The new mode is "focused around a single central capture point that must be defended for three minutes," according to Valve. "Gameplay begins with the point initially locked--after a short time, it will open for capture by either team." "Once the point is captured by a team, their team clock will start a three minute countdown. If the enemy team manages to capture the point back, their clock will start counting down while the other team's clock freezes at the time the point was recaptured."

KOTH_Viaduct (shown above) will serve as the first map specifically designed for King of the Hill, while existing maps "Nucleus" and "Sawmill" have both been converted to support the new mode.

"Viaduct is an all-new map especially built for KotH, set outside of the entrance to a secret underground base," says Valve. "Viaduct is also the first Team Fortress map to take place during a snowfall."

"Both teams start at the base of a low hill, and will have to climb to get to the capture point at the hill's peak. The various elevations of the map and multiple routes to the central point guarantee some frenzied battles as the point changes hands during gameplay."

The updates are joined by yesterday's announcement of 18 new hats and a new community map.