In conjunction with the Microsoft press conference
unveiling, Valve has provided additional
Left 4 Dead details. First, the new melee combat options. We saw the chainsaw teased in the trailer, but players will also be able to wield a frying pan, axe, baseball bat, and additional blunt-force objects. Valve has also detailed the new AI Director 2.0, which will not only affect how many of the undead you'll be tackling at any given time, but will also dictate weather effects, world objects, and pathways provided to the players.
Left 4 Dead 2 is scheduled for release on November 17 on Xbox 360 and PC, with new co-op campaigns, Versus campaigns and Survival maps.
{ Jun 1st 2009 at 3:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
coffins outside the door @ Jun 1st 2009 3:02PM
This seems almost too soon after the first one.
charlie b. @ Jun 1st 2009 3:07PM
agreed. i mean, the first one is great, and i heart Valve, but this?
i mean, even the box art is uninspired.
waves @ Jun 1st 2009 3:16PM
Lots of angry grumbling from everyone waiting for Half Life 2: Episode 3.
MarkHawk @ Jun 1st 2009 3:25PM
You have to see the footage. I'd say it seems to soon if it didn't graphically looks so scary, gorgeous, and violent!
Captain Planet @ Jun 1st 2009 3:26PM
What the hell are you talking about? L4D came out in November last year and L4D2 is coming out this year the same time. 1 year isn't bad for a game that kicks mucho ass.
343 Guilty Fart @ Jun 1st 2009 3:27PM
Personally I'd rather have this be an expansion of the first, no need for another disc.
XGM @ Jun 1st 2009 3:28PM
Yea I have a feeling that it could have been a expansion or DLC or something, hopefully ill be wrong on this.
Dr. Flex @ Jun 1st 2009 3:30PM
Seems like they are doing more with it than would be possible with DLC, but that does not mean they should stop DLC for the current game. Heck, make current DLC maps (campaign/survival) for the current game, and have them be forward compatible with pt. 2 also. That would be sweet. Not likely, but wishful thinking. I would still like a bit more for L4D, but that seems unlikely.
Calvin @ Jun 2nd 2009 6:08PM
TF2 came out 2 years before when this will be released and it's almost a completely different game now, that I only had to pay for once
I expected the same for L4D, and am disappointed that I'll probably have to shell out another $50 for this if I were to want it, which I probably wont, which is saying a lot since I own everything Valve has to offer
Neebs @ Jun 1st 2009 4:54PM
I'm sure it'll be delayed.
MikeO @ Jun 1st 2009 7:07PM
This just in, Valve is re-releasing the first Left 4 Dead cover art with just the middle finger.
Sam @ Jun 2nd 2009 9:58AM
@MarkHawk: the graphics aren't improved. its just rendered the same way the intro to l4d1 and the "Meet the" videos are rendered.
Vegnagun bwf @ Jun 1st 2009 3:03PM
I couldn't believe Left 4 Dead 2 is coming out so soon. Easy first day purchase.
dylan @ Jun 1st 2009 3:03PM
Seriously, if there are only 4 characters to play as and 4 maps and 4 guns, I'm gonna go tank on them.
Bailers @ Jun 1st 2009 3:04PM
Glad to hear it's coming, but I wish it was for the PS3 too. Oh well, time to dust off the old PC.
ThatPCgameryouhate @ Jun 1st 2009 3:04PM
Can this also be an expansion? Will it include all of the original maps?
I like the idea, but I would prefer if we could just download it to our harddrives.
Full price?
evilspoons @ Jun 1st 2009 3:04PM
It isn't like Valve to pump out a sequel so fast, I'm extremely surprised. I figured this kind of major update would come as an addon to the first game. Myabe a paid one, but still not an entire new title! Very strange...
BPMOmega [GT,Steam] @ Jun 1st 2009 3:34PM
Maybe it's coming out "this year" in Valve Time... Which really means it comes out next year.
ImSteevin @ Jun 1st 2009 3:05PM
Remember that Half-Life game? That was pretty good too. I think it was on TV for a while but they only had a few episodes. They should make that again. One day.
Crusty Magic @ Jun 1st 2009 3:08PM
For reals dude. L4D is cool, but uh that game just came out.
And I need me some Gordon.
AwesomeTown @ Jun 1st 2009 3:08PM
Different pathways every game will be awesome. I hope they maybe increase the number of co-op campaigns to maybe 6 or so. But, hell, 4 will get me to purchase this day one.
Zertoss @ Jun 1st 2009 3:10PM
The AI Director can control pathways? I wonder just how powerful that's gonna be. Will it be "Oh, that way is blocked now, but it was open last time, guess we're going this way that was blocked last time" or could the entire maps be dynamically generated (like Diablo 2 for example)?
Dynamic map generation would be an amazing feat for a game like this.
ImSteevin @ Jun 1st 2009 3:14PM
I think true "dynamic map generation" is not only amazingly difficult to pull off, but sort of goes against the Valve philosophy on level design, i.e. it "matters." Those guys spend too much time trying to get everything just right in a level to leave it up in the air like that. I think they'll be adding new ways things can get totally effed up when you try to plan them out.
Linkario @ Jun 1st 2009 3:12PM
There goes $60 of my hard earned mulah. Looks like I better sell L4D to gamestop before they reduce the price to $.50
Joey @ Jun 1st 2009 3:30PM
Hell, eff-ing, YEAH!
Obie @ Jun 1st 2009 3:14PM
Read the awesome hands on article here:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/06/01/left-4-dead-2-exclusive-rps-preview/#more-12370
Day one purchase!
Zertoss @ Jun 1st 2009 3:47PM
Holy crap how did Valve expand on so much in such a short time while still updating L4D and TF2?
Monkeys Suck @ Jun 1st 2009 3:19PM
Wow, so I guess I'm not the only one who thinks it's way too soon...only a year? And most of the good stuff is coming to the first one now...we'll see whether me and my friends decide to shell out another 50 bucks.
Captain Planet @ Jun 1st 2009 3:21PM
FINALLY...A FRIGGIN' CHAINSAW!!!
Cory @ Jun 1st 2009 3:24PM
lame the first one just came out.
Onomah @ Jun 1st 2009 3:23PM
Is that box flipping is off?
webster1990 @ Jun 1st 2009 3:44PM
haha, I didn't even notice.
relaxeder @ Jun 1st 2009 3:25PM
Dang, where the heck is Half-Life 2: Episode Three? Portal 2? Those games have been in development much longer than "Left 4 Dead 2".
I love me some L4D, but has it even been six months?
Connor @ Jun 1st 2009 5:25PM
They've spent all this time working on the Director - not on the game. Now the director can spawn off zillions of different, but ultimately alike, games (with minimal human intervention) that EVERYONE will purchase because, hey, it's Valve.
Brian @ Jun 1st 2009 3:25PM
definetly too early
F1: Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu @ Jun 1st 2009 3:27PM
Their probably releasing as a sequal instead of DLC due to the new director.
AshStampede @ Jun 1st 2009 3:27PM
What would be nice if it someone became one installation package for steam users. So you are launching l4d and not l4d 1 or l4d 2. That way more maps and fun. It wont happen but it would be nice.
AshStampede @ Jun 1st 2009 3:28PM
*someone , somehow , preview you comments kids
KeenCommander @ Jun 1st 2009 3:28PM
Too soon...me want Half-Life 2: Episode 3.
Actually, me want Orange Box 2 with Half-Life 2: Ep. 3, Left4Dead, Portal 2, and whatever old stuff they want to throw in to sweeten the deal. Counter Strike: Source would seem a solid choice.
Jacksons @ Jun 1st 2009 3:29PM
Wow, I'm not ready to pay another $50. I'll wait for a steam sale!
Ryan @ Jun 1st 2009 3:30PM
Oh for fuck's sake! I just bought the first one last week!
grimm @ Jun 1st 2009 3:34PM
It feels too soon right now, but by November I don't imagine anyone will be complaining. Look around the internets. People have been complaining about playing through the same for campaigns for awhile now and I don't imagine a $60 price point is going to stop them come November.
Munkcy @ Jun 1st 2009 3:35PM
I will keep holding out hope that L4D2 allows more than 2 people per xbox.
PSN: Wild_Pegasus @ Jun 1st 2009 3:41PM
Forget the Metal Gear announcement, As a PS3 only guy this one hurt me way more!
Giroro @ Jun 1st 2009 3:43PM
I mock everybody here who buys the Xbox versions of Valve games.
The Dark Wayne @ Jun 1st 2009 4:01PM
dont be such an asshole. PCs dont magically make games more fun. Increased accuracy and slightly better graphics dont radically change a game
XBL: Burritoclock @ Jun 1st 2009 4:12PM
The graphics are no better in this case anyway, I don't care what anyone says.
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Jun 1st 2009 5:08PM
Fuck u p c snob troll.
Cosmo @ Jun 1st 2009 5:57PM
Ah, the poor console peasants. ; )
webster1990 @ Jun 1st 2009 3:47PM
It does seem early, but not TOO early.
Lots of games get sequels the next year, it just seems odd coming from Valve.
Plus, who doesn't want more zombies to kill...with a god damn chainsaw!?
With this and Dead Rising 2 I'll be in zombie chainsawing heaven.