Left 4 Dead
News, coverage and analysis tracking Left 4 Dead across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Steam week in review: Another online shooter winds down weeks after launch, as robot cowboys take over
The cooperative shooter Far Far West, inspired by Left 4 Dead and Vermintide, is shifting focus to replayability and community support after a successful early access launch. Despite a challenging year for new multiplayer titles, developer Night Street Games aims to keep the game playable for its community. The article also reviews Steam's top sellers list for April 21-28, noting the performance of various games including Counter-Strike 2 and the new s&box platform.
Best Zombie Games Of All Time
This guide ranks the best zombie games of all time, highlighting titles that excel in survival, horror, and action. Featured games include '7 Days to Die,' 'Days Gone,' 'Resident Evil 2,' and 'The Last of Us series,' among others, spanning various platforms like PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various gaming-related topics and broader cultural commentary. It touches on the graffiti in Left 4 Dead, the design of single-player extraction shooters like Witchfire, and the ambitious AI in Black & White. The piece also explores the evolution of AI from video games to companies like Google DeepMind, and touches on music industry issues related to Spotify and AI investments.
Long Before Friendslop, Portal 2 Made Co-Op Cool
Portal 2's 15th anniversary is being celebrated by reminiscing about its innovative cooperative mode, which predated many modern social gaming trends. The game's dual-protagonist co-op campaign, featuring unique puzzle mechanics and charming characters, is highlighted as a precursor to current "friendslop" and co-op-focused titles. The article also notes its early cross-platform play between PC and PlayStation 3 as a remarkable feat for its time.
Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and other celebs name their favourite video games
Several Hollywood celebrities, including Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Chris Pratt, have shared their favorite video games in a compilation video. While some named classic titles like Super Mario Bros. and Pitfall!, others highlighted more recent or niche games such as Returnal and Civilization 6.
Xbox 360 messenger recreated on website for authentic 2000s era gamer rage
A website has been created to recreate the Xbox 360's voice messaging feature, allowing users to send short audio clips reminiscent of the 2000s online gaming era. Developed by Mike Wing, the tool mimics the original dashboard interface and muffled mic quality, enabling users to share voice messages and engage in digital gamer rage. This revival comes after Microsoft removed the original feature from its consoles.
Former Valve Dev Destroys Tim Sweeney Over Epic’s Mass Layoffs
Former Valve developer Chet Faliszek heavily criticized Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney on TikTok following Epic's announcement of 1,000 layoffs. Faliszek accused Sweeney of prioritizing profit from Fortnite over game development and employee well-being, contrasting Epic's actions with Valve's employee ownership model.
The FPS skybox is underappreciated, so let's appreciate some
This opinion piece argues that the skybox, a crucial element in first-person shooters, is an underappreciated aspect of game design. The author highlights several games with exceptional skyboxes, from classic titles like Halo to modern releases like Doom Eternal, suggesting that artistic skyboxes can be more impactful than pure photorealism.
Half-Life 2 Writer Says Valve Is Quietly Testing Generative AI for Game Writing
Valve is reportedly exploring the use of generative AI in game development, with veteran writer Erik Wolpaw confirming that a small group is experimenting with the technology. Wolpaw believes AI is currently not capable of creative writing but could potentially enhance dynamic NPC interactions in games. The company's approach is described as informal and exploratory, focusing on understanding the technology's possibilities rather than immediate integration.
Half-Life 2 Writer Says Valve Is Quietly Testing Generative AI for Game Writing
Valve is exploring the use of generative AI in game development, with a small group of developers experimenting with the technology. Writer Erik Wolpaw stated that AI is currently not adept at creative writing but could potentially enhance dynamic NPC interactions in games. The company's approach is described as informal and exploratory, focusing on understanding the technology's capabilities rather than immediate integration.
Valve veteran slams Tim Sweeney and Epic Games for laying off 1000 people while making 'as much money as possible… and hey Tim, Gabe's better at that than you'
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek criticized Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney for recent layoffs of over 1000 employees, questioning the motivation for hard work at the company. Faliszek contrasted Epic's actions with Valve's approach to employee retention and rewards, suggesting that Epic's practices damage the industry's passion and care. Epic Games did not directly respond to Faliszek's remarks but pointed to a previous statement addressing the layoffs.
Valve Is Experimenting With GenAI To Help With Situational Dialogue, Half-Life 2 Writer Says
Valve is experimenting with generative AI for situational dialogue in games, according to writer Erik Wolpaw. While acknowledging AI's current limitations in creative writing, Wolpaw believes it could assist in generating character reactions based on in-game events. This exploration comes amid broader industry discussions and controversies surrounding AI in game development, including its use in art and potential impact on jobs.
Imagine GTA with AI-generated characters "just going along with whatever insane thing you say," muses Valve writer, absent-mindedly spotlighting what terrifies me about genAI
Valve writer Erik Wolpaw is experimenting with generative AI, believing it has potential for creating more reactive NPCs in games like Grand Theft Auto and Left 4 Dead. While not currently a concerted effort by Valve, Wolpaw sees AI's strength in adjusting to player actions rather than creative writing. He notes that while expensive, AI could simulate characters reacting to player input in real-time, a significant challenge in game development.
Half-Life 2 writer says Valve devs have "been looking" at gen AI for help with video game writing: "It's the one place where I feel like AI is worth investigating"
Valve writer Erik Wolpaw stated that a small group within the company has been exploring generative AI for potential applications in game writing. While acknowledging its limitations in creative tasks, Wolpaw believes AI could be a valuable tool for simulating real-time character reactions and NPC dialogue, deeming it the most promising area for AI investigation in game development.
Room Escapes to Reward Loops: How Game Design Has Shifted Since 2010 - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Game design has evolved significantly since 2010, shifting from contained challenges with defined endings to continuous engagement systems driven by layered rewards. This transformation is influenced by technological advancements, changing player expectations, and new monetization strategies, particularly evident in mobile gaming and live service titles. Modern games prioritize instant feedback, progression loops, and adaptive experiences to maintain player interaction over extended periods.
Game Reviews
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando offers adequate cooperative action but does not reach the heights of Left 4 Dead, according to a review from Eurogamer.net. The article also briefly mentions an "Evolve Benchmark" from Cjrist Centered Gamer.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando review - adequate cooperative action, but it's no Left 4 Dead
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando offers adequate cooperative zombie blasting action, but ultimately falls short of the standard set by Left 4 Dead due to flabby mission design and unnecessary meta-progression. While it provides disposable fun at a reasonable price, its levels are too samey and lack the memorable design that makes other cooperative shooters replayable.
My favorite Warhammer 40k game just got a Helldivers 2-style game mode, and to celebrate, it's at its lowest price
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has introduced a new game mode inspired by Helldivers 2, shifting from its usual linear, Left 4 Dead-style levels to a more open experience. This update is being celebrated with a significant price reduction for the game.
Nakwon: Last Paradise Experiences Significant Increase in Player Interest - GameHaunt
Nakwon: Last Paradise, an upcoming zombie extraction shooter from MINTROCKET, saw over 33,000 concurrent players during a recent Steam playtest. The game, set in a post-apocalyptic Seoul, emphasizes stealth and sound-based enemy AI, differentiating itself from faster-paced shooters. MINTROCKET plans to use playtest data to refine the game's economy and balance before its full PC launch, with potential console ports to follow.
22 years later, this classic Half-Life zombie survival mod shambles onto Steam with all new features
The classic Half-Life zombie survival mod Zombie Panic! has been released on Steam with new features, 22 years after its initial debut. Developed by the Zombie Panic Team, this updated version includes improved compatibility, Steam Workshop support, new player models, weapons, animations, reworked maps, a fatigue system, and a hardcore mode. The original mod, released in 2004, was a precursor to the more well-known Zombie Panic! Source built on Half-Life 2's engine.
