Left 4 Dead 2 commercial hits a home run ... for GameStop
by Randy Nelson 
{ Oct 27th 2009 at 12:00AM } 
It's a bit of a downer, though, for those who've reserved the game elsewhere. Or what about the people who just walk into a store on release day to snap up a copy? We've got it! The next ad should feature the survivors being ripped apart by zombies, with the tagline "Pre-order or Die!" We mean, a company's eventually going to go there someday, right?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Nick the Hero of Canton @ Oct 27th 2009 12:09AM
I'm sure our relationship would be a real home run
Obie @ Oct 27th 2009 12:49AM
Great ad, still fuck you gamestop...up the @$$..with that virtual baseball bat.
Prof. Von Manifest of the Clan McCloud (PSN: Manifest37) @ Oct 27th 2009 1:18AM
To hell with Gamestop!!
I'm sure the bat will be available for download in about 6 months.
WINterfang ( Now with the power to piss you off ) @ Oct 27th 2009 1:56AM
yeah! Fuck free codes and access to exclusives early demos!! fuck them right into the ass!!!
GordoJones @ Oct 27th 2009 4:25AM
Wow, all thus bat fucking just makes me want it more.
Nick @ Nov 6th 2009 5:40AM
Bonk, anyone?
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 27th 2009 12:13AM
Even as a baseball fan, this makes me sick.
I think I speak for Joystiq when I say
Screw you, Gamestop.
AvA (ice~) @ Oct 27th 2009 12:18AM
It's just a dam in game baseball bat. there are 10 other melee weapons you can use you'll get over it.
Instead of tearing gamestop apart....
sonicspike41 @ Oct 27th 2009 12:25AM
The simple fact that the game isn't even out yet, and already certain weapons are going to be limited from the game...
How would this even work though? Would the weapon be visible to everyone, but only usable by you? If so, that seems like the item would just be an unlock code.
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 27th 2009 12:26AM
I just hate exclusive preorder bonuses.
And that's a good question: Why couldn't you drop it?
CaramelZappa @ Oct 27th 2009 12:37AM
It might be possible that you could drop it and someone else could pick it up and use it.
In Gears of War 2 the golden Lancer/Hammerburst were exclusives for pre-orders, and when they switched weapons or died anyone could pick them up.
AvA (ice~) @ Oct 27th 2009 12:47AM
If you preordered the game, the baseball bat will be available in the level.
IF you are in a server with someone who has a baseball bat pre order bonus, you too will be able to find it and pick it up.
that's how it'll work
Einhanderkiller @ Oct 27th 2009 12:14AM
The baseball bat is also available on Steam.
AsherR [Planeteer | Power of The Hoff] @ Oct 27th 2009 12:20AM
As did I. I have the demo preloaded and ready to go. I want it now!
AsherR [Planeteer | Power of The Hoff] @ Oct 27th 2009 12:21AM
Ugh, reading comprehension fail.
Matt @ Oct 27th 2009 1:24AM
I was going to say, it seems like an odd choice, considering that a good portion of the gamers who buy this (for the PC) will be picking it up on Steam - Steam being the primary means of advertising/knowledge base about the game, and all.
DVersion @ Oct 27th 2009 12:15AM
Allow me to use this topic to talk about by unrelated political views.
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 27th 2009 12:16AM
Yes. Let's talk about the sickening ideology of the Jedi. The Sith are better.
*waves hand*
You all agree with this...
Wince @ Oct 27th 2009 12:24AM
Bah! That's what all you [insert political affiliation] think!
Bubbameister33 (Confused by Fanboyism) @ Oct 27th 2009 3:17AM
Something something something...Darkside...something something...Complete.
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 [Planeteer | Power of General Hostility and Angst] @ Oct 27th 2009 8:08AM
I agree with this.
Move along...move along...
Mr.ESC @ Oct 27th 2009 12:19AM
Wait is that the silenced SMG?
Aerothorn @ Oct 27th 2009 5:47AM
Yes. Because you know zombies - their hearing is spectacular/
npa191 @ Oct 27th 2009 12:27AM
Steam FTW. got the game $15 cheaper, demo is preloaded, and i don't have to drive anywhere to get it.
Andrew @ Oct 27th 2009 12:34AM
same here, you really can't beat $34 for a brand new game
Metal_Link @ Oct 27th 2009 12:34AM
Amen brotha!
Oh look, dedicated servers and mods too! Neat. :D
AsherR [Planeteer | Power of The Hoff] @ Oct 27th 2009 12:54AM
Same here. Plus I have Xmas shopping done for 3 friends!
Xvnine @ Oct 27th 2009 1:01AM
35$!? Where?
CaramelZappa @ Oct 27th 2009 1:26AM
@Xvnine
If you pre-order the game in a 4-pack, it amounts to $35 for each of you.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 27th 2009 12:30AM
Don't care. I'm pre-loaded on steam and I get a baseball bat. Gamestop can suck it.
Annoying commercial though.
a31kiwi @ Oct 27th 2009 12:36AM
As long as they leave the cricket bat a non exclusive, I'm hoping to send a few zombie heads for six.
Cold_Mayhem @ Oct 27th 2009 9:26PM
The baseball bat replaces the cricket bat. No one is losing an item or gaining an item it just replaces for some. I don’t know if it even does anything special. Though I hear if one person has the baseball bat when the game is loaded everyone has to use it instead of the cricket bat. This I heard all around but who knows how it will work it makes more sense that is will just replace a melee weapon and all the complaining about it is useless.
None of this is from valve itself though it's all word of mouth so just wait and see.
Lionfire @ Oct 27th 2009 12:36AM
I believe it was mentioned somewhere that this is an "American themed" baseball bat. Non-Gamestop preorders still get a normal baseball bat. Given that you'll be watching the zombie faces (or bits thereof) fly, who cares if the bat has a flag on it?
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 27th 2009 12:38AM
My guess is the 'American' theme would involve it being a Louisville Slugger, or some other wood bat.
CaramelZappa @ Oct 27th 2009 12:42AM
If you have the PC version, can't you just reskin the bat to have whatever you want on it? I'd like to have a bat that said "fuck you gamestop" on it.
Cornelius @ Oct 27th 2009 9:38AM
@CaramelZappa
I believe you'll get banned by VAC for modifying in-game materials. Unless you intend on using said "Fuck you Gamestop" bat in singleplayer or non-VAC servers.
Einhanderkiller @ Oct 27th 2009 11:09AM
No, Valve does not ban for modifying materials.
Servers can enforce certain rules for modified assets using commands like sv_pure, which has different levels. I think sv_pure 0 restricts all custom assets, 1 restricts custom assets to only some things like textures, and 2 allows everything.
freaparn @ Oct 27th 2009 12:38AM
I'm not sure if this is what they meant when they coined the phrase "virtual whores".
Darth Bradwart, Dark Lord of the Sith @ Oct 27th 2009 12:39AM
No, they meant Activision.
Mat @ Oct 27th 2009 12:43AM
Hmmm Gamestop just screwed me on my pre-order of Borderlands... I'm done with them. Steam here I come.
sean @ Oct 27th 2009 1:11AM
how did gamestop screw you on your pre-order of borderlands? lemme guess like every other retard you waited til the weekend to go get your game they hold for 48 hours?
Thordon @ Oct 27th 2009 1:55PM
My local Gamestop didn't receive any copies of Borderlands with the gun codes in them for those of us who pre-ordered. When I contacted their "customer support," they replied with what basically equated to "Too bad, so sad."
It's OK now though. I learned that Gamestop doesn't want my money. I'll just go elsewhere from now on. Which is sad, because the local Gamestop employees were actually pretty nice and decent folks.
sean @ Oct 27th 2009 1:03AM
Exactly why hate on GameStop for having an exclusive? Do you shop at best buy, or wal-mart or target? all three of the above mentioned have some sort exclusive occasionally... everyone hates on gamestop because they do a damn good job getting people into the store and trading games and getting people to buy the pre-owned games. if you hate used games don't buy from amazon or ebay... no difference...
sonicspike41 @ Oct 27th 2009 2:36AM
I imagine there are some people who don't live near a Gamestop. That only covers some people though.
I myself pre-ordered this at Gamestop quite some time ago, and still don't like this news. I think pre-order bonuses should stick with physical rewards if anything, and they should try to get it to as many stores as possible.
Not to mention Gamestop isn't in every country, which leaves a lot of gamers out of luck compared to buying at Best Buy or Walmart.
Filthy Assistant @ Oct 27th 2009 8:35AM
It's largely because they have, essentially, a monopoly, as far as I can tell.
RKN @ Oct 27th 2009 1:09AM
Holy shit, you are the perfect PS3 version of Sprinkles. Just like him, you'd think this game was good if it was on the PS3 wouldn't you?
Gerik @ Oct 27th 2009 1:10AM
why did I have to dial in my birthday to watch an animated television ad?
Young_Nastyman @ Oct 27th 2009 1:31AM
I'm guessing cause the game is M for Mature?
Doctor John Smith @ Oct 27th 2009 8:45AM
The game is, but this isn't showing gameplay. It's showing an approved television commercial.
Victoria'sSecret @ Oct 27th 2009 1:33AM
Compared to whats on the pS3 right now? He's right. This game would suck on the PS3 also. Valve makes shitty games for a shitty console.