Left 4 Dead Dev Kit Available
A few weeks back, Valve released the Survival Pack for everyone’s favorite quick-moving zombie shooter, Left 4 Dead. It introduced a new gameplay mode, a small new map and sent a spark of new life into the game. Playing the same four scenarios over a million times can get taxing, and it was just the thing players needed to keep their interest.
This time, Valve has done one better and reminded us why they are the one of coolest gaming companies on the third rock. Today, they released to the public the development tools used to create the levels. Players will now be able to use a level editor to build their own maps, come up with unique character skins, 3D models, sound effects, and music – then load them into the game and play. Assuming, of course, you’re talented (super nerdy) enough to effectively use the authoring tools and create something that isn’t atrocious. As Olmec used to say on Legends of the Hidden Temple, “The choice is yours and yours alone. Good luck.”
You can build a level with 1,000 zombies, make ten Tanks spawn at once, play as Betty White or have Timbuk 3’s “The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades” play at the end of your campaign. You know, whatever you like.
Get the tools here.
If all that wasn’t rad enough, a patch is to be released soon that will allow L4D matchmaking players to play each other’s custom games. The possibilities will become endless, and gaming is bound to stay fresh for a very long time.
Of course, this is all for the PC version of the release. Xbox360 owners won’t have this luxury, and based on the bureaucracy and legal jibjab between all the platforms, companies, etc. involved, they quite likely never will.
What a fantastic update for PC gamers, an awful shame for those of us who only have the 360 version though.