Unused Models

This is a sub-page of Team Fortress 2/Unused Assets.

To do: Unused elevator models intended for cp_well.

Team Fortress 2 contains many unused models in the game files. From unused weapon models to models made for use in maps, you can read about them all here.

Weapons#

Unused Blutsauger Dart#

When the Blutsauger was first added in the Gold Rush update, Valve was originally going to use this model for the projectile. In-game they use the stock Syringe Gun's darts.

Higher Poly Ambassador Model#

The following files for a higher poly count Ambassador weapon model were found in the game files, in an oddly-named parts folder within the actual c_ambassador.mdl's model folder until the June 8th, 2009 Patch when they were removed from the game:

 models/weapons/c_models/c_ambassador/parts/c_ambassador_opt.dx80.vtx
 models/weapons/c_models/c_ambassador/parts/c_ambassador_opt.dx90.vtx
 models/weapons/c_models/c_ambassador/parts/c_ambassador_opt.mdl
 models/weapons/c_models/c_ambassador/parts/c_ambassador_opt.sw.vtx
 models/weapons/c_models/c_ambassador/parts/c_ambassador_opt.vvd

v_models#

The v_models for all of the respective classes' weapons (other than Spy's watches) go unused, when Valve switched to a c_model system.

Maps/Game Modes#

DeGroot Keep Models#

Included as part of the 2010 Australian Christmas update. Their intended uses are unknown, though they're in the tf\models\props_medieval directory.

Mercenary Park "Island" Models#

In tf\models\props_island, there are unused models related to the map "Mercenary Park". These models include:

• island_silo.mdl, a large white colored silo with an orange stripe.

• island_speedboat.mdl, a speedboat that rocks back and forth and has a large chunk taken out of its side. Has "Sax Machine" written on the back.

• guard_tower01.mdl, a guard tower with the Yeti Park logo and part of the unused Spawn Room Turret gun model mounted to it. Also has barbed wire along its edges.

• sign_yetiisland_s01.mdl, _l01.mdl, _n01.mdl, and _d01.mdl, giant sign letters "S, L, N, and D". Given the props' prefixes, it's most likely from an early version of the Yeti Park sign above BLU team's first spawn that was meant to read "YETI ISLAND".

• yeti_cell01.mdl, a large somewhat untextured cell with an open cage door at its front.

Flags#

These unused flag models are in the same folder as the briefcase used for the flag in the final game. They're based off the flags in Team Fortress Classic.

Those faces, by the way, are those of Robin Walker and John Cook, the creators of The Team Fortress series.

Neutral Briefcase#

This version of the Intel briefcase is fully functional, but is not used in any official levels. It was provided solely for designers of custom levels to use. It looks and behaves a lot like the team-colored Intel briefcases, except that it's grey and both teams can pick it up. The Objective HUD supports One-Flag CTF using this item.

Unused Train Models#

Within the game's files, in the tf\models\props_vehicles directory, are 2 untextured models of unused train models. Whether these were intended to be Payload carts or not is unknown.

Early Spytech Payload Cart#

An untextured version of a "spytech"-themed Payload cart first seen in some early concept art can be found in the tf\models\props_spytech directory.

Passtime Duffel Bags#

Found in tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags, are several duffel bag models. These duffel bags appear in a single cornered off room on the RED Team side of the Passtime Warehouse map. With the lighting disabled, the only duffel bag shown on the map is, in fact, the opened up Grey duffel bag. BLU does not have the equivalent "secret room", meaning the RED duffel bags & Camo duffel bags go unused.

tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_camo_closed.mdl  // Unused
tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_camo_empty.mdl   // Unused
tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_camo_open.mdl    // Unused
tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_camo_stuffed.mdl // Unused
tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_grey_closed.mdl  // Unused
tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_grey_open.mdl    // Used ingame
tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_red_closed.mdl   // Unused
tf\models\passtime\duffel_bags\duffel_red_open.mdl     // Unused

Characters#

Decapitation Model#

Released alongside the Eyelander in the 2009 WAR! Update, there is a scrapped model that would have been placed at the player's neck when decapitated by the Eyelander instead of simply having their head shrink so small you can't see it anymore. Only the Soldier's model was included in the VPK, but it is assumed all classes would have had their own model, in a similar fashion to several multi-class hats.

Taunt Prop Models#

In the files for the new models for the taunts added in the Love and War update, three models exist that are left unused. These include:

• A 3D version of the taunt bundle icon with no textures. There is also an unused backpack icon for the bundle.
• An alternate mug model for the fresh brewed victory taunt, colored red with writing on it that says "V for victory".
• A serving dish with a skull on it. Underneath the main model there is a towel with missing textures, meaning the model may be unfinished. A version of this model is now used in the Headcase taunt for the Pyro.

General Test Models#

Test Fence#

There's one fence model which is unlike any others in models\props_gameplay that uses the Half-Life 2 Lambda symbol for the "wiring".

Halloween Jiggle Test#

In models\props_halloween, there's a file named hwn_jiggle_test.mdl which, fittingly enough, serves as a jigglebone test. It's a thin square.

Test Tank Track#

In models\bots\boss_bot, a file named test_track_r.mdl contains a tank track. Possibly used to test how the tank functions.

Barricade Test#

In models\props_medieval, there is a test model that was used to test the barricade in Rottenburg.

Misc. Models#

Camera#

A lightly rebranded Arriflex (or an ARR! here) 435ES movie camera with a highly detailed model. Also exists in Half-Life 2, apparently.

When asked about its planned purpose, Robin Walker said "I can’t quite remember. Might have been something for SFM. Or perhaps we built it when we were tinkering with a prototype of a spectator class who made movies of the match in realtime."

Alternate Deathcam UI#

Alternate version of the deathcam function. Would have depicted the F5'd deathcam picture landing on top of a pile of other pictures, all of which appear to have been taken from beta versions of the game. There are also 4 variants of the photo dropping down onto the pile underneath it. The pictures underneath each sequence are in a different order as well.

"Urban" Models#

In models\props_urban, there are some untextured temporary models such as some buildings for the background of the map, a crane, and a tower-like building. It's unknown what these may have been used for and where they would've been.

It was later discovered that the missing AO bake texture for temp_crane01.mdl was located within the January 2023 TF2 repo leak files.

Trainyard Track Ramp Model#

The following files for a dev textured ramped train track model were found in the game files until they were removed entirely in the April 29th, 2008 Patch (Gold Rush Update):

 materials/models/props_trainyard/track_ramp.vmt
 materials/models/props_trainyard/track_ramp.vtf
 models/props_trainyard/track_ramp.dx80.vtx
 models/props_trainyard/track_ramp.dx90.vtx
 models/props_trainyard/track_ramp.mdl
 models/props_trainyard/track_ramp.sw.vtx
 models/props_trainyard/track_ramp.vvd

Cosmetics#

Unused Pyromancer's Mask Horns#

The Pyromancer's Mask has an unused bodygroup, which gives it different horns. These horns are straight and are colored red by default. They were meant to be affected by paint.

All-Class Nanobalaclava#

To do: Images, probably could just be swiped from the TF2 Wiki to save time.

At one point, the Nanobalaclava, a Deus Ex: Human Revolution promo item, was going to be all-class. In-game it's used only by Spy.