Q. How does Free-to-Play affect existing users?
It doesn’t. You can keep enjoying TF2 as you have before, with all the features and content you’ve come to expect from TF2.
Q. What do I get if I paid for the game?
To thank you for your years of support, we will be giving players who have purchased TF2 a special Proof of Purchase hat to wear on any character in-game.
Q. Who has a free account?
Anyone who has downloaded the game for free and has not made a purchase in the in-game Mann Co. store has a free account.
Q. Who has a premium account?
If you've ever spent money on TF2, you have a premium account. This includes purchasing the game before it was Free-to-Play, activating a retail version of the game, or making a purchase in the Mann Co. in-game store.
Q. How is a free account different than a premium account?
Premium accounts have a few extra features, 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. Otherwise, the gameplay experience will be identical for both accounts.
Also
Free
Backpack: 50 slots
Items: Standard
Crafting: Limited blueprints
Trading: Receive items only
Gifting: Can receive gifts
Premium
Backpack: 300 slots (expandable up to 1000)
Items: Standard, Rare and Cosmetic
Crafting: All blueprints
Trading: Full trading
Gifting: Can give and receive gifts
Q. Won’t going Free to Play mean more griefers and cheaters?
If a new player on a Free account upgrades to a premium account and indicates that you were their most helpful friend, you will receive a wearable item. Helping new users via the Coaching feature is a great way to meet new players and help them out!
Q. How does the Coaching feature work?
We’re increasing our focus on making sure that hostile players can’t ruin your fun. Specifically, we’ll be keeping a close eye on players exploiting the ability to make infinite free accounts to bypass bans. We’ve built systems that’ll allow us to measure and track what these players are doing, and respond quickly.