this is so good

As for medieval weapons my point for the crossbow is that other weapons dont have the same effect of player perception of sub classes and gimmicks. The crossbow is literally the best medic primary in the game while other medieval weapons don't try to make sub classes overshadow their predecessor to the point that it's the norm.

Your right I don't know if the workshop TF administrator is adding items for profit. Most of the items mentioned are community made and were picked by that same administration, the most likely reason they were added was because medieval mode was recently added in 2010/11 and was getting popular at the time so allowing medieval items was fine according to the administration

And again, this isn't the first medieval item in the game. You're going to have to make the same argument for the Dark Falkirk Helm, Spiral Sallet, Glasglow Great Helm, Herald's Helm, Bascinet, Dark Helm, Warsworn Helmet, Tyrant's Helm, Viking Braider, Spiky Viking, Nasty Norsemann, Dragonborn Helm, Tyrantium Helmet, Larrikin Robin, Last Laugh, Jumping Jester, Athenian Attire, Hephaisto's Handcraft, Olympic Leapers, Glorious Gambeson, Toowoomba Tunic, and surely more I'm probably not thinking of.

" ultimately it's decided by a (non TF2 dev/art director) valve employee whos only goal is profits over style."

You don't know this.

"the player base generally don't see it as a medieval weapon because it's overshadowed by how good it does for both medieval game mode and it's normal modes to the point it's considered a meta weapon"

Also confused by this statement. The hunstman, eyelander, Claidheamh Mòr, charge n targe, etc are all "medieval weapons" that players don't exclusively use in medieval mode.

As for medics crossbow while yes was added for medieval mode, the player base generally don't see it as a medieval weapon because it's overshadowed by how good it does for both medieval game mode and it's normal modes to the point it's considered a meta weapon (at least demo,soldier,and sniper are nerfing themselves by using medieval weapons). ultimately it's decided by a (non TF2 dev/art director) valve employee whos only goal is profits over style.

TF2 covers multiple themes but it wasn't the main style the devs specifically focused on, medieval mode is a very niche gimmick game that not a lot of players play, Halloween and smiss at least have comics explained for why cosmetic and weapons were added to begin with but the majority of the game is based around the artstyle it was designed for the 70s style with sci Fi sprinkled on top from the comics and stock weapons (Cloak and medi gun) making design choices is important for the devs to make sure if the game the players are playing stays unique and stands out (if a medieval game were to add robotic sci Fi cosmetics the player base would be very confused as to what game they are playing with the only exception being a Halloween or event) you can make medieval items and your cosmetic is great but the majority of the base would not be looking for this item if was a normal crate/summer/winter event the only time they would see this items interested is in a medieval/Halloween event

I wouldn't really say the theme and artstyle are one in the same. It's pretty clear TF2 covers multiple themes, including spytech, sci-fi, horror etc. But they all fit under one artstyle.

As for the rest of your argument.... I hope you know that Medic literally has medieval weapons.

Artstyle is what the tf art director intended on creating the 60s aesthetic (it's what artstyle is)

As for medieval items go it would be very confusing visually appealing wise to see fictional/medieval contrasting the already existing artstyle that game was based on. That isn't to say there isn't exceptions to that rule, soldier, sniper and demo are the only classes that surprisingly work very well to adapt to a medieval approach because gameplay (swords,arrow, banner , and shields) is integrated with it making them both suspectable to a medieval approach with cosmetic but other classes dont have that same effect. (Engineer is a good example) Basically unless valve were to add more medieval oriented weapons to more classes than you can have the benefit of using those to appeal to the artstyle you are looking for.

That's not really the same thing as artstyle.

Also there's already medieval items in the game.... not sure what the problem is.

Because TF 2 is set in an industrial 1960s 70s setting where all game modes except invasion, Halloween,smissmiss,pass time, and medieval follows that aesthetic. It's a good cosmetic but unfortunately feels out of place for a normal setting

How does it fit the "artstyle" for one game mode but not the other? That makes no sense.

should be Halloween restricted, doesnt fit normal tf2 artstyle, the only exception is for medieval mode

Great

i think i join neurtoxin with making it a bit more team collored. Tho really good job, nice cosmetick and big W for no paint region. We need more non paintable cosmeticks like this.

The cross on chest should be more saturated so the team colour stands out better.