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.
I just seen the preview. So, it's the opposite of L4D, instead of 3 white ppl and 1 crybaby black dude we get 3 black ppl and 1 crybaby white dude? So, when are they gonna have an asian and hispanic person in the survivor group?
Um the Source Engine is completely modular and as been upgraded several times since the release of HL2. That was the whole idea of Source. To create an engine that could be easily upgraded and modified to ease developed time and allow the developer to concentrate on bigger issues.
Left 4 Dead is made by Turtle Rock, I believe, so it has no effect on Half-Life. Plus, Valve in general has a known disdain for the PS3. The only reason The Orange Box appeared on it was because EA did the port in Valve's stead.
spewn (34) Jun 01, 2009 - 03:57 pm | Edited on Jun 01, 2009 - 03:58 pm
L4D was never all that special as far as I'm concerned, so I don't see the big deal myself. It may seem pretty early, but very little goes into a game like this compared to an episode of Half-Life 2.(Meaning, they'll probably hit this date.)
What I wonder is why now? TF2 lasted as a MP-only entity and just got updates etc for quite some time(continues to as I write this). Now they're releasing a new version of L4D knowing they'll fracture the player-base and inevitably phase-out the older version. From the players point of view, this is just paying for what TF2 players get for free.
On the other hand, maybe Valve will pull an awesome single-player storyline out of their arses. I'm not too hopeful, though.
L4D is seriously one of the funnest games I've ever played. The Versus mode is really all I got into but ooooh boy have I gotten my money's worth out of that game.
This seems a bit soon for a sequel all the same. Not like I'm complaining.
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