While reading this months issue of Game Informer (issue 196), I came across a section I never read before because I generally don't care what people think or have to say (I'm basically a horrible person), but the Left 4 Dead 2 logo in the DearGI section caught my attention. Cody Hersman wrote:
"After the release of Left 4 Dead, Valve promised a steady release of new downloadable content for the game, much like they did for Team Fortress 2 . However, it hasn't even been a year since the release of Left 4 Dead and already they're announcing a sequel? We've hardly seen any of this promised DLC, so what's with the new full-priced game? Left 4 Dead 2 could easily be released as an expansion pack to the original. It's just a few changes to the director and some new weapons and zombies, so there's really no other reason that the new Left 4 Dead should even be a separate game. I'm not the only one who thinks this - there is an entire community that has instigated a boycott of Left 4 Dead 2. I hope Valve does the right thing and downgrades it's plans for a full retail release."
And you know what I think Cody is right, this could easily be an expansion pack. Look at the great expansion packs we've gotten for other titles Fable 2, Fallout 3, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. In Fallout 3 alone I have over 100 hours spent in game, but what has Valve given it's loyal customers? Nothing because that crappy little never ending hoard time trail doesn't count because it was a pointless addition especially because there were no achievements. They have officially made a game that isn't even a year old completely worthless to gamers. How you may ask well, by pumping out a sequel so fast and there being no real DLC to speak of what real incentive to gamers who haven't played the game, there will be a new one out in a couple of months. It's not like the sequel is a continuation of the first one, hell you don't even have to have ever played the first to know how to play the second. Plus you'll get nothing in trade in value because it's based on demand, and with the sequel out in November why buy the old one right.
Do I think a boycott will work...No, because Valve knows people are going to want to play it and see walk new stuff they put in, and game magazines will pimp it like its the end all be all, and start saying stuff like 5 out of 5, and game of the year. The first one shouldn't have even been considered game of the year, it was a good game but not GOTY.
I am a big believer in a good story (I am a screenwriter after all), and most games fall flat on this. L4D could have had the story be a little more in depth, they had the right idea do each level as a different movie, and each stage as a different episode of that movie. Where they fail is that after the initial cut scene the story stops and you just go about shooting it's fun for awhile but will get boring. What I feel was their biggest blunder was the end battles for each "movie." They were all the same, make it to the safe house call for help wait for them to arrive, fight off the hoard of commons, a couple of special infected and some tanks.
Game Informers response to Mr. Hersman's letter is what made me angery.
"The "controversy" surrounding the announcement of Left 4 Dead 2 is pathetic. Have you played the full game yet? Do you know exactly how the team is improving the mechanic? Do you know about the weapons and enemies being added? No, you don't. Furthermore, without that information, you are wholly unqualified to make any judgment relating to the game's scope, quality and appropriate pricing. Here's a little tip: Complaining about these things with no firsthand experience doesn't make you a gaming activist. It make you a whiny entitled brat."
First of all, where to you get off speaking to your readers that way. You get payed to sit on your ass all day and play video games, so we would all prefer a little less lip from the jackass with the perfect job. We the consumer get to voice our opinion about anything we want, it's our right. The majority of games released are complete garbage yet we are charged full retail price for a game that should cost no more than 30 dollars. WE do not get our games for free and before everyone else, WE do not get to play the demos of games to see how they are progressing. YOU get free stuff, YOU get to try the demos, YOU get access to all these companies and info, so you people should get off your high horse and stop sounding so pompous, holier than thou and ENTITLED! Any dipshit can do your job provided they are given the same access to the companies you are. Think about it I'm doing it right now, and so are thousands of other people across the globe.
Plus the fact that you sound like you are completely in the pocket of Valve. You should be feeling like us Lied to buy a company that has had a loyal fanbase because they wanted to cash in it's more mainstream popularity. You should be outraged that they tried to pass that piss poor excuse of a DLC off as anything more than useless garbage, and they are luck it was free because it is definately not worth paying for.
And that is all I have to say on the subject.
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