Filed under: Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead update hits 360 "in the coming weeks"

by Richard Mitchell { 10 months ago }

Valve sends word that an update for the PC version of Left 4 Dead is now available, with an update for the 360 version planned in "the coming weeks." The update includes lots of bug fixes as well as many improvements to the versus multiplayer mode. As a general improvement, the Infected HUD now shows the status of other Infected teammates, which is nice. Several changes and improvements have been made to the various Infected classes, including increased pounce damage for Hunters, changes to the Smoker's tongue mechanics -- sounds like it's harder to melee the tongue now -- and reduced autoshotgun damage against Tanks. Perhaps most notable to those that play a lot of versus, the percentage chance that either a Witch or Tank will spawn is now the same for both teams. Hopefully that will quell the constant cries of "no fairsies!"

Find the complete list of fixes and improvements after the break. We'll be sure to let you know when the update hits the Xbox 360.

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Left 4 Dead patch released, safe rooms are safe

by Dustin Burg { 10 months ago }

You'll be pleased to know that on top of the server-side patch, Valve has just released a title update for Left 4 Dead that's a client-side patch for stopping hackers and exploiters. You know, because nobody likes dealing with a dozen witches while in a safe room. Safe rooms are meant to be safe. Valve confirmed with Joystiq that patch not only fixes all the cheats from working online, but also prevents the L4D shenanigans from working on system link.

Left 4 Dead Bloody Valentine winning weekend

by Dustin Burg { 10 months ago }

To help promote the upcoming horror flick My Bloody Valentine 3D (in theaters Stateside January 16th), Xbox.com is hosting a Left 4 Dead Bloody Valentine Play & Win weekend where prizes can be won and zombie killing is guaranteed. From January 9th through the 11th, those who registered and play Left 4 Dead online have a chance at winning one of the seventy-four 4000 Microsoft point prize packs and maybe even a Valve autographed Left 4 Dead poster.

Delicious prizes, delicious gaming and delicious brains!

Left 4 Dead DLC deets soonish?

by Xav de Matos { 10 months ago }

Valve will reveal downloadable content for its popular zombie-fueled shooter Left 4 Dead, "shortly." According to a video podcast with Kotaku, Chet Faliszek, one of the game's writers, confirmed that the team was looking to add Versus functionality to the Dead Air and Death Toll campaigns and to release brand new scenarios.

Faliszek also stated that, unlike Team Fortress 2, Valve plans to release DLC for the Xbox 360 and PC at the same time. During the recording, which took place on December 15, Faliszek speculated that DLC news would be releases before Christmas Day but said the announcement could be delayed due to the press team going on vacation. "We'll have an announcement shortly, I don't know exactly when."

No pricing details for either platforms were discussed.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in. Via IGN]

Zero Punctuation takes on Left 4 Dead

by Richard Mitchell { 11 months ago }

As a general rule of thumb, if you really like a particular game -- and if you're easily riled -- it's a good idea not to watch the Zero Punctuation review of said game. And yet, here we are. We have something of a crush on around Fanboy Towers and it was with some trepidation that we watched Left 4 DeadZero Punctuation's review. As it turns out, Yahtzee doesn't completely dismember the game, though he doesn't outright praise it either. More or less the review outlines what most have said. The co-op is fun, the level selection is a bit limited but overall the game is well designed. The verdict: it's up to you to guage whether or not the fun to be had in Left 4 Dead is worth the price of admission.

Check out the review after the break (as usual, the video contains some language that is NSFW).

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Xbox 360 version of Left 4 Dead hacked [update]

by Richard Mitchell { 11 months ago }

Well crap. One of the advantages of console gaming is that you are substantially less exposed to hacking. Of course, just like life, hackers find a way. Lo and behold, our favorite four player co-op zombie shooter of all time, Left 4 Dead, has been hacked on the Xbox 360. All sorts of crazy shenanigans are apparently possible, ranging from giant players and zombies to enemy spawning and even outright deletion of in-game objects. Apparently, the hacks are already spreading on Xbox Live, with a tipster reporting to Ars Technica that he was assaulted by 30 Witches and two Tanks in the safe room.

See a video of the virtual shenanigans after the break. We've contacted Valve for comment. You'll hear the company's response as soon as we do.

Update: Valve contacted Joystiq to say that the problem has been addressed: "Valve has released a server-side fix to deny the recently reported cheats on all dedicated Left 4 Dead Xbox 360 servers. The fix is designed to halt the cheating behavior on the dedicated servers, which accounts for the majority of the co-op and Versus modes of play. A title update for those playing on user-hosted servers and/or via system link will be released in the coming days."

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Left 4 Dead movie posters available from Valve

by Xav de Matos { 11 months ago }

Looking for a last minute stocking stuffer this holiday season? Valve is offering Left 4 Dead posters based on each of the "movies" in the popular co-op shooter. For those unfamiliar, Left 4 Dead's four levels are based on zombie movie plots each with a different name and setting. Posters for the in-game movies Death Toll, Dead Air, Blood Harvest and No Mercy are all available for $6.99 each or as a set of four for $14.99. Not a bad idea to dress up those walls this holiday season.

[via BBPS]

Fanswag: Win Left 4 Dead inspired zombie-wear [update]

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Update: This giveaway is now closed and all winners have been notified via email. Thank you for entering!

To celebrate the release of the zombieified Left 4 Dead, we figured we'd offer the fanboy community some stylish new zombie-killing threads. So, we partnered with our friends over at Threadless to give away a bunch of their "Of The Dead" tshirts, because (just like the tee reads) everyone who loves to play Left 4 Dead also has to love shooting zombies. This tee giveaway runs through Thursday, so be sure to comment below and enter once per day. Again, big thanks to the too cool crew over at Threadless for donating the duds.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post telling us why you enjoy killing zombies.
You may leave one comment per calendar day eastern time. Posters of multiple comments per day will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until Thursday, November 20th at 5:00PM eastern. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec).
On Thursday, we'll pick five winners via a random drawing.
Five grand prize winners will receive one Threadless Of The Dead t-shirt valued at $18.
Complete giveaway rules can be found here.

Metacritic roundup: Left 4 Dead

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Left 4 Dead, Valve's intense cooperative zombie experience, just made its way to retailers and has been put in front of the review jury. So, how has it fared? Not too bad, seeing that its average metacritic score is hovering around 89 as reviewers gush over the game's cooperative brain splattering fun. Check out what the industry has to say about Left 4 Dead:

OXM (95/100): "It's the same thing over and over - but when simple ingredients are perfectly prepared, what could be a mere snack becomes a feast. This one just happens to be on human flesh."
Team Xbox (91/100) "It's so immersive and satisfying to sling lead at an infinite number of creepy, crawly zombies!"
Edge Magazine (90/100): "Valve has taken something unscripted and dynamic, and seeded it with the right amount of narrative flavour, pacing and spectacle."
GameSpy (90/100): "Out of all the titles that have shaped the Year of Living Cooperatively, this may be the best experience of them all."
IGN (90/100): "There's absolutely no doubt that Left 4 Dead is one of the most social and exciting multiplayer games that we've ever played."

Shipping this week: Braaaains edition

by Richard Mitchell { 1 year ago }

You've read the headline and you're probably thinking, "Oh, great. Just what we need. Another article effusing praise for Left 4 Dead. Thanks. Thank you so much." In truth, yes, we're excited that Left 4 Dead is coming out this week, but the reality of the headline is best understood by glancing at the list below. There are twelve, twelve new games being released this week. If that's not enough to metamorphose every respectable gamer into a gibbering, cash-starved zombie, we're not sure what is. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have suddenly developed an irresistible craving for ~~braaains~~ gaaames.

Left 4 Dead has gone golden

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Today, Valve announced that their highly anticipated cooperative zombie game-o-fun (Left 4 Dead) has gone gold and is being copied to discs as you read this.

Its gold status also means that Valve was able to get all their development work done on time and ready for the game's November 18th release. Also, if you haven't already, give the Left 4 Dead demo a download off the Marketplace to get a feel for what the zombie experience is all about.

Left 4 Dead demo zombifies XBLM

by Richard Mitchell { 1 year ago }

We're not even sure why you're sitting there reading this. If we were you -- and despite what your schizophrenic side tells you, we're not -- we would be running to our Xbox 360 and downloading right now. But, for the sake of formality: The Left 4 Dead demo is now on Xbox Live Marketplace for all to download and enjoy. The demo includes single-player and online multiplayer sections of the game and even supports two-player splitscreen support. Go get it already!

For those of you lucky enough to have the NXE, we should note that the demo is not currently showing up in the New Arrivals section of Game Demos on XBLM. We had to browse the All Games section for Left 4 Dead (it's under L!) in order to find it. Also, strangely, it can be found in the Game Demos section under the letter L, but only if you sort the list by popularity. Our best guess is that a cyber zombie has been chewing on the brains of Xbox Live. It's the only thing that makes sense, really.

Video: It's Left 4 Dead's opening cinematic

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

The release date is rapidly approaching for Valve's cooperative zombie shooter Left 4 Dead and to prep us, they just released a video showing off the game's opening cinematic. This four and a half minute video is expertly crafted, but we don't think we have to tell you that Valve can put together a good cinematic. Bonus points for the use of the sobbing witch, because she totally creeps us out more than any of the zombie forms. Scary old hag. Oh, and we have to ask ... do we run or do we shoot? Run or shoot?

[Thanks, MyAbsolution]

Video: Left 4 Dead "Check" commercial

by Xav de Matos { 1 year ago }

"Call these freaks whatever you want." While they're referred to as zombies throughout the commercial and from as far back as we can remember, we realized we're not sure what exactly the enemies in Left 4 Dead are. Misunderstood model citizens? Either way, come November 18 we know exactly what those "infected" punks will be and by that we mean dead from our collective weaponry.

GameStop pre-order nets early access to Left 4 Dead demo

by Xav de Matos { 1 year ago }

Looking for an early start at the zombie apocalypse? According to its Left 4 Dead product page, GameStop is offering early access to the much discussed demo for the upcoming co-op shooter. From November 6 until November 11 pre-order customers will have access the demo which Valve's Doug Lombardi recently confirmed would include the first two maps of the first level (each level is five maps in length) of the game. There is no word when the demo will release for non pre-orders but with a few days between the end of the early access and the November 18 release of the game we anticipate it to be shortly before launch. Anticipate and hope is the same thing, right?

[via Big Download]