I’ll likely get hung for this post but I’m going to vent a bit anyway. Today during the Microsoft Press Conference at E3 2009 there was a reveal trailer for the next Left4Dead installment. Normally I’d be ecstatic about such an announcement, and initially I was – when I watched the trailer along with the Crackdown 2 teaser – but once the high faded a bit I realized how not OK I am with this whole sequel concept.

Left4Dead is less than a year old. It shipped with a very slight amount of content, only got added value with the later Survivor patch and is only now getting mod support from the community and rather than expand it and give us a more reasonably sized game.. we’re being fed a sequel.

More Zombie killing is a goal I subscribe to religiously. I love Left4Dead, I played the heck out of it for months until the 4 basic scenarios wore dry and even the injection of new content with the recent patch didn’t work to vary or sate that apathy much. The original gang isn’t done, I want more adventures, more maps and scenarios and frankly more value from that initial purchase – just as Valve promised.

The trailer and accompanying press release also worry me because the features they tout for the upcoming continuation don’t seem earthshaking or innovative, or like additions that don’t belong in a patch for the original game. What I’m referring to is the addition of more melee-centric weapons and combat, and an upgraded AI Director. Then there is this statement:

“Featuring new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, Left 4 Dead 2 offers a much larger game than the original with more co-operative campaigns, more Versus campaigns, and maps for Survival mode available at launch.”

Who is responsible for L4D not having a great selection of content, modes or characters?

Well the same people who are now expecting us to shill out full price yet again to support their hype machine. I’m an ardent supporter of Valve over the years but this move really bugs me. We’re still waiting on Half-Life 2 Episode 3 to wrap that story up – 4 years later – and yet they can crank out another money grab in the form of an L4D sequel. Valve doesn’t patch or fix problems with the 360 version of the Orange Box, yet they can produce an entirely new L4D product? Something smells here and while the “freeness” of the Survivor patch is a great move in an industry increasingly based on selling you parts of their completed game after release as a continued revenue stream, I am afraid with the current information in hand I may have to change my position on Valve and its formerly consumer friendly posture.

The new title is scheduled to ship on November 17th for Xbox 360 and PC, just in time for the Christmas rush, and features an apparent Southern US setting and characters including “Inbred Tank” and a multi-ethnic survivor team. I’m sorry but I think I’m going to take a pass here.. until I see something that shows a sequel was needed to the game, and this is not just more than a simple tech upgrade with new maps and re-skinned characters. You can view the full details of the press release after the jump.
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The largest update to Team Fortress 2 ever has been released!

In celebration, Valve are making it a free-to-play weekend (starting now) for TF2 as well as making the full game 50% off ( = $10 USD) at the Steam Store during the period.

To recap, here are the upgrades the Sniper and Spy class are getting:

Sniper

The seventh and final preview of the tomorrow’s Sniper/Spy dual update to Team Fortress 2 is upon us, and Valve come bearing gifts.

First off, it looks like the sharp shooting Aussie is getting that jar of pee that we all thought was an April Fool’s joke over a month ago. Could be bad news for Spies and Pyros:

Jarate – The Jar-Based Karate

Jarate is a thrown jar that splashes upon impact. When splashed on enemies, they take 35% more damage for a period of time. Jumping in water will wash off Jarate. Jarate is also able to short out Spies’ cloaking devices. When used on teammates, Jarate will extinguish any fire effects.

Also revealed are 35 brand new achievements for the Sniper class. As a fellow TF2 geek pointed out, some of these seem to be inspired by the ‘Meet The Sniper‘ video.

And finally, in celebration of all the hard work towards bringing TF2 fans these free updates, Valve are making this weekend a free TF2 weekend starting tomorrow. So if you or your buddy haven’t experienced what all the fuss is about, now is the time.

A list of the new 35 achievements and a funny web-comic for the Sniper found after the break.

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Yep, it is that time again. Today is the sixth day of previews for the upcoming Sniper/Spy dual update to Team Fortress 2.

This time it looks like our Incognito Amigo is getting a new hand-cannon conveniently dubbed ‘The Ambassador’. Looking more like a piece of art than a weapon, this baby packs some serious wallop. Got a dispute with an enemy sniper or soldier? Call in ‘The Ambassador’. Your new “field cannon without wheels” will have those red/blue team babies waving a white flag after the smoke has cleared.

Or in Valve’s own words:

“There are two sorts of men in this world: the sort with blood pouring out of a hole in their heads, and the sort holding the Ambassador. It has the ammo count of a revolver and the pinpoint accuracy of a sniper rifle, even at long range. (But remember, a gun that packs this much heat needs to cool off between shots, so make every shot count.)

With its rosewood grip and likeness of your enemy’s mother (please send photo) engraved on the barrel, the Ambassador is eight motherloving pounds of steel your enemies won’t want to negotiate with.”

For some reason, after reading that, I want to yell out Jules’ (Samuel L. Jackson) sermon from Pulp Fiction.

Expect updates for the Sniper and Spy to roll out this Thursday via Steam.

After accidentally leaking the “Meet The Spy” video (above) on YouTube this weekend, Valve felt it should award itself with a “Fail” achievement. And so they did:

If you take a look over at the official Team Fortress 2 website, Valve have not only released the official “Meet The Spy” video (don’t worry, the one above is the “official” one), but they have also revealed 34 new Spy achievements to go along with the upcoming Sniper/Spy dual updates that go live this Thursday. I’ve listed them after the jump.

Note: “Fail” achievement is for Valve only. Neener!

And in case you missed it, Day 1, 2, 3, & 4 coverage of the TF2 Sniper/Spy updates.

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Someone over at Valve has a sick sense of humor.

While many TF2 Snipers were eagerly awaiting news of something that would replace his “weak ass melee weapon”, the Kukri, with something far more useful, instead they get stabbed in the back, Spy style. The image above, taken from the official Team Fortress 2 website, shows our Aussie face down with his nemesis standing next to him, mocking him in a way only a person of his seedy profession would: by smoking a cig in his victim’s honor.

The crossed out text originally reading “The Sniper Update” is instead changed to “The Spy Update”, thus revealing the shocking finality of it all. Yes, begin the Spy Updates.

Today’s update to the Team Fortress 2 website, which was, as far as we can tell, originally intended for the Sniper class, instead reveals updates for his arch-nemesis: The Spy. Irony seems to be ever present here, as yesterday’s revelation yielded the Sniper class would be getting something to finally thwart those cigarette toting backstabbing bastards. Perhaps the ensuing overzealous Sniper mobs angered the gods with their uncontrollable laughter, orgy-like celebration, and idolatry of golden calves? Or maybe Valve just couldn’t wait any longer to tell us what they have in store for their Spy class?

Read more to find out.

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Time to channel Billy Mays here…

Hi! It’s Friday, and we’ve got another great product for you! Not only is Friday great because it’s the end of the work week, it’s also weekend deal time on Steam.

That’s right, for a limited time only, you can be treated to the latest Call of Duty title from Treyarch, World at War, for 50% off. Now, since I know that some of our readers struggle with math, that’s just $24.99. $24.99!

But wait, there’s more!

If you order within the next 2 days, we’ll throw in the recently released Map Pack 1 absolutely free! We’ll even waive processing and handling fees! So stop playing older Call of Duty games, and get your copy of World at War today! Here’s how to order!

Head over to Steam and grab your copy today!

I can hear a thousand spies screaming “bloody hell” right now…

Valve have updated the official Team Fortress 2 website and bestowed upon its lowly internet masses knowledge of the next upgrade (downgrade?) to the Sniper class for its eccentric, yet lovable, multiplayer first person shooter Team Fortress 2. From today’s update to the website, it looks like the ol’ Aussie is getting a Spy countermeasure of sorts. Valve explain best:

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Valve have released more details regarding the upcoming update to the Sniper class for Team Fortress 2. The update now adds a new game mode ‘Payload Race’ as well as a new map ‘Pipeline’ to go along with it. Also revealed are two new Arena maps: Sawmill and Nucleus.

In case you missed it, Day 1 of the Sniper Update was covered here.

More details and screens of the upcoming Sniper Update after the break.

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Tripwire entertainment is psyched as Killing Floor prepares for launch as Steam’s top seller. The co-operative survival horror game challenges players to hunt down experiments gone bad in the mean streets of London. You can recruit up to five of your buddies to stand with you or go solo offline. Gameplay features include a Persistent perk system and “ZEDtime ” slomo so you can appreciate a spectacularly chunky death, even in multiplayer.

Killing Floor is still 25% off as a pre-order discount for a few more hours before it goes live May 14th on Steam. More details on game features follow the break courtesy of FileFront.

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