Looks like Team Fortress 2 is joining the competitive roster-here’s how you can be a part of the beta!

With eSports becoming more popular, it’s only right that more games step up to the plate and give more gamers the chance to play their games in a high stakes environment. It seems like the latest addition to this roster will be Team Fortress 2. 

While there already is a competitive scene out there for Team Fortress 2, it’s mainly done by the game’s own playerbase in an unofficial setting; which means that things like an accurate matchmaking system are missing. 

Valve seems to be laying the foundation to fix that problem with the announcement of signups for their Team Fortress 2 Competitive Beta Steam group which will allow players to begin testing the competitive matchmaking mode. 

If you’d like to signup and be a part of the beta, keep in mind that you might not be able to jump to it straight away, especially since Valve is only just beginning to roll out the tests:

Our plan is to start small and increase participation as we go. For this initial phase of testing – which will begin in the next week or so – we’ll be gradually granting random members from this group an in-game item called a Competitive Matchmaking Beta Pass. Once you’ve been granted a pass you will have ongoing access to the beta.

It goes on to mention that there will be both announced and un-announced stress test events which will invite as many group members possible so it’s definitely worth signing up since there is a high chance you’ll be getting into testing sooner or later. 

It’s also worth noting that priority for the beta will be given to group members who:

• Have either purchased a copy of Team Fortress 2 prior to June 23, 2011, or have made a purchase from the Mann Co. Store. 
• Have Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled. 
• Have a phone number associated with your Steam account.

So there you have it, make sure you sign up! While it may be too early to tell, this change has the potential to put Team Fortress 2 up there with the likes of Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 in the esports scene.

Good luck out there.