Left 4 Dead
News, coverage and analysis tracking Left 4 Dead across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Hit markers are an FPS crutch
This opinion piece argues that hit markers, while providing clear feedback in multiplayer first-person shooters, have become an overused crutch that detracts from immersion, particularly in single-player experiences. The author contrasts the effectiveness of intuitive visual and audio feedback in older titles like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Left 4 Dead 2 with the modern prevalence of hit markers in games like Halo and Back 4 Blood, suggesting a decline in immersive design.
Deadlock isn't even 'out' yet, but Valve's new game is a true monster in the making
Despite not being officially released, Valve's new game Deadlock is already attracting significant player numbers on Steam, with daily highs of 75,000 players. This hero shooter MOBA hybrid, set in an alternate-history New York, blends elements of games like Overwatch and Dota 2 with a unique aesthetic and third-person shooter mechanics. The game is currently in early development with limited access, but its engaging gameplay, diverse hero roster, and approachable design suggest it's poised for major success upon its full launch.
Games Inbox: Will single-player video games go extinct?
This article discusses the current sales trends of single-player games, with readers expressing concern over their perceived decline in popularity compared to multiplayer titles. The piece also touches on the future of VR gaming, the potential for reboots of classic games like Elite, and the rising costs of GPUs and consoles.
"A couple of companies have managed to ignite a culture war and bring the economy to the brink of collapse": Games AI veteran says it can be useful, but we've made mountains out of ChatGPT's molehills
AI researcher Luke Dicken argues that while AI has useful applications in game development, the current hype around Large Language Models and generative AI is disproportionate. He distinguishes between AI as a decision-making tool and the overblown promises of magic buttons, emphasizing that AI's true value lies in enabling capabilities beyond human scale, not just faster or cheaper execution of existing tasks. Dicken also warns of the unsustainable economic model behind current AI tools and suggests publishers should focus on addressing wasted labor in AAA development rather than relying on AI to cut corners.
Guillermo del Toro says "please, I beg you," make a less roguelike-y version of Dead Cells so "elderly players" can actually get through it
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has expressed a desire for a version of the roguelike game Dead Cells that removes the respawning mechanic, suggesting it would appeal to "elderly players." Del Toro, who enjoys games like Hades and BioShock, finds the repetition inherent in roguelikes to be a barrier to entry, despite appreciating the world and design of Dead Cells.
Delad glädje är dubbel glädje
The author reflects on their journey from a solitary gamer to someone who highly values multiplayer experiences. Initially preferring single-player games due to limited controllers and competitive anxieties, their perspective shifted with the advent of the Xbox 360 and its co-op-focused titles. Now, shared gaming sessions, both local and online, are the source of many of their fondest gaming memories, reinforcing the idea that shared joy is indeed double joy.
Sony May Have the Data on Its Side, but It’s Still Losing the Digital-Only Argument
Sony's decision to move to digital-only games by 2028 has faced significant backlash, with consumers concerned about game preservation and the loss of physical media. Despite this, the company has remained largely silent, possibly anticipating the reaction and relying on declining physical sales data. The article questions the long-term viability of an all-digital future, citing potential issues with online infrastructure and the importance of physical media for certain markets and consumer preferences.
Far Far West developer Q&A: "Like with pretty much everything we do, we just went with a vibe"
In an interview, Arnaud Petit from developer Evil Raptor discusses the creation of their co-op shooter Far Far West, highlighting the team's iterative process and focus on fun gameplay. The game evolved from tower defense and linear mission structures to its current replayable loop, incorporating player feedback. Petit also touches on the unique techno-banjo soundtrack and inspirations from other co-op titles.
Left 4 Dead lives on in The Mound: Omens of Cthulhu, a Lovecraftian extraction game from the creators of Zeno Clash
The Mound: Omens of Cthulhu is a new extraction game from Ace Team, the creators of Zeno Clash, set in 17th century South America and inspired by Lovecraftian horror. Players control Spanish explorers venturing into a jungle filled with creatures and treasure, with gameplay drawing comparisons to Left 4 Dead. The game, which features a demo on Steam, is set to launch on July 15th and is being published by Nacon.
The Top 10 Best Valve Games
This article lists the 10 best games developed by Valve, highlighting titles such as Half-Life, Portal, and Left 4 Dead. The list aims to rank Valve's most acclaimed titles across various genres.
Left 4 Dead meets friendslop as you and your pals try to escape 'the galaxy's most-unregulated waterpark'
Lazy River is a new co-op survival crafting game where players must escape a space station waterpark after a pee-related incident turns everyone into zombies. Players will build rafts from scavenged resources, arm themselves with makeshift weapons, and fight through automated defenses and zombie hordes. The game is developed by Mike Boxleiter and is set to enter early access in 2027 for PC.
Våra bästa E3-minnen
This article reflects on the significance of E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, and shares personal memories from industry figures. Despite E3's discontinuation, the tradition of summer gaming showcases continues with events like Summer Game Fest and Xbox Games Showcase.
"That lore terrifies me": Ex-Valve writer Chet Faliszek isn't interested in writing a Half-Life 3, as he wouldn't touch a sequel "with with a 10-foot pole"
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no interest in working on a potential Half-Life 3, citing the overwhelming established lore as a major deterrent. He expressed a general aversion to working on games with extensive backstories, preferring to create new IPs or work on titles with less narrative baggage.
Former Half-Life 2 Writer Doesn’t Want to Pen Half-Life 3: “I Don’t Want to Touch Anything Old”
Former Half-Life 2 writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no desire to work on Half-Life 3, preferring to avoid established lore and the pressure of adhering to existing narratives. He expressed similar sentiments about other franchises with extensive backstories, including Left 4 Dead and Destiny 2, highlighting his preference for creating new intellectual property.
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek has no interest in writing Half-Life 3: 'I don't want to touch that with a…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek stated he has no interest in working on Half-Life 3 or any other sequels due to the pressure of existing lore and fan expectations. He prefers creating new characters and stories rather than revisiting established universes, finding the prospect of writing for them a "disaster nightmare."
We can thank a Jim Henson Company puppeteer for some of Valve's best animation work
The distinctive character animation found in Valve games, such as Portal 2 and Team Fortress 2, owes a debt to puppeteer Karen Prell, who previously worked for The Jim Henson Company. Prell, known for her role as Red Fraggle and puppeteering the worm in Labyrinth, brought her expertise in bringing characters to life to Valve, significantly influencing the animation of characters like Wheatley.
Red Barrels co-founder talks the future of horror, 15 years of Outlast, and what’s next for the franchise
Red Barrels co-founder Philippe Morin discusses the studio's 15-year journey, the evolution of the Outlast franchise from single-player horror to the co-op experience of The Outlast Trials, and the future of horror games. Morin touches on the challenges of game design, the impact of streamers, and the studio's plans for new projects alongside ongoing support for The Outlast Trials.
Absent a Left 4 Dead 3, modders are turning Team Fortress 2 into COD Zombies instead
A total-conversion mod for Team Fortress 2, named Mann Versus Zombies, is transforming the game into a Call of Duty Zombies-like experience. Developed by Breadworks, this mod features escalating horde survival with upgradable weapons and character perks, supporting up to eight players. It is set to launch soon on Steam with full Steam Workshop support.
Evening Patches
A new official patch has been released for the game Left 4 Dead. The update addresses various issues and brings improvements to the game.
Far Cry 2 and Assassin's Creed Hexe creative director launches a new studio, a few months after surprise exit from…
Veteran developer Clint Hocking, formerly the creative director for Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Hexe and Far Cry 2, has launched a new independent game studio named Build Machine Games. The studio is described as lean, fast, bold, and ambitious, and is currently hiring for positions in Canada to begin work on its first prototype.
