TF2's Elusive White Whale

The year is 20XX, and pixels on a screen cost thousands of dollars...
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How Trade Ups Work: • TF2: How Trade-Ups Work
Music Used:
Sanctuary Fortress- Metroid Prime 2 OST
Torvus Bog- Metroid Prime 2 OST

[@ShOwOba]

You shouldn't be disappointed in yourself for this video. It's such an interesting tale and I'm glad that you've completed your preservation goals.

[@oldgrub]

why should he

[@ghibley594]

yeah it was a good video

[@AngryOrphanGirl]

Hearing about the skin economy and how older skins are going extinct in a way was extremely fascinating, and admittedly kind of makes me wish I didn't sell or trade up some of my old skins from Tough Break. No need to feel bad about the "effort" since just hearing you talk about something you're passionate about is enough. Also the skin preservation effort is something really unique and special, so congrats on completing it.

[@drivanradosivic1357]

Question, let's say that the community in want of doing something other then twiddling their thumbs decides to bester Valve about the good old days and Valve decides to make old Contracts with Contract collections available again. how would this affect the items here?

[@njo191]

nice honko pfp

[@vivelespatat2670]

@@drivanradosivic1357 Prices would drop HARD.

[@drivanradosivic1357]

@@vivelespatat2670 because you get a new source of the limited availability items. however, those collections were from Contract cases aka RNG boxes, so it is more likely that you get a lower tier skin then the higher tiers ones on unboxing, but the trade ups can help with that as well.

[@darthvaderbutwayshittier7054]

Wait, so if i'm reading this entirely correct, it's fully possible than in TF2's lifespan there will never be a single Strange Top Shelf Minigun, because we're just gonna run out of the items required? An item so rare it only exists theoretically?

[@some_goomba]

I (mostly) don't think that artificial scarcity should exist in any game or other media, especially when some items are nigh, if not truly impossible to obtain or only have a limited time window. (Lookin' at you, NFT's...)

[@captaingoomba6907]

Yup! That's absolutely a possibility.

[@Archimo]

We're also gonna run out of cases for several Strange FN unusual's to ever exist, you can see a similar trend with how older cases have gone way up in price.

[@axiesem]

@@Archimoello archimo

[@tEaAOeww]

its already happening to strange original, i think

[@Small_child_punter]

Zest is always way too hard on himself for his “low effort” videos. This was informative and pretty interesting. It’s not even particularly low quality.

[@hoonterofhoonters6588]

A video, like any other piece of art, it more than the sum of its parts. You can make anything entertaining if you put the pieces together correctly.

[@ihatethatyoutubedisplaysyo8106]

It even had infographics!

[@kurtisgibson2929]

better then anything i've made no joke check me out best it slightly better then shitpost

[@GoEatATowel]

The worst part about this is how those thousands of dollars will be turned to nothing if Valve keeps ignoring the game.

[@anonymousthekiller5199]

Valve has no reason to insure the TF2 economy

[@GoEatATowel]

@@anonymousthekiller5199 It apparently has no reason to keep updating the game, that's my point.

[@sodamanfromsodaland1548]

@@GoEatATowel Go look at the code. Any developer who even tries to update TF2 is going to die from a stroke.

[@GoEatATowel]

@@sodamanfromsodaland1548 So have the extremely talented programmers they hire fix it, maybe they can hire some of the pretty notable people who've shoved bug fixes and improvements through themselves, Team Comtress comes to mind. If the engine is a mess, then fix the engine, Valve has more than enough money to hire the more than willing man power to do so.

[@drivanradosivic1357]

Question, let's say that the community in want of doing something other then twiddling their thumbs decides to bester Valve about the good old days and Valve decides to make old Contracts with Contract collections available again. how would this affect the items here?

[@Landjrin]

The fucked up part of this is, If I randomly saw someone using one of these super rare 30k dollar skins in a match I probably wouldn't even notice. I mean compared to something like A gold wrench or gold pan at the end of the day its still just a regular looking skin that blends in with the rest of the regular looking skins.

[@slottize]

People may disagree but I think that's why it's so expensive. The Top Shelf Minigun on it's own looks gorgeous and fits into TF2's artstyle beautifully - that just having it to be able to track kills is why it's so saught after.

[@ME0WMERE]

@@slottize yeah but that's the thing - the most attention 99% of the playerbase would give to it (me 10 minutes ago included) is a passing 'nice skin' before forgetting about it 5 seconds later

[@MeestahreL]

As a Lore Nerd, all I can tell you is that it _IS_ cool. And interesting. As well as horrifying.

[@AzureWoof]

We definitely need more Gentlemanne's Collection styled skins in the game.

[@literatemax]

More Contracts please

[@beautifulnova6088]

Mk II skins based on them would be really cool.

[@davisdf3064]

Those are probably the only skins that i genuenly like

[@fujiwaranonekobiodrando1257]

​@@beautifulnova6088what does mk means

[@beautifulnova6088]

@@fujiwaranonekobiodrando1257 MK II skins are the warpaints, which drop as a skin that isn't a weapon and can be turned into (almost) any weapon.

[@griss295]

"low effort" my ass. this video is fun to watch, and sheds light to something that, despite being obvious to those who look at it, isn't being looked at by many people. You should do _slightly more_ of this sort of thing, it's cool for one thing, and who knows, maybe it'll apeasse the algorithm gods into giving you more money.

[@SunnieD_]

Me who has been collecting Gentlemann's collection items since their release: "Fuck."

[@TheStrongestBaka]

Stonks!

[@meta3513]

i actually really liked this video, it's a semi new change of pace to the usual unique tf2 content, where someone either goes over a weapon thats underrated or not used enough in a casual setting or another i thought this was really informative and interesting, the top shelf minigun imo is a very good looking skin putting aside its high demand and as someone who's growing into war paints and skins, i really enjoyed this vid

[@hiei7682]

Other people already said what I would have, but still, don't be ashamed, this is still great content, and honestly, this is the variety that I needed for a bit, so thank you zesty.

[@thanhhaitran9422]

"Low quality". Shit man, this video is better than a lot of content out there.

[@Wyti]

Zesty, I fucking LOVED the vid. It has wayy more love put into it compared to the other trivia vids. Dont beat yourself up dude

[@DegenWeb]

Ngl wouldn’t mind more of these types of videos, love watching your content for mainly for you talking.

[@guy8829]

ffs how fucking fast do these people take the invites

[@Lexxyy]

I've been preservating the skins too, in factory new strange or minimal wear!, i want them to exist and not be eaten in up higher grade trade ups so one of each exist in my BP. Ive been dreaming of a Strange Top shelf minigun of any kind (or the Nade launcher even), ive Been collecting a ton of Coffin Nail skins, and ive collected most and use them as my main skins, Strange FN High Roller's rocket, Strange Coffin nail shotgun, grenade launcher, stickybomb, scattergun, minigun, dressed to kill wrench, etc, i genuinely dont think there will ever be any warpaints that are better than the Gentlemanne's collection (Jazzy is up there though). and its insane to see how last year, the FN High roller's rocket i have was about 120$ish, now its worth 300$ or more to some people. My collection is only gonna grow more, and i cant wait to Finally trade up to a Strange Top shelf wrench/minigun/nade launcher for field tested/mw or FN, as well as a strange MW/FN High Roller's Medigun. since ive been collecting a lot recently after the past year, and even finding *extra* FN High Roller rocket's/FN Coffin nail Merc grades have been once in a blue moon. Thanks for talking about this, its awesome so see someone enjoy skins the same way i do, especially the gentlemanne's!

[@theflockcsgo1821]

thank you for inflating the market of my revolver from 2 dollars to 60

[@PolioInc]

I LOVE stuff like this, these niche economy things. Like that category of tf2s market burning flames team captain. And you can tell he is apart of this hunt by the tone of his voice. Please do one on crates. Series 50 and 60 are the big ones. Yes they aren’t MEGA expensive, only $200. But it’s still something. And also how other crates are randomly more expensive than others. Something like that. I really enjoy learning about that stuff. Thank you so much

[@asmosnos3532]

you know, although the few tough break skins I have aren't strange I'm genuinely happy I never sold them years ago. I always loved the gentlemann collection and its a shame the supply is running out. if the prices werent exploding I'd love to get my hand on one of each before there are none left

[@NikoFromOneShot]

So basically this is TF2's Dragon Lore

[@w0lks4]

No because Dragon Lore exists, a lot of them do. This is way more than a dragon lore. I'd say this is the scar pattern stattrak FN ak case hardened

[@NikoFromOneShot]

@@w0lks4 Well it also beats that Only thing you can compare it to is That One Karambit™ that will most not be unboxed ever again because of it's pattern and float combo

[@w0lks4]

@@NikoFromOneShot Well we're talking about trade up skins, not knives.

[@ayumu_osaka]

Dragon Lore is still pretty tame in regards to rare csgo items.

[@notspookwagen]

​@@w0lks4Hate to burst your bubble, but someone just crafted a Stat-track FN Case Hardened AK 661. Soooo yeah, now the strange FN top shelf minigun is the rarest skin rn

[@api2216]

One of my friends recently hit a 10% trade-up for a Strange FN High Roller Rocket Launcher, and alledgedly it's worth 170+ keys. It's good for him :)

[@reagansido5823]

It's insane how a texture for a gun can have such high demand and prices. The only reason this stuff ends up being this rare is really just because of how valve coded the drop rates. and yet, it ends up making someone a fortune.

[@diegodankquixote-wry3242]

The Deflector? Wouldn't been awesome if we actually got to play with it.

[@ThatsDevon]

I love these videos about skins, I feel like not enough people talk about skins like this

[@kokocreatura]

This is such a nice video, please don't feel guilty for making this, its super quality

[@draconocor1309]

I enjoy this video- it's informational but not overloading. You don't need to feel guilty about it.

[@maxriver7992]

No need for apology, this has been the most intriguing tf2 vid I've seen in years.

[@vuvu8430]

Idk why you’re feeling guilty man, this was a really interesting video. 👍 Hope your preservation collection goes well!

[@azalde614]

First time hearing about this, and as a heavy main this would be the *holy grail* of weapons to get my hands on. I hope you can eventually find one of these, and maybe show it off in a video someday. That, or save as many skins like this as possible so we can all enjoy the skins of TF2 as it enters it's later years.

[@ma99954]

man all this crafting and trading stuff is a massive part of TF2 i will never know anything about but it is intriguing as hell cool/informative video

[@RetrosWave]

You said it yourself, it absolutely surprises me that not only a game this old can have such rare and expensive stuff, but that it costs these thousands of dollars for a skin nowadays even when you could buy anything else with that kind of money.

[@some_goomba]

"Low quality" you say? I think not. Even if this video wasn't as grand as others that you've posted, it didn't (and doesn't) have to be. You still put effort and care into this little thing that you're passionate about, even if you don't entirely realize it, and you actually made post-recording edits with updated information partway through production, so you have quite a bit of integrity here. Also, I (mostly) don't think that artificial scarcity should exist in any game or other media, especially when some items are nigh, if not truly impossible to obtain or only have a limited time window. (Lookin' at you, NFT's...)

[@EvolAndBros]

2 things: 1. the video was great and very interesting, never knew how rare the gentlemann collection is getting now because of trade ups 2: i thought in the video at one point you were gonna go: "and im going to trade up for it now" or "and i just happened to have traded up the only one in existence" lmao

[@barx]

By no means was this a low quality video, as someone who barely even remembers back when I first joined during the Gun Mettle update this video was incredibly informative about the early days of skins. Probably put more effort into it than a lot of other creators

[@adrian_2]

Zesty be like "Hey Hey look at this cool thing... you can never have it

[@jaredhebert942]

This was a really cool video; never bought any keys or Trade-Up Skins in my time on TF2, but seeing such a phenomenon occur is certainly one for the ages; don't beat yourself up on a smaller vid like this, you still make some of the most interesting & well-made TF2 videos I've seen in my time observing the game. Congrats on 75K, and I'll make sure my questions for the AMA are good ones. Keep Up The Good Work!

[@JackieKog]

This video actually rocks. Having some insight having been in the TF2 skin trading community for a while I should add that there's a few really rich people in it that actively do not want this skin to exist, most of which run KZbin channels about which cases to open/unboxing channels. A couple have willingly "bungled" some trade-ups to increase Gent Collection Civ prices to sell better which is partially touched on in your video but its also resulted in it becoming extremely difficult for people to get fac news of these skins should they just genuinely want them. (They're now ranging from 30-$100 now which is stupid) Thankfully the lower wears for the coffin nails at least look excellent or better but you know.

[@GianOnYT]

This is one of my favorite videos not gonna lie, not a low effort video at all, I learnt a lot! And now I shall cry that I will never own a high roller medigun

[@strawberrycrisis5592]

Yeah this is spectacular. A really interesting piece of info about a game I thought I already knew everything about. Great work man!!

[@SoulOfPower]

Gaddamn this was an interesting video to sit through, I love factoids and your style so it comes together to make an unbelievably interesting video about TF2 Skins and Economics

[@JaceArmek]

So, your "low effort" videos are still better than most regular videos I've seen.

[@MMMercia]

Take your time! Your videos are worth the wait.

[@drunkduckwit596]

honestly hearing you talk about stuff is very entertaining to me, just the tone you say it, the math, your reasoning. Just sounds nice and interesting to listen to when I see your vids in my recommended. Keep up the great work and do what makes you happy.

[@Fatsaver]

If the Strange Factory New Top Shelf Minigun also had the rare Balloonicorn Crest on it, it would've become 100x times more expensive.

[@lunaticlizzie4525]

Do NOT be sorry for making this video. It rationalized for me why the one skin I want, a fac-new Strange Coffin Nail Shotgun, keeps getting raised in price. Without this video, I probably wouldn't have ever known.

[@dukFriend]

I don't mind the "low effort" on this video because this is a very interesting topic and I think you did an amazing job discussing it!

[@officerpolarbear8670]

ngl I find this quality informative content about the niches of the TF2 economy quite interesting. This video was great and I'm glad you made it!

[@dakotahondalock5621]

Love your videos Zesty, it’s always a joy to see your channel in my notifications, so don’t ever put yourself down over a video, if you can make people like me happy just by uploading a video, you’re doing something right

[@willby_]

Post more of this stuff. its neat, much more in detail than the wiki readings

[@cloud__zero]

This is what I love most about this game. Rare, glitched or otherwise elusive items and the people who collect them. I've read about so many of these stories that I was losing my mind last Scream Fortress season when the whole Strange Corpse Carrier situation happened, I was finally living through a historic event in the TF2 economy. Thanks Zesty, for making this video and for fueling my interest for the niche stuff in this game's economy a little more.

[@AnthonyDaFox]

Personally I like the Iron Wood Paint Skin alot more then the Top Shelf. but thats just my Preference. Maybe that means I'll Save money IDK.

[@cowserthekhelinace]

This video was very informative, I like listening to podcasty informative videos like this when doing stuff, so something like this was very entertaining!

[@jovyep]

Amazing vid king. It was entertaining learning about a side of tf2 i hadn't known before

[@datawizard8194]

Bro this has been the most informative video I have seen in a while! I didn't even know this was a potential problem and tbh its quite a shame that this is happening. Thankfully youve been able to reach your preservation goal

[@finerdinerscout9518]

The house always wins people.

[@tygonmaster]

This video is great. I enjoyed the economics discussion as well as the history background. Good editing as always. Cool top. I dig it. I had no idea of the rarity of the item.

[@josephjohnston5218]

Very interesting you have opened Mt eyes to a corner of tf2 I never would have known about

[@Izziness64]

I like these kind of videos. Always learning new things from tf2

[@knieen]

You feel bad for making this vid? This was great! Felt like the retelling of an old legend from a salt-bitten sea dog about an elusive prey. There’s nothing more captivating then the myths of video games like this. Keep up the good work Zest, your killing it!

[@j.a.m.m]

Honestly, that was a really interesting video! And that preservation idea is really good, congrats on havinng reached it!

[@bloodmoon5744]

Sadly I joined TF2 after the update void, but if I was around when I had the opportunity to collect those skins I would have been committed to doing so.

[@failatlife1]

that triumphant scream at 5:38

[@blubullie4850]

Ever since that update, I have always wanted a strange High Roller's Rocket Launcher. The problem is, I haven't ever had the money for one and now it seems like a waste of everything to even attempt to get one. Unless Valve does something about the bot problem, we may never be able to play casual again. I just want the bots gone so I can stomp new players on casual in peace again...

[@kopperhed4472]

Thank you for sharing. It doesn't sound like you are reading from a wiki, instead it sounds like from the heart. You are passionate about this, it shows, and it is contagious. It really is fascinating and you do a great job sharing it. I look forward to more like these if you decide to do so.

[@bloodifang]

I love videos like this, yeah anyone can tell me what the code says, what the phyisics do, and what they are doing wrong, but indepth analisis of comunity highlights, be it mappers, events or traders are very interesting to dig into. Theres always more that meets the eye. Also this is far from being a low effort video, like got damn, give yourself some credit, this is my tf2 highlight of the week along ceno's new vid

[@ShOwOba]

Just came back to this video on a Zesty binge and jumpscared myself with my own comment holy shit

[@toaster8836]

Hey zesty! Leaving my comment here incase I miss the q&a stream as Its important to me. I love tf2 but lately burned out hard, I'm not trying to force myself to play but I do play it from time to time but have found myself Getting too upset over the game. Its this feeling of everyone I fight against is better than me and could use some words of encouragement or advice. Ive also gotten a bad habit of killbinding at any scenario where i feel like i will die which i feel is petty but i cant stop myself. Anyways Congrats on 75k sub's zesty! You deserve it!🎉🎉🎉

[@Survivian_]

I got into the Gentlemanne's game after you made your "Unused Skins" video and managed to snag myself a FN Strange Top Shelf Revolver and Knife (the Knife I purchased; the Revolver I made with alongside a MW cousin). Seeing these prices for Freelance and Civilian skins makes me glad I did this way earlier before the inflation and whales found out. I still get asked if I'm selling those skins to this day.

[@antonomazein7376]

Now I want a tf2 mode where the mercs are on a ship and they have to kill a giant white whale that tries to knock them into the water

[@steinful]

Zestys low quality is some people's best LMAOO

[@peterpallas1804]

Videos like this are always interesting, as someone who tried to get into trading about 4 years ago now. Just the fact that these skins are slowly fading is both sad and super interesting

[@gac3o56]

amazing and informative video, thank you! never would have heard about this otherwise.

[@danielnicolette152]

Thanks for reminding me to check the depths of my backpack. Turns out I have an FN Coffin Nail Sticky Launcher I forgot could be valuable.

[@ZombieTeube]

That was very interesting, I wish there was more videos explaining the backstory of TF2 skins ^-^

[@Duwahkeen]

You inspired me to collect some Strange Fac New Skins. Flamethrowers to be more specific. As of writing this, I'm only missing the Barn Burner. Fascinating video.

[@garnetbezanson1404]

Somebody is going to acquire one within the next 24 hours, I can almost guarantee it.

[@aidenchilds5478]

I will admit, your trade up videos in the past hurt me just due to how much I liked those gentalmen collection skins, and how many civilian grade ones needed to die for them. I’m glad to see that you have made an effort to preserve some for existence, as they will forever be some of my favorite skins in existence. Then again, I am a hypocrite since I bought a strange high rollers rocket launcher lol

[@homebredprune9980]

Honestly I really enjoyed this, high quality stuff here

[@hmmmstvethebaffled7720]

Talking about trivia tf2ubers, AfterBreakfast is definitely the best one. He showcases cool merchandise and has thorough videos that taught me a lot

[@Aerix]

Cool content. Would love to see similar content in the future. Despite being in and out since the early days of tf2, tough break was something I missed out on.

[@jacobmarsh2072]

Dude no reason to be disappointed with this video, it was a really fun watch, and hearing you talk about something you are interested in is really fun, even if it isn't your normal content.

[@ZitrusCS]

This video was fascinating! I would honestly rather have more frequent uploads of quality similar to this

[@ChaparralJ]

I'm glad you made this video. Sure you may feel it's low effort compared to your other content but I found it quite interesting. You presented a side of TF2 I didn't even know about (yet another thing to learn about the game lol) so thanks. Don't beat yourself up.

[@flamethegame1]

The title was great This was really intresting, now im waiting for the day :D

[@vech2014]

This is rich in information, love the content dude!

[@theguywithpants]

Love preservation, thanks for your efforts Zesty!

[@Thefrostedslime]

I actually have a strange American Pastoral rocket launcher o: I got it from someone who was giving up TF2 and basically sold off all the valuable stuff and was willing to give whatever I wanted from their backpack that they didn't care about I don't think it's factory new, but I love it and it has gotten much use

[@shinysquif4046]

don't feel bad about making a video like this it's perfectly fine and was still entertaining. totally down to see more like it in the future

[@theguywithpants]

This didn't feel low effort! Great video and very interesting!

[@tennesseewastelander7931]

>Mocks people for making 8-10 minute trivia videos for the ad revenue. >Pads out the end of the video for 2 minutes just to hit the 10 minute mark. Never change Zesty, never change.

[@seemo5789]

This is actually a fascinating insight into the skins/war paints side of the TF2 economy.

[@breezeless_7665]

I really liked the video even if it was very simple in comparison to your other videos, it’s a very interesting topic and skins in general fluctuates for different reasons that isn’t so obvious at a first glance specially for someone who doesn’t understand

[@theoktoberscarf]

This is beyond nuts. The high rollers would probably be the main skins I'd want but damn. Didn't think the skins would have exclusiveness like Smissmas 2014 unusuals.

[@dio8451]

Don't worry about it man, this video was super interesting. Didn't know all this stuff about skins, learned something new.

[@Vepzzzzz]

He sees a low effort video, I see a great informative video from someone who has literally never done a serious trade or a trade up in my life. Great work mate.

[@FartFactor10]

this video has brung up my slight gambling addiction

[@immunityframes560]

I really like videos like these that cover super rare items like this

[@JesseIsBetterThanYou]

it's crazy how you keep saying "sorry for the low quality videos" when they're this good and informative just because you don't spend as much time on them as you do on some of your bigger projects. All of the thought and effort you put into the videos clearly shows in every single video, because no matter how simple it is you always ensure that there is a certain level of quality. Thanks for the consistently great content, and keep up the amazing work.

[@Ambush1703]

That is pretty cool info. Thank you for sharing.