Difference between revisions of "Red-Tape Recorder"

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 +
{{Redirects here|Recorder|Frontline Field Recorder}}
 
{{Item infobox
 
{{Item infobox
 
| type            = weapon
 
| type            = weapon
 
| image            = Red-Tape Recorder.png
 
| image            = Red-Tape Recorder.png
−
| used-by          = [[Spy]]
+
| used-by          = {{used by|Spy}}
 
| slot            = Building
 
| slot            = Building
 
| contributed-by  = {{Backpack Item Link|76561197982676963|1138731444}}<br>{{Backpack Item Link|76561198000624155|1138767991}}<br>{{Backpack Item Link|76561198071434676|1268759780}}<br>{{Backpack Item Link|76561197970911865|1021018381}}
 
| contributed-by  = {{Backpack Item Link|76561197982676963|1138731444}}<br>{{Backpack Item Link|76561198000624155|1138767991}}<br>{{Backpack Item Link|76561198071434676|1268759780}}<br>{{Backpack Item Link|76561197970911865|1021018381}}
−
| released        = {{Patch name|8|2|2012}}<br />([[Triad Pack]])
+
| released        = {{Patch name|8|2|2012}}
−
| availability    = {{avail|promotional|drop|craft|purchase|collectors|crate92-Strange}}
+
| released-major  = Triad Pack
 +
| availability    = {{avail|drop|craft|purchase|promotional-expired|crate92-strange|collectors}}
 
| trade            = yes
 
| trade            = yes
 
| gift            = yes
 
| gift            = yes
 +
| marketable      = yes
 
| numbered        = yes
 
| numbered        = yes
 
| medieval        = no
 
| medieval        = no
 
| show-ammo        = none
 
| show-ammo        = none
 
| loadout          = yes
 
| loadout          = yes
−
   | item-kind      = Sapper
+
   | item-kind      = {{item kind|Sapper}}
−
  | level          = 1-100
+
   | att-1-positive = {{attribute|Sapper_Degenerates_Buildings}}
−
   | att-1-positive = Reverses enemy building construction
+
   | att-2-negative = {{attribute|Sapper_Damage_Penalty|-100}}
−
   | att-2-negative = -100% Sapper damage penalty
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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[[File:RTR_Sentry_Sapping.png|thumb|300px|right|A level 1 Sentry de-constructing itself while being sapped.]]
 
[[File:RTR_Sentry_Sapping.png|thumb|300px|right|A level 1 Sentry de-constructing itself while being sapped.]]
  
−
{{Quotation|'''The Spy''' on reverse-engineering|Did I throw a 'wrench' into your plans? Hahahaha!|sound=Spy_DominationEngineer04.wav}}
+
{{Quotation|'''The Spy''' on reverse-engineering|Did I throw a 'wrench' into your plans? Hahahaha!|sound=Spy DominationEngineer04.wav}}
  
−
The '''Red-Tape Recorder''' is a [[Steam Workshop|community-created]] [[promotional items|promotional]] [[Weapons#spybuilding|building weapon]] for the [[Spy]]. It is a [[w:Reel-to-reel audio tape recording|reel-to-reel tape recorder]] with three Chinese characters ("反炮塔", ''fǎnpàotǎ'') on the front printed on a frayed, white label. Translated into English, these characters can be closely translated as "Anti-Turret (Device)" or "Anti-Sentry (Device)".
+
The '''Red-Tape Recorder''' is a [[Steam Workshop|community-created]] [[Promotional items|promotional]] [[Weapons#spybuilding|building weapon]] for the {{cl|Spy}}. It is a [[w:Reel-to-reel audio tape recording|reel-to-reel tape recorder]] with three Chinese characters ("反炮塔", ''fǎnpàotǎ'') on the front printed on a frayed, white label. Translated into English, these characters can be closely translated as "Anti-Turret (Device)" or "Anti-Sentry (Device)".
  
−
Instead of damaging an enemy's [[building]]s, the Red-Tape Recorder reverses the building process; any applicable upgrade animations are played in reverse, followed by the building packing itself up into a toolbox. As a result, this destroys the building and leaves the toolbox behind as a large [[ammo pickup]]. Destroying the Recorder will allow the building to reconstruct but not restore any lost levels, unless the building is in the middle of an upgrade animation, which will allow it to continue upgrading to the next level.
+
Instead of damaging enemy [[buildings]], the Red-Tape Recorder reverses the building process; any applicable upgrade animations are played in reverse, followed by the building packing itself up into a toolbox. As a result, this destroys the building and leaves the toolbox behind as a large [[Ammo|ammo pickup]] with no [[Metal]], instead of dropping [[Gibs#Building gibs|gibs]]. Destroying the Recorder allows the building to reconstruct, but not restore any lost levels, unless the building is in the middle of an upgrade animation, which allows it to continue upgrading to the next level. If a [[Dispenser]] starts deconstructing to below its level 1 state, it loses any Metal stored within it.
  
−
The Recorder has five different sounds for when it is sapping a building.
+
The Red-Tape Recorder has five different sounds for when it is sapping a building. The type of sound produced is randomized. It may play either a [[Media:Spy tape 01.wav|high-pitched rewind sound]], a [[Media:Spy tape 02.wav|slightly lower-pitched rewind sound]], [[Media:Spy tape 03.wav|high-pitched gibberish]], a [[Media:Spy tape 04.wav|short recording in Cantonese]], or a [[Media:Spy tape 05.wav|short recording in English]].
  
−
The Recorder breaks into four [[Gibs|metal fragments]] upon removal. The fragments can then be picked up, each piece giving 3 metal.
+
Sapped [[Sentry Gun]]s take 33% less damage from the Spy who applied the Sapper, for example when shooting it with a Revolver. Dispensers and [[Teleporters]] are unaffected by this.
  
−
Sapped Sentry Guns take 33% less damage from the Spy who applied the Sapper, for example when shooting it with a Revolver. Dispensers and Teleporters are unaffected by this.
+
This weapon functions the same way as the default Sapper against [[robots]] in [[Mann vs. Machine]].
  
−
This weapon functions the same way as the default Sapper against [[robots]] in [[Mann vs. Machine (game mode)|Mann vs. Machine]].
+
This item was awarded in [[Genuine]] quality to players who pre-purchased ''[[Sleeping Dogs]]'' on [[Steam]] before August 14, 2012, or August 17, 2012 in Europe.
  
−
This item was awarded in [[Genuine]] quality to players who pre-purchased ''[[Sleeping Dogs]]'' on Steam before August 14, 2012, or August 17, 2012 in Europe.
+
The Red-Tape Recorder was later [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=99139209 contributed] to the Steam Workshop, at [[Valve]]'s request.
  
−
The Red-Tape Recorder was later [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=99139209 contributed] to the Steam Workshop, at [[Valve]]'s request.
+
== Damage and function times ==
 +
{{Damage table
 +
| damage                = yes
 +
| base                  = <!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Sentry|Level 1 Sentry (150 health)}}:</div> 14 / s<br/><!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Dispenser|Level 1 Dispenser (150 health)}}:</div> 7 / s<br/><!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Teleporter|Level 1 Teleporter (150 health)}}:</div> 7 / s<br/><!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Mini-Sentry|Combat Mini-Sentry Gun (100 health)}}:</div> 9.5 / s
  
−
== Damage and function times ==
+
| function times        = yes
 +
| building destroy time = <!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Downgrade|Shared between all Level 2 and 3 buildings}}:</div> 3.4 s<br/><!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Sentry|Level 1 Sentry (150 health)}}:</div> 10.7 s<br/><!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Dispenser|Level 1 Dispenser (150 health)}}:</div> 21.4 s<br/><!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Teleporter|Level 1 Teleporter (150 health)}}:</div> 21.4 s<br/><!--
 +
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Mini-Sentry|Combat Mini-Sentry Gun (100 health)}}:</div> 10.5 s
  
−
{{Damage table
+
| recharge = <!--
−
| damage = yes
+
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Normal|In game modes other than Mann vs. Machine}}:</div> N/A<br><!--
−
| base = <div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Sentry|Level 1 Sentry (150 health)}}:</div> 14 / s<br/><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Dispenser|Level 1 Dispenser (150 health)}}:</div> 7 / s<br/><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Teleporter|Level 1 Teleporter (150 health)}}:</div> 7 / s<br/><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Mini-Sentry|Combat Mini-Sentry Gun (100 health)}}:</div> 9.5 / s
+
--><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|MvM|In Mann vs. Machine only}}:</div> 15 s
−
| function times = yes
 
−
| building destroy time =  <div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Downgrade|Shared between all Level 2 and 3 buildings}}:</div> 3.4 s<br/><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Sentry|Level 1 Sentry (150 health)}}:</div> 10.7 s<br/><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Dispenser|Level 1 Dispenser (150 health)}}:</div> 21.4 s<br/><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Teleporter|Level 1 Teleporter (150 health)}}:</div> 21.4 s<br/><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Mini-Sentry|Combat Mini-Sentry Gun (100 health)}}:</div> 10.5 s
 
−
| recharge = <div style="float:left">{{tooltip|Normal|In gamemodes other than Mann vs. Machine}}:</div> N/A<br><div style="float:left">{{tooltip|MvM|In Mann vs. Machine only}}:</div> 15 s
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{Weapon Demonstration}}
 
{{Weapon Demonstration}}
 +
 +
== Crafting ==
 +
{{See also|Crafting}}
 +
 +
=== Blueprint ===
 +
{{Blueprint
 +
| ingredient-1 = Spy-cicle
 +
| ingredient-1-amount = 3
 +
| ingredient-2 = Reclaimed Metal
 +
| result = Red-Tape Recorder
 +
}}
  
 
== Strange variant ==
 
== Strange variant ==
 
{{Strange item info
 
{{Strange item info
−
  | item-type = Sapper
+
  | item-type = {{item kind|Sapper}}
 
  | rankson = buildings sapped
 
  | rankson = buildings sapped
−
   | att-1-positive = Reverses enemy building construction
+
   | att-1-positive = {{attribute|Sapper_Degenerates_Buildings}}
−
   | att-2-negative = -100% Sapper damage penalty
+
   | att-2-negative = {{attribute|Sapper_Damage_Penalty|-100}}
 
  | can deal damage = no
 
  | can deal damage = no
 
  | can deal building damage = no
 
  | can deal building damage = no
Line 63: Line 86:
 
  | notes =  
 
  | notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 
=== Strange ranks ===
 
=== Strange ranks ===
 
{{Strange Sapper ranks|width=100%}}
 
{{Strange Sapper ranks|width=100%}}
−
 
−
==Crafting==
 
−
{{See also|Crafting}}
 
−
 
−
===Blueprint===
 
−
{{Blueprint
 
−
| ingredient-1 = Spy-cicle
 
−
| ingredient-1-amount = 3
 
−
| ingredient-2 = Reclaimed Metal
 
−
| result = Red-Tape Recorder
 
−
}}
 
  
 
== Related achievements ==
 
== Related achievements ==
−
==={{Class link|Pyro}}===
+
=== {{Class link|Pyro}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Pyro|Firewall}}
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Pyro|Firewall}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==={{Class link|Demoman}}===
+
 
 +
=== {{Class link|Demoman}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Demoman|Spynal Tap}}
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Demoman|Spynal Tap}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==={{Class link|Engineer}}===
+
 
 +
=== {{Class link|Engineer}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Engineer|Get Along!}}
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Engineer|Get Along!}}
Line 95: Line 110:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==={{Class link|Spy}}===
+
 
 +
=== {{Class link|Spy}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Spy|Joint Operation}}
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Spy|Joint Operation}}
Line 103: Line 119:
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
=== [[File:Mvm navicon.png|20px|link=Mann vs. Machievements]] [[Mann vs. Machievements]] ===
+
 
 +
=== {{Achiev type link|mvm-chievements}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Mann vs. Machievements|Sly Voltage}}
 
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Mann vs. Machievements|Sly Voltage}}
Line 109: Line 126:
  
 
== Update history ==
 
== Update history ==
−
{{Update history | '''{{Patch name|8|2|2012}}''' ([[Triad Pack]])
+
{{Update history|
 +
'''{{Patch name|8|2|2012}}''' ({{update link|Triad Pack}})
 
* The Red-Tape Recorder was added to the game.
 
* The Red-Tape Recorder was added to the game.
  
Line 115: Line 133:
 
* Increased The Red-Tape Recorder’s downgrade speed from 1.6 seconds to 3.0 seconds.
 
* Increased The Red-Tape Recorder’s downgrade speed from 1.6 seconds to 3.0 seconds.
 
* Fixed building health compounding after being downgraded.
 
* Fixed building health compounding after being downgraded.
−
* {{undocumented}} Fixed the [[Homewrecker]] not destroying Red-Tape Recorder Sappers in one hit.
+
* {{Undocumented}} Fixed the [[Homewrecker]] not destroying Red-Tape Recorder Sappers in one hit.
  
−
'''{{patch name|8|15|2012}}'''
+
'''{{Patch name|8|15|2012}}'''
−
* {{Undocumented}} Added Red-Tape Recorder to the [[drop]] system.
+
* {{Undocumented}} Added the Red-Tape Recorder to the [[item drop system]].
  
−
'''{{item schema|9|13|2012|id=64884f6c45b1ca50b97c623ffd0db0ada7a4e596}}'''
+
'''{{Item schema|9|13|2012}}'''
−
* Made the Red-Tape Recorder in genuine quality tradable and giftable.
+
* Made the Red-Tape Recorder in Genuine quality [[Trading|tradable]] and [[Gift Wrap|giftable]].
  
−
'''{{patch name|2|22|2013}}'''
+
'''{{Patch name|2|22|2013}}'''
 
* Fixed buildings not always being downgraded at the same rate by the Red-Tape Recorder.
 
* Fixed buildings not always being downgraded at the same rate by the Red-Tape Recorder.
  
−
'''{{patch name|3|19|2013}}'''
+
'''{{Patch name|3|19|2013}}'''
 
* Fixed the Spy not holding Sappers correctly in third person.
 
* Fixed the Spy not holding Sappers correctly in third person.
  
−
'''{{patch name|4|3|2013}}'''
+
'''{{Patch name|4|3|2013}}'''
 
* Fixed a bug where Dispensers sapped by a Red-Tape Recorder would continue to heal players.
 
* Fixed a bug where Dispensers sapped by a Red-Tape Recorder would continue to heal players.
 
* Fixed buildings destroyed by the Red-Tape Recorder not always displaying a death notice.
 
* Fixed buildings destroyed by the Red-Tape Recorder not always displaying a death notice.
 
* {{Undocumented}} The Red-Tape Recorder no longer clears metal from Dispensers upon downgrade.
 
* {{Undocumented}} The Red-Tape Recorder no longer clears metal from Dispensers upon downgrade.
  
−
'''{{patch name|5|15|2014}}'''
+
'''{{Patch name|5|15|2014}}'''
 
* Fixed an exploit with the Red-Tape Recorder and Sentry where the Sentry could build up a large amount of health.
 
* Fixed an exploit with the Red-Tape Recorder and Sentry where the Sentry could build up a large amount of health.
  
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* Added [[Strange]] quality.
 
* Added [[Strange]] quality.
  
−
'''{{Patch name|7|2|2015}} #1''' ([[Gun Mettle Update]])
+
'''{{Patch name|7|2|2015}} #1''' ({{update link|Gun Mettle Update}})
−
* Decreased the damage penalty on Sentry Guns sapped by the Spy from -66% to -33% (i.e. shooting a Sentry the Spy sapped with a Revolver is now more effective).}}
+
* Decreased the damage penalty on Sentry Guns sapped by the Spy from -66% to -33% (i.e. shooting a Sentry the Spy sapped with a Revolver is now more effective).
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|10|20|2017}} #1''' ({{update link|Jungle Inferno Update}})
 +
* {{Undocumented}} Converted the Red-Tape Recorder models to use the <code>c_models</code> system.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|6|16|2020}}'''
 +
* Fixed the {{code|OnDestroyed}} output not getting fired when an object is destroyed by the Red-Tape Recorder.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
== Unused content ==
 +
* Prior to the {{Patch name|3|12|2013}}, the Red-Tape Recorder would drop gibs when destroyed; however, this feature was removed, leaving the gib models unused.
 +
{{Painted variants unused/Notes|singular|The Red-Tape Recorder}}
 +
{{Painted variants unused}}
 +
 
 +
== Notes ==
 +
* If a sapped building does not start with full health or is damaged during the deconstruction process, it reaches 0 health before the deconstruction animation completes, which interrupts the animation and "snaps" it into the toolbox state.
  
 
== Bugs ==
 
== Bugs ==
−
* If a sapped building does not start with full health or is damaged during the deconstruction process, it will reach 0 health before the deconstruction animation completes, which will interrupt the animation and "snap" it into the toolbox state.
+
* If a Teleporter Entrance is sapped by the Red-Tape Recorder, and the Red-Tape Recorder is removed in-between upgrade animations, the arrow pointing to the Exit Teleporter is removed.
−
* If a Teleporter is sapped by the Recorder, and the Recorder is removed in-between upgrade animations, the arrows pointing to the other end of the Teleporter will be removed.
+
* If the Red-Tape Recorder is placed on and removed from a building that is still under construction, it deals some damage to the building, making a contradiction of its description.
−
* If the Red-Tape Recorder is placed on and removed from a building that is still under construction, it will deal some damage to the building, making a contradiction of its description.
+
* Removing the Red-Tape Recorder from built Dispensers or Teleporters immediately reactivates them, while they play their re-constructing animations.
−
* The Red-Tape Recorder does not glow when [[Critical hit#Crit boost|crit boosted]]. <!--Do Not remove! Stock glow when crit-boosted, that means this one should.-->
+
* The Red-Tape Recorder does not glow when [[Critical hits#Crit Boost|Crit boosted]].
−
* Occasionally the Red-Tape Recorder disappears in first-person view. This gives a flashing effect. The length of the view model disappearing can vary from a fraction of a second to several seconds.
+
* If a [[Robots|Robot]] is sapped using the Red-Tape Recorder, the Red-Tape Recorder appears invisible.
−
* Removing the Red-Tape Recorder from built Dispensers or Teleporters, said buildings will still work even if they're playing their re-building animations.
 
  
−
== Trivia ==  
+
== Trivia ==
−
<!-- Do not Move "The custom animations for the world view were not added, ..." to Bug section, it's not bug.-->
+
* This weapon's name references the term [[w:Red tape|"red tape"]], which refers to bureaucracy that hinders or prevents action or decision-making.
−
<!-- Do not add trivia about it appear in Kong King, it's x of y trivia.-->
+
* The Cantonese phrases directly translate to "That's him! Quick, get him!"
−
* This weapon's name references the term [[Wikipedia:Red tape|"red tape"]], which refers to bureaucracy that hinders or prevents action or decision-making.
+
* As the Red-Tape Recorder's sapping sounds are meant to replicate the effect of overspeeding a tape reel player, slowing the playback down reveals the source sound:
−
* A vaguely audible message can be heard when placing the Red-Tape Recorder onto a building. When slowed down 70% to 80%, <code>spy_tape_03.wav</code> appears to say: "Let's make some noise..." with a laugh, followed by the tape's normal noise. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3grbaJwE0</ref>
+
** When slowed down<!--what percentage?-->, <code>spy_tape_01.wav</code> appears to be a short clip of music.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIIi8gC92jg</ref>
−
*In one of the record,you can hear a sentence using Cantonese to speak "係佢嘞！快啲捉住佢！" ,mean "is him,hurry to catch him"
+
** When slowed down 70% to 80%, <code>spy_tape_03.wav</code> appears to say: "Let's make some noise..." with a laugh, followed by the tape's normal noise.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3grbaJwE0</ref>
 +
<!-- *** This sound is speculated to be sourced from the song "The Sound Above My Hair" by Scooter.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWRvFbYkPnE</ref> -->
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:Red-Tape Recorder 1st person red.png|RED first-person view.
+
File:Red-Tape Recorder 1st person red.png|[[RED]] first-person view.
−
File:Red-Tape Recorder 1st person blu.png|BLU first-person view.
+
File:Red-Tape Recorder 1st person blu.png|[[BLU]] first-person view.
 
File:RTR Attached.png|The Red-Tape Recorder with its attachment wires.
 
File:RTR Attached.png|The Red-Tape Recorder with its attachment wires.
−
File:RTR Debris.png|Broken Red-Tape Recorder. ([[Gib]])
+
File:RTR Debris.png|Broken Red-Tape Recorder ([[Gibs|gib]]).
−
File:Red-Tape Recorder concept art.png|Concept for the Red-Tape Recorder drawn by Sexy Robot.
+
File:Red-Tape Recorder concept art.png|Concept art for the Red-Tape Recorder.
−
File:SleepingDogs_Promotional_Image.png|Promotional image featuring the ''[[Sleeping Dogs]]'' promotional items.
+
File:SleepingDogs Promotional Image.png|Promotional image featuring the ''[[Sleeping Dogs]]'' promotional items.
−
File:RTR_on_Kong_King_map.jpg|At the rear of the BLU respawn room, on the [[Kong King]] map.
+
File:RTR on Kong King map.jpg|At the rear of the BLU respawn room, on the {{map link|Kong King}} map.
−
File:Steamworkshop tf2 red tape recorder thumb.jpg|Steam Workshop thumbnail for the Red-Tape Recorder.  
+
File:Steamworkshop tf2 red tape recorder thumb.jpg|Steam Workshop thumbnail for the Red-Tape Recorder.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
−
<references/>
+
<References/>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
*[[Spy strategy#Red-Tape Recorder|Red-Tape Recorder strategy]]
+
* [[Basic Spy strategy#Red-Tape Recorder|Red-Tape Recorder strategy]]
−
*[[Sleeping Dogs]]
+
* ''[[Sleeping Dogs]]''
  
−
{{TriadNav}}
+
{{Triad Nav}}
−
{{Promo nav}}
+
{{Promo Nav}}
 
{{Allweapons Nav}}
 
{{Allweapons Nav}}
 
{{Spy Nav}}
 
{{Spy Nav}}

Latest revision as of 17:47, 16 June 2024

"Recorder" redirects here. You may have been looking for Frontline Field Recorder.
The silhouette shows that the Red-Tape Recorder can be applied to the building. Note that the tape reels spin.
A level 1 Sentry de-constructing itself while being sapped.
“
Did I throw a 'wrench' into your plans? Hahahaha!
Click to listen
— The Spy on reverse-engineering
 ”

The Red-Tape Recorder is a community-created promotional building weapon for the Spy. It is a reel-to-reel tape recorder with three Chinese characters ("反炮塔", fǎnpàotǎ) on the front printed on a frayed, white label. Translated into English, these characters can be closely translated as "Anti-Turret (Device)" or "Anti-Sentry (Device)".

Instead of damaging enemy buildings, the Red-Tape Recorder reverses the building process; any applicable upgrade animations are played in reverse, followed by the building packing itself up into a toolbox. As a result, this destroys the building and leaves the toolbox behind as a large ammo pickup with no Metal, instead of dropping gibs. Destroying the Recorder allows the building to reconstruct, but not restore any lost levels, unless the building is in the middle of an upgrade animation, which allows it to continue upgrading to the next level. If a Dispenser starts deconstructing to below its level 1 state, it loses any Metal stored within it.

The Red-Tape Recorder has five different sounds for when it is sapping a building. The type of sound produced is randomized. It may play either a high-pitched rewind sound, a slightly lower-pitched rewind sound, high-pitched gibberish, a short recording in Cantonese, or a short recording in English.

Sapped Sentry Guns take 33% less damage from the Spy who applied the Sapper, for example when shooting it with a Revolver. Dispensers and Teleporters are unaffected by this.

This weapon functions the same way as the default Sapper against robots in Mann vs. Machine.

This item was awarded in Genuine quality to players who pre-purchased Sleeping Dogs on Steam before August 14, 2012, or August 17, 2012 in Europe.

The Red-Tape Recorder was later contributed to the Steam Workshop, at Valve's request.

Damage and function times

See also: Damage
Damage and function times
Damage
Base damage 100%
Sentry:
14 / s
Dispenser:
7 / s
Teleporter:
7 / s
Mini-Sentry:
9.5 / s
Function times
Recharge time
Normal:
N/A
MvM:
15 s
Building destroy time
Downgrade:
3.4 s
Sentry:
10.7 s
Dispenser:
21.4 s
Teleporter:
21.4 s
Mini-Sentry:
10.5 s
Values are approximate and determined by community testing.

Demonstration

Crafting

See also: Crafting

Blueprint

Spy-cicle Reclaimed Metal Red-Tape Recorder
Item icon Spy-cicle.pngx3 + Item icon Reclaimed Metal.png = Item icon Red-Tape Recorder.png

Strange variant


Strange ranks

Rank Buildings Sapped Name
0 0 Strange
1 3 Unremarkable
2 9 Scarcely Shocking
3 15 Mildly Magnetizing
4 21 Somewhat Inducting
5 30 Unfortunate
6 42 Notably Deleterious
7 54 Sufficiently Ruinous
8 69 Truly Conducting
9 84 Spectacularly Pseudoful
10 105 Ion-Spattered
11 150 Wickedly Dynamizing
12 225 Positively Plasmatic
13 299 Totally Ordinary
14 300 Circuit-Melting
15 450 Nullity-Inducing
16 750 Server-Clearing
17 1500 Epic
18 2250 Legendary
19 2345 Australian
20 2550 Mann Co. Select

Related achievements

Leaderboard class pyro.png Pyro

Firewall
 Firewall
Ignite 5 Spies who have a sapper on a friendly building.


Leaderboard class demoman.png Demoman

Spynal Tap
 Spynal Tap
Kill 20 Spies within 5 seconds of them sapping a friendly building.


Leaderboard class engineer.png Engineer

Get Along!
 Get Along!
Manage to get to, and then remove, a sapper placed on your building while you were several meters away.


Fistful of Sappers
 Fistful of Sappers
Destroy 25 sappers on buildings built by other team members.
Quick Draw
 Quick Draw
Kill a Spy and two sappers within 10 seconds.


Leaderboard class spy.png Spy

Joint Operation
 Joint Operation
Sap an enemy sentry gun within 3 seconds of a teammate sapping another.


Sap Auteur
 Sap Auteur
Destroy 1000 Engineer buildings with sappers.
Sapsucker
 Sapsucker
Sap an enemy building, then backstab the Engineer who built it within 5 seconds.


The Man with the Broken Guns
 The Man with the Broken Guns
Backstab an Engineer, then sap 3 of his buildings within 10 seconds.


Mvm navicon.png Mann vs. Machievements

Sly Voltage
 Sly Voltage
As a Spy, sap 10 robots at once.

Update history

August 2, 2012 Patch (Triad Pack)
  • The Red-Tape Recorder was added to the game.

August 3, 2012 Patch

  • Increased The Red-Tape Recorder’s downgrade speed from 1.6 seconds to 3.0 seconds.
  • Fixed building health compounding after being downgraded.
  • [Undocumented] Fixed the Homewrecker not destroying Red-Tape Recorder Sappers in one hit.

August 15, 2012 Patch

September 13, 2012 [Item schema update]

February 22, 2013 Patch

  • Fixed buildings not always being downgraded at the same rate by the Red-Tape Recorder.

March 19, 2013 Patch

  • Fixed the Spy not holding Sappers correctly in third person.

April 3, 2013 Patch

  • Fixed a bug where Dispensers sapped by a Red-Tape Recorder would continue to heal players.
  • Fixed buildings destroyed by the Red-Tape Recorder not always displaying a death notice.
  • [Undocumented] The Red-Tape Recorder no longer clears metal from Dispensers upon downgrade.

May 15, 2014 Patch

  • Fixed an exploit with the Red-Tape Recorder and Sentry where the Sentry could build up a large amount of health.

March 12, 2015 Patch

July 2, 2015 Patch #1 (Gun Mettle Update)

  • Decreased the damage penalty on Sentry Guns sapped by the Spy from -66% to -33% (i.e. shooting a Sentry the Spy sapped with a Revolver is now more effective).

October 20, 2017 Patch #1 (Jungle Inferno Update)

  • [Undocumented] Converted the Red-Tape Recorder models to use the c_models system.

June 16, 2020 Patch

  • Fixed the OnDestroyed output not getting fired when an object is destroyed by the Red-Tape Recorder.

Unused content

  • Prior to the March 12, 2013 Patch, the Red-Tape Recorder would drop gibs when destroyed; however, this feature was removed, leaving the gib models unused.

The Red-Tape Recorder is set up for paint to be applied, but the ability to do so is disabled.

Unused painted variants
Main article: Paint Can
Mouseover cells to preview the images on a dark background. Click on the images to enlarge them.
Single colors
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder E6E6E6.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder D8BED8.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder C5AF91.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 7E7E7E.png
An Extraordinary Abundance of Tinge Color No. 216-190-216 Peculiarly Drab Tincture Aged Moustache Grey
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 141414.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 2D2D24.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 694D3A.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 7C6C57.png
A Distinctive Lack of Hue After Eight Radigan Conagher Brown Ye Olde Rustic Colour
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder A57545.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder CF7336.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder E7B53B.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder F0E68C.png
Muskelmannbraun Mann Co. Orange Australium Gold The Color of a Gentlemann's Business Pants
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder E9967A.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder FF69B4.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 7D4071.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 51384A.png
Dark Salmon Injustice Pink as Hell A Deep Commitment to Purple Noble Hatter's Violet
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 2F4F4F.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 424F3B.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 808000.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 729E42.png
A Color Similar to Slate Zepheniah's Greed Drably Olive Indubitably Green
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 32CD32.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder BCDDB3.png
The Bitter Taste of Defeat and Lime A Mann's Mint
Team colors
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder A89A8C.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 839FA3.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 3B1F23.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 18233D.png
Waterlogged Lab Coat (RED) Waterlogged Lab Coat (BLU) Balaclavas Are Forever (RED) Balaclavas Are Forever (BLU)
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder B8383B.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 5885A2.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 483838.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 384248.png
Team Spirit (RED) Team Spirit (BLU) Operator's Overalls (RED) Operator's Overalls (BLU)
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 803020.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 256D8D.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 654740.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder 28394D.png
The Value of Teamwork (RED) The Value of Teamwork (BLU) An Air of Debonair (RED) An Air of Debonair (BLU)
Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder C36C2D.png Unused Painted Red-Tape Recorder B88035.png Red-Tape Recorder.png
Cream Spirit (RED) Cream Spirit (BLU) Unpainted

Notes

  • If a sapped building does not start with full health or is damaged during the deconstruction process, it reaches 0 health before the deconstruction animation completes, which interrupts the animation and "snaps" it into the toolbox state.

Bugs

  • If a Teleporter Entrance is sapped by the Red-Tape Recorder, and the Red-Tape Recorder is removed in-between upgrade animations, the arrow pointing to the Exit Teleporter is removed.
  • If the Red-Tape Recorder is placed on and removed from a building that is still under construction, it deals some damage to the building, making a contradiction of its description.
  • Removing the Red-Tape Recorder from built Dispensers or Teleporters immediately reactivates them, while they play their re-constructing animations.
  • The Red-Tape Recorder does not glow when Crit boosted.
  • If a Robot is sapped using the Red-Tape Recorder, the Red-Tape Recorder appears invisible.

Trivia

  • This weapon's name references the term "red tape", which refers to bureaucracy that hinders or prevents action or decision-making.
  • The Cantonese phrases directly translate to "That's him! Quick, get him!"
  • As the Red-Tape Recorder's sapping sounds are meant to replicate the effect of overspeeding a tape reel player, slowing the playback down reveals the source sound:
    • When slowed down, spy_tape_01.wav appears to be a short clip of music.[1]
    • When slowed down 70% to 80%, spy_tape_03.wav appears to say: "Let's make some noise..." with a laugh, followed by the tape's normal noise.[2]

Gallery

  • RED first-person view.

  • BLU first-person view.

  • The Red-Tape Recorder with its attachment wires.

  • Broken Red-Tape Recorder (gib).

  • Concept art for the Red-Tape Recorder.

  • Promotional image featuring the Sleeping Dogs promotional items.

  • At the rear of the BLU respawn room, on the Kong King map.

  • Steam Workshop thumbnail for the Red-Tape Recorder.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIIi8gC92jg
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3grbaJwE0

See also

v • d • e
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