Outbreak reminder: Left 4 Dead demo is now public
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Nov 11th 2008 at 1:22PM }
The demo also includes the panic-inducing intro cinematic that sets the stage for the action FPS. The full game will have us running and gunning for our lives starting Nov. 18. Remember, when playing the demo: Stick together or die alone.
[Via X3F]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Obie @ Nov 11th 2008 1:29PM
LETS DO THIS!
Now do I like my human brains original recipe or extra gooey? Hmmmm?
Shagittarius @ Nov 11th 2008 1:30PM
Who has time for demos right now?
Obie @ Nov 11th 2008 1:31PM
People who chose "free cheapo shipping" for Gears 2. :(
FSK405K @ Nov 11th 2008 5:16PM
You don't get your free cheapo shipping items on release day? Move closer to a (I'm assuming Amazon) distribution center. My new stuff is release day, 99% of the time.
Dr. @ Nov 11th 2008 1:32PM
...Everybody dies alone...
WilhelmThe1st @ Nov 11th 2008 7:55PM
Donnie Darko?
Ranus Studios @ Nov 11th 2008 1:33PM
Shame I don't have a Gold account. Mayhap I will use my 48 hour trial from GoW2.
antsmarching @ Nov 11th 2008 1:37PM
just play GoW2 on live for two days, not a demo
Courtney @ Nov 11th 2008 1:44PM
Yeah, got excited and went to download it, only to get the "Exclusive to Gold members" message. Bastards.
Bakkster @ Nov 11th 2008 2:17PM
Or you could get the demo on PC, save $10 when you buy it on PC, and have an (arguably) better online experience.
Just saying, Valve products tend to be better on PC. If you've got a machine that can handle it, saving $10 should be a no-brainer.
Of course, if 360 is your only choice, why would you buy a game that's almost entirely based around co-op play if you don't have a Gold account?
Haggard @ Nov 11th 2008 3:20PM
Bakkster just made 2 incredibly good points at once.
Ranus Studios @ Nov 11th 2008 3:31PM
A.) I'm stuck on a beast of a Mac that unfortunately is PowerPC, not Intel.
B.) I don't do online; I prefer split-screen.
Bakkster @ Nov 11th 2008 4:41PM
That's a pretty good reason, then. Enjoy the game when it finally drops!
Temidien @ Nov 11th 2008 1:37PM
Downloading now XD
Jake11- Born and raised in W. Philly @ Nov 11th 2008 1:38PM
can you play the demo with local multiplayer?
Richard Mitchell @ Nov 11th 2008 1:51PM
Two players can play on the same console.
waves @ Nov 11th 2008 2:47PM
I glad Valve has finally embraced split screen. That was what kept me from really getting into Team Fortress.
Einhanderkiller @ Nov 11th 2008 3:02PM
They're also (unofficially) supporting split-screen in the PC version.
FSK405K @ Nov 11th 2008 5:17PM
Split-screen on PC? Two keyboards and two mice?
Haggard @ Nov 11th 2008 6:20PM
I don't see why not. Someone decided my rig needed 12 USB ports on the back.
DangerMouse @ Nov 11th 2008 6:32PM
^Well, they removed it from the PC demo. Valve said they'll re-add it later. But i think one person uses a gamepad, and another uses the mouse/keyboard.
Meta @ Nov 11th 2008 7:08PM
http://left4dead411.com/news/2008/11/infected-maps-split-screen/
Blazur @ Nov 11th 2008 1:40PM
I'm already 13 hours into the demo :)
Obie @ Nov 11th 2008 1:43PM
How long is it?
Blazur @ Nov 11th 2008 1:47PM
Very short, only two levels which can be stormed through in about :15. The demo is incredibly easy on anything less than Expert difficulty, and even more so when playing single player because the CPU's never slip up.
Obie @ Nov 11th 2008 1:49PM
Oh well, a nice tasty nugget to keep us over.
And it doesn't surprise me Valve games always have very solid AI.
Thanks dude.
Blazur @ Nov 11th 2008 1:51PM
With a boomer avatar I'm surprised you didn't pre-order it.
The early demo allowed access to the infected bosses through console commands. Unfortunately they just patched that out yesterday. Your friend makes the nastiest sounds when playing as it in the game.
Obie @ Nov 11th 2008 1:57PM
I'm a big zombie fan, but on a budget. I didn't pre-order in a store, instead opting for the $8 off and free shipping from Amazon. I might have to wait a bit,but save cash this way.
Damn economy! :(
Haggard @ Nov 11th 2008 3:24PM
Luckily here in the UK, online retailers seem to be having a price war and Left 4 Dead is the battleground. I just got the PC version off amazon.co.uk for £20 including shipping (it comes in a retail box *and* adds itself to your Steam account), when to buy off Steam costs about £33.
FSK405K @ Nov 11th 2008 5:18PM
I'm glad I didn't whore myself out at Gamestop to get my *preorder bonus*, early access to the demo, since the demo is so short.
J Snaz @ Nov 11th 2008 7:11PM
Yeah the demo on normal is short. Throw it on expert with Live players and have fun :). I just can't wait to play with my friends instead of strangers!
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 11th 2008 1:49PM
Been playing this game for a week(since I preordered the game). If the demo is this much fun, I really can't wait for the full game.
Chase @ Nov 11th 2008 1:56PM
I enjoyed the demo, but will only have time for Gears 2 and World at War. Plus, both previously mentioned games offer fun co-op modes. Again, I enjoyed the demo, but Left 4 Dead just seems... unnecessary... this season.
Obie @ Nov 11th 2008 3:49PM
I differ in that regard, I find World At War too much like COD4. So I am going for something a bit different, and L4D it is. :)
sk8monroe81 @ Nov 11th 2008 4:31PM
how can you call a game this year unnecessary and then in the same sentance say that world at war is one of your must own games..
if any game was unnecessary this year it is probably cod5, sorry.
Poisoned Al @ Nov 11th 2008 9:27PM
Out of all these games out, COD5 isn't on my "want" list. I mean a WW2 FPS not made by Infinity Ward. How insipid can you possibly get?
Professor Lario @ Nov 11th 2008 2:10PM
I have Saint's 2, Fallout 3, Dead Space, and Fable 2 and am enjoying them all. That said, I am looking forward to this game more than the previous four combined I think. Oh man, it could be SO GOOD!
FSK405K @ Nov 11th 2008 5:20PM
Yes, considering what a terrible job the "matchmaking" feature is on Gears 2, I suspect I'll play much, much more L4D online than Gears 2.
Shignami @ Nov 11th 2008 2:16PM
I'm still mad about the matchmaking system on the PC version, that shit had better be fixed quick.
Yuccadude @ Nov 11th 2008 2:35PM
Um, it got 'fixed' day one by Valve because of all of the animosity towards it.
http://store.steampowered.com/news/1987/
Shignami @ Nov 11th 2008 3:02PM
No no no...
I mean that it exists.
Einhanderkiller @ Nov 11th 2008 3:05PM
The matchmaking exists because Left 4 Dead isn't a drop-in/drop-out game. They want people to play from the beginning of the level to the end, not have people join in the middle of a level.
Ricky Schroder @ Nov 11th 2008 2:40PM
been playin l4d since pre order demo and i now have no time to play anything else.
Kliend @ Nov 11th 2008 3:04PM
I've been playing the demo NONSTOP! Best game of 08! It's unbelievably good! CANNOT wait!
RiccochetJ @ Nov 11th 2008 3:17PM
Downloaded this thing at lunch. Only played for about 10 minutes and had to change my shorts 4 times. If the rest of the game is anything like the demo, this is my GOTY.
Bass Masterson @ Nov 11th 2008 3:17PM
Average reviewer:
A Valve game? 10/10! Perfect! Best game ever!
Now, what is it about?
Jakka ( The Order of Haters of Balance) @ Nov 11th 2008 5:46PM
In all fairness, most Valve Games do deserve those scores(Orange Box, TF2, Portal, Half-Life series,Day of Defeat, Counter Strike), something that can't be said about other overhyped games.
This is coming from a person who was disappointed with Fallout 3 and GTA4 btw...
zaglis @ Nov 11th 2008 3:40PM
Matchmaking-bullshit in valve game? ...I lost my words. Is that TRUE?
Matchmaking have raped multiplayer for so many titles already but now L4D? Thats quite sad.
Blazur @ Nov 11th 2008 3:49PM
It's true, although I get a sneaking suspicion they'll somehow allow both matchmaking and the server browser for retail.
Matchmaking makes sense in a game like this where you're involved in a co-op war of attrition with several allies. Think of it like a game lobby when starting up a StarCraft/WC3 match. It's not the most refined solution and is still somewhat buggy, but it has its place in L4D.
Jeff @ Nov 11th 2008 3:58PM
I don't know if this is double post or not but its probably good to know...
To those who absolutely hate the Matchmaking system, open the developers console by enabling it in the options then pressing the tilde button (`) at the menu.
Then type in "openserverbrowser" and that will give you the traditional server browser that we are all used to from Team Fortress 2 or the like.