games  anime  |  toys
This is a Dtoid readers's blog. For staff blogs click here. Confused? read this Create you own!  |   Members: Login now





L4D Versus mode: A reason to kick no mic-ers off your team. Also, release dates
BlindsideDork | 1:09 PM on 10.13.2008 27 comments




Prima Games, the guys who do all those guide books, got to spend some time with the most amazing games' versus feature and gives out some word of wisdom. They played two "newbs" and two experienced people, aka devs. Here is what they say.

So we're back from Valve after a solid week of blasting, igniting, and blowing up zombies in Left 4 Dead. It was an incredibly busy week, but we managed to come back with tons of useful info and assets for the guide. There really are no shooters that play like Left 4 Dead, making it a real treat to those of us who have become a bit jaded with the whole genre.

..In the game's versus mode, each team gets the chance to play a map as the survivors and the infected; at the end of a level, both teams switch sides and the map is replayed. The goal for the survivors is to reach the safe house at the end of the level while the infected team tries to stop them. It's a very transient attack & defend style of play, with the survivors trying to blitz through the map as fast as possible while the infected work together to stop them. The developers on our team helped us get the hang of it in the first few rounds, making sure we stuck together and offering advice on how to best ambush the survivors when it was our turn to play as the infected. Still, I was totally unprepared for how incredibly frantic the pace was.

If it wasn't for the two developers on our team feeding us a constant stream of tips and tactics during the match, we would have been toast. This highlights the extreme importance of communication. Two experienced players were able to lead two complete newbies to an overwhelming win over a very competent team of experts. This match perfectly illustrates Valve's goal with this game, showing that teamwork can trump skill and experience. That's what's so refreshing about this game. It doesn't just encourage communication and coordination, it absolutely requires it. Those who wander off and try to win the match on their own will be the first to fall. But even more, the intangible rewards and sense of accomplishment offered by teamwork is hard to communicate.


So there you have it...communication. And how are you suppose to communicate with someone who doesn't have a mic? You can't. Looks like I won't feel sad when I host a L4D match and kick a no mic-er on my team. The other team, if they want one they can have one.



Also, Doug Lombardi has commented on the concern of release dates and sets the record straight since every store has a different date.

In the US:
The product will ship TO stores on the 17th.
It will be in boutique stores and on Steam on the 18th.
The mass merchant US stores will have it on the 19th.

In the rest of the World:
The product will be available on Friday, Nov 21.
On Steam:
The game will likely be available early the morning of the 18th (Pacific time).


That settles it. The assumption that GameStop = boutique stores and mass-merchants are BestBuy/Target/Walmart. Guess who will be driving around to every nearby store on November 17th?


[Via Left4Dead 411 & them again]



Is this post awesome? Vote it up!

0


Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

27 comments | showing # 1 to 27

prev next

Dexter345's Destructoid Blog
Sounds a lot like TF2 in that sense. It seems Valve is the only development house that can make shooters that really depend on teamwork and communication.
falinter's Destructoid Blog
The waiting is so hard.
JACK of No Trades's Destructoid Blog
I don't understand the hype on this games. All you do is shoot zombies. Fallout 3 looks to be alot better than this. Why would anyboy want to play this when LBP, R2, Gears2 & Dead Space are right around the corner.

See Dork. I can flip it around too!!!!!
BlindsideDork's Destructoid Blog
@Jack

You don't just shoot zombies you can BE zombies!

And zombies rule.
MrSadistic's Destructoid Blog
Left FOR Dead > Dead Space

I'll probably pick it up during Christmas. At least it gives me a reason to finally use my headset besides leaving sexual messages to people on my friends list.
AngelsDontBurn's Destructoid Blog
God I can't wait for this. HNNNNNNNNNG!
Kinji's Destructoid Blog
Why go out at all when you can preload it and unlock it on steam at midnight? With Orange Box they gave you $5 off if you pre-loaded it as well.
Sharpless's Destructoid Blog
I have great sympathy for the mic-less. I've been mic-less, and being kicked out of TF2 lobby after TF2 lobby is no fun. Just because I can't communicate, it doesn't mean I don't know how to play. I've joined mid-game and led the host's team in scoring, yet I've been kicked in the lobby post-game. How does that make sense?

I understand how it would be more significant in L4D, and I certainly why it's important in TF2 also, but I think it's a shame that people are so harsh towards no-micers. Sometimes they can't help it, and sometimes it doesn't matter.
Knives's Destructoid Blog
I agree with dork, zombies rule!
Kryptinite's Destructoid Blog
Fuck Zombies.

But I am getting this game so I can blast their faces off.
NotAZombie's Destructoid Blog
LEFT 4 DEAD, LEFT 4 DEAD, LEFT 4 DEAD!
Jesus H Christ's Destructoid Blog
I fucking hate zombies, which is why I'm looking forward to killing them in L4D so much. Although more or less requiring a mic doesn't sound too appealing given the majority of the XBL community.
RICHARD BLOCKER's Destructoid Blog
But JESUS H, you, yourself are a zombie.
Jack8274's Destructoid Blog
OH MY GOD. I'M SORRY. I CAN'T STOP CUMMING, I'M SORRY. OOOHHHH IT FEELS SO GOOD!

...I can't believe I came on Left4Dead.
Rockvillian's Destructoid Blog
voice_enable 0.

L4D has a command wheel to make the survivors say what they need to say, I'll stick with that when I play with strangers. Knivy, mics on! :D
Messer's Destructoid Blog
I fucking hate your blog header.
AngelsDontBurn's Destructoid Blog
Lol @ Messer.
BlindsideDork's Destructoid Blog
What's wrong with my header?
ThunderHeartXI's Destructoid Blog
I hate using a mic when I play with strangers. Because I am of the female variety, I either get hit on or get treated like I'm a six year old and I don't know left from right. It's really fucking annoying.
TheDreadHawk's Destructoid Blog
I LOVE THIS!!!!
psycho terror2's Destructoid Blog
i never play online with a mic, in fact i don't even listen to others talk.

i just want to play games and not have to listen to some retard singing or trying to be funny, or spewing racist/homophobic comments, or telling everyone how 1337 they are etc. etc. etc.

guess this means i won't be playing L4D online. oh and fuck you if you kick people who don't want to listen to your shit.
Kyousuke Nanbu's Destructoid Blog
And its pretty much a guarantee that you'll bump into people that refuse to help others, this is the kind of game you should play with friends and friends only.
B-Radicate's Destructoid Blog
Is there any more word on whether or not Valve will support this game to a better extent than they have TF2 on 360? That'll be the main selling point for me, hands down. Either way I'm gonna pick it up, but I'd prefer the 360 version so I have friends to play through it with, I just don't wanna miss out on all the update goodness.
Eschatos's Destructoid Blog
Fuck my stupid broken mic.
Cowzilla3's Destructoid Blog
I want this.
Krahsh's Destructoid Blog
yaaay!
Even though I risk sounding like a consumer whore this is one game I might just pick up twice, one for the PC and one for the 360. Sometimes it just feels good to sit on the couch with a controller.
Then again..maybe even 3 times depending on if the wife enjoys it.
B-Radicate's Destructoid Blog
Will this have splitscreen co-op? My gf really wants to play this but I only have one 360.


prev next


Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 about me
 xbox 360 gamertag
 mii friend code:
1581-0235-4545-0438

 friends' updates
B-Radicate's Profile B-Radicate
B-Radicate has a Surprise, Bitches!
bhive01's Profile bhive01
Destructoid crashes Safari/ Spam on the Increase
BlueWolf72's Profile BlueWolf72
Ultimate Robot Trophies
Chad Concelmo's Profile Chad Concelmo
The tragic history of the videogame turkey
charliesuh's Profile charliesuh
More Cancun Stuff: Dale North Tribute
Colette Bennett's Profile Colette Bennett
The Whispered World gets lucky at German Game Dev Awards
Copyright 2008 Agent Chieftain's Profile Copyright 2008 Agent Chieftain
The Development Process of MGS4
Cowzilla3's Profile Cowzilla3
Monday Review: Drag Me to Hell
CrAnKeDHigH's Profile CrAnKeDHigH
Fails at blogging.
Dale North's Profile Dale North
New Shiren the Wanderer trailer looks awesome
DrachulaX's Profile DrachulaX
The dust has settled; what did YOU get for x-mas D'toid?
DtoidBaltimoreDC's Profile DtoidBaltimoreDC
Ready to get your FEST ON?
DynamicSheep's Profile DynamicSheep
Fails at blogging.
galagabug 's Profile galagabug
Gamers Guide To Surviving Super Bowl Sunday
Gameboi's Profile Gameboi
Talk about surreal!
grrlaction's Profile grrlaction
Holy crap.
Hamza CTZ Aziz's Profile Hamza CTZ Aziz
Weekend Destructainment: Jesus cheats at Modern Warfare 2
HarassmentPanda's Profile HarassmentPanda
Review: Magic the Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers
Hitogoroshi's Profile Hitogoroshi
Catching up on Bru-Ray Releases.
Hoygeit's Profile Hoygeit
Cammy Fan Art Illustration
itemforty's Profile itemforty
WWJDTN: What would Jesus Do to Nazis?
Jim Sterling's Profile Jim Sterling
Raskulls still looks adorable in these new screens
Jonathan Holmes's Profile Jonathan Holmes
Aardman Animations hocks the DSi via Flipnote studios
Joseph Leray's Profile Joseph Leray
Revisited: Gears of War 2, Pinocchio, and masculinity
kadosho's Profile kadosho
Other M
Knives's Profile Knives
Destructoid's PAX 09 Panel
MaxVest's Profile MaxVest
My New Job As A Chicken Sexer -- Not What I Thought It Would Be
Mxyzptlk's Profile Mxyzptlk
Left 4 Dead 2: Interview with a Zombie 2
Nick Chester's Profile Nick Chester
Dead to Right: Retribution all about 'awesome violence'
Niero's Profile Niero
Join Destructoid at the University of Miami's Launchpad
NihonTiger90's Profile NihonTiger90
Steam-opoly: Why Valve's already on top and why no one can do anything about it
Procyon's Profile Procyon
Can there ever be another "Mario"?
Rockvillian's Profile Rockvillian
I Suck at Games: Negative Reinforcement Negatively Reinforces Everything
Savant's Profile Savant
A simple message from the Internets to Blizzard
Shin Oni's Profile Shin Oni
SSF4 new character trailer
SWE3tMadness's Profile SWE3tMadness
The wrong thing: The root of all evil
Takeshi's Profile Takeshi
Fare thee well my big black darling. I'll miss you.
tazarthayoot's Profile tazarthayoot
Top 10 reasons it's Samit's birthday
The GHost's Profile The GHost
Why I Love Destructoid
Topher Cantler's Profile Topher Cantler
READY TO FRIDAY
TrailerParkJesus's Profile TrailerParkJesus
Hurricane Ike + Power Outage x Boredom = Destructoid Caricatures!
Zen Albatross's Profile Zen Albatross
Twitter-trending for fun and profit: #stackyourgadgets for great justice


 

 
  get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
contribute a news tip
suggest a feature
be a guest editor
support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?
keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meetup+play online
seriously

about Destructoid
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap
our network

Tomopop
Japanator
Despingation?




Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006