User:Sitzkrieg/Sandbox/Source code
This page will not discuss methods of acquiring or distributing the illegally leaked source code. It will only cover the impact of the leak(s) and major events.
 | This user page has been marked for deletion. See discussion on the talk page. Reason given: See talk page section Staff: what links here – subpages – history (last) – logs – delete |
On April 21st 2020 the source code for many Source Engine games was leaked. Team Fortress 2 was no exception to the leak, as it contained a complete early-2016 build of TF2.
The specific leaked build was from the major Tough Break update.
RCE Scare
When news of the leak initially spread, fear, confusion, and worry was spread throughout the community from a speculated vulnerability discovered in TF2's source code that could potentially allow for RCE (Remote Code Execution). This caused many players to not play during this time until it was deemed safe to play again. Some media figures within the community warned that only valve servers were effected, while other TF2 media sources claimed all servers were effected.
Media Response
Within weeks after the leak, media figures within the community began auditing the source code.
On social media websites, forums, and video sharing platforms, comments within the source code received the most media attention. This was due to the comical nature of emotions expressed by the developers. The developers expressed frustration, confusion, and anger throughout many of the comments.
Cut Content
Many speculated-to-exist assets and features were discovered by the source code leak.
