Hmm.
Judging by the
release schedule of the major patches over the last two years and
the 2012 outline, I think the update schedule will look something like this (provided Forkball doesn't weigh in):
- April - 'Secret Project' [Raid Mode]
- June - Saxxy Update #2 [Official Source Filmmaker Release]
- July - Meet the Pyro Update / Saxxy Awards
- September - Major Update (Not sure of the theme, but they may just make it another Manniversary)
- October - Halloween Update
- December - Christmas Update
(I am bored, but too tired from work to do anything).
I'll weigh in.
I would guess that the Saxxy's will be in May again, I don't really see Valve changing that. I do agree we'll likely get Source Filmmaker at some point this year, likely after the Saxxys (assuming meet the pyro is out before that). I don't think we'll get Meet the Pryo during the Saxxys since it would likely overshadow the other videos.
My guess:
Late March/ Early April - Major update, Meet the Pyro, possibly secret project.
May - Saxxys /Source filmmaker (other secret)
September - 2nd Manniversary update (major update), possibly secret project
October - Halloween Update
December - Christmas Update
OR
Late March/ Early April - Major update, Meet the Pyro, possibly secret project
May - Saxxys /Source filmmaker (other secret)
Late July/Early August - Major update, possibly secret project
September - 2nd Manniversary update (smaller update, mostly cosmetic items like last year)
October - Halloween Update
December - Christmas Update
I also assume we'll also see at least 3 or 4 smaller content packs in the other months like the Shogun Pack/Manno-Technology pack/Community Map pack (at least I hope we get another community map pack, but maps don't make Valve money like weapons and hats do).
I was sort of torn about throwing in another major update in the summer months, but it just doesn't seem like Valve has as many people working on the game and are releasing as many major updates for the game as they did a couple of years ago. I think it sort of depends on how long it takes them, it would be easy to make the Manniversary update a major update, or they could make it a fairly small one again like the one last year with mostly new cosmetic items.
I also see Valve continue to try and release one cosmetic items a week for TF2 like they have been doing for awhile now. I see them failing to release one at least 5+ times this year, not including weeks they likely aren't working like Thanksgiving and Christmas.