Valve Software has revealed that as part of its extensive update process to the company’s ultra-popular online multiplayer game, Team Fortress 2 on PC is now completely free-to-play and will from now on be supported by the sale of virtual items via microtransactions.

If you’ve already bought Team Fortress 2, however, you’re taken care of because you will now have a ‘premium’ game account which will allow access to “a few extra features,” says Valve, including “access to rare and cosmetic items through random item drops, the ability to store more items in your backpack, and more powerful trading and crafting abilities.”

If you’ve not yet bought Team Fortress 2, but would like access to these features, you can get a premium game account by purchasing an item at the digital storefront, the ‘Mann Co. Store,’ where you’ll be able to continue to buy virtual accessories for your players, including special hats.

Team Fortress 2 is Free to Play

Regardless of whether or not you already own Team Fortress 2, if you decide to finally jump in on the action now that the game is freely downloadable you don’t need to worry about any further differences – the gameplay experience will be exactly the same across free-to-play and premium accounts:

“The entire game can be played without making a purchase,” says Valve. “All game modes, classes, and maps are available. Nearly every weapon is available through achievements, drops, or crafting.”

As Valve itself has said, there’s now no excuse to not play Team Fortress 2, so get downloading over here and watch the latest (long-awaited) character trailer (this time for the Medic) below:

Team Fortress 2 – Medic Trailer