I always said that the Left 4 Dead 2 whiners would come crawling back once the game was actually released, and Valve used kindness to prove it. Two of the most vocal boycotters were flown out to Seattle on Valve's time and invited to give the game a chance. They are now eating crow and have to admit that the game is a worthy sequel.
"Things seemed balanced and 'tight' and did not feel like a rushed job. While we were visiting their offices we personally witnessed what can only be called a small army of artists, coders, mappers hard at work, which explains the rapid transformations in artwork that we've all seen," grovel the turncoat boycotters, known by the impressive handles of Walking_Target and Agent of Chaos.
"What we can say with confidence is that the quality of gameplay in Left 4 Dead 2 is not in question; and it will only get better."
Naturally, the other boycotters are angry (read: jealous) and now accuse the two former comrades of selling out. They have had to defend themselves from those who believe they are wearing the moneyhat: "No, we didn't pay for flights or hotels, and we are fully aware of how that looks. however, anybody who has had to spend more than 2 hours in an airplane can tell you it's no treat. Nor is getting the sh*ts from different water and food in another part of the country, that's always fun."
So, the boycott is not over, but Valve has shown that until these people actually play the game, their protests are meaningless. Most of these protestors will go back on their word by the time this game launches.
Contest:
8:40 AM on 09.10.2009
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After i saw the changes in the game i can say that its going to be great.
Mainly because I don't have a 360 and it sounds better calling it a boycott.
Absolutely genius.
Damn, being flown out to Seattle to play it, that's more great customer service for you, above and beyond the call of duty. Take note other devs and pubs.
Stop your moaning and get behind L4D2. Its going to be just as, if not more great, than L4D.
It's just amazing to me how they can have two full games in a series come out before giving us a third part of an episodic series.
I understand and can somewhat respect the fact that they won't release anything until it passes that extremely high quality bar that Valve sets but come on... ultimately as welcome a surprise as it was (to most sane people) to see a Left 4 Dead 2, it wasn't anything anyone really asked for. Especially this soon after L4D1. Why not give the people what they want and put all these resources into finishing Episode 3.
Just my two pennies on the subject at hand.
Not that I'm complaining I'm not in this stupid Boycott L4D24LYFE
However I still stand by the fact that it makes L4D1 owners feel invalid and suckers for purchasing the first game. After all L4D2 on the PC side is boasting importation of L4D1 maps and custom content so there was no reason to actually go out and buy L4D1 other than to play a proof of concept prototype.
I won't at all regret purchasing L4D2 but it does make me regret purchasing L4D1.
"Despite these positive words, the two still plan on boycotting the game until their 'individual concerns are addressed.'”
Ultimately, they're still not satisfied.
i can totally understand the boycotters because valve usually takes many years developing a game and it shows....being that left4dead and left4dead 2 release was so close together and left 4 deads content was lacking ...i don't blame gamers for getting in a uproar.
far as valve "it's valve" they are one of the few developers that are actually good and stand by there product ...it's not valve's fault ...it's other companies fault for screwing over there customers that are making people react to stuff like this the way they do .
the paying of hotel rooms and plane tickets to try and puts peoples mind at ease tickets, doesn't surprise me because they are a good company and in a way i can totally see them doing something like that because well it's valve.
Shocking to hear, but quality of gameplay isn't actually the only consideration.
For the most part, they're too stupid not to. The amount of ignorance being spewed by some of those rejects shows me that they're in this for the 'Ooh! Let's stick it to the man!!' aspect of it, and when that group mentality turns to 'Hey, let's play this fun game that just came out.' the majority of them are going to do just that.
They'll throw down their money, play the game and probably continue to bitch and moan about how their expectations weren't met for L4D, which they'll never play again because L4D2 is (most likely) exponentially better.
So, does that lend weight to their argument that L4D was just a 'beta' for L4D2? I guess.. but the same could be said for any COD/Madden/Tiger/whatever title that comes out every year. Buy it at release, or some time down the line. Chances are, you're going to buy it some day.
I'm of the opinion that L4D2 is probably coming along a little too quickly after the first, but hey, if it's good, if enough is crammed into it to separate it from the original, I'll buy it.
It's a fun game.
People were upset about the announcement of the 2nd game because that meant Valve would for sure not deliver on those promises. The likely hood of the sequel being the same way is currently high, despite them flying as many as....2...whole boycotters to their headquarters.
1st game was fun, 2nd one will surely be fun too, just don't expect any new content other than a small lighthouse-ish map to come out half a year down the road. This article is irrelevant in a L4D2 boycott discussion.
Valve have broken the rules. They are in fact traitors.
You never bargain with terrorists, ever.
I'll wait until L4D2 gets cheap and then buy it, to even out the lowish value of the 1st game (great as it is, i think i paid a bit too much for it).
"We're not giving up just yet though, we will both be here up until our individual concerns are addressed and sticking with you folks."
They're still making "demands!" About a video game! Honestly, I expected you to rip into them more.
Also, the angry comments from their fellow boycotters are hilarious AND annoying. The fact that people can get so worked up about something as silly as a video game boggles the mind.
Just start a boycott against boycotting, silly.
Normally - when people take the high road - it doesn't work out so well.
I just can't believe how anomalous a company Valve is in this day and age and how appropriately they're being rewarded for their consistent patience, disposition, and efforts.
It makes me proud.
Bioshock 2
Final Fantasy XIII
Half-Life: Episode 3
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Assassin's Creed 2
Borderlands