System messages

Team Fortress 2 features a system message system, which allows Valve to send notifications to all in-game players at once. The system has been used to notify players about item system downtime announcements. It has also been used during the Mann vs. Machine ARG to announce the Blood Brothers comic.

A System Message appears in both the text chat area and the notifications area, and is accompanied by a beeping sound.

System messages can include:

• Obtaining a new item
• A Something Special for Someone Special ring being purchased
• A test run for an item expiring
• Maintenance periods
• Item server downtime

They often occur for one player alone, with the exception of the Something Special for Someone Special, which is broadcast to everyone in the game at that time, and other system announcements such as the Item server going down.

Gallery

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  System Message as displayed in the notification area

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  System Message as displayed at the main menu

• System Message Full.jpg

  System Message as displayed in the notification area and chat area