System messages
Team Fortress 2 features a global messaging system, which allows Valve to send custom notifications to all in-game players at once. These are referred to as system messages. The system is used rarely, and usually to broadcast maintenance notifications, scheduled broadcasts, or tournaments.
The Blood Brothers comic was announced as part of the MvM ARG through a system message.
System messages appear in both the chat area and in the notification area and are accompanied by a beeping sound.
Other Notification Types
Other types of notifications can be sent from the item server to in-game players. System messages are custom messages sent from Valve and are therefore not translated for non-English players. Other types of messages are translated. These include:
- The use of a Something Special for Someone Special
- The acquisition or destruction of a Golden Wrench, Saxxy, or Golden Frying Pan
- Announcements of the Insomnia58 TF2 Tournament.
Gallery
A system message as displayed in the notification area
A system message as displayed in the main menu
- System Message Full.jpg
A system message as displayed in the notification area and chat area
