Update: Valve has confirmed a November 4th release date
Seems like people are still confused about what this game is in threads where someone brings it up, so I figured it might help to explain it a bit better.
Most of this information comes from Left 4 Dead 411.
They're a great fan site with tons of information, and definitely deserve the credit here!
What is Left 4 Dead?
Left 4 Dead is a multiplayer cooperative survival horror shooter in development by Valve Corporation based on the Source engine to be released for the PC and Xbox 360 in November 2008.
Cooperative survival horror shooter?
You play as one of four Survivors that must work together to survive. Most levels have your team of 4 trying to go from point A to B, during which you will be attacked by an onslaught of the Infected (zombies). The pacing has been described as like Counter-Strike Source. Teammates will need to work together by not only just shooting enemies, but by having the ability to heal each other, help each other climb up ledges, pick each other up when one gets knocked down, etc.
Zombies?
The Infected. They are not undead or reanimated corpses.. they are human victims of a new rabies virus which makes them extremely aggressive and mindless. They are not slow hulking movie-type zombies, but fast (think 28 Days Later), vicious and smart. In addition to the hordes of AI controlled infected (reports say up to 40 can be seen at once), there will also be four "boss infected" characters that will either be controlled by AI or by real players, depending on the number of people on the server. These four are the Boomer, Hunter, Smoker and Tank.
How are infected AI spawns handled?
Spawns will vary each time you play. They are random and you can expect to be mobbed and attacked at different points each time through. Infected will come from behind. From Valve's Michael Booth in an interview with Firingsquad.com:
Price/distribution?
It will be released via Steam on PC. No confirmation on retail. Expected to be $20-40 (speculation).
How long will maps last, and how many campaigns?
There will be four campaigns with around 5 maps each. The Hospital campaign being shown lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, and the other 3 are expected to be similar.
Left 4 Dead will introduce Valve's/Steam's new matchmaking tech. This tech will be back-ported to CS: Source, DoD: Source, and TF2 after they get it working with Left 4 Dead. Well, at least, I read that in an interview somewhere but I can't remember where
More questions/answers can be found at L4D 411's FAQ page
HUMAN-CONTROLLED "BOSS" ZOMBIES
The Boomer
Huge and obese infected that vomits like a fire hose. Can be shot while strafing. When it hits a survivor with its vomit, the vomit acts as a pheromone to the AI controlled normal infected and causes them to focus their attack on that player. The Boomer gets points for all attacks against the target by infected. Moves slowly. Also, when killed, the Boomer does as his name says and explodes, causing all nearby Survivors to become puked on.
The Hunter
The most agile boss infected, able to climb walls and jump far. Attacks by knocking down a survivor and slashing. The only way for the survivor to escape is either by a teammate helping (killing the Hunter) or the Hunter deciding to retreat. Similar to the fast zombies from HL2 Ravenholm rooftops. Wall jumping is possible.
The Smoker
The Smoker has a 40-50ft tongue that can be used to drag/trip players and even choke them from above. Survivors are able to shoot this tongue off to protect one another. When the Smoker dies, it deploys smoke which severely reduces the visibility of the survivors, thereby hindering their ability to see enemies and survive.
The Tank
A huge, muscular infected with amazing strength. Can pick up and throw cars and other large environmental items, smash through concrete walls. Players cannot choose to be the Tank; infected players are randomly chosen to spawn as one. Very loud. When you spawn as the Tank, a frustration meter begins building up for every moment you're not in the presence of Survivors. If this meter fills all the way up, you lose control of the Tank.
There is also The Witch: These are non-playable AI super-boss infected. They are very rare, only one or two in each campaign. They are the most dangerous enemy in the game. Witches become hostile when you shoot them, shine light at them, or fire weapons around them. They kill with one hit. The Witch does not appear on normal difficulty.
XBox 360 version information
-It is planned to release simultaneously with the PC version, as they are developed alongside one another.
-"'The 360 look is almost to where the PC is, and we'll get it up to the PC look before we ship,' promises Faliszek."
-Certain Affinity is handling the Xbox 360 version.
-Certain Affinity is led by Max Hoberman, a 10-year Bungie veteran who was multiplayer lead for both Halo 2 and Halo 3.
-Max Hoberman was in charge of the entire online system for Halo 2 and 3, including matchmaking and the party system.
The Massive Left 4 Dead 411 hands-on preview
This is the first preview I read that really got me hyped for this game. It's a massive 2-part preview that describes in detail the experience that the web site got during its first time playing the game. If you really want to get a feel for how the game works, and the why it'll probably kick ass, read the whole thing!
Part 1
Part 2
Otherwise, check out the individual parts of the preview:
* Trip to Valve Headquarters w/ Pictures
* Introduction
* Difficulty, Trust, and the Director
* Gameplay details and Checkpoints
* The Finale
* Weapons
* Voice system and Friendly fire
* Reputation and Achievements system
* Health and Death
* Locating your team and first part wrap-up
* Infected Side Introduction
* Infected vision, merits, and playstyle
* The Smoker
* The Smoker continued
* The Boomer
* The Hunter
* The Hunter continued
* The Tank
* The Witch and Infected Wrap-up
* Graphics
* Audio and Modding
* Developers and Conclusion
MEDIA
IGN screenshots
IGN videos
Credit goes to RBH for putting together all of these movie links and such.
Left 4 Dead Teaser
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35383.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35384.html
Street Survival Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35423.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35424.html
Tongue Torture Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35425.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35426.html
Subway Salvation Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35427.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35428.html
Scale and Survive Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35429.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35430.html
Painkillers Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35431.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35432.html
Interview w/ Mike Booth (Project Lead of Left 4 Dead)
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35433.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35434.html
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
Seems like people are still confused about what this game is in threads where someone brings it up, so I figured it might help to explain it a bit better.
Most of this information comes from Left 4 Dead 411.
They're a great fan site with tons of information, and definitely deserve the credit here!
What is Left 4 Dead?
Left 4 Dead is a multiplayer cooperative survival horror shooter in development by Valve Corporation based on the Source engine to be released for the PC and Xbox 360 in November 2008.
Cooperative survival horror shooter?
You play as one of four Survivors that must work together to survive. Most levels have your team of 4 trying to go from point A to B, during which you will be attacked by an onslaught of the Infected (zombies). The pacing has been described as like Counter-Strike Source. Teammates will need to work together by not only just shooting enemies, but by having the ability to heal each other, help each other climb up ledges, pick each other up when one gets knocked down, etc.
Zombies?
The Infected. They are not undead or reanimated corpses.. they are human victims of a new rabies virus which makes them extremely aggressive and mindless. They are not slow hulking movie-type zombies, but fast (think 28 Days Later), vicious and smart. In addition to the hordes of AI controlled infected (reports say up to 40 can be seen at once), there will also be four "boss infected" characters that will either be controlled by AI or by real players, depending on the number of people on the server. These four are the Boomer, Hunter, Smoker and Tank.
How are infected AI spawns handled?
Spawns will vary each time you play. They are random and you can expect to be mobbed and attacked at different points each time through. Infected will come from behind. From Valve's Michael Booth in an interview with Firingsquad.com:
Price/distribution?
It will be released via Steam on PC. No confirmation on retail. Expected to be $20-40 (speculation).
How long will maps last, and how many campaigns?
There will be four campaigns with around 5 maps each. The Hospital campaign being shown lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, and the other 3 are expected to be similar.
Left 4 Dead will introduce Valve's/Steam's new matchmaking tech. This tech will be back-ported to CS: Source, DoD: Source, and TF2 after they get it working with Left 4 Dead. Well, at least, I read that in an interview somewhere but I can't remember where
More questions/answers can be found at L4D 411's FAQ page
HUMAN-CONTROLLED "BOSS" ZOMBIES
The Boomer
Huge and obese infected that vomits like a fire hose. Can be shot while strafing. When it hits a survivor with its vomit, the vomit acts as a pheromone to the AI controlled normal infected and causes them to focus their attack on that player. The Boomer gets points for all attacks against the target by infected. Moves slowly. Also, when killed, the Boomer does as his name says and explodes, causing all nearby Survivors to become puked on.
The Hunter
The most agile boss infected, able to climb walls and jump far. Attacks by knocking down a survivor and slashing. The only way for the survivor to escape is either by a teammate helping (killing the Hunter) or the Hunter deciding to retreat. Similar to the fast zombies from HL2 Ravenholm rooftops. Wall jumping is possible.
The Smoker
The Smoker has a 40-50ft tongue that can be used to drag/trip players and even choke them from above. Survivors are able to shoot this tongue off to protect one another. When the Smoker dies, it deploys smoke which severely reduces the visibility of the survivors, thereby hindering their ability to see enemies and survive.
The Tank
A huge, muscular infected with amazing strength. Can pick up and throw cars and other large environmental items, smash through concrete walls. Players cannot choose to be the Tank; infected players are randomly chosen to spawn as one. Very loud. When you spawn as the Tank, a frustration meter begins building up for every moment you're not in the presence of Survivors. If this meter fills all the way up, you lose control of the Tank.
There is also The Witch: These are non-playable AI super-boss infected. They are very rare, only one or two in each campaign. They are the most dangerous enemy in the game. Witches become hostile when you shoot them, shine light at them, or fire weapons around them. They kill with one hit. The Witch does not appear on normal difficulty.
XBox 360 version information
-It is planned to release simultaneously with the PC version, as they are developed alongside one another.
-"'The 360 look is almost to where the PC is, and we'll get it up to the PC look before we ship,' promises Faliszek."
-Certain Affinity is handling the Xbox 360 version.
-Certain Affinity is led by Max Hoberman, a 10-year Bungie veteran who was multiplayer lead for both Halo 2 and Halo 3.
-Max Hoberman was in charge of the entire online system for Halo 2 and 3, including matchmaking and the party system.
The Massive Left 4 Dead 411 hands-on preview
This is the first preview I read that really got me hyped for this game. It's a massive 2-part preview that describes in detail the experience that the web site got during its first time playing the game. If you really want to get a feel for how the game works, and the why it'll probably kick ass, read the whole thing!
Part 1
Part 2
Otherwise, check out the individual parts of the preview:
* Trip to Valve Headquarters w/ Pictures
* Introduction
* Difficulty, Trust, and the Director
* Gameplay details and Checkpoints
* The Finale
* Weapons
* Voice system and Friendly fire
* Reputation and Achievements system
* Health and Death
* Locating your team and first part wrap-up
* Infected Side Introduction
* Infected vision, merits, and playstyle
* The Smoker
* The Smoker continued
* The Boomer
* The Hunter
* The Hunter continued
* The Tank
* The Witch and Infected Wrap-up
* Graphics
* Audio and Modding
* Developers and Conclusion
MEDIA
IGN screenshots
IGN videos
Credit goes to RBH for putting together all of these movie links and such.
Left 4 Dead Teaser
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35383.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35384.html
Street Survival Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35423.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35424.html
Tongue Torture Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35425.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35426.html
Subway Salvation Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35427.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35428.html
Scale and Survive Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35429.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35430.html
Painkillers Gameplay
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35431.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35432.html
Interview w/ Mike Booth (Project Lead of Left 4 Dead)
SD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35433.html
HD: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35434.html
Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
lol ) are slim to none.
