Over 21,000 members have joined a Steam group set out to boycott the upcoming Left 4 Dead sequel.
Last November, Valve Software blew away gamers once again with the release of its zombie-themed first-person shooter, Left 4 Dead. For the uninitiated, Valve is infamous for the Half-Life franchise, releasing the initial installment on the PC back in 1998. The game utilized a highly modified version of id Software's original Quake engine, and brought a new level of cinematic detail to the FPS genre. Half-Life 2, released in 2004, used the company's in-house Source engine, and re-affirmed that Valve Software was still a first-class developer after six years of remaining silent.
After spending most of its development years working on the Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and Team Fortress titles, Valve thus acquired the new Left 4 Dead IP from Turtle Rock Studios in January 2008; it immediately became a huge success when released the following November. Valve took fans by surprise last week at E3 by announcing a sequel to the hit zombie FPS, Left 4 Dead 2, set to hit retail outlets in November 2009, just one year after the original title's release. Normally sequels bring joy and happiness to fans yearning for more, however this particular announcement left many fans thoroughly disgusted.
In fact, over 21,000 gamers have now joined the L4D2 Boycott (NO-L4D2) Steam group, a gathering of individuals who have pledged to do just what the title states: boycott the upcoming sequel. The biggest fear, it seems, is that Valve will discontinue L4D content updates that was originally promised to consumers, rendering L4D prematurely obsolete. The group clearly requests that Valve honor its commitment to periodic content, that the new "sequel" be released as free content instead, and that L4D owners be given discounts for L4D2 should it be released as premium content.
"The release of Left 4 Dead 2 as a stand-alone sequel will split the communities and decrease the quality of multiplayer gaming," the site states. "The announced content of Left 4 Dead 2 does not warrant a stand-alone, full-priced sequel and should instead become updates (free or otherwise) for Left 4 Dead." Of course, it's possible that Valve plans to address existing L4D copies by providing a premium pack that will add the improvements and content provided in the retail version of L4D2. In other words, Valve may supply consumers with two options: upgrade the existing version by purchasing a premium pack, or buy the new stand-alone game.
According to this screenshot, Valve's apparent answer to the L4D2 boycott is to distribute threats of banishment or to delete forum posts altogether. However, it's understandable why Valve would want to keep some form of "positive" order in its forums. On the other hand, fans have every right to be concerned in regards to L4D2 and how it will affect the original title. Keep in mind that development on L4D began in mid-2005, and hit retail shelves three years later. In the case of L4D2, only one "development year" has passed. Naturally, fans are going to question the overall quality.
"Left 4 Dead 2 is a larger game and will be supported with even more consumer and retail advertising programs than the original," said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing at Valve. We asked Doug about the overall development process in regards to the IP and expanding the L4D story across multiple sequels, however we have not received a response.
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f'n idiots.
Don't want it, don't buy it. They're looking to change some things that they weren't happy about.
If these people get between me and getting my chainsaw on, we're gonna have more than words!
they did promise more stuff, but if they say it's worth it, and if they say it would be too difficult for them to release it as dlc, i believe them
hell, i'd pay full price for the game if i had, valve is one of those companies i wouldn't mind DONATING a few of my dollars to, just cause of the content they give. ill just have to pick it up when its halfoff though...
oh, and valve also said they're still releasing stuff for the first one so STOP WHINING
Someone doesn't like my comment. Fine have them call it episode 1 and then you'll be on board.
sounds like valve is pulling an EA move... classic...
So out of all the things that we should be excited for this is what you point out? "Left 4 Dead 2 is a larger game and will be supported with even more consumer and retail advertising programs than the original" I can tell you already I wont be purchasing this, since I JUST got L4D1, 1 month ago... To the gaming community VALVE was the only real developer left. NOt just in it for the profit, this title PROVES how incorrect that statement is. Valve has hold out
sign me up. L4D came to us incomplete(only 4 campaign maps and only two of them for versus) and as fun as the game was it loses its appeal after 40 hours or so. Now they bring us another one only a year later yet HL:EP 3 is not here, no new CS, no new DOD, and lack of an sdk for custom maps in L4D.
and tenor, thats the point of the boycott, they wont buy it because they dont want it and they hope to send a clear message to valve. right now that group is growing and their concerns are legitimate.
Was this statement even necessary?
I JUST bought L4D because it came out as a game of the year edition and it kind of peeved me when they made this announcement, to be honest. Im not exactly mad at them like I was when Gears 2 got paid downloadable content 1 month after release but it still doesn't sit well with me.
Valve is on a VERY short list of developers that have earned and deserve some benefit of the doubt. The fact that 21,000 childish idiots would rage because they perceive that Valve isn't living up to a ridiculously high standard that almost no other developer could come close to measuring up to doesn't really surprise me. It disgusts me.
If they would have released this as a $20-$30 expansion, that would have been awesome. If they put together some kind of discounted price for owners of the original, great! If they just release it as a full price stand-alone title, I might be a bit disappointed. But being pissed off because you're not getting something for free is absurd. The self-entitlement in that sentiment makes me nauseous.
Already joined the group, hehe.
To any saying this boycott is negligible. Then do the math. 20,000 x 50 is $1,000,000. I can't believe ValVe wouldn't feel the hit of that much money.
Valve is on a VERY short list of developers that have earned and deserve some benefit of the doubt. The fact that 21,000 childish idiots would rage because they perceive that Valve isn't living up to a ridiculously high standard that almost no other developer could come close to measuring up to doesn't really surprise me. It disgusts me.If they would have released this as a $20-$30 expansion, that would have been awesome. If they put together some kind of discounted price for owners of the original, great! If they just release it as a full price stand-alone title, I might be a bit disappointed. But being pissed off because you're not getting something for free is absurd. The self-entitlement in that sentiment makes me nauseous.
I'm with ya. I'm ok if they release it like the CoH expansions. They're separate but people with different expansions can play together.
Already joined the group, hehe.To any saying this boycott is negligible. Then do the math. 20,000 x 50 is $1,000,000. I can't believe ValVe wouldn't feel the hit of that much money.
If you subtract a 50% piracy factor you're left with $500K. Valve can take it
Wow. Valve was the only "real developer" and was not in it for a profit. That is a pretty amusing statement. Valve is a business and the primary goal of a business is to make money. Valve is no exception. You 21,000 idiots can boycott L4D2 all you want there have been about 5 million copies of L4D sold from Steam and through box stores I can't imagine Valve cares that 21,000 of those people won't be upgrading. Even if 20% of L4D customers bought L4D2 it would be a huge success for Valve.
Guys sound like all the whining Apple fans that get all pissy when Apple releases a new product 9 months after releasing a new product that makes the one you bought look obsolete.
this is the very heart of the issue, Wanker79. they said they would provide wot the descenters are asking for free as part of ongoing supplements to L4D and they're turning around and are trying to sell it to them instead. had they never said anything about it and just came out with it i don't think this kerfuffle would be at hand...
this is the very heart of the issue, Wanker79. they said they would provide wot the descenters are asking for free as part of ongoing supplements to L4D and they're turning around and are trying to sell it to them instead. had they never said anything about it and just came out with it i don't think this kerfuffle would be at hand...
Actually they've said they will continue to support L4D1 with new content, but all the stuff they're trying to do in L4D2 was just too large to justify giving it away for free.
Good luck my friends. But, keep in mind that even if they don't release the game they are already focusing on another game. So, even if you were playing lets say Day of defeat source since it came out. You would feel shafted once they started work on tf2 and would continue to feel that way. This might be the best way to get more focus on l4d, but that doesn't mean you have to like it. Valve is not blizzard sadly enough.
If you subtract a 50% piracy factor you're left with $500K. Valve can take it
Honestly I can see why people would pirate it, you buy a game fore 50 bucks expecting to get a honestly done, GOOD game out of it and instead you get to play a beta for the NEXT game which by mere chance also costs $50.
That being said I am no pirate, but I personally can't justify spending $50 bucks every other month just so valve can milk the profit.
Although I understand why the boycotters are upset, I'm going to wait for the game to be released be fore I pass judgment on Valve. If the game is just LFD 1.5, then I won't buy it, but if it's a true sequel I will. I won't sign up to boycott LFD2 without first knowing what I'm boycotting.
Quit whining. Sequels are better. L4D2 will be great. Get over it.
Quit whining. Sequels are better. L4D2 will be great. Get over it.
That's the point.
Valve obviously didn't have any faith in l4d if they started making l4d 2 immediately after. So much for "quality work".
Honestly I can see why people would pirate it, you buy a game fore 50 bucks expecting to get a honestly done, GOOD game out of it and instead you get to play a beta for the NEXT game which by mere chance also costs $50.That being said I am no pirate, but I personally can't justify spending $50 bucks every other month just so valve can milk the profit.
I don't see what that has to do with my comment but I have to call BS on that. Before I bought my copy I knew what I was getting and I liked it. I don't buy games on the potential that they give me free stuff down the road. I do expect patches to be fixed though which Valve has done.
As for new content? I don't care if they sell it or give it away but I prefer the latter. If Valve ends up selling the new content and I don't find it compelling enough to buy it then I don't buy it.
That's the point.Valve obviously didn't have any faith in l4d if they started making l4d 2 immediately after. So much for "quality work".
That is such retarded logic. They made a shit ton of money off of Left 4 Dead so they want to repeat that success and make a shit ton of money off of Left 4 Dead 2.
It's not surprising they'd be in development with something new so quickly if 1. it didn't make them money, and 2. fans didn't absolutely love it. If they're not coding the engine from scratch, it's possible they can pump out a new game within a year and still have it be good. One may point to Crysis and Crysis Warhead where look at how long the original took to make compared to the sequel. At the same time, has Valve *stopped* improving any of their original games just because a newer one is out? They may not have outright new content but the support and patches seem to still fix issues.
Will wait and see on this one methinks.
It's not surprising they'd be in development with something new so quickly if 1. it didn't make them money, and 2. fans didn't absolutely love it. If they're not coding the engine from scratch, it's possible they can pump out a new game within a year and still have it be good. One may point to Crysis and Crysis Warhead where look at how long the original took to make compared to the sequel. At the same time, has Valve *stopped* improving any of their original games just because a newer one is out? They may not have outright new content but the support and patches seem to still fix issues.
Will wait and see on this one methinks.
Everyone is entitled to their objection to the issue. I for one didnt think the game was all that great to begin with and bought it only to play with friends at LAN's, but if more content was promised, more content there should be. I do feel it is a bit early for L4D2 to be released at an all new cost to those that just bought the title. A minor upgrade cost, maybe, but all new purchase is insane. A new release now will severely impact the current online gaming presence splitting the players down the middle.
I highly doubt the sequel is bringing a new highly modified game to the table, and more like it has more maps and a few more baddies... Smells like EA big time if you ask me... And is that really what we want all you gamers out there? Another EA? Why dont we just have EA buy Valve, and call it a day... That way we can have 5 million versions of Battlefield, I mean Left 4 Dead....
People People,
Get a grip - I understand your frustration but in all honesty L4D is a great title and some could say is lacking some content additional maps and weapons and so on but no big deal.
Further I understand your concern with valve - from it's poor customer support to its over lack luster caring for customers - making you buy titles you already own for your new computers they could honestly take some customer service training 101 classes.
But honestly as long as they don't split the games apart which would be absolutely idiotic maneuver due to fragmenting the communities! Further I do not believe they couldn’t make this a downloadable content – I do not mind paying a few dollars more for additional content (expansion pack) but please stop thinking your consumers are all idiots you went with the light version of L4D no big deal.
This boycott has caught their attention definantly but you cannot expect something for nothing! Remember they need to continue to pay for upper management’s bonus packages and golden parachutes.
TAT
To the author:
Valve is not infamous for its Half-life franchise in fact it is famous for it...
in·fa·mous (ĭn'fə-məs) pronunciation
adj.
1. Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious.
2. Causing or deserving infamy; heinous: an infamous deed.
You people boycotting L4D2 are crazy! Did you not get your 40 dollars worth out of L4D how many hours did you play L4D is it over 60 hours? If it is then you have easily got your money worth. HL2 took less then half the time to run through that game. and you all didnt complain about EP1 should be free cause HL2 was so short. Come on people you really think that you deserve free addition content on a game that you easily got your money out of? How much money did we all give nintendo and sega back in the day for games that took 20 hours to beat and never play again and we didnt complain a bit.
To all you boycotters GROW UP! To everyone else with a brain I will see you in game on launch day!
I think the biggest problem is that it will split the community, which the game is very reliant upon because of it's small server sizes(4 or 8). Releasing L4D2 will pull a lot of the L4D1 players away from the community making it harder to find players for a game. I don't like that the developer is causing a split like that only a year after the game came out. They should have waited at least another year or year and a half.
that group is the biggest epic fail ever
Wow are we a bunch of cry babies so I guess they guys working on the game for you should work for free, ah people there are bills that need to be paid oh I forgot you might know that if you got out of your parents basement. It's there company they can do what they want as you can buy what you want but to bitch because it's not free give me a break