Team Fortress 2 update takes aim at the game's bot problem - again Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Team Fortress 2 update takes aim at the game's bot problem - again New Mannagement. News by Emma Kent Contributor Updated on 24 Jun 2021 It's time for the latest chapter in Valve's ongoing battle with Team Fortress 2 bots: this week sees a new update that should, in theory, make bot behaviour slightly less annoying. As detailed on the Team Fortress 2 updates page, TF2 was patched on Tuesday with a number of measures that should limit what bots get up to when in-game. There's now a tool to control how many times players can change their name in a match, for instance, and for public matchmaking it seems this has been set to zero - thus preventing bots from frequently changing their names or mimicking real players. The update also introduces a grace period at the start of matches to prevent players immediately calling votes, which should put the brakes on bots that are trying to deliberately clog up the vote-kick system. Similarly, players joining an in-progress game will face a cooldown before they can call a vote. Kick votes will also "end early and automatically pass if the vote target leaves the match during the vote". The patch notes also detail "numerous security and stability improvements," a pretty vague statement that hopefully includes further measures to deal with the bot problem. From looking around the TF2 subreddit, it seems the update hasn't eliminated the bots entirely - but it should help clip their wings and prevent some of their more annoying habits. Team Fortress 2's bot infestation has been a problem for years, but the situation seemed to get markedly worse during summer 2020, prompting a wave of complaints and the creation of several vigilante mobs to hunt down the bots. Over the past year bots have been seen spamming chat with racist and homophobic slurs, broadcasting excruciatingly loud noises over mics, and - worst of all - even advertising links to child sexual abuse images. Valve has previously brought in some measures to help deal with these, such as limiting which new accounts could post in chat, and preventing bots from changing team names. It seems there is still more work to be done, however. Here's what the TF2 bots were up to last year, as seen on YouTube channel 'Level 98 Bear Hunting Armor'. Moving on from all of that horrible stuff, the latest update does also add some more pleasant changes: there's a new Summer 2021 cosmetic case, for instance, which adds 18 community-contributed items and six community-made Unusual effects. The Snakewater map has been tweaked to improve movement and prevent clipping - seemingly at the expense of its kitchen. And, of course, the localisation files have been updated. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 3 Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store