Guide for Spectating and Recording Subjects in TF2 Casual

This guide will help Team Fortress 2 (TF2) players learn to spectate and record subjects in TF2 casual matches. This technique will only allow you to spectate members of your team.

Step 1: Join a Casual TF2 Match

Join a Casual TF2 Match by clicking on 'FIND A GAME'.


Next you will click 'CASUAL'.


Next you will click the checkbox for 'CORE GAME MODES'.


Finally, click 'START SEARCH'.


If you are already connected to a Casual TF2 match you will need open the developer console* and type 'retry'. This command will disconnect and reconnect you to the current match.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=217543736

Step 2: Enable Spectator Mode

After connecting to the server you will be presented with a welcome screen.

Click 'CONTINUE'


Click 'CONTINUE'


DO NOT CHOOSE A CLASS.


Instead, open the console (default '~'). Now type 'spec_mode' and then press 'ENTER'.


Type 'spec_next' and then press 'ENTER'.

Step 3: Locate Subject and Spectate

You will now cycle through players, map cameras, carts, etc. to locate your subject (Use the keyboard UP arrow to speed up typing for repetitive commands)

Type 'spec_next' and press 'ENTER' until the subject has been located.


Press 'ESC' and you will again see the Character Select Screen.


Press and hold 'TAB' and you will see the server scoreboard with the spectated subject view behind it. Note how the spectating player does not have a class showing on the scoreboard.


**IMPORTANT**
You must hold 'TAB' in order to see spectator view.

Sometimes you will be team swapped and a glitch will cause the scoreboard to disappear. This behavior is not understood at the time of writing.

Without the need to hold 'TAB' you can sit back and observe.

Step 4: Record a demo

Open the console and type: 'record spectatordemo_001'
(spectatordemo_001 can be any name you choose, this is an example naming scheme).


When you are finished recording the subject using spectator mode, type 'stop'.

Closing

You have now learned how to join a server, enable spectator mode, find the subject to spectate, and record a DEMO.

Next steps:
1. Submit DEMO to the VAC team.
2. Share with friends and/or community server administrators.
3. BE CAREFUL: Record with screen capture software and share to social media.

If you would like to update or contribute additional details to this guide please leave a comment or suggestion.

Thank you for helping to make the Steam Community and TF2 a better and more fair experience for all!

[imw]

Finally I can observe without holding TAB. Thank you so much! #saveteamfortress

[🅼🅴🅾🆆≧◠ᴥ◠≦]

1. join server
2. open console by pressing the ~ button and type: autoteam
3. hit enter
4. open cosole again and type: join_class 0
5. hit enter

you can now spectate either players from blu or red depending on what team the server puts you

[imw]

Combine with live streaming if you are concerned about being taken seriously in your report.