The recently released Sniper versus Spy for Team Fortress 2 brought significant change to the way item unlocks are obtained. Instead of simply attaining a certain amount of achievements for each class, the entire set of items are now awarded at random, regardless of which class you are playing as.

When the update hit late last night, those accustomed to receiving unlocks in return for meeting certain achievement criteria were met with confusion, but players are now coming to grips with the revised system. To clear things up, Valve has issued a post on the official TF2 blog, explaining exactly how this new unlock system works as well as several improvements that are on the way.

Valve’s Erik Johnson notes that one of the main aims behind this system was to curb the practice of hopping on servers with maps specifically designed for building up achievements. Players were scrambling to score the class unlocks by any means necessary, even if it meant not playing the game as is intended.

With our first four class updates we were tying the new weapons for each class to a set of achievements. Our intention was to make a set of achievements that eventually all players would get, and would be fun to get along the way. In some cases we did a good job at this (Scout), and in some cases we did a bad one (Medic). Across all of the class packs we were disappointed in the number of people that got to play with the new weapons, and feedback from the community was generally not favorable with this approach.

Johnson also addressed questions players have been bringing up since the update hit and dropped word on improvements that are in store for the future.

Due for inclusion in a later update is the ability to trade items from their stash with others, which explains why duplicates can be picked up currently. Valve also plans to tweak the system so that it can influenced by players who are seeking to obtain a specific item. In other words, make it less random and give users the edge in determining their next unlock. Oh and for those fond of the amusing addition of party hats, rest assured there are other rare items coming. Clown sneakers, perhaps?

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Read more: Valve Admits Team Fortress 2 Item Drop System Has Issues, Adjustments Planned,  Valve: Team Fortress 2 Sniper Update Coming Within Days,  Team Fortress 2 Goes Free To Play Forever,  Spy Takes The Spotlight In Team Fortress 2 Sniper Update,  Team Fortress 2 Scout Update Coming Soon-ish