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New Hunters, Smokers and Boomers coming to Left 4 Dead 2 photo

We had the distinct pleasure of visiting Valve's studio this past week to get a personal look at Left 4 Dead 2 and chat to the brains behind this year's big zombie shooter. Coming soon, we have a lengthy interview with series writer Chet Faliszek, where we ask a number of burning questions, such as the one that's been bugging me for weeks -- will the Hunter, Smoker, Boomer and Tank be getting new models, or will they just be recycled from Left 4 Dead as previews indicated?

"One of the weird things with Left 4 Dead 2 is that we're not showing a finished product, yet it plays like a finished product, so all those guys are getting re-skinned and remodeled," Chet answers. "They're going to be mutated to the area -- it's the South, it's a little hotter. A guy running around in a hoodie is gonna be a little rare. We haven't shown that yet, we're gonna be showing it ... actually I don't know when we're going to show it, but it'll be shown before release."

In addition, Chet revealed that the re-skinned Special Infected would have new vocal recordings as well. 

My biggest gripe with Left 4 Dead 2 after playing it at E3 was the fact that the original Special Infected were using the same models as their L4D1 counterparts, so learning that the original creatures are getting brand new looks is a brilliant bit of news for me. 

It'll be really interesting to see how the Special Infected become more localized to the South. A Hunter in dungarees really would look a bit odd, though.








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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34 comments | showing # 1 to 34
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Clarke's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:03
Clarke
You're so two thousand and late...
Xhumation's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:15
Xhumation
I was reading the article and every time I read the word "Chet" my mind went to Brad Nicholson.

Anyway I'm glad they're getting reskined
Nerdy Suit's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:16
Nerdy Suit
I'll probably buy the game eventually, but not launch day like I did with the original. I'll probably wait for it to go on sale on Steam.
Chris Carter's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:16
Chris Carter
@Clarke
Don't ever quote that atrocity.
Jim Sterling's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:20
Jim Sterling
"I was reading the article and every time I read the word "Chet" my mind went to Brad Nicholson."

Dude, I was playing L4D with the guy all day, and it never stopped being hilarious to see the name "Chet" above Francis' head. I kept imagining him beating The Infected down with his pecs.
Isay Isay's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:21
Isay Isay
dungarees? I think we call those overalls down here

I guess this would be the basis for the Southern Boomer:
Jesus H Christ's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:22
Jesus H Christ
Confedarate soldier uniform for the boomer confirmed.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:29
Chronic Logic
A new model? I kinda liked the old original ones. Maybe they will keep the old and new models in the game, so that the boss zombies will have two skins to choose from.
DeusPayne's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:30
DeusPayne
Dungarees refer to jeans and overalls made of denim. And overalls can be made of other materials other than denim. Denim. I just like saying denim. It sounds so... denim.
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:34
Tubatic
@Chronic Logic

I wish there were more medieval european knights in Way of the Samurai. I like medieval european knights. Maybe they'll have an option for medieval knights in Way of the Samurai 3.

...
Super Drybones's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:54
Super Drybones
"it's the South, it's a little hotter"

Boomer Thong confirmed!
RICHARD BLOCKER's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 09:55
RICHARD BLOCKER
1.) Boomer- overalls (credit to isay isay)
2.) Hunter- Colombia shirt, straw hat, sandals
3.) witch - Mountain dew T-shirt, jean skirt
4.) smoker- trucker hat, wife beater, ropers.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 10:07
Sharpless
The Witch should totally be Christina Ricci from Black Snake Moan, dragging a radiator behind her and everything. But if the Smoker looks like Jeff Foxworthy, I'm boycotting.
Xhumation's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 10:25
Xhumation
@Jim Sterling.

That would be awesome. Chet should be the fifth survivor in L4D2
Gyrael's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 10:33
Gyrael
"That would be awesome. Chet should be the fifth survivor in L4D2"

If Chet was in L4D2 he'd have to be the only survivor. Not only because he can make it by himself, but because he'd end up killing the other survivors anyways.
Super Mega Hyper's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 10:58
Super Mega Hyper
Chet as the tank... but with more muscles on top of muscles.
ShawnKelfonne's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 11:14
ShawnKelfonne
Changing the models I don't mind, but the sounds are ingrained into my mind as a warning as to what's coming up. I mean, you hear that low growl and you know there's a hunter around. For how much emphasis Valve puts on being able to recognize things quickly in their games (distinctive silhouettes, audio cues, etc) it seems odd that they'd make you learn it all over again.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 11:19
Holyetheline
New skins will definitely breathe more fresh air into this game. I am sooooo stoked for some L4D2!
Reginald's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 11:25
Reginald
@Shawnfelfonne: if you dont like the new models or sounds, you can copy/paste the ones from the original game into your L4D2 directory. this is a Source game, after all.
Char Aznable's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 11:40
Char Aznable
Sharpless, I was going to attempt some "You might be an infected redneck" joke, but it's not even worth the effort.
Isay Isay's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 11:50
Isay Isay
@ Char

We might as well associate the entire Blue Collar Comedy Tour to their respective special zombie.
Blasto's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 11:58
Blasto
haha Sharpless, that would be perfect ...oh, and swap out Coach for Samuel L. Jackson, that would be a much better choice.
Soulwax's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 12:30
Soulwax
I hope one of them has a mullet.
spot the spy's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 12:37
spot the spy
Jim are you the new boomer?
Count Grishnack's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 12:40
Count Grishnack
Hawaiian shirt for boomer confirmed. Bikini for witch confirmed.
ChronosWing's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 12:42
ChronosWing
@ShawnKelfonne

The reason is to make the game feel like a new experience instead of a rehashed L4D with a new locale.
KyleGamgee's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 13:19
KyleGamgee
I'm really curious to see what they do with the tank.
gatorsax2010's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 13:26
gatorsax2010
@Sharpless

That's the first reasonable argument for boycotting this game that I've heard.
Naim Master's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 19:54
Naim Master
I don't know how they can take the hoodie off the Hunter without raping the character ...
WarZombie's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/30/2009 22:49
WarZombie
The Hunter is going to take some getting used to if they don't cover up his face. Other than that, this is great. I'm glad they aren't re-hashing the models, it really gives L4D2 it's own unique feel now (Not that new infected and weapons didn't do that already).
MrSlippery's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 00:48
MrSlippery
Boomer : greasy wifebeater, sweatpants, maybe riding a rascal.
Hunter: Torn plaid workshirt, mullet hidden by trucker cap, ripped denim jeans
smoker: hmmm, toughie, no ideas atm.

Witch, torn dirty white southern style dress?
Rammstein's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/31/2009 02:53
Rammstein
Francis: "You better hide, you sweater-wearin' sissy!"

Scout--err, I mean, the guy in L4D2 that basically looks like the Scout from TF2: "You better hide, you daisy-duke-wearin' sissy! BONK!" (scratch that last part)

DAISY DUKES CONFIRMED!

Although seeing the witch in Daisy Dukes might be hawt.
Analoge's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/02/2009 11:41
Analoge
Let's be real here. It's the south. Everyone's boomer-sized.
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