Valve has released a new Steam client beta incorporating a new trading system. The primary feature, trading, allows trading of TF2 items out of game rather than just while playing. Portal 2 items coming soon, as well as 3rd party game support. Unfortunately this client update means you can't troll with useless DLC...

Last week Team Fortress 2 went free to play (F2P), with its biggest update since the game was released in 2007. Since then, TF2 has managed to topple Counter-Strike as the world's most played online first person shooter. Today's peak number of players for CS was 65,420, with TF2 far ahead reaching 97,917. Whether TF2 will now retain the position is another matter, but after what felt like a decade of CS remaining the most popular FPS in the world, it's a refreshing sight.
Steam & Game Stats...

After announcing free to play (F2P) support...

If you own a Mac, you can not only upgrade your iPhone to iOS 4.0 Gold Master without a run-around, but tomorrow you'll be able to play one of the best multiplayer shooters ever created; Team Fortress 2. Lucky you. It will be available for the low, low price of $19.99 USD - or at no extra charge if you own the Orange Box.

How would you fancy a Predator face-mask for your spy, or even Robocop's Auto-9 pistol? No problems! Just create it. Valve have once again delivered for the community, this time letting you create and submit custom content. It's strictly for modelling, so no gameplay mechanics or balance issues will arise. Of course, the coolest part of all of this is that if accepted, everyone else in the game world will be able to see it......