GamesRadar - Left 4 Dead

The Top 7… Tasteful game heroines (Feature)

Nov 9, 2009

Like comic books and movies, videogames tend to present an exaggerated representation of men and women. Dudes are typically muscle-bound meatheads with powerful jaw lines and a thorough understanding of all forms of combat, while women generally have back-breaking chests and dress like strippers regardless of their profession. ...

GJ09: Here's the big one - Ultimate GOTY (News)

Nov 1, 2009

This is the award every publisher wants to win, the Ultimate Game The Year award. If you pick this one up, you've made a really good game. In the nominations were giants such as Fallout 3, Call of Duty World at War, Left 4 Dead, Grand Theft Auto, IV and Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. See - them's some big guns.

But there can be only one. And the golden gong went to...

Left 4 Dead Online Friends Appearing in Sequel, Linking Confirmed? (News)

Oct 30, 2009

HellDescent writes: "While playing the Left 4 Dead 2 demo, we noticed that our friends who were playing the original Left 4 Dead were showing up in in the main menu. Now why would players from the original Left 4 Dead have their online status displayed in Left 4 Dead 2? The only thing that comes to mind is the rumor/experimenting with linking the games that was on the web not too long ago. Valve aimed to bring both sides of Left 4 Dead fans together and stated they were attempting to link the 2 games. This little message under "Online Friends" in the main menu of Left 4 Dead 2 gives much the rumor a big tank sized injection of reality. Hopefully this means we wont have to leave Bill, Zoey, Francis and Louise behind. Only Valve and their super big vault of secrets now that answer. For now, we will have to wait a few more weeks to full release."

Left 4 Dead 2 To Have Avatar Awards (News)

Oct 29, 2009

HellDescent writes:" Hidden within the Left 4 Dead 2 demo, Steam user Fade Guy found what appears to be a listing of Avatar Awards for the Xbox 360 version of Left 4 Dead 2. The list is as follows:

.Med Kit: Earned by beating all five campaigns.
.Bull Shifters Shirt: earned by winning 10 games of Versus.
.A Left 4 Dead 2 shirt: Earned by winning 10 games of Scavenge.
.Zombie Hand Shirt: Earned by killing 10,000 Infected.
.Depeche Mode Shirt: Earned by rescuing Gnome Chompski from the Dark Carnival.

Update: G4 has confirmed the Awards with video proof"

The 37 greatest zombie triumphs (Feature)

Oct 27, 2009

You don’t have to see or play absolutely everything on this list to be a proper zombie connoisseur, but you should at least know them. These are the genre’s defining relics. Some are responsible for the very creation of the zombie mythos, others adapted and advanced it, while the rest simply encapsulate it so exquisitely that they must be experienced. This may not be everyone’s definitive list of zombie lore ...

More L4D1 updates on the way; future AI Director applications (News)

Oct 23, 2009

Critical Gamer Writes: Today, we give you our interview with Left 4 Dead 2 writer Chet Faliszek. Good enough in itself; but it's turned up two very interesting comments.

A huge chunk of what makes the Left 4 Dead games so good is Valve's exclusive 'AI Director' which controls enemy behaviour, placement, and even the music; so no two games are ever exactly alike, and nothing is predictable. But could the Director be adapted for a single player game? We asked Chet and he replied:

"We have definitely thought along those lines. Replayability is just as important in single player games as it is in multiplayer games. The AI Director helps us bring that to our games so you should be looking out for variations on it in the future."

No Mercy in Left 4 Dead Hospital "Reviews" (News)

Oct 18, 2009

Mercy. The hospital in Left 4 Dead's "No Mercy" campaign, and the name of a real one in Pittsburgh. And Louis, Zoey, Francis and Bill are sowing panic about its conditions, the access to medication, and patients you'll find there.

Some eye-opening (and - for the irony-deficient - pranked) reviews for Pittsburgh's real Mercy Hospital started popping up a couple weeks back on Citysearch, beginning with "FrancisSilverman" under the heading, "I hate hospitals!"

Left 4 Dead - Crash Course DLC review (Feature)

Oct 15, 2009

If Left 4 Dead has any one problem, it’s the sheer bloody length of its campaign missions. With four chapters in a campaign it’s perfectly possible to spend an hour blazing through zombie hordes, but with eight chapters in a versus match games drag on.

So goes Valve’s justification for Crash Course’s half-hour, two chapter length. It all sounds a little suspect, but it turns out they’re on to something ...

Left 4 Dead (Screenshots)

Oct 15, 2009

Icrontic: Five New Games Inducted Into Microsoft's "Platinum Hits" Collection (News)

Oct 5, 2009

Microsoft today announced five new entries to their Platinum Hits collection, and revealed a 3-for-2 sale at most retailers.

Valve Spending 25 Million To Promote Left For Dead 2 (News)

Oct 5, 2009

The Koalition - I think this is the smartest move, even though its crazy expensive. Valve announced today that it would be spending 25 million to help push Left For Dead 2 to its full sales potential. With Modern Warfare 2 dropping on Nov. 10th and L4D2 dropping on Nov. 17th any gamer can clearly see that MW2 will have the majority of mind share the full 4th quarter. The only way to compete with that is to put your game in the faces of the people so they can still realize your there. Will 25 million be enough to weather the Modern Warfare storm?

Ambitious Left 4 Dead mod also pays for an education (News)

Oct 2, 2009

Ryan O'Koren is a student at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. He is also a longtime modder of Half-Life games, making maps under the name "mrfanswa". And he's got something pretty cool in store for you. Cold Case is an incredibly ambitious mod for Left 4 Dead that O'Koren intends to complete in time for a Halloween release, celebrated with a big party in Baltimore.

Preorder Left 4 Dead 2 For Early Demo Access (News)

Oct 2, 2009

HellDescent writes: "Valve has just confirmed that the Left 4 Dead 2 demo will be accessible earlier if the game is pre-order on Steam or at participating retailers. Starting from today, those who preorder the game from Steam or what ever store will support the bonus will be given access to the demo on October 27th and an extra Baseball bat melee weapon for the full game. Pre-order bonuses are really sailing lately. Seems like every game has one. There's no excuse to not pre-order this game now. As an added incentive Steam and other participating retailers will be offering Left 4 Dead 2 at 10% off with the pre-order."

Left 4 Dead PC/Xbox 360 Patch Released (News)

Oct 1, 2009

Valve has released a new patch for both PC and Xbox 360 versions of their co-op survival FPS Left 4 Dead.

Xbox Live Marketplace Update: Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th September 2009 (News)

Sep 30, 2009

Console Monster writes: "The Xbox Live Marketplace has been bursting with new content over the last three days with the addition of three new Xbox Live Arcade titles, new game content for Left 4 Dead and more to conclude the month of September. Here is the full Xbox Live Marketplace update for Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th September 2009:

Xbox Live Arcade
Military Madness: Nectaris
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Size: 101 MB
The Military is back for a new generation of recruits! The classic turn-based strategy series Military Madness, aka Nectaris, returns with an all-new graphical barrage and a host of new features. In addition to the single-player campaign, you and your allies can wage war offline or online in 4-person multiplayer, either in teams or every man for himself. As you bask in the glow of victory or suffer crushing defeats, check the online leaderboards to compare your skills against those of other generals. There's even an all-new multiplayer-only unit, the Commander, which has 20 unique abilities to turn the tide of battle. This is the maddest game in the series yet! This game requires the Xbox 360 hard drive or the 512MB Memory Unit for storage. There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts..."

Gamer Limit DLC Review: Left 4 Dead's Crash Course (News)

Sep 30, 2009

Gamer Limit reviews the DLC for Left for Dead.Note this is free for all you pc gamers and costs 7 bucks for Xbox 360 owners

Left 4 Dead Crash Course DLC Price Fixed, Back Up on Xbox Live (News)

Sep 29, 2009

The new Crash Course DLC has landed for Valve's zombie co-op shooter Left 4 Dead and is now available for download. Earlier the content was listed incorrectly at 800 MS Points and pulled, but has since been reposted and changed back to 560.

Left 4 Dead Crash Course videos (News)

Sep 29, 2009

Via CVG: Left 4 Dead's Crash Course DLC is up now for PC (free) and oddly priced at 800 MS Points on 360. We've blasted our way through the new campaign and here's what you get for your money (if you're a 360 owner). Check back as we'll be dropping fresh clips in throughout the day. Here's the first.

Left 4 Dead Crash Course DLC now available (News)

Sep 29, 2009

Valve has confirmed that the Left 4 Dead add-on Crash Course is now available to purchase from the Xbox Live Marketplace.

The Xbox 360 version was meant to cost 560 MS Points, but the marketplace is currently listing it for 800 MSP. We aren't sure if this is an error, but we'll try and find out now. Remember that the PC version is free, but that isn't available on Steam yet, it should be soon.

Left 4 Dead: Crash Course Coming September 23rd? (News)

Sep 14, 2009

Destructoid writes:

"A Game With Fame announcement on Xbox Live offers the chance to play Left 4 Dead's Crash Course on Sept. 23. "Chance to play" doesn't necessarily mean "release date," but the DLC was promised in September."

Crash Course is a DLC pack for Valve's popular zombie thriller game, Left 4 Dead, and will be available for free on PC and 560 MS points on Xbox Live.

GOONL!NE: Left 4 Dead DLC Missing In Action (News)

Sep 11, 2009

GOONL!NE writes: 'So, on Thursday, we all booted up our Xbox or PC, hoping to finally try out the brand new 'Crash Course' campaign from Valve.

And it wasn't there.

What happened?...'

Boycotters: More Left 4 Dead 1 DLC to Follow 'Crash Course' (News)

Sep 10, 2009

Fresh off their visit to Valve, the guys responsible for the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott committee are now saying the developer has even more DLC lined up for the original game.

"There is more DLC for Left 4 Dead coming after Crash Coursh," said boycott organizer Walking_Target on the group's Steam blog.

DIY Left 4 Dead Figure Leaps From The Shadows (News)

Sep 10, 2009

Luke Plunkett writes:

It's DIY Valve Action Figure Week this week at Kotaku, as hot on the heels of yesterday's lineup of Team Fortress 2 toys comes this fan-made Hunter from Left 4 Dead. And doesn't he look...hungry.

L4D 'Crash Course' campaign DLC release date confirmed (News)

Sep 6, 2009

From VGarabia.com " According to the last update from Valve official twitter, the 'Crash Course' campaign DLC is set to be released this Thursday."

Kill Zombies With Paramore (News)

Sep 4, 2009

Paramore will be having a Game With Fame event this month on Xbox 360 and it will most likely involve mass murdering some zombies. The 'Behind the Scenes with Paramore' video seen in the Artist of the Month feature under the Video Marketplace tab on Xbox Live shows lead singer Hayley Williams letting us know that Paramore will be doing a Game With Fame this month. She suggests that they will be playing whatever but hints at her love of killing zombies in either Left 4 Dead or CoD: World at War's Nazi's Zombies although she does have a Guitar Hero drumset sitting right next to her.

The gamertag rumored to add if you want to get an invite from Paramore is "Paramore GWF".....

Left 4 Dead 2 Gets a Price Drop (News)

Sep 1, 2009

Valve has heard The voices of the many gamers crying, and complaining about left for dead 2's earlier than wanted release. at GameStop's personal E3 today, valve announced

Left 4 Dead GOTY $29.99 (News)

Aug 31, 2009

Left 4 Dead: Game of the Year Edition has been marked down to $29.99 at Gamestop.com, Bestbuy.com, and Amazon.com

Valve: Left 4 Dead DLC was planned for pre-E3 release, 'Didn't Message Correctly' (News)

Aug 20, 2009

When Valve announced Left 4 Dead 2 before mentioning that it would also be releasing Left 4 Dead 1 DLC, it caused many fans expecting an update before a full-priced sequel to cry foul.

Now Valve writer Chet Faliszek says the L4D1 DLC coming in September, dubbed Crash Course, was originally intended to be released prior to E3 and Left 4 Dead 2's announcement.

Valve: New Left 4 Dead DLC Links L4D2 (News)

Aug 13, 2009

NowGamer: L4D writer Chet Faliszek has discussed the game's new content

During a recent trip to Valve's Washington HQ, X360 magazine spoke exclusively to the game's writer about the recently-announced DLC pack 'Crash Course'.

Valve undecided about Left 4 Dead DLC working in L4D2 (News)

Aug 6, 2009

Joystiq writes.... 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.

Valve Announces Crash Course DLC Pack for Left 4 Dead (News)

Aug 4, 2009

Gamingshogun.com writes: "It looks like Valve is still working on showing the original Left 4 Dead crowd as much love as possible with the announcement of yet another DLC pack for the game. 'Crash Course' will be released in September for the PC and Xbox 360 and feature new content for single player, mutli player, and co-op gameplay modes..."

10 most frustrating things about gaming online (Feature)

Aug 4, 2009

Online gaming is completely different to offline play. There's a tangible buzz and quickening of the heart-rate when you're leading a race on the last lap or sniping some guy in Australia, which you simply can't get from a single-player experience. But this experience can be so easily ruined by a few small things ...

The Top 7… 2008 games we can't stop playing (Feature)

Jul 27, 2009

Unless you’re an eagle-eyed bargain hunter, the price of videogames can put a serious dent in your finances. Here in the US, $60 a pop means the game in question needs to offer hours of content to offset the steadily increasing cost. ...

Left 4 Dead 2 Boycott Gets Jacked (News)

Jul 25, 2009

In hilarious news today, one of the co-founders of the Left 4 Dead 2 Boycott group on Steam had his account jacked by someone who appeared to be having a good time with it by posting a slew of rather inane, if not hilarious announcements on the group's Steam page. This resulted in thousands of replies posted within seconds of the announcements and almost brought the entire movement to a halt.

How to Survive a Zombie Invasion (Feature)

Jul 17, 2009

Fact: zombie invasions suck. Just ask anyone who’s been through one, and he’ll tell you: “bluurble gurrble braiiins.” Does that sound like the guttural moaning of someone who had a good time? No, it sure as shit does not. ...

What if GamesRadar designed Downloadable Content? (Feature)

Jul 7, 2009

You know the only real problem with downloadable content? It’s typically designed by the same people who made the original game. That’s boring. Why not give other folks, who don’t necessarily worry about whether something is “a good idea” or “sensible” or “legal,” a shot? Sure our ideas might be a little unusual at times, and a couple of them could conceivably land someone in jail. ...

Valve "Trying To Work Out" Cross-Game Play Between L4D1 & 2 (News)

Jul 6, 2009

TVG:

Valve's VP of Marketing, Doug Lombardi has revealed to TVG that the developer is looking at providing cross-game play between the original Left 4 Dead and its incoming sequel.

Such a feature, which would allow players of the original Left 4 Dead to play alongside other users running Left 4 Dead 2, is one of the demands made by the now 37,000 member strong Left 4 Dead 2 boycott group on Steam.

All L4D user-created content will work with L4D2 (News)

Jul 5, 2009

Kikizo writes: "Chet Faliszek criticises "disingenuous" boycotters in soon-to-be published Kikizo interview."

I don't feel so good: Buy your own Left 4 Dead health pack (News)

Jul 5, 2009

Destructoid: Etsy user sindeegee had the bright idea to create, from scratch, one of Left 4 Dead's health packs. The final product nails the iconic look of the in-game item, and is sized at "8" x 10" l x 3" d." In short, it's totally big enough to carry all of your meds during the forthcoming zombie invasion.

Valve: PC version sells Left 4 Dead on Xbox 360 (News)

Jul 3, 2009

OXM UK: Valve has said that giving away free weekends on the PC version of Left 4 Dead increases the sales of the Xbox 360 version.

Will Left 4 Dead 2 Crossover With First Game? (News)

Jul 3, 2009

Doug Lombardi speaks to IncGamers about whether or not there's a possibility of Left 4 Dead 2 crossing over with the original game, in order to keep the community together.

Valve: Someone's always going to complain (News)

Jul 3, 2009

Online criticism of Left 4 Dead 2 may have been unavoidable, according to Valve's Chet Faliszek.

"I once joked that we could put $20 in a box and charge $10 for it, and someone's going to complain," Faliszek told VideoGamer.com earlier this week. "And that's just fine - that's just the way it is."

Valve Has "A Plan" For Left 4 Dead 1 (News)

Jul 3, 2009

Speaking to IncGamers, Doug Lombardi confirmed that there will be more content coming for Left 4 Dead 1 following Valve's ongoing "plan," and that there will be a lot more to Left 4 Dead 2 than has currently been shown.

Valve: More 360 DLC Coming for Left 4 Dead (News)

Jul 2, 2009

Talking to OXM at a preview event for Left 4 Dead 2, Valve's Doug Lombardi confirmed that the company is planning on releasing "at least one" new piece of DLC for Left 4 Dead on 360.

Left 4 Dead Clearance Sale - $13 (News)

Jun 30, 2009

Great opportunity for Xbox 360 gamers to pick up Left 4 Dead, on clearance at Target for $13. YMMV.

Left 4 Dead Premium Theme Infecting New Official Xbox Mag -CVG (News)

Jun 27, 2009

An exclusive Left 4 Dead Premium Theme is to be given away in the next issue of Official Xbox Magazine UK, which should be arriving with subscribers now.

DFC : Left 4 Dead demonstrates potential of online distribution (News)

Jun 22, 2009

Chris Remo from Gamasutra writes:

"A new study by analysis firm DFC in conjunction with social media company GamerDNA has extensively compared Left 4 Dead user activity habits across PC and Xbox 360 -- and finds Valve's strategy of combining promotions and free updates may extend a game's shelf life dramatically.

Results of the study were released in the latest edition of the DFC Dossier publication, and are based on the activity of over 180,000 PC and Xbox 360 gamers via Steam, Xbox Live, and Xfire from the time of the game's release until May."

Left 4 Dead To Receive Community Content Upgrade (News)

Jun 21, 2009

Valve is gearing up for another Steam update that will incorporate more community content into Left 4 Dead. The beta authorizing tools which were released several weeks ago enabled users to create their very own campaigns. With this new update, those campaigns will now be easily accessible withing L4Ds UI. "Add-Ons" will be available under Extras for easy installing as well as under Multiplayer to play said campaigns online. One such custom campaign that has us pretty impressed even in its Beta stages is an homage to Resident Evil 3. The Authorizing tools will also be officially releasing with several new updates and tweaks. The update is expected to hit Steam next week.Is Valve trying to please some of those angered fans? Perhaps, but at least we will get to see more unique content headed to L4D.

Left 4 Dead box art required thumb biting (News)

Jun 17, 2009

Valve didn't want to use Photoshop so they got one of their artists, Andrea Wicklund, to bite her thumb for reference pictures..
For the upcoming sequel Left 4 Dead 2 Valve says they simply tucked in two fingers for the box design..

Left 4 Dead 2 Acceptance Group Starts To Rise Up! (News)

Jun 16, 2009

Left 4 Dead 2 has been announced for a release in November, less than a year after the original. Is this an odd choice? Sure it is. Is it a BAD choice? That's debatable. Did the announcement make you ANGRY? Now you've gone too far!

Obviously, people are pretty angry about this. But WHY? You have your knitpicks, your dislikes, and you wish they didn't release it so soon. But it isn't like Valve is FORCING you to buy it! If you don't like it, then just don't get it! It's that simple! Stick with the original L4D.

10 characters who know smoking is cool (Feature)

Jun 16, 2009

For too long, political correctness has choked expression much like smoking might choke someone’s lungs. Back in the good old days, it was common for prominent pillars of society to be seen smoking: baseball players, gangsters, Popeye. Now it’s incredibly frowned upon, because “smoking may slowly kill you,” if you believe “proven medical facts.” ...

L4D2 Boycott Reaches Over 30,000! (News)

Jun 16, 2009

The Group has hit an outstanding 30,000 members in only a short time, and raising valid points.

L4D is NS4W With Nude Zoey Mod (News)

Jun 15, 2009

Kotaku Writes:
I could be reading from the Nacogdoches phone book to you right now and you wouldn't care. You saw "nude zoey" and clicked the link, right? Hope your boss/girlfriend/mom isn't in the room.

Modder Zaigo has painstakingly recreated Zoey as a quite deshabille zombie fighter. It goes without saying that if you go to L4D mods to view all the nude Zoey screenshots, you should consider that you are looking at porn.

Notes the creator:

This is not a skin, this is a completely new model for Zoey. She has some clothes on, but hardly enough to cover anything at all.

You will also notice that her "lovelies" bounce when she runs or walks and Francis, Louis and Bill can't stop staring. Now get your tissues out, lock the door, download the mod and enjoy, you pervert.

I like it that this guy calls me a pervert. That's like getting a disapproving glance from the clerk working at a porn store. I might be a creep, but they work at a porn store. And this guy spent God-knows-how-many hours retouching Zoey's labia just so he could get her triangular love patch to Penthouse quality.

Next up, nude infected! Who wants to help me render some decaying Boomer dong?

Valve responds to L4D2 boycott (News)

Jun 10, 2009

Valve responds to L4D2 boycott. Amidst the retaliation from gamers due to the hasty announcement of L4D2. Gabe Newell has issued a response to Kotaku.com in an effort to ease the tension from many of the L4D supporters.

Valve responds to L4D 2 criticism (News)

Jun 9, 2009

CVG writes: "Valve has responded to the wave of negative feedback surrounding Left 4 Dead 2, asking gamers to "give us a fair shake" before writing the sequel off.

A Steam 'boycott' group has managed to amass almost 20,000 members, claiming that "the announced content of Left 4 Dead 2 does not warrant a stand-alone, full-priced sequel and should instead become updates (free or otherwise) for Left 4 Dead".

"We want to wait and weed through the comments, I'm already getting e-mails, and I'm responding to them," Valve's Chet Faliszek said.

"Looking back, was the Orange Box a ripoff?" He said, on initial complaints at having to "buy" Half-Life 2 again in the compilation..."

Valve: 'Ton' of content makes L4D2 too big to be DLC (News)

Jun 8, 2009

Speaking to VideoGamer.com at E3 last week, writer Chet Faliszek said that Left 4 Dead 2, which was originally called "this big thing" by the development team, is a large enough game to justify it not being DLC, pointing to all the new announced content.

L4D Sequel Met with Much More than Indifference (News)

Jun 6, 2009

Kotaku:

"Whatever your view is of internet boycotts, Left 4 Dead might be the first critically acclaimed franchise whose announcement of a sequel was answered by nearly 10,000 fans pledging not to buy it.

Since the game was unveiled June 1 at E3, a Steam group called L4D Boycott (NO-L4D2) has assembled 9,742 members as of Saturday, and seems to be growing. Far from being enthused about a new game, they have nine complaints, most of which concern L4D2 obviating the need for, and undermining the value of, L4D1 - and just a year after the fact:"

10,000+ Against Left 4 Dead 2 (News)

Jun 6, 2009

Valves recent unveil of Left 4 Dead 2 at this years E3 has cause a huge commotion in the gaming industry. Thousands for fans of Left 4 Dead are pissed. Why ? Because Left 4 Dead 2 is coming out in a little under a year than its prequel and previous promises of L4D1 being a long lasting experience are not being met. Valve has gone on record multiple times stating that this new game will be a better chance to build upon the Left 4 Dead experience. L4D2 is supposed to include an advance A.I Director 2.0 and new effects. Thats where the boycott comes in. 10,000+ outraged fans are boycotting the game all together stating that Valve has wronged its user base by forcing a purchase on what should be a expansion and not a stand alone game. How will Valve respond to this boycott? We will have to wait and see, but Valve is know for its loyalty to its fans so perhaps L4D2 will become an downloadable expansion and retail. Thats our best bet.

Left 4 Dead 2 Gameplay Videos and Screens from E3 2009 (News)

Jun 4, 2009

The crew over at Valve revealed that a sequel to their hit game Left 4 Dead will be receiving another zombie-infested sequel in Left 4 Dead 2. PwnorDie has a few screenshots, the box art, the logo, a trailer, and a few gameplay videos from E3 2009 that they have lumped together for our viewing enjoyment.

Smashiest glass! (Video)

May 27, 2009

An incredibly tense multiplayer experience like no other. A must buy for shooter fans.

The 10 most common game design mistakes (Feature)

May 22, 2009

Making games is hard. Making fun of them isn’t. It’s really, really easy, actually. Of course, we wouldn’t be so critical if we didn’t love them so damn much (and if we weren’t, you know, critics). We think games are just the bee’s knees, and that’s why we get so pissed about all the stupid crap they do ...

12 Ways Video Games Actually Benefit "Real Life" (News)

May 13, 2009

These are twelve examples that show that video games can actually be a benefit in "real life". A few of these are counter arguments to unfounded claims while others are examples of the gaming industry doing things to better the world, many of which widely go unnoticed.

New video game releases for week of May 10th (News)

May 9, 2009

This week's new releases:
(subject to change)

Xbox 360:
Battlestations Pacific
Left 4 Dead: Game of the Year Edition
Raiden Fighters Aces
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

PLAYSTATION 3:
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel

Wii:
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus
Help Wanted
Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball
Puzzle Kingdoms

DS & DSi:
Desktop Tower Defense
Dreamer Series: Shop Owner
Girl Time
Mission Runway
My Farm Around the World

PSP:
no new releases

Left 4 Dead update patches up Survival Mode issues (News)

May 1, 2009

Valve has released another Left 4 Dead update, now available on Steam. The patch removes an exploit and corrects some issues in Survival Mode along with some server and matchmaking fixes.

The applicable fixes will be applied to the Xbox 360 version in a group update sometime soon.

Left 4 Dead update fixes exploit, other issues (News)

Apr 28, 2009

Valve has released an update for Left 4 Dead that addresses a survival mode exploit as well as fixing some minor issues.

Left 4 Dead dominates third annual ELAN Awards (News)

Apr 28, 2009

Chris Remo from Gamasutra writes:

"Valve's Left 4 Dead swept the ELAN Awards, the Vancouver-based award show honoring the video game and animation industries.

The multiplayer zombie shooter took the overall Video Game of the Year award, as well as three other awards: Best PC Game, Best Game Design, and Outstanding Technical Innovation."

Retailers Still Like Idea Of Left 4 Dead On PS3 (News)

Apr 27, 2009

Left 4 Dead came out last year on PC and Xbox 360. But not on PS3. Now, retailer GAME's Australian website reckons it's finally coming to Sony's system.

Before the game launched, Valve's Chet Faliszek said there'd be no PS3 version because, while porting from PC to Xbox 360 was a piece of cake, making a PS3 version would require starting from scratch.

Then a few weeks later, GAME's UK website advertised a PS3 version. Back then, Valve once again denied its existence.

But the following day, Valve did admit publisher EA were interested in a PS3 version.

TalkRadar 48 - police are involved (Feature)

Apr 24, 2009

Post date: April 24, 2009
T-Dar 48 length: 2:04:09
Quote of the week: “When do we get the .fart URL?” ...

Left 4 Dead update fixes Survival Mode exploits (News)

Apr 24, 2009

An update has been released for Left 4 Dead and is now available on Steam. The patch fixes several exploits in the recently added Survival Mode and brings gameplay tweaks and other adjustments.

As promised by Valve, the Xbox 360 version will receive the changes later in a group update.

Left 4 Dead swag arrives (News)

Apr 23, 2009

The Valve Store has updated adding several Left 4 Dead items including a poster, t-shirt, hoodie and coffee mug.

Left 4 Dead Lighthouse guide (Feature)

Apr 22, 2009

Left 4 Dead is the best thing that happened to zombies since 28 Days Later, and Valve’s recent release of the free Survival Pack for the PC and 360 only sweetens the deal. The highlights of the fresh content are the Survival Mode and the new Lighthouse map that comes with it. Think of Survival Mode as an ultra condensed version of Left 4 Dead on steroids. ...

ARS: First impressions of Left 4 Dead's survival mode (News)

Apr 22, 2009

ARS:
The first tank you face is barely cold when the game throws another one at you. If you separate from your group for a moment or two, expect smokers and hunters to tear you to shreds. Each of the 16 maps, including the all-new Last Stand, have strategies you can ferret out, rooms that are slightly easier to defend, propane tanks to place, health packs to hoard... but it doesn't matter. You're going to die.

L4D Survival Pack out for PC now (News)

Apr 22, 2009

The free Left 4 Dead DLC is now out for the PC as well. Again, this is what it brings:
- New gameplay Mode
- 16 maps including Last Stand
- Leaderboards
- 7 new achievements

Left 4 Dead DLC hits Xbox 360 (News)

Apr 21, 2009

Left 4 Dead's Survival Pack content has arrived and is now available for Xbox 360 users. The download is available by accessing the title's game details on the My Xbox menu.

L4D Survival Pack Set For Release (News)

Apr 21, 2009

The Left 4 Dead Survival Pack will be released via Xbox Live at roughly 2 am PST on April 21.

Left 4 Dead Survival mode - new details (News)

Apr 20, 2009

In its latest blog Valve has broken down the balancing issues it faced when designing Left 4 Dead's new Survival Mode DLC, which is due on PC and Xbox Live this week.

Left 4 Dead Survival Mode detailed by Valve (News)

Apr 17, 2009

With the Left 4 Dead Survival Pack less than a week from release, Valve has revealed some new details and offers advice for the Survival Mode portion of the DLC.

What The Left 4 Dead Box Art Almost Looked Like (News)

Apr 9, 2009

Hardcore Christian Gamer writes: "Over at the Left 4 Dead Blog is a post talking about some of the different iterations of box art the company went through before finally settling on the iconic thumbless hand that now graces the covers of all our retail copies of the game."

Miyamoto honored with ELAN's Lifetime Achievement award; Left 4 Dead, Fallout 3 lead nods (News)

Apr 6, 2009

Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto has been voted by industry and media experts as the recipient of the ELAN's first videogames Lifetime Achievement award this year.

The ELANs take place on April 25th in Vancouver, boasting several awards across a variety of categories. Left 4 Dead and Fallout 3 are the front runners receiving seven nominations each, with several nods going to Gears of War 2 and Fable II as well.

Left 4 Dead user created campaigns will be supported, SDK close to release (News)

Apr 2, 2009

Valve has unveiled details on Left 4 Dead's SDK, their apparent support of third-party campaigns, and some upcoming additions and changes to matchmaking for the game's Versus mode.

The game's software development kit will release soon after the Survival Pack update arrives on April 21st.

Zero to 100: Videogames by the numbers (Feature)

Mar 31, 2009

Numbers. Man, there must be millions of ‘em. Seems like every other game on the shelf has a number in it. Boy, I bet you could count to a hundred using just videogame titles and related items. Let’s see if I’m right. ...

TalkRadar 44 – Podcast of HATE (Feature)

Mar 27, 2009

Quote of the Week: “Releasing an RTS on the PC is like going to the beach and bringing your own sand.” ...

Left 4 Dead retail sells 2.5 million copies (News)

Mar 26, 2009

Valve's co-op zombie title Left 4 Dead has sold over 2.5 million copies since it's November release, Michael Booth--project lead for the title--revealed today.

Left 4 Dead adds melee fatigue in latest update (News)

Mar 26, 2009

Valve has released an update for Left 4 Dead on the PC. Among other adjustments, the update includes a gameplay change, which adds a fatigue element to the melee attack in versus mode. The changes that apply to the Xbox 360 will arrive with the survivor pack on April 21st.

100 reasons fanboys hate shooters (Feature)

Mar 25, 2009

Cue the banjo! It wouldn’t be the Week of Hate without our trademark “100 Reasons” videos. In case you missed it, last year we targeted game platforms. So this year we thought we’d change it up and go after a few popular genres. Up first, the ubiquitous shooter. ...

Revealed: the games your girlfriend HATES (Feature)

Mar 24, 2009

Contrary to popular belief, most gamers are not sniveling, sweaty-palmed Towers of Awkward roaming the streets in search of any woman who will have them. In fact, most of us find a girl who’s willing to put up with our gaming habits, and forgive the many hours spent saving the world from glowy-eyed zombie Nazis.

But guess what – there’s at least one game that’s driving your girlfriend batshit insane. She might ...

Left 4 Dead DLC Dated on 360 (News)

Mar 23, 2009

GamersDigest writes;

Microsoft today confirmed that the 'Survival Pack' for Left 4 Dead will be releasing on April 21st on the Xbox 360.

The DLC will be free of charge, and introduces a new multiplayer game mode entitled, Survival, plus two complete campaigns for Versus Mode (Death Toll, Dead Air).

Left 4 Dead cast to appear in music game (Feature)

Mar 19, 2009

MEVO & the Grooveriders is a rhythm-based platformer for the PC that’s packed with funky tracks, bright colors, and lots of pretty candy-colored explosions. This cutesy playground is the last place you’d expect to see the four survivors from Valve’s frightening first-person shooter, Left 4 Dead. But if you purchase the special Steam version of the game, that’s exactly what you’ll get. ...

Left 4 Dead, Fallout 3 lead ELAN nominations (News)

Mar 12, 2009

There's little doubt as to the four key titles that look set to dominate proceedings at this year's ELAN Awards, with Left 4 Dead, Fallout 3, Gears of War 2 and Fable II all nominated in the majority of the nine categories.

In with a chance of winning seven awards apiece are Valve's zombie shooter Left 4 Dead and Bethesda's dark future RPG Fallout 3, while Epic's FPS sequel Gears of War 2 and Lionhead's fantasy adventure Fable II are both up for six awards.

In fact, of the nine categories - which each contain four nominations - those exact four will battle it out in four, while other prominent titles to be nominated just once include Crysis: Warhead, Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, Call of Duty: World at War and Too Human.

The awards, which also present prizes for the animation and visual effects industries, will take place in April and be hosted by the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, Tom Kenny.

The full list of categories and nominations is as follows:

The Top 7... Naked flesh we didn't want to see (Feature)

Mar 9, 2009

The human form really is a beautiful thing – provided you spend 6 hours daily in the gym and exist solely on Ryvita. If not, it’s something to be covered up, ashamed of and never discussed. Sadly, many developers have no such qualms with nude, fleshy parts. They see games as the perfect forum to roll out a bit of man boob action and unappealing, exposed ass flesh.

Got a strong stomach? The following collection of bloated ...

Left 4 Dead DLC: No Later Than April 21 (News)

Mar 5, 2009

While Valve has yet to announce a release date for Left 4 Dead's upcoming downloadable content, they've revealed that it will be released before the Critic's Choice Edition of the game (which includes the full retail version as well as the new content) arrives in stores on April 21st. That's right, there's now a second reason to look forward to 4/20.

Left 4 Dead - Valve plays new map, pt. 1 (Video)

Mar 5, 2009

An incredibly tense multiplayer experience like no other. A must buy for shooter fans.

Left 4 Dead - Valve plays No Mercy elevator map (Video)

Mar 5, 2009

An incredibly tense multiplayer experience like no other. A must buy for shooter fans.

Left 4 Dead Survival Pack - hands-on (Preview)

Mar 5, 2009

Want to see the brand new map Valve’s created for Left 4 Dead’s free Survival Pack DLC? Thought so! We got Chet Faliszek, the game’s writer, to give us an exclusive guided tour of the new map, “Lighthouse.” Click play below to check it out, then we’ll regroup for further details and impressions from our hands-on session. ...

Left 4 Dead Patch Causes... Outcry? (News)

Feb 26, 2009

"Anyone who has played Left 4 Dead on Xbox 360 has no doubt at least seen or participated in one of the many glitches, tricks, or exploits that were rampant throughout the game to give your team, or the Survivors an edge. Well, hopefully you used them while you could; those of you who played Left 4 Dead and connected to Xbox Live yesterday were prompted to download a mandatory update for the game. Fixing almost every exploit there was, and making a slew of other changes...."

"Reading it tells gamers a number of things, one being that using exploits and glitches obviously became a major part of playing the game. But why?"

Left 4 Dead 360 Update (News)

Feb 24, 2009

A free update for the Xbox 360 version of Left 4 Dead is available now via Xbox Live. The update includes a host of fixes, tweaks and new features, including enhancements to Versus mode for improved competitive play.

Gaming's most murdered characters (Feature)

Feb 24, 2009

Some characters are just doomed to die in games. It seems the Nazis were born to wear sharp uniforms and chow down on your bullets like a tasty bratwurst. Cops are always destined to get blown up by your rocket launcher a day before retirement. And the sole purpose of videogame zombies is to have Piñata-style heads that explode with the slightest contact – just replace the tasty treats with festering bits of frontal ...

Target Discounts Left 4 Dead to $39.99 - Zombies Cry. (News)

Feb 23, 2009

In an effort to please consumers and horrify zombies everywhere, Target has "slashed" the price of Left 4 Dead to $39.99.

Valve: Left 4 Dead 50% off weekend brought 3000% increase in sales, beat launch numbers (News)

Feb 19, 2009

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell announced during a DICE keynote today that Left 4 Dead's 50% off sale last weekend resulted in a 3000% increase in sales of the game, resulting in overall sales that beat the game's original launch numbers.

Newell also mentioned that new Steam customers jumped 1600% over the same weekend and sales of Team Fortress 2 increased 106% following a free update to the title.

The massive Steam holiday sale was also a big win for Valve and its partners. The following holiday sales data was released, showing the sales breakdown (in dollars) organized by price reduction...

GDC 2009 adds Noby Noby, Level 5, Left 4 Dead talks (News)

Feb 18, 2009

Gamasutra writes:

"Organizers of next month's Game Developers Conference have revealed major new talks from Keita Takahashi on Noby Noby Boy, Valve's Michael Booth on Left 4 Dead, and Level-5's Akihiro Hino, on Professor Layton and his firm's other titles.

A high-profile late addition to the program for the San Francisco-based developer event, Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi will present a talk called 'All About Noby Noby Boy', discussing his supremely quirky new PlayStation Network title. Attendees are promised that "This class will be a refreshing change of pace". "