Check back in a little while as we'll have the teaser trailer showing off some of the melee combat. Also, I TOLD YOU ALL, SUCKAS!
VALVE ANNOUNCES LEFT 4 DEAD 2
Sequel to Best-Selling Co-op Thriller Coming This Holiday
June 1, 2009 - Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2), the sequel to the best-selling and critically-acclaimed co-operative multiplayer thriller.
Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC, L4D2 promises to set a new benchmark for co-operative action games and become one of 2009's marquee titles.
"A large part of how Left 4 Dead became 2008's top-selling new IP on Xbox 360 and the PC was the custom-tailored gameplay made possible by the AI Director," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "With the knowledge gained from creating the original, new technology, and a passionate team, L4D2 will set a new benchmark for cooperative action games."
Set for release on November 17, the title adds melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaw, frying pan, axe, baseball bat, and more.
Introducing the AI Director 2.0, L4D's dynamic gameplay is taken to the next level by giving the Director the ability to procedurally change weather effects, world objects, and pathways in addition to tailoring the enemy population, effects, and sounds to match the players' performance. The result is a unique game session custom fitted to provide a satisfying and uniquely challenging experience each time the game is played.
Featuring new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, Left 4 Dead 2 offers a much larger game than the original with more co-operative campaigns, more Versus campaigns, and maps for Survival mode available at launch.
Supported by a $10+ million marketing campaign, Left 4 Dead has sold over 2.5 million retail copies since it was released in November of 2008. Left 4 Dead 2 is targeted for release on Xbox 360 and the PC on November 17, 2009, and will be launched worldwide with a multi-million dollar marketing campaign across TV, Outdoor, and Online.
"Left 4 Dead was backed by our most aggressive advertising campaign to date, and resulted in a top 5 showing on two platforms during holiday 2008," said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing at Valve. "Left 4 Dead 2 is a larger game and will be supported with even more consumer and retail advertising programs than the original."
Left 4 Dead 2 will be featured as the cover story on PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazines this month. For more information, please visit www.l4d.com
Contest:
1:40 PM on 06.01.2009
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Ah well, hopefully this is better than the first.
This is fucking insanity.
Excuse me while I play Starcraft 2, Duke Nukem Forever and...Screw it, sarcasm does not cover this.
Fucking show HL2 Episode 3, you assholes.
I'm waiting for more info/price point/etc. before I make this kind of judgment. Regardless, how do we know they were really the ones to make the decision?
Starcraft 2 is essentially following the same model. Basic game with sequels coming once a year for a couple years.
doesn't valve self publish, ea just handles the packaging and such? Also l4d has gotten such little attention in comparison to tf2. 2 campaigns that many expected at launch and a new mode? We just now got the sdk!
Sequel's coming way too soon. TF2 gets all sorts of game modes, maps, and class updates, and it's been out way longer. Why can't this be an update?
Fucking show HL2 Episode 3, you assholes.
Can we at least get 1 year and 2-3 months out the first one?
Clearly, the test was very successful, but that doesnt excuse this bullshit. I paid full price for a polished beta, I dont want to have pay full price less than a year later for the finished game.
Fuck you Valve.
Please tell me you guys are planning on finding the 1UP and Giant Bomb guys and everybody else and videotape them apologizing for doubting you.
Don't let this game catch BioShock 2 syndrome, it's going to be great. Valve doesn't just pump out sequels for a quick buck. Hell, this might've been in development longer than we think. I'm looking forward to it.
"Here Johnny," says the mother, "I know times are tough, with the economy and all, but I sold Grandma's old brooch so I could get you this."
Johnny tears the cheap wrapping paper, little grubby hands working fast. His mother stares with excitement as the green plastic case is revealed.
"Left 4 Dead, right?" she says with a smile. "The guy in the store said it just came out a little while ago. Do you like it?"
"Fuck you mom I want L4D2"
Man, never thought I'd see people turn on a franchise because a follow up came too soon... is there any pleasing you people? :)
They took forever on games to come out before and everyone complains, now they don't and everyone still complains even though they've only seen one trailer.
Valve (2): "Great idea, 4 hour games with super special 'anytime spawn' will definitely be a hit, despite the fact that it's the same basic pattern everytime!"
Cobra Commander: "Yes!"
Skeletor: "Brilliant plan."
Shia Lebouef: "I still get work, somehow. It's amazing."
Michael Bay: "I got your back dude. I suck, but I got your back."