Feeding the videogame scrapbook: Team Fortress 2

Online and in the flesh, most people who get to know me at all do so through my obsessions with film, comics, and (especially) videogames. But here’s a confession: I have an unrealized passion for photography. I could wax eloquent as to “why,” but I’ll spare you, mainly because so many others have already traveled down that path.

Here’s another confession: I don’t own a camera, unless you count the 3.2 megapixel lens riding on the back of my LG Dare. For years I’ve muttered “that would make a great picture” to colleagues and friends, and subsequently stressed over another missed opportunity. Yet I always choose to spend my money elsewhere; like on my custom-built computer. I needed a new one, but probably didn’t need to buy near-top-of-the-line components.

Social anxiety has also kept my dream on “pause.” People sometimes behave differently when a camera’s around, and I don’t want to be responsible for mood swings or awkward interactions that could wreck an innocent third party’s day. Besides, where would I put my photographic gear? In a little polka dot man purse?

But thanks to modern technology, I can partially realize an unexplored passion through one I know all too well: videogames.

When, in 2006, developer/publisher Valve unveiled early footage of Team Fortress 2, many gamers figured the retail product wouldn’t feature the showcased full body dismemberment and hilarious facial animations. On October 10, 2007 Valve put all doubts to rest with the title’s release.  A year and a half later, I can’t imagine TF2 without the aforementioned features, as much an integral part of the experience as the unparalleled, class-based gameplay. I enjoy defeating a group of enemies with my rocket launcher, but I dig it more when my opponents explode in a red mess of blood and bone. The best part comes immediately after – when they’re treated to a brief still-frame of my character, possibly  (read: undoubtedly) reveling in the chaos.

Sometimes I’m on the other end of the carnage. Despite the unavoidable (for me), overwhelming sense of failure that follows, I often take a screenshot of my assailant. Scroll down to see some of the last month’s best.

The Heavy is such a baby when he loses.

Maybe he’s angry because a spy just stabbed him in the back.

Or maybe he’s unhappy because he has a hole in his chin.

Whatever the cause, he’s feeling a lot better now.

The Soldier isn’t as tough as he seems. When he thinks nobody’s watching, he dances.

Here he’s practicing his patented flying moonwalk.

“I’m a little tea cup…”