Left 4 Dead 2 in Valve’s future! DLC on the way for Left 4 Dead

4 January 2009

Posted by:Ferry

At E3 2009 Valve confirmed Left 4 Dead 2 is coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC, when it’s released on November 17, 2009.

The title adds melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaw, frying pan, axe, baseball bat, and more. Check it out in this first Left 4 Dead 2 trailer:

“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.”

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 characters fighting for life
Valve’s Chet Faliszek, known as one of the writers on the dialog in Left 4 Dead and Portal, was recently interviewed about the future of the Left 4 Dead franchise and what it was like working on the shooter.

He mainly talks about how the upcoming downloadable content would include more versus stories, but then switches to an interesting comment about the storyline of the game and what we presume to be that of the sequel, Left 4 Dead 2. To quote: “The backstory, in a way, would have to be something different. I don’t wanna play the backstory in a game, like where the infection came from and stuff.

Uhm, but I think we definitely have plans to continue on talking about the infection, the world. Because that’s the interesting thing right? How the world reacts to it, how it all falls apart or pulls together. (Let’s gonna go out there and fight! Alright!) But some people (I think) are of the mind that they wanted a little more story, some (you know) seeing the bulk of you are happy with the way it was told. So I think our plan is to just keep updating the game. Keep exploring the world and what’s going on in it.”

I don’t know about you, but count me in for more co-op action! — Hear the full interview over at Kotaku.

Update: Now that the game’s been released, check out our Left 4 Dead 2 codes guide for PC.

Categories: News, PC News, Xbox 360 News

bam

right now a im getting excited about the next chapter in the game…lol…left 4 dead is a nice game..=)
Sinny

I dont wanna see where the infection came from.

I think what the people want to see is the backround of Bill francis zoey and louis. How they came to be and where they came from.

(also some improved graphics, better weapon handling and more weapons in general)

but the character backround is more important. Hell i’d like to see some novels on this subject.
http://www.myspace.com/southernzombiepunch zombiepunch

i love the game i play it evey day and when i get around to hooking my 360 up to my computer i cant wait to play with more people b.c when you play the game by yourself the computer teamates are helemet special!lol.i so want a movie to come out for this game,the graphics could be a lil bit better and more weapons!
Bingo

i do enjoy this game but playing it so many times can only go so far
i would love the idea of having making your own survivor instead of running around as Zoey,Bill ect could be a good thing could like stick 4 players on a map random and have too find each other to get out of the city or something maybe, and writeing on the wall u had on Left 4 dead could be used in left 4 dead 2 to write our own msg’s say like heading to the hospital or something
but still hope u can make this game better then the 1st
austin

does left 4 dead 2 exsit?
blamforzombiedie

does left for dead 2 exsit?
Moviefan929

I heard this on another forum: Being able to barricade doors with furniture and stuff would be cool. I also agree about the weapons. New Infected? Thats the first thing on my wish list. :}

Movie would be awesome. But it has to have a good director, good FX and acting. Hmmm….I cant think of a director who can tackle this game…Or who would be willing to take on the challenge :{

Louis Leterrier…? Paul Greengrass perhaps? Hes directing World War Z. Kind of curious to see how that turns out. Or…George A. Romero…? {snicker, devil grin}. My first pick would be Danny Boyle. He did 28 days Later spectacularly.

Oh, and Bingos idea would be really cool too. ;}.
UsneenBucket

I think how to infection started would add to the story line. Thats what i want, a better story line
For instance.
Why dont the survivors travel in day?
Where do they go after being rescued at the end of campaigns?
Why dont they stay there?
you get the point.
John

How about Rob Zombie as the director of the L4D movie. (irony)
Jawn

Usneenbucket is right about story, there is a lot to be explained, especially if a movie was in the works. But a movie adaptaion is doubtful, but a sequel to the game is almost definite. Better graphics and physics, clearer story, a customize option, and re-imagined weapons along with longer campaign would make the game a huge tsunami of entertaining bliss that would kill hours on end.