Adding to the Dead

Sun Dec 28, 2008 at 12:23:29 AM EST

Whether your fancy is the Xbox 360 or PC of Left 4 Dead, many players have seen a little bit of rabid action or plans to.  While the gameplay is nearly perfectly streamlined in Valve fashion however, no one can argue that the game's greatest shortcoming is the lack of content on disk.  4 campaigns, each with 4-5 maps, and only two of the campaigns available on versus mode.  Sure, playing versus and co-op, not to mention some fun and rather well thought out achievements, can stretch out a 4 hour game to a couple of months, but what then?
Valve has voiced that they will support the game post-release and supposedly much quicker than what they did for Team Fortress 2. So what content are you looking forward to?

Before you answer, take note:

You post-apocalypse-mall lovers will have to wait for fan-made content, and Valve has already stated that they wish to avoid cliches.  Mansions, malls, and pubs may or may not be included in that statement.

Personally, I would love the other two maps to be added to the versus roster to be the first update, with a patch for the various bugs.  When it comes time for adding maps, hopefully all of them are compatible with vs. mode.  The settings for these maps could be a coastal town, including a cruise ship/aircraft carrier where you either must a)reach a helicopter among active fuel lines exploding from gunfire or b(cruise ship) lifeboats must be lowered into the water, but here's the catch: only two may enter a boat at a time. It still allows more teamwork, yet still manages to make the situation more harrowing in a unique manner.  Other ideas include refugee/quarantine camp, a highway (car alarms, explosive tankers), a news station control building, and a prison.

Any ideas? Maps, modes, weapons, or new-infected?


Tags: Left 4 Dead, zombies, DLC (all tags)

Comments Disabled | 37 comments

  •  Well, (none / 0)

    they did say that they were gonna make a re-make of the Mall that was in Dawn of the Dead, but other than that I'm sure they're gonna try and stay away from the Malls and such. I hope they give some more info soon on new additions to the game because the more, the merrier.

    "Vuht? Ze Panzerz? WHO LET ZE PANZERZ OUWT?!?!?!?!"

    by Grymm on Sun Dec 28, 2008 at 12:41:54 AM EST

  •  i didn't really (none / 0)

    read much about the game before I got it so I did not know what to expect from the multiplayer. I'm a little disappointed because the multiplayer feels almost exactly like the campaign on the non infected end. I really don't find myself wanting to play this game every day like I did for gears of war. After a few days I start to feel the urge. I guess in some ways that is positive, but I really was stunned by the lack of multiplayer ingenuity and content.

  •  The dawn of the dead mall... (none / 0)

    is a fan-made map.

    http://tyrus-onthepath.blogspot.com/

    by tyrus on Sun Dec 28, 2008 at 02:38:40 AM EST

  •  It may have been sponsored by Valve now... (none / 0)

    there was a zombie mod prior to L4D. In it, a fan has been meticulously recreating the map for the past 2 YEARS. lol.

    Wonder if Valve picked it up. Either way, I heard he decided to do it for L4D after it came out.

    Can't wait for new content. And all the maps should be playable in VS. I heard the other tow were kept out for balancing issues, but I say fuck it. Give me hopeless odds as a survivor, I'll still bring the pain.

    But I also heard the PC version can play all the movies. Plus, they can play any CS map too.

    Give me more!

    http://tyrus-onthepath.blogspot.com/

    by tyrus on Sun Dec 28, 2008 at 09:52:27 AM EST

  •  So many times I'd open the door... (none / 0)

    before ESuns or Degrees were ready. lol.

    http://tyrus-onthepath.blogspot.com/

    by tyrus on Sun Dec 28, 2008 at 06:24:40 PM EST

  •  Proven fact as of 10 minutes ago (none / 0)

    Boxin + Goggs + Ghost Patrol + Myself = Best L4D team. Tons of laughs with tons of ass kicking!

    R.I.P Polandstyle :: 9/8/68 - 3/16/09 ::

    by RoBBins0096 on Mon Dec 29, 2008 at 02:10:23 AM EST

  •  More maps would be a blessing. (none / 0)

    You will meet your maker, the "chainsaw" and POLANDSTYLE

    by Polandstyle on Mon Dec 29, 2008 at 01:09:38 PM EST

  •  Latest Kotaku podcast reveals plans for DLC (none / 0)

    Chet Faliszek, who handled the writing and scripting in L4D, speaks of the first DLC that will thankfully hit both the PC and 360 versions of the game.  Solid information is the addition of vs. mode to the other two maps, while vague hints of additional content.  Oh, and expect it to be revealed soon (CES?)  Warning: This video generally demonstrates what NOT to do while playing with others.

    http://kotaku.com/5118863/chet-falis...

    Also speaks of backstory and how the exclusion of it lead to its disadvantage in GOY competitions and such.

  •  Man... (none / 0)

    cant wait to get this game. Played the demo mountains of times..... All i need i sthe secound hand shop to open as i now they have a copy off L4D and in goes my copy of FC2 and out comes L4D.

    Bob we wont forget you!!!

    by HELLFIRE V1 on Mon Dec 29, 2008 at 07:07:16 PM EST

  •  Mr C (none / 0)

    Great idea about the escape for only two survivors!  That would be fantastic.  One of my favorite aspects of L4D is the personality litmus test it provides. If they added the "there can be only 2" element to it, how much more would we learn about each other.  (More on this at the bottom.)

    As far as I am concerned, Valve may as well not release any more "movies" if they aren't VS compatible.  They need to give us Death Toll and Dead Air VS asap, and then every Movie henceforth must be made with VS in mind and as priority.  

    The loading times and the lag can be horrendous, but because it isn't a game of precision in any aspect, it almost doesn't matter.  It is the first game in which, at least as the infected, I am often in the top two (of both teams!), and for that reason, I want published game stats.

    GearsChris, you have not played the game until you've played VS.  That is where you get to see all the innovation, and "feel" why this game is next Gen.  You have to try that before you can say anything about the game.  In addition, the more familiar you are with the locations, the deeper the game gets. Memories and stories abound.  I learned so much about what to do and what not to do yesterday.  Also, as I have said to those I played with, unlike any other game, there is an interesting "balance" in this game whereas the poorer you do, the more you get to play as the Infected - which is where so much of the fun lies.

    As tyrus mentioned above, he will leave your ass stranded while he runs ahead... and closes the door!  LMAO.  The Blankman is on the other end of that spectrum, trying to save everyone and always looking back, making sure there are no zombies chasing him.  When those two are on your team, you are almost guaranteed to be running somewhere between them spread WAY out across the settings.

    It is a completely FRESH gaming experience, and I can play the first two movies over and over and over again.  Like tyrus said, I care not about any unbalance in the Movies, I want those remaining stories available for VS right now!  It is not like it is unfair, it just means that very seldom will either team actually get rescued, and that is fine.

    •  Do the (none / 0)

      guns feel the same in the VS mode Suns?  That's what turned me off right away when I played the demo.  In a game like Gears you can tell your guns have weight to them and you are doing major damage with all of them, I was actually laughing when I got to the point in the demo in L4D and used the turret at the one point.  Maybe the full game is different but I don't have much cash so I have to be very picky what games I buy if any.  Thanks for the info.  I also have been playing through the campaign of COD World at War because Dylan got it for Christmas and have to say I am actually enjoying it, I still don't care for the MP but the SP I'm having a great time with.

      Your learning well my young Padawan: Polandstyle

      by GearsChrisB on Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 01:37:47 AM EST

      [ Parent ]

      •  I will admit (none / 0)

        the turret is kinda lame, but nothing beats a shotty headshot (well any gun headshot) or laying into a tank with an auto-shottie and actually SEEING bullet holes where you shot it.

        If that doesn't make you think you're shooting the gun, I don't know what will.

        •  LOL Thanks Boxin (none / 0)

          Your always so good with words man.  It just must be me but all the guns I used just felt off if you get what I mean.  I'm not hating on the game by any means because I know a TON of Gearheads are playing this game.  Plus I love Zombie type games so I want to like L4D.

          Your learning well my young Padawan: Polandstyle

          by GearsChrisB on Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 03:39:42 PM EST

          [ Parent ]

          •  I know what you mean (none / 0)

            but thats how all the guns feel in any source game, like half life or counterstrike etc, so I guess Im used to it?

            Also, nothing beats playing with real people, I think it was last night or the night before, everyone in the game was in a single party and we were just messing around so the zombies could hear the humans and vice versa, it was actually a lot of fun and the trash talk was... well not really trash talk but it was all in good fun. Its hard to explain haha.

            Like (I think) Blank said, its the social aspect of the game that keeps us coming back, slaying hordes of zombies and eating brains is just a bonus.

          •  Chris, I just got back (none / 0)

            I understand about your guns concern.  All I can say is that I think you will get used to it, and that guns are not what the game is all about.  It is all about everything else.  In fact, as you know, you don't even get a gun half the time when you are playing as the infected.  I don't know any other game where you get to choose your spawn site (analog style not preset spawn places) and spawn with different specialties to try and stop the heroes.

            If CoDWaW is only fun as a single player, when you are done with it, trade it for L4D and grab some multiplayer with us.  You won't regret it.  

            I don't plan on quitting L4D anytime soon.  This and Gears 2 are my FFF games for the next year+.  If Valve is able to provide DLC (even for a price) I will be playing this for a long time. The only way that won't happen is if everyone collectively decides to stop playing it.  ha ha ha  Because, it is all about community.

            •  you'll always (none / 0)

              have me baby hahaha

            •  I (none / 0)

              would like to try this game with you all for sure. As for trading in COD World at war that's not going to happen because I believe it's become Dylan's #1 game to play MP on right now lol.  He is totally loving the Zombie Nazi mode, I was watching him play it last night and he was having a blast playing it.  He has already beat the SP and plays MP more than Gears 2 now, which really shocks me.  Thanks for the info Suns I look forward to getting in some games with you soon, it's been WAY to LONG since we have played anything together.

              Your learning well my young Padawan: Polandstyle

              by GearsChrisB on Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 10:50:48 PM EST

              [ Parent ]

              •  ha ha ha That is GREAT! (none / 0)

                It is actually a whole lot of fun watching the boys hand out the pain, isn't it?

                Understood about CoDWaW.  Can't trade in your son's Christmas present, especially when he likes it!  :)

                And it has been WAY too long!  I am sure there will be something that we are both playing one of these evenings.
                Cheers!

Comments Disabled | 37 comments