Difference between revisions of "Account types"

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{{Quotation|'''The Scout''' on Valve's decision to make TF2 free-to-play|Way to go, pally!|sound=Scout specialcompleted-assistedkill01.wav}}
 
{{Quotation|'''The Scout''' on Valve's decision to make TF2 free-to-play|Way to go, pally!|sound=Scout specialcompleted-assistedkill01.wav}}
  
''Team Fortress 2'' offers two main '''account types''': '''Premium''' and '''Free'''. On June 23, 2011, with the release of the [[Über Update]], [[Valve]] adopted the [[w:Free-to-play|free-to-play]] (also known as "F2P") model for the game, creating a distinction in account types between players who purchased the game before June 23, 2011, and players who downloaded the game thereafter. <!-- Free and Premium accounts only differ in the restrictions of the [[Item drop system|item drop system]], and as such, almost no restrictions for either type affect [[gameplay]] or almost offer particular players any advantage over others. -->
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Two main '''Account types''' are offered in ''Team Fortress 2'': '''Premium''' and '''Free'''. On June 23, 2011, with the release of the [[Über Update]], [[Valve]] adopted the [[w:Free-to-play|free-to-play]] (also known as "F2P") model for the game, creating a distinction in account types between players who purchased the game before June 23, 2011, and players who downloaded the game for free thereafter. An account is considered Free if a user obtained their copy of ''Team Fortress 2'' on [[Steam]] after June 23, 2011, and did not use any method to [[Account_types#Upgrading_account_type|upgrade]] their account afterwards.<!-- Free and Premium accounts only differ in the restrictions of the [[Item drop system|item drop system]], and as such, almost no restrictions for either type affect [[gameplay]] or almost offer particular players any advantage over others. -->
  
 
== Comparison ==
 
== Comparison ==
The '''Free''' account type is defined as players who have activated the game on [[Steam]] after June 23, 2011, on their respective accounts. In comparison to Premium accounts, Free accounts offer players less capability to [[trading|trade]], [[crafting|craft]], and store items in their [[Backpack|backpack]]. Free accounts reduce the player's backpack size to only 50 slots and disable some cosmetic crafting blueprints that are available to them. In addition to this, while Free players can receive all items through trading, they can only trade away items that were traded to them and [[Tools]] that they have found. Formerly, Free accounts could not trade away any items at all. Additionally, the [[item drop system]], with a Free account, will only drop standard items such as [[weapons]] and [[paint cans]].<ref name="f2p-faq">[http://www.teamfortress.com/freetoplay/faq.php Free-to-Play FAQ]</ref>Also, the items received from random drop before players upgrade their accounts will always remain untradable. Although typically gameplay restrictions are not placed on free accounts, [[servers|dedicated server]] plugins have been developed to block players who have Free accounts from connecting to the server at all. Some cosmetic [[Item sets]] are also unable to be crafted. Premium accounts used to have access to the ''[[Team Fortress 2 Beta]]''; this was later removed on June 7, 2013. When a Free account is upgraded to a Premium account, the player will be asked who helped them. Doing so will give the selected player the [[Professor Speks]].
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In comparison to Premium accounts, Free accounts are more restricted in their ability to [[trading|trade]], [[crafting|craft]], and store items in their [[Backpack|backpack]]. For instance, Free accounts limit players' backpack size to 50 slots and disable some cosmetic crafting blueprints available to Premium accounts.<ref name="f2p-faq">[http://www.teamfortress.com/freetoplay/faq.php Free-to-Play FAQ]</ref> Formerly, Free accounts could not trade away any items at all. Now, while Free players can receive any items through trading, they can only trade away items that were traded to them by other users. Any items obtained through the item drop system by a Free account (limited to standard items such as [[weapons]] and [[paint cans]]) will also be untradable, except for [[Tools]]. Items received from the drop system before players upgraded their accounts will always remain [[Trading#Untradable_Items|untradable]]. Although gameplay restrictions are not placed on Free accounts, [[servers|dedicated server]] plugins have been developed on community servers to block players who have Free accounts from connecting. Some cosmetic [[Item sets]] are also unable to be crafted. Premium accounts used to have access to the ''[[Team Fortress 2 Beta]]'', but this was later removed on June 7, 2013. When a Free account is upgraded to a Premium account, the player will be asked to nominate a user who helped them. Doing so will grant the selected player the [[Professor Speks]].
  
As of {{Patch name|6|16|2020}} certain {{Tooltip|new|Not limited to free accounts, multiple factors apply, specific factors unknown}} accounts can't talk on official servers, with exception of party chat. As of {{Patch name|7|3|2020}}, accounts that are unable to chat on official servers are now also restricted in voice chat, including sending [[voice commands]].
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As of {{Patch name|6|16|2020}}, certain {{Tooltip|newly-created|Not limited to free accounts; multiple factors apply. Specific factors are unknown.}} TF2 accounts have been restricted in their ability to send messages on official servers, with exception of party chat. As of {{Patch name|7|3|2020}}, said accounts are now also restricted in voice chat, including sending [[voice commands]]. Accounts may also be restricted for being [https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/71D3-35C2-AD96-AA3A Limited User Accounts] on Steam, which means the player has to spend at least $5.00 USD to gain access to the text and voice chats.
  
 
=== Item system restrictions ===
 
=== Item system restrictions ===
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|-
 
|-
 
| [[Backpack]]
 
| [[Backpack]]
| 50 slots ({{tooltip|expandable to 2750|with the use of 27 Backpack Expanders}})
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| 50 slots ({{tooltip|expandable to 2750|With the use of 27 Backpack Expanders.}})
| {{tooltip|300 slots|Upgrading to Premium unlocks 250 slots}} ({{tooltip|expandable to 3000|with the use of 27 Backpack Expanders}})
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| {{tooltip|300 slots|Upgrading to Premium unlocks 250 slots.}} ({{tooltip|expandable to 3000|With the use of 27 Backpack Expanders.}})
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Item drop system|Items]]
 
| [[Item drop system|Items]]
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|-
 
|-
 
| [[Trading]]
 
| [[Trading]]
| {{tooltip|Limited trading|Can receive items by trade, can send only items that were traded to them. Tools are exempt from this limitation}}
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| {{tooltip|Limited trading|Can receive items by trade, and can send only items that were traded to them. Tools are exempt from this limitation.}}
 
| Full trading
 
| Full trading
 
|-
 
|-
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The '''Premium''' account type is obtained by:
 
The '''Premium''' account type is obtained by:
 
* Activating a retail or digital copy of [[The Orange Box]].
 
* Activating a retail or digital copy of [[The Orange Box]].
* Making a purchase of any amount from the [[Mann Co. Store]] or Mann Co. Online Store.
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* Making a purchase of any amount from the [[Mann Co. Store]], or through the online purchase interface, including the "{{Common string|Buy Now}}" button on Wiki articles. Any items purchased from the [[Steam Community Market]] will not count.
 
* Using an [[Upgrade to Premium Gift]] given to them by another player.
 
* Using an [[Upgrade to Premium Gift]] given to them by another player.
 
Upon meeting one of the requirements above, the player's account is immediately upgraded to Premium, and all previously-imposed restrictions are removed. Players who had previously purchased a retail copy of ''Team Fortress 2'' will have their account upgraded to Premium upon activation of the game on Steam, and will also receive the [[Proof of Purchase]] item.<ref name="f2p-faq" />
 
Upon meeting one of the requirements above, the player's account is immediately upgraded to Premium, and all previously-imposed restrictions are removed. Players who had previously purchased a retail copy of ''Team Fortress 2'' will have their account upgraded to Premium upon activation of the game on Steam, and will also receive the [[Proof of Purchase]] item.<ref name="f2p-faq" />

Latest revision as of 09:49, 22 September 2023

See also: Team Fortress 2 is Free to Play
Way to go, pally!
The Scout on Valve's decision to make TF2 free-to-play

Two main Account types are offered in Team Fortress 2: Premium and Free. On June 23, 2011, with the release of the Über Update, Valve adopted the free-to-play (also known as "F2P") model for the game, creating a distinction in account types between players who purchased the game before June 23, 2011, and players who downloaded the game for free thereafter. An account is considered Free if a user obtained their copy of Team Fortress 2 on Steam after June 23, 2011, and did not use any method to upgrade their account afterwards.

Comparison

In comparison to Premium accounts, Free accounts are more restricted in their ability to trade, craft, and store items in their backpack. For instance, Free accounts limit players' backpack size to 50 slots and disable some cosmetic crafting blueprints available to Premium accounts.[1] Formerly, Free accounts could not trade away any items at all. Now, while Free players can receive any items through trading, they can only trade away items that were traded to them by other users. Any items obtained through the item drop system by a Free account (limited to standard items such as weapons and paint cans) will also be untradable, except for Tools. Items received from the drop system before players upgraded their accounts will always remain untradable. Although gameplay restrictions are not placed on Free accounts, dedicated server plugins have been developed on community servers to block players who have Free accounts from connecting. Some cosmetic Item sets are also unable to be crafted. Premium accounts used to have access to the Team Fortress 2 Beta, but this was later removed on June 7, 2013. When a Free account is upgraded to a Premium account, the player will be asked to nominate a user who helped them. Doing so will grant the selected player the Professor Speks.

As of June 16, 2020 Patch, certain newly-created TF2 accounts have been restricted in their ability to send messages on official servers, with exception of party chat. As of July 3, 2020 Patch, said accounts are now also restricted in voice chat, including sending voice commands. Accounts may also be restricted for being Limited User Accounts on Steam, which means the player has to spend at least $5.00 USD to gain access to the text and voice chats.

Item system restrictions

Feature Free Premium
Backpack 50 slots (expandable to 2750) 300 slots (expandable to 3000)
Items Standard Standard, Rare, and Cosmetic
Crafting Limited blueprints All blueprints
Trading Limited trading Full trading
Gifting Can receive gifts Can send and receive gifts

Upgrading account type

The Premium account type is obtained by:

Upon meeting one of the requirements above, the player's account is immediately upgraded to Premium, and all previously-imposed restrictions are removed. Players who had previously purchased a retail copy of Team Fortress 2 will have their account upgraded to Premium upon activation of the game on Steam, and will also receive the Proof of Purchase item.[1]

Demonstration

See also

References