Left 4 Dead News Archive

This week in co-op, International Lag and Getting to Know you

If there is any one thing this site is familiar with, it’s the challenge of coordinating two or more people to play together. That is, after all, the focus. Sometimes even careful planning can go astray when time zones get in the way. This week in co-op Kat and Sam discover just how interesting, and worth while a cross continental exchange can be.

Left 4 Dead Mod Lets You Know How Francis Feels About Mountains

If you play Left 4 Dead or Left 4 Dead 2 on the PC, you probably know there's a pretty robust L4D modding community. The mods can be pretty hit or miss, depending on how invested the modders are, but I, myself, am loath to pass up a perfectly good opportunity to shoot, decapitate, and otherwise maim zombies in new environments for simply the price of my time spent downloading the mod. A highly-anticipated (it's been in the works for a long, long time) Left 4 Dead fan-made campaign has recently been released, entitled "I Hate Mountains." It sports five new maps containing a mansion, lakefront, lumberyard, and uh, we're assuming mountains through which Francis and company must trek. 

The Great Divide - Adding Splitscreen to Three PC Titles

We've had several email tips regarding how to add splitscreen to a couple of favorite co-op games, namely Unreal Tournament III, Left 4 Dead, and Left 4 Dead 2. The console versions of these first-person shooters all supported splitscreen (even splitscreen online), but for some reason it was left out for the PC versions.

The greatest thing about these quick file edits is that you can choose if you want vertical or horizontal splitscreen. The code itself is too lengthy to post here, but follow the below source links to find detailed instructions on how to customize each game. If you try any of these, be sure to let us know in the comments. Have fun, and thanks to our tipsters - especially Alex Wawroski and Patrick Lavallée!

Unreal Tournament III - PC Splitscreen Fansite
Left 4 Dead - Steam Powered forums
Left 4 Dead 2 - Steam Powered forums

On The Download Issue 8: On The Cheap 'N Indie

This week we wanted to honor some phenomenal Indie games that cost a mere dollar on Xbox LIVE Arcade, and a few honorable mentions of Co-op Indie games that were very enjoyable. Everything in this episode is on the cheap, so if you've got 80(POINTS) or so lying around, you should check these out.

Left 4 Dead's Crash Course DLC on Sale This Week for Gold Members

The first Left 4 Dead's DLC is on sale this week on Xbox Live for Gold Members.  Normally setting you back 560 , or about $7, the pack is on sale for 320 , or about $4.   The content includes a new single player campaign mission with two levels that takes place immediately following the No Mercy mission.

No doubt this sale is getting those folks ready for the new DLC for Left 4 Dead 2, called The Passing, which will feature the Left 4 Dead 1 survivors meeting up with those form Left 4 Dead 2.  We expect that package to hit on April 27th for the price of 560 .  Of course the content won't just be a new campaign, but much more.

Co-Op Play is the Future of First Person Shooters

Left 4 Dead showed just how popular co-op is.

It's a sub-genre that's been around since the dawn of the arcades.  But co-op has only recently gone mainstream to the lengths of having entire games built around it and bullet points on the back of boxes.  Now from Triangle Games Conference comes a panel on the future of first person shooters.

The panel was moderated by  Epic's director of operations John Farnsworth. Sitting on the panel was Juan Benito (co-founder and current creative director of Joystick Labs), Patrick Sebring (lead technical designer at Atomic Games), Jeff McGann (creative director on RedStorm's unannounced project), and Shaun McCabe (production director at Insomniac).  

Left 4 Dead 2 DLC "The Passing" Gets a Tagline and a Surprising Plot Reveal

We told you earlier this week that Valve would be releasing a comic via xbox Live connecting the events of Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, and Left 4 Dead 2's upcoming DLC entitled "The Passing." We weren't very clear, however, what exactly the comic would cover. Now, after getting a surprising look into a major plot point of the Passing, we know. For those who don't mind knowing a spoiler, of sorts, about the events of the Passing, read on.

Valve to Release Left 4 Dead Comic Over Xbox Live

If you are a fan of co-op shooters, chances are, Left 4 Dead and it's sequel are in your collection.  In addition to the excellent teamwork opportunities, replay factor, and undead charm, the game's characters and story are quite memorable.  Each time you play, more pieces of the narrative become clear.

The storyline and characters will take a prominent role in an upcoming XBLA release, which isn't standard DLC, but a comic!  This comic will include the original Left 4 Dead survivors as well as those of the sequel.  The comic will tie together the storylines of the two games, as will the upcoming Left 4 Dead 2 DLC pack entitled "The Passing", which will feature Bill, Zoey, Francis, and Louis.  Look for both the comic and the new DLC later this month. 

On The Download Issue 5: Undead Add-On Packs

We've got a most intriguing issue of On the Download lined up for you, including our very special centerfold guest of the week. They're hot, they're bothered, and they've got guns. Also on the plate: Borderlands "Zombie Island" DLC, and Resident Evil 5's "Desperate Escape" DLC pack. Don't miss it!

Beyond Co-Op, February 7th to February 13th

Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, a weekly piece that talks about industry stories that may or may not be related to co-op gaming.

The stories for this week:

- Mega Man 10 Gets Staggered Release Across Platforms
- Microsoft's X10 Brings Lots of News
- Activision Swings the Axe: Luxoflux Shuttered, Other Studios Slashed
- Wrong About BioShock 2, Not Sure on Dante’s Inferno Yet
- Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth Only Notable Release This Week