been continuously played and updated since about 1999-2000. It doesn't matter how old it is, it's still attracting players and making money for Valve. And it's still fun to play.
If anything, TF2 is more fun to play NOW then it was back when it was first released. New weapons are very balanced and new maps are well-designed. Even the cosmetic items (which don't add value to the game) are beautiful.
Don't know if you're agreeing with me or misreading me. TF2 is five years old. There have been (at least) 2 full games in between Halo 3 and 4 in the same time span and probably five in the Call of Duty series. So TF2 is exceptionally long in the tooth for a money-making shooter. Which is great.
Counterstrike is also another anomaly...but is it a game that Valve is putting in real resources to update? Maybe I should've said, TF2 is a relatively old for a first-person shooter that is still being actively supported.
Hell, they're letting their in-house economist study it. That's pretty good support in itself.
But the TF2 of 2012 is nowhere near the game that TF2 2006 was. Valve has poured a ton of time and money into continual development of the game and content.
It's such a great, nuanced game that I thought it would attract the kind of players who would frown upon ingame purchases...and the fact that it's free also made me assume that most players would be the non-paying type. Glad to see that Valve's dedication to the game has some payoff to them.