Continue reading Latest L4D2 mutation is for gnome lovers

Latest L4D2 mutation is for gnome lovers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 May 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Can't say this mash-up ever occurred to me, though, in hindsight, it seems sort of obvious. Four people from four different backgrounds trying to conquer a gauntlet to ensure their future survival. Whether they're up against flying monkeys or zombies, the challenge before them is still epic.

The image above was created for the "Character of the Week" contest on Concept Art and was collected by Super Punch in a much more viewable format. Hardly any of the "Oz" re-imaginings are video game related, but they're all extremely impressive and make me upset that the recent SyFy re-imagining was so terrible.

Here's the full shot of the poster, which really sells the "Left 4 Oz" motif.

Left 4 Dead 2 is half-off on Steam through Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On the non-spoilery side of some new "Left 4 Dead" reveals, the upcoming "Left 4 Dead 2" DLC episode "Nobody Survives Forever" will directly relate to some upcoming "L4D1" DLC, and a comic book with bridge both stories. On the significantly more spoilery side of "NSF," however, you'll have to click on past the jump where I've placed the rest of the info, just in case some readers don't want to know about it.

"You'll run into 'Left 4 Dead 1' characters after they've just had this happen," Valve writer Chet Faliszek told GameTrailers TV. "After this we'll release 'Left 4 Dead 1' DLC, in which one of you will have to do what happens, and one of you will die."

Faliszek didn't name the fated party member, but he did say that the story between the unreleased DLC releases will be laid out in comic book form -- though it won't factor in choices and alternatives that show up in-game.

"And we'll actually have a comic book coming out between the two," he said. "It explains the idealized version of how it works out."

It sounds like you may have be able to choose who bites the bullet in the end, but should you choose to by the DLC, you'll be able to find out for yourself.

Do you like the linked DLC strategy for "L4D2" and "L4D1" that Valve is planning? Would you rather they stuck to 2? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

"With The Leaker, the idea was a kind of Boomer that could take damage, and shoot out spouts of goo. And you could plant yourself and explode - be this walking bomb," Faliszek told OXM. "The problem is there's a warning that you're going to do that. So when you go to plant yourself, everyone else runs away, and you just die and don't hurt anybody."

So they scotched The Leaker, but carried over some of his properties to The Spitter, Faliszek said. Oh, and about that inspired name (and others)? It's "because I'm lazy," Faliszek said. "'What does this one do?' 'It charges.' 'Yeah, it's a Charger. I'll go with that.'"

Interview with Valve's Chet Faliszek [Official Xbox Magazine]

Gallery: Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2 goes free-to-play on Xbox Live next weekend originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The forum user, Urik, found that It's not just the frying pan, any melee weapon is a 10-hit kill on a Tank, expert difficulty. You can go all honky-tonk man on him with 10 whacks from the git-tar if you like, which sounds even more absurd (and less durable) than the cookware. I've never done this, probably would never try to do it except as a last resort. I'm betting Tanky-poo, in actuality, makes it take longer than 9 seconds, though.

Left 4 Dead 2: Weapon Effectiveness vs Tank [Hellforge]

Continue reading Mod adds Travis Touchdown to Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead

Mod adds Travis Touchdown to Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Plus, I mean, god damn, look how long it takes for everyone to get in the safe room.

Here's another video. I love the beginning, everyone running one after the other to the weapons table. As awesome as this looks, I bet it's pure hell to play. We're seeing the reason Valve capped this at four to a side, I think.

This is Why Left 4 Dead 2 is Limited to Four Players [Hot Blooded Gaming]

Anyone having trouble deciding on a holiday greeting card to send out to their Xbox Live friend list this season should an easier search thanks to Valve expansion into the stationary market. "Left 4 Dead," "Left 4 Dead 2" and "Team Fortress 2" each have their own set available, featuring artwork by Alexandria Neonakis.

The cards run $15.95 for a pack of 10 with envelopes and are available through The Valve Store.

If Neonakis' name sounds familiar, it's probably because you've seen her home-grown creations in the past, which have included "Katamari Damacy" and "World of Warcraft" cards posted on her website. Valve seems to have recognized her talent and employed her thusly.

Images on the notes range from zombies adorned in Christmas tree lights to snipers dressed like snowmen, but all of them have Neonakis' signature feel of classic illustration with a touch of fannish appreciation. They're pretty much exactly what you'd want to send to any online friends that you primarily associate with over Steam or XBL.

According to the site, pre-orders entered now should ship at the end of November, so move quickly if you want to receive them in time to fill out and distribute for December.

What do you think of Valve's new line of holiday greeting cards? Which games would you like to see get a similar treatment? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.