KritzKast

Hello, and welcome to KritzKast - your source for all things Team Fortress 2! We cover the latest news, updates, and happenings within the TF2 community each week! We first started in August 23rd, 2008. We've hosted events such as the TF2 Mixup and the Lo-Fi Longwave cups. Our website: kritzkast.com

[fuckyeahtf2]

TF2 Update & Medic VA Give Tribute to Soldier VA, Rick May

The most recent May update for Team Fortress 2 has added a tribute to the late voice actor for the Soldier. Rick May was born on September 21, 1940, providing many voices and roles for live action & voice work alike. In addition, he was an educator for Seattle Rekindle School for acting. Sadly, Rick May passed on April 14th, 2020 at the age of 79, after battling a stroke and COVID-19.

When launched, the main menu contains the Soldier idle pose, along with a rendition of “Taps”, a United States military bugle call. Additionally, prominent maps have been edited to add a bronze statue of the Soldier to memorialize Rick May, complete with a monument that reads the following Soldier quote:

“That was a hell of a campaign, son!” 

Additionally, Robin Atkin Downes has uploaded a video per request of his fans to voice act as his roles Kaz from the Metal Gear series, as well as Medic from TF2. 

In said video, Kaz explains to Snake through a transmission that in such uncertain times, he hopes Snake is doing well, and also says he’s found a video from a Medic teaching how to wash hands properly during the COVID-19 epidemic, which he’ll upload for Snake.

This video of Medic is indeed of Medic teaching everyone haphazardly (in true loss of medical license fashion) how to wash your hands in a comedy skit. Included amidst this is a brief but in-character tribute to Rick May in the form of a portrait of Soldier that Medic notices and pays brief but solemn respects to, before continuing his lesson enthusiastically:

“Oh, Soldier…you will be missed. May peace be with you and your family, mein freund.”

For the full Team Fortress 2 update patch notes, look on the official website here: http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=61036

You can read more on Rick May from Rekindle School’s memorium here: https://www.classesandworkshops.com/in-memory-of-rick-may/

[fuckyeahtf2]

Rick May, Soldier’s VA, has passed away due to COVID-19

With an extensive acting profile ranging from our familiar American patriot Soldier from Team Fortress 2, to Peppy and Andross from Star Fox, Rick May was a seasoned veteran of voice acting who has left this world today. 

A post from Larry Albert on Facebook was crossposted by the Sniper’s voice actor from TF2, John Patrick Lowrie. Albert, a close friend of May, shares some personal words about May in his memorium post:

Rick May was a force of nature, a pain in the ass sometimes but never to the point where I would not use him again and again. We were working friends, colleagues and buddies. Hopefully there will be those who will speak of his years in the theater, as a teacher, a director and voice talent, of his one-man show as Teddy Roosevelt. I knew the man who asked me if I could get him a copy of an old Republic Studios serial cliffhanger “The Phantom Rider” if he got me an autograph from his friend Ty Hardin from the old “Bronco” TV series.

I knew the man who along with Frank Buxton and David Selvig stood and applauded my daughter Andee when I introduced her to the audience at the Kirkland Performance Center for what would be her first appearance as a professional actor. I knew the man who was always encouraging when I had my bout with cancer. I knew the man whose passing leaves a huge hole in my heart and I believe so many others. I wish you strength Diana. 

Rick I wish for you to know eternal peace. Goodbye buddy, I’m gonna miss the hell out of you.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/johnpatricklowrie/posts/3695585787179521

May you rest in peace, Rick May, and thank you for your contributions to this world. We wish his family and friends well and offer our condolences.

[fuckyeahtf2]

A memoriam of Rick May has been posted to Rekindle School’s website, where he was an educator and teacher for various types of acting include theater and voice acting work.

The post cited a stroke that May had in February. He was moved to a nursing home before, before catching COVID-19 there, and passed away at the age of 79 at a Swedish hospital. Additionally, the website lists additional portfolio work May has done, including his voiceover work:

…In addition to his appearance in major motion pictures, TV shows and commercials, Rick was featured in many popular video games.  In “Star Fox 64” he was the voice of Peppy Hare and Andross, in “Age of Empires II” he was the narrator and voice of Genghis Khan, and was The Soldier in the ongoing game series “Team Fortress II.” 

…Rick was a wonderful teacher whose classes and students meant the world to him. He’ll be deeply missed.

The website has also listed their email address for those who would like to leave condolences:

If you would like to send condolences to his family, if you send them to [email protected], we’ll pass them along.

Source: https://www.classesandworkshops.com/in-memory-of-rick-may/

The full memoriam for May can be read in the sourced post above. Please be respectful when sending condolences and wishes to Rick May’s family. 

[fuckyeahtf2]

Australian Hightower Highjinx Charity Tournament

When? March 23rd-24th, starting at 7pm AEDT/ 4pm EST / 1am PDT

What? The Australian Hightower Highjinx fundraising event (or A.H.H.) is a charity event with a semi-competitive style event supporting the Australian Lifeline who provide suicide prevention services, mental health support and emotional assistance, not only via telephone but face-to-face and online.

The tournament will feature teams competing in a single elimination bracket to be crowned the greatest Hightower Highlander team of all time. Does your team have what it takes? Sign up here: https://match.tf/tournaments/31

Where? The event will be live streamed on Twitch by CappingTV

Important Links

Charity: Australian Lifeline Organization

Sponsor: CappingTV

Item Donations via Scrap.TF

Money Donations via JustGiving

Social Media: Twitter - Discord - Steam Group

Donating a minimum of $5.00 AUD ($3.60 USD, $4.70 CAD) or 3 keys worth of items - will get you this in-game medal!

[dailypyrodoodle]

Pyros of the first week!

[void-oid]

TF2Maps.net and AbleGamers Present the TF2 Summer Jam 2018!

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes - the TF2 Summer Jam 2018! The cold of Winter may have kept us from our usual bi-annual Jams, but now things are getting hot, hot, hot, and the Jam is back and better than ever. Last year we hit 742 total submissions, and we all know we can smash that record to pieces. Starting to heat up? Crack a window, crack open a can, and let’s get to work.

New to the Jam? Here’s what to do: make things for or about Team Fortress 2, in less than 72 hours. Maps, models, videos, artwork, fanfiction, articles, games, mods, sculpture, interpretive dance - it’s all good! Then post it on the site to show us what you’ve made - and we’ll give you an in-game medal so you can show the world just how much you do for the TF2 community.

Like last year, we are again running a charity drive alongside the Jam! This year, we’ve partnered up with AbleGamers - from their website, the AbleGamers Charity wields the power of gaming to break down the barriers of economic and social isolation for people with disabilities. AbleGamers isn’t new to the TF2 community, with several other charity drives supporting them in the past - in fact, many of them are avid fans of the game! Those who donate more than $5 USD to the charity drive will receive a unique medal in-game for their kindness. More Charity Drive details soon!

The TF2 Summer Jam 2018 begins 6PM GMT, July 27th, 2018!

View the thread on TF2Maps.net for more information - https://tf2maps.net/threads/tf2maps-presents-the-tf2-summer-jam-2018.36515/

Join the TF2Maps.net Discord - https://discord.gg/D5dMfb7

Header art by @fuzzymellow and @void-oid

[artendym]

here’s a poster i made for @ReadySteadyPan with help from Metalgearman on Pan.tf Discord. go check out the Pan only tournament on Pan.tf

if you want to see more of my stuff check out the links below

Art Tumblr I Twitter I Instagram I DeviantArt I Sketch and Reblog Tumblr I Twitch

[sunflowertrickster]

Anyone want these customs a dude ordered but then never paid me for? Message me for pricing and details, we could probably work something out! :)

[safk-art]

finished piece i’ve done on stream at hugs.tf  it has been such an awesome time taking part with them. thanks to those who donated <3 hope to be there again next year! 

[kritzkast]

hugs.tf 2018 this weekend

It’s back with hugs, kisses, and more hugs! hugs.tf is a European-based charity livestream for TF2 helping Special Effect. Special Effect is a UK charity that helps youth and people afflicted by disabilities. By using technology ranging from modified joypads to eye-control, Special Effect helps people to play to the very best of their abilities. 

As of this year, hugs.tf has raised over £20,000 for Special Effect and is in their 5th Year, celebrating alongside TF2 and Special Effect’s 10th birthdays. You can catch the stream this weekend, April 21st - 22nd @ twitch.tv/hugstf. 

There’s all sorts of variety, such as scheduled showmatches between Ascent Europe vs Ascent North America, a live Joy of Painting segment with talents @darklitria and Squirrel_BVC, Mann vs. Machine with CeeJaey, and much more on the schedule. and guests ranging from members of top 6v6 ETF2L team Se7en such as kaidus and Drackk, to @kritzkast ’s host himself Agro will be attending as talent for the couch. 

Donations are now open, and you can donate with either cash at our donation landing page, or keys via Scrap.tf. As we speak, hugs.tf have currently raised around £4000 even before the weekend. If you donate over £10, you will be eligible for The Heartfelt Hero: a medal designed by XB33, @uberchain, and DarkLitria that shows two halves of a heart hugging, adorned with birthday ribbon swirling around in an anniversary celebration.

If you’d like to get involved or appear in the livestream, you can! Firstly, hugs.tf wants to show a collection of community figures to submit shout-out videos to show on stream at the start and end of breaks. If you are a contributor to TF2 such as a Youtuber or a content creator of sorts, you can make a short 5-10 second video (using a decent quality web cam or better) using the frame of “I’m X, I do/did X in TF2 and you’re watching hugs 2018” as the idea concept. Send a download link to [email protected] and it might be featured!

Secondly, for the Joy of Painting segment, hugs.tf is also accepting fanart! If you want to paint or draw along with the gang or tweet any fanart to our Twitter, it will be shared on stream during the segment, with a chance at a prize.

We hope to see you at the stream this weekend to help out some kids, and give out some virtual hugs! 

Website: http://hugs.tf/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/hugs_tf  Scrap.tf Donations: http://scrap.tf/hugs

[kritzkast]

Hugs.tf is now LIVE! Catch the stream @ twitch.tv/hugstf for all the entertainment and antics for Special Effect. To donate to the cause, be sure to visit their website or their Scrap.tf donation links above.

[safk-art]

i am very excited that I’ll be coming back to @hugs_tf to draw more digital art.  heres a prepared robot scout sketch that’ll be focus one ;)  

for more info aboout the event check out thier twitter. <3

twitch - hugs.tf

[kritzkast]

hugs.tf 2018 this weekend

It’s back with hugs, kisses, and more hugs! hugs.tf is a European-based charity livestream for TF2 helping Special Effect. Special Effect is a UK charity that helps youth and people afflicted by disabilities. By using technology ranging from modified joypads to eye-control, Special Effect helps people to play to the very best of their abilities. 

As of this year, hugs.tf has raised over £20,000 for Special Effect and is in their 5th Year, celebrating alongside TF2 and Special Effect's 10th birthdays. You can catch the stream this weekend, April 21st - 22nd @ twitch.tv/hugstf. 

There’s all sorts of variety, such as scheduled showmatches between Ascent Europe vs Ascent North America, a live Joy of Painting segment with talents @darklitria and Squirrel_BVC, Mann vs. Machine with CeeJaey, and much more on the schedule. and guests ranging from members of top 6v6 ETF2L team Se7en such as kaidus and Drackk, to @kritzkast ’s host himself Agro will be attending as talent for the couch. 

Donations are now open, and you can donate with either cash at our donation landing page, or keys via Scrap.tf. As we speak, hugs.tf have currently raised around £4000 even before the weekend. If you donate over £10, you will be eligible for The Heartfelt Hero: a medal designed by XB33, @uberchain, and DarkLitria that shows two halves of a heart hugging, adorned with birthday ribbon swirling around in an anniversary celebration.

If you'd like to get involved or appear in the livestream, you can! Firstly, hugs.tf wants to show a collection of community figures to submit shout-out videos to show on stream at the start and end of breaks. If you are a contributor to TF2 such as a Youtuber or a content creator of sorts, you can make a short 5-10 second video (using a decent quality web cam or better) using the frame of "I'm X, I do/did X in TF2 and you're watching hugs 2018" as the idea concept. Send a download link to [email protected] and it might be featured!

Secondly, for the Joy of Painting segment, hugs.tf is also accepting fanart! If you want to paint or draw along with the gang or tweet any fanart to our Twitter, it will be shared on stream during the segment, with a chance at a prize.

We hope to see you at the stream this weekend to help out some kids, and give out some virtual hugs! 

Website: http://hugs.tf/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/hugs_tf  Scrap.tf Donations: http://scrap.tf/hugs

[ask-pocket-pyro]

[Be sure to see your daily dose of cuteness every day to make your day as wholesome as it can be uvu]

[colacarnage]

I’ve been following the Saxxy awards this year and absolutely loved ‘Manned up Mannequins’. So I decided to make a little Medic based off the model they used in the animation. 

I’m not so great with 3D stuff so this took around 6 hours to do including paint drying time. But the result was worth it. 

[saxxyservices]

Announcing The Seventh Annual Saxxy Awards Nominees!

March 14, 2018 - SFM Team

We’re approaching the culmination of another Saxxy Awards filled with some really amazing Source Filmmaker videos! Today we’re announcing the nominees for the Seventh Annual Saxxy Awards, and there are entries that had us laughing, crying, and shouting in surprise and excitement. So make some popcorn, grab a drink, and go watch the Seventh Annual Saxxy Award nominees!

Once you’ve watched the nominees, and rewatched your favorites, remember there are many more entries available that may still end up on your personal favorites list. And don’t forget to come back March 15th and find out which of your favorite nominees were chosen as winners!

We’d like to thank all of the entrants for their hard work and creative vision, and as ever, there are a few specific entries that didn’t make the cut, but are exceptional nonetheless:

Honorable Mention:

The Box Mann

Inside Surgery

Meet the Janitor

With that being said, here are the nominees under the cut…

Keep reading

[tf2humbug]

While I was in Seattle earlier this month for Emerald City Comic Con, I was given the chance to visit Valve’s new headquarters! I took pictures where I was allowed, so please enjoy them. Each one has a description, if you look at them individually.

My guide Joel was very friendly and informative, and I got to walk around the place for an hour while he told me about how they use the different facilities. There were a few areas I wasn’t allowed into, which is fine, but what I did see was amazing!!!

Keep reading

[kritzkast]

Journey to the East: a TF2 content contest!

Greetings, traveler! This contest is the culmination of thousands of years of warfare, it is unlike anything you've ever seen before. Hats will be made, weapons will be painted, bodily fluids will be spilled. Everyone is invited to create the best eastern themed items for the TF2 workshop. The victor of this contest will be granted a small island*, where they will be able to start their new dynasty.

*Island is actually a digital medal. 

The Spoils of War

Sun Tzu once said "Know thy self, know thy cosmetics. A thousand contests, a thousand victories." Those that succeed in their conquest will be rewarded with these defeat-proof medals. Participants that do not win will receive an inferior, less impressive medal for their efforts.

Categories

War. Conquest. Victory. There is no greater way to test the will of man. There is also no better way to award them than with fabulous prizes. Whether you create robes of the smoothest silk or a cap fit for the mightiest ruler, the victor of this event will be showered with the finest jewels, endless wealth, and whatever else the heart desires.*

*Whatever the heart desires must be limited to $60 USD.

For more details about Journey to the East’s contest including rules, FAQ, and prize pool breakdown, please check out their website HERE!

[saxxyservices]

Now Accepting Submissions for the Seventh Annual Saxxy Awards!

March 1, 2018 - TF2 Team

We look forward to this every year, and now the time has come! Submissions are now open for The Seventh Annual Saxxy Awards!

Final submissions are due Thursday, March 8th, at 3:00PM PST, but we highly recommend you submit versions earlier in the week to guard against unforeseen networking or computer problems. We want to see those submissions, so get them in! Check out the guidelines to learn more.