left 4 dead, the dark spot on valves otherwise stellar reputation

[hauntedkmart]

i simply cant understand the shortsightedness by valve in making it so tedious to play third party content online. nearly every other multiplayer title they have ever released has depended SOLELY on third party addons for longevity... look at counter strike, perfect example. that game will still be played ten years from now. yet, left 4 dead, you are stuck with the same repetitive campaigns to be played over and over again. the game has unlimited potential, if third parties were able to add new zombies, maps, weapons, characters, etc. if someone has been able to figure out what the hell valve was thinking when they designed it like this, please inform me

 

[Shane]

I agree that its getting too repetative,Ive not played for about 2 months.

The fact that theres only about 5 weapons annoys me

Its the same as Call of Duty 4 though...thats getting boring too,I just hope COD5 does not follow it,at least they have just released some new maps for cod5 anyways.

There are custm maps for L4D,Hoever ive not actualy been able to try any because i have no clue where to put the files.....then you need to join a server running that map

 

[hauntedkmart]

Its the same as Call of Duty 4 though...thats getting boring too,I just hope COD5 does not follow it,at least they have just released some new maps for cod5 anyways.

cod4 is 1000x more replayable, because its not a hassle to use custom content. the server browser will display a server running a custom map, and when you connect it is either downloaded from a mirror or from the server directly... no action required from the player, just to wait.

with l4d, correct me if i'm mistaken, there is no way to browse servers running custom maps in game. assuming you find a server running a custom map, you have to download it and install it yourself. its a complete pain in the ass, for a map that you might hate and only play once... third party content should seamlessly be woven into the server browser.

i fully understand why so many people are boycotting l4d 2. valve will not get my money unless they drastically change the way things are handled in the sequel.

 

[Redbull{wings}]

open the console and type openserverbrowser to see all the servers and the map they are running. Custom maps are easy to install just run a vpk file and it is all automatic. Also the game browser gives you a link to the map if you do not already have it installed.

 

[hauntedkmart]

open the console and type openserverbrowser to see all the servers and the map they are running. Custom maps are easy to install just run a vpk file and it is all automatic. Also the game browser gives you a link to the map if you do not already have it installed.

like i said, a complete pain in the ass.

this is more of a rant than a discussion, i know. i'm just disgusted with valve at the moment

 

[tlarkin]

isn't the L4D SDK released yet?

 

[Cromewell]

isn't the L4D SDK released yet?

That's what I was going to say. I'm pretty sure it is.

Add-Ons
Third party campaigns are designed to be installed using a new Add-On framework. Content authors will be able to package up their new maps, along with new posters, models, and textures, into a single .VPK file. To install and activate this content in-game, players need simply download the .VPK and double click on it. Alternatively, they will be able to drop it into a new "addons" folder. The list of installed add-ons will be viewable from a new item on the 'Extras' main menu flyout.

Sounds pretty easy to me....

 

[tlarkin]

I will concur that steam could have a package manager that would parse and download add-ons and additional maps through registered mirrors and FTPs so the end user just has to do one click installs.

I am becoming a huge fan of one click installs these days.

 

[hauntedkmart]

I will concur that steam could have a package manager that would parse and download add-ons and additional maps through registered mirrors and FTPs so the end user just has to do one click installs.

I am becoming a huge fan of one click installs these days.

yes, especially when valve has a long running of games that use this system. there is no point in releasing a game like l4d which doesn't make it as easy as their previous titles.

 

[Redbull{wings}]

But it really is as easy as clicking three times....everything is right in front of you. On top of that you are actually installing 3-5 maps with those clicks! That's like an hour or two of gameplay depending on the campaign! Plus there have been 3 or 4 update tweaking the new system to make it easier to use so you can only expect it to get better.