Testers wanted - New compilers, same everything else!

[Jill]

Hi everyone,

In an upcoming update we are modernizing the compilers and associated tools used to build Team Fortress 2. In order to make sure this change doesn't introduce any new bugs or otherwise ruin anyone's day, we've made a beta branch available using this new setup!

You can access this beta by selecting Team Fortress 2 in Steam and going to Properties -> Betas and selecting the branch titled "toolchainbeta"

The main differences you should see in the beta are... nothing! Ideally, users should not notice any difference in their experience. The changes within, however, enable us to make use of newer tools and future proof the game for updates to come.

So, if you are interested in helping us test our nothing, give the beta a shot, and let us know if you do find something amiss!

Update 2017-02-20 5PM PST
We've pushed a small update to the beta that fixes a bug with the control point HUD -- reported by multiple testers.

[SubZeroDestruction]

Whao... First use of the beta branch..
Lovely!

[The Mad Doctor]

woah, finally

[Void]

It's an alien conspiracy. They're obviously going to be watching our sexy stranges.

[Atrain_]

Really nice Jill, it's good youo guys are listening

[Vlad the Impala]

I'm not sure whether to be happy or worried that you guys actually read the forums here.

[Krinkov]

Originally posted by Jill:

Hi everyone,

In an upcoming update we are modernizing the compilers and associated tools used to build Team Fortress 2. In order to make sure this change doesn't introduce any new bugs or otherwise ruin anyone's day, we've made a beta branch available using this new setup!

FINALLY. YES.

Originally posted by 3dge23dge:

I'm not sure whether to be happy or worried that you guys actually read the forums here.

Both.

[Vlad the Impala]

Are there any particular bugs you want us to be on the lookout for?

[voosh]

JILL HOOK ME UP

[Koi]

Originally posted by Jill:

The changes within, however, enable us to make use of newer tools and future proof the game for updates to come.

They care about us!

[Mashpit]

Glad that you guys are actively communicating with the community.
To go back on topic, will playing on the beta client still allow us to connect to servers running the current version?
Jill fanclub when

[consta]

Thanks for getting the community involved -- fill us in with what type of "amiss" things we should be looking out for.

[Rhayu]

when the beta can't be accessed on linux </3

EDIT: I'm assuming you saw this and changed it because I can use the beta now ty Jill

[76561197977890524]

XD sorry

[Pendo]

So I tried to opt into this beta, but was met with this error message upon downloading the update files:

"an error occurred while updating TF2 (corrupt update files) "

Something something program files /vdk/exe couldn't be downloaded.

EDIT: looks like it's fixed. Thank you for that. I'll do what I can to help you out.

[Marks600]

Yay jill, good way to bring back the beta branch!!