The massive update to Team Fortress 2 is finally here! Goldrush and the Medic achivement unlocks are now available for all Team Fortress 2 owners.

The Gold Rush Update introduces the new Gold Rush map and Payload gameplay style, the first set of unlockable weapons, and a new set of achievements for the Medic. Valve also announced a worldwide Team Fortress 2 Free Weekend will begin Friday at noon PDT, and will include access to the new content released today in the TF2: Gold Rush Update. Using the functionality made available through Steam and Steamworks, all of the files needed to join the Free Weekend are available for pre-loading now.

Yes, there will be a free weekend for all users of Steam starting this Friday! You can find additional details on Goldrush, the updates for the Medic, and details on how to pre-load for the weekend at the dedicated Steamgames page for it.

As I mentioned, there were a ton of changes introduced in this update, including updates to the Source engine and Portal. The full change log can be found after the break. Beware, it's a big one.

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Source Engine

• Improved particle performance on multi-core machines
  
• Added FOV slider to Options | Video | Advanced for all games (moved there from TF2’s multiplayer options)
  
• Fixed surround sound initialization problems with new speaker modes defined in Vista
  
  Team Fortress 2
  
• Added Goldrush
  
• Added Character Info and Loadout to the main menu
  
• Added 39 Medic achievements
  
• Added unique Medic items:
  o The Blutsaugher, The Kritzkrieg, and The Ubersaw
  
• Added new attack animations to most melee weapons
  
• Added new speech for the Heavy and Demoman
  
• Added Stopwatch mode to Tournament mode
  o Automatically used on Attack/Defense maps
  
• Teleporter effect no longer shows up on invisible or disguised Spies
  
• Spies disguised as their own team can now capture control points
  
• Increased force taken by pipebombs by bullets and explosions
  
• Target ID hud is now colored red or blue to match the spectator target
  
• Tournament mode no longer ends matches early if the time limit is nearly up when a new round starts
  
• Fixed exploit where clients could start benchmark mode on servers
  
• Fixed drowning exploit that allowed players to regenerate health
  
• Fixed reload exploit that allowed plays to fire instantly after switching weapons
  
• Fixed flamethrower bug where a player flush against a wall couldn't be lit on fire from the front
  
• Fixed invulnerability overlay not drawing if the invuln player was previously on fire
  
• Fixed "times used" entry in teleporters maxing out at 32
  
• Fixed rare client crash on level change during control point capturing
  
• Minor fix to stat gathering to prevent players using sv_cheats to easily garner achievements
  
• For mapmakers:
  o Mapmakers can now directly place the tf_gamerules entity into their map. Fixes Hammer thinking the inputs to it are broken
  o Mapmakers can now place Engineer buildings directly into a map, with an option for them to be invulnerable
  o Added "AddRedTeamScore" and "AddBlueTeamScore" inputs to tf_gamerules
  o Added "SetRequiredObserverTarget" input to tf_gamerules. Force spectators to use the specified viewpoint
  
• Granary
  o Added setup time logic, and gates to the middle
  o Fixed an overlay alignment bug on one of blue's gate signs
  o Minor lighting fixes in red/blue spawns
  
• 2Fort
  o Added medium ammo and health to basement hallways
  o Added small ammo and health to top of spiral
  o Fixed a clip brush exploit outside blue sniper deck
  o Fixed number "2" overlay on front of red base not being assigned to the brush face
  
  Portal
  
• Fixed a rare crash related to bone setup