Left 4 Dead 2
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Valve seeks to bring PC players' Left 4 Dead 2 mods to 360
Valve is hopeful it can find a way to make user-generated content from the PC version of Left 4 Dead 2 available to Xbox 360 users, the company told OXM UK. "One of the things I'd like to do is to allow these modules that are being released on PC to somehow integrate with Microsoft's system," Yasser Mailaka, a "team player" at the developer said. He's talking about custom campaigns made with L4D2's PC-only mod tools, which we're certain will be put to use straight away turning the game's zombies into all manner of famous people and copyrighted characters (ie: Shaun of the Dead). At least Valve won't have a proble-- hold on, what's this? "We'll have to filter them, we can't allow any copyrighted materials, so it's going to have to go through a process," Mailaka pointed out, dashing our dreams of escaping from not one, but hordes of shambling Andy Dicks. Mailaka said that Valve is "hoping perhaps we can shepherd the really popular campaigns onto 360. And you know, if they are a paid system, perhaps that could go back to the authors. I think that would be a great story." You know what, it would -- but so would a mod where you have to avoid being trampled at Walmart on Black Friday. Hey, that sounds like a good L4D campaign: "Black Friday ... Escape or Die Buying." [Via Hell Descent]
All 10 Left 4 Dead 2 melee weapons over here!
Speaking to Valve's Chet Faliszek at PAX, we asked how many melee weapons will make it into Left 4 Dead 2. At the time, Faliszek told us he wasn't sure, but he knew there were more melee weapons in Left 4 Dead 2 than there were guns in the original game. We followed up with Faliszek after the show and we can now share all ten of the game's melee weapons. Without further ado, they are: Baseball Bat Cricket Bat Crowbar Electric Guitar Fire Axe Frying Pan Katana Machete Tonfa (police baton) Chainsaw The question you have to ask yourself: Which one of these would you abandon your teammates for? Remember, a teammate constricted by a Smoker is a teammate that can't pick up that katana over there.
Hands on with L4D2's Dark Carnival (and a katana!)
Left (click) 4 Large Okay so, technically, we only got our hands on a digital katana, but it was just as awesome. More awesome, in fact, because wielding a real katana against a real zombie isn't so much fun as it is terrifying. But more on that later, this preview needs a setup. We got a chance to try out the recently revealed Dark Carnival campaign in Left 4 Dead 2 and, unsurprisingly, it was a blasting, hacking, slashing good time.
Left 4 Dead 2 sends in the Zombie Clowns
Click 4 larger imageA giant, dark room packed with strangers may be the most terrifying possible venue in which to show off a zombie game -- well, aside from the more obviously terrifying ones like inside a T-rex's stomach and under a train. So PAX attendees might find themselves extra susceptible to zombie-induced fright when they try Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 at either the Valve or Xbox 360 booth.Oh, hey, speaking of zombie-induced fright, here's the latest new enemy to be revealed: the Zombie Clown. How does he keep his makeup so even? Other new reveals include the "Jockey" boss Infected, who can take control of Survivors' movement, presumably in a concerted effort to get everyone to run away from the Zombie Clown. %Gallery-71870%
L4D2's Dark Carnival playable at PAX '09
Left click 4 larger image. Valve has announced that the recently revealed Left 4 Dead 2 campaign, "Dark Carnival," will be playable at this year's Penny Arcade Expo, which takes place next week. The campaign will be playable at both the Valve and Microsoft booths, and each booth will be showing off different portions of the campaign. Valve is also planning on revealing "a few more of the 20-plus new items" that will appear in the game, though the company disclosed no hints as to what those might be. Napalm? More Depeche Mode memorabilia? Who knows?For those that can't make it to PAX, have no fear, because Joystiq has you covered. You can bet your soon-to-be zombie-chewed brains that we'll be spending some time with the game during the show.%Gallery-64704%
An amusement park full of zombies, care of Left 4 Dead 2
How exclusive is this footage? So exclusive it's not even named yet! At least that's what Valve's Chet Faliszek told Geoff Keigley about Left 4 Dead 2's amusement park campaign on the most recent episode of GTTV. If you skip past the first half of the episode found after the break (which, inconveniently enough isn't available as a standalone video), you'll get a few minutes of new gameplay from the upcoming zombie-murdalizin' sequel. As you might imagine, there are zombies. There are also amusement park rides. As if clowns weren't terrifying enough! Come on, Valve! %Gallery-64704%
GTTV loses brains to Left 4 Dead 2, Left 4 Dead DLC
GameTrailers TV will be packed to the brim with rotting zombie flesh this week, as the show will premiere new footage of both Left 4 Dead 2 and the upcoming "Crash Course" DLC for Left 4 Dead. Specifically, a brand new campaign for Left 4 Dead 2 will be revealed, which is apparently "quite literally a carnival of zombie action!" So, it's a carnival, we guess.The episode is also set to contain more Valve goodies, including an interview with Gabe Newell discussing Portal 2, Half-Life 2 Episode 3 and PS3 development. Finally expect new footage of DiRT 2 and a new trailer for RAGE. For those of the zombie killing persuasion, the show airs tonight at 12:30am ET.
Valve undecided about Left 4 Dead DLC working in L4D2
Valve raised quite a stink after announcing a new downloadable campaign for the original Left 4 Dead with only a few months remaining until the release of Left 4 Dead 2. What everyone still wants to know is whether this content will be compatible with the sequel -- and we do mean everyone. In an interview with Edge Online, Valve's Chet Faliszek explained that even the game's creators are unsure whether the new campaign will be playable in the second edition of the zombocalypse sim.Faliszek remarked that Valve is "struggling" with how the campaign's story elements (that is to say, the in-game chatter between the original four survivors) would work when the new cast is introduced. He says it would be jarring to "put new characters in old places," but recognizes that "there's a whole group of the fans who don't care." What say you, readers? What would you find more disruptive -- re-worked character dialogue, or recently purchased, incompatible DLC?
EA Q1 sales better than expected, still slow
We've been hearing recession tales of woe for months now in the video game industry. Today is no different, as EA is posting a net loss of $234 million for its financial Q1 sales year over year versus $95 million in losses during the same quarter last year. Unsurprisingly, titles like The Sims 3 and EA Sports Active -- you know, EA's best selling Wii game ever -- helped to boost sales, but overall game sales were lower "due to slowed hardware sales." Don't worry, though, as EA promises four new IPs for the holiday season (Dante's Inferno, Dragon Age: Origins, Brütal Legend and, presumably, Saboteur) and predicts increased revenue with tiny little titles like The Beatles: Rock Band and Madden 10 landing in the next few months. (We were so worried.)
Depeche Mode is all over Left 4 Dead 2
What's the first thing you think of, musically, when you think of Left 4 Dead 2? The most obvious answer, of course, is Depeche Mode. At Comic-Con, Valve's Chet Falizsek revealed to Kotaku that the company approached many record labels and music groups seeking their music for the game, with Depeche Mode apparently being one of the most enthusiastic. The band is allowing Valve to use its music, likeness and merchandise, like the T-shirt sported by Rochelle in the image above. Just how much Depeche Mode is featured in the game beyond T-shirts, Faliszek didn't say.Frankly, if we get anything less than a music video maker that lets you set your zombie-slaying to the tune of "Personal Jesus," we'll be disappointed.
That's a wrap: Comic-Con 2009
Last week's San Diego Comic-Con was one crazy ride. The Joystiq representatives in attendance were trained in advanced interrogation tactics and managed to extract information on a variety of subjects. We've got an update from Peter Jackson himself on the Halo happenings, first footage of South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play! and a new game mode for Uncharted 2! Friend, you missed one heck of a week.But, that's okay! You can get caught up right here, right now. Simply head past the break for a complete summary of all the headlines. [image] %Gallery-68768%
Comic-Con 2009: Left 4 Dead 2 Swamp Fever hands-on
Electronic Arts hosted a studio showcase in San Diego yesterday, just before the start of Comic-Con. Inside the Onyx Lounge were bright cheerful lights, colorful pastel colors, fresh-baked cookies and ... The Littlest Pet Shop. However, if you headed downstairs to the basement, it was very dark, mysterious and crammed with things like Brütal Legend and Left 4 Dead 2. We couldn't resist the siren call of more zombie slaying, so we plunged straight into the new Swamp Fever level being shown off.Head on beyond the break for our writeup. Later, look for our interview with Chet Faliszek, writer for L4D2 at Valve, where, according to him, "everyone is a designer!" But for now, it's time to find out why you'll want to catch "Swamp Fever."%Gallery-68553%
Comic-Con 2009: Left 4 Dead 2 'Swamp Fever' footage
Attendees of the ongoing San Diego Comic-Con likely already know Valve is showing off a new campaign from Left 4 Dead 2. Instead of checking out boring old stills, we're happy to report that 1UP has uploaded some footage direct from Comic-Con showing off the new campaign. It's shaky cam footage, which can be creepy (in this case, just mildly dizzying), but we do get to see the cricket bat in action, among other things, so it's definitely worth a watch.Head past the break for the videos.
Catch Left 4 Dead 2's 'Swamp Fever' campaign
click to enlaaaarge Valve has revealed another new campaign set to appear in Left 4 Dead 2 at San Diego Comic-Con. It's called "Swamp Fever," and, as the lovely lobby poster you can view in the gallery below states, "The Only Cure Is Dying." Harsh! It's packed with Mudmen, Spitters and all sorts of nastiness you'd expect from a zombie-filled swamp. We've spent some quality time trudging through the level on the convention floor and will have a full writeup on the bone-rattling experience soon.%Gallery-68553%
Hands-on: Left 4 Dead 2
When Valve showed off Left 4 Dead 2 at a European press event in London recently, we were anxious to see more of the game's new features. Things that would elevate it above its predecessor. Those were sadly few and far between, but the two levels -- which conclude the New Orleans campaign shown off at E3 -- added a unfamiliar twist to the zombie shooting action we'd been enjoying so much at the end of last year.Apparently one of the reasons why L4D2 is a sequel is due to the engine upgrades. In particular -- zombies now fall to pieces. Whether this is worth upgrading the content from a $20 level pack to a $60 boxed copy is down to personal preference, but being able to remove limbs and watch a zombie's rib cage emerge as you shred the flesh from its chest definitely adds a little something extra to the experience. Having said that, when you're in the thick of a mini-finale, surrounded by the undead, the last thing you'll be doing is examining these sorts of details.As we said during E3, the game plays identically to original. There isn't even a particularly noticeable graphics upgrade, if you ignore the dismemberment improvements. Is that a bad thing? Of course not. A bad game is a bad thing. This is just a good game, made again. With new characters, levels and some new features -- such as melee weapons and special infected. %Gallery-67753%
Valve showing off Left 4 Dead 2's 'Swamp Fever' at Comic-Con
Click image for larger dancing zombies A red-hot press release just landed in our inbox, informing us that Valve will be on-hand at San Diego's Comic-Con to show off a new campaign in Left 4 Dead 2 titled "Swamp Fever." If you're at the show, the game is in the EA Gaming Lounge from 2-9 pm Thursday-Saturday, and 12-5 pm on Sunday, and can be found at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Hotel, 401 K. Street. The above image is the only piece of media we received from the new campaign, but it's enough to cause wild speculation. Can we get struck by lightning? Do zombies like dancing in the rain? Have the undead found Jesus? We need answers! While we track someone down to find out, feel free to sup on our fresh, new screens in the gallery below. %Gallery-67753%
Thwack! Left 4 Dead 2 survivors play a bit of cricket
Click image for a closer view of the zombie bashing There's a cricket bat in Left 4 Dead 2, and after pondering how such an instrument could find its way to the southern United States (we certainly don't make them here, and every American knows that we don't allow people with them to enter the country), we've come up with a few theories: Someone smuggled the bat and full set of gear (notice how the zombie is dressed to play?) into the country, akin to how Snake Plissken was smuggled into Manhattan in Escape from New York Zombies really like sports The United States was chosen as a neutral place to hold a competition between two rival teams in cricket, and the zombie infestation happened during the game A wizard did it It's an homage to Shaun of the Dead Valve just felt like it We asked some folks at Valve about it, but they wouldn't divulge any info. What do you guys think?[Via IGN]
Valve: Left 4 Dead 2 multiplayer demo on its way, pre-order customers get 'advanced access'
Doug Lombardi has told Joystiq that a multiplayer demo for Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 is planned for both the Xbox 360 and PC. According to Valve's PR guru, users who pre-order the upcoming zombie survival title at "participating retailers or [via] Steam" will gain "advanced access to the demo," which will eventually land on both platforms for all users prior to the game's November 17 launch.Speaking with OXM at a recent London preview event, Lombardi discussed the strength of Left 4 Dead's "word of mouth," which has presumably fueled the need for a demo to the sequel. With groups calling for a boycott of Left 4 Dead 2 due to lack of content support for the original title, a demo may be the best way for Valve to prove why it believes its sequel warrants a full price tag. Although, strong pre-order numbers tell us the game is already on pace to decimate sales charts like a zombie tank.%Gallery-64704%
Interview: Valve's Doug Lombardi
Valve's PR overlord, Doug Lombardi, answered our burning Left 4 Dead 2 questions at a recent event in London. We discuss PS3 development, the new cast and clarify some of the game's features, so read on. So first thing's first. Where's Half Life 2 Episode 3? Laughs. Stay tuned! No news on that today. Worth a try! What's the real deal with PS3 development? At the end of last year you seemed quite up on the idea and then nothing since then. We're still up on the idea. The thing that we've come to the conclusion on is that we've got to get some PS3 developers at Valve. We always look at everything as if we were customers of our products -- what would we want and what would we expect? If you look at The Orange Box -- PC: 96 on Metacritic, 360: 96 on Metacritic, PS3 like... 84 or something. And then you look at Left 4 Dead, I think it was 89 or 90 on both platforms. Continued after the break.
Advocacy FAIL: L4D2 pre-order sales double of original, says Valve
For all the talk of petitions and boycotts over Left 4 Dead 2's sooner-than-expected release, the game doesn't seem to be suffering much. A Valve representative tells Eurogamer that pre-orders for the sequel are currently double that of the original's pre-order figures from the same time last year . Although that sounds impressive, it's possible to see some spin in there -- Left 4 Dead didn't really have its big coming-out party until E3 2008, which technically wouldn't occur for another two weeks from now. Couple that with general sequel buzz and you might have your inflated pre-order figure.Nitpicks aside, Valve has already stated that it plans to continue supporting Left 4 Dead with more content. The company expects to announce more DLC near the end of summer and has expressed that people will understand the big L4D picture within a year. Assuming it hasn't announced Left 4 Dead 3 by then, of course.
