The Future of Left 4 Dead... series?

[EViLMinD]

Left 4 Dead is a unique game. It is the first of it's kind (zombie co-op fps) and arguably one of the funnest ways to kill time with your fiends. The game can appeal to both casual and hardcore players (though I am getting a little bored now). It's challenging to play and exciting to experience; it's memorable.

My assumption is that other developers will catch on to the popularity of the zombie co-op concept and start making similar games. Why not? There is so much in the zombie movie genres to explore and translate into a game experience. This is why I think that the devs need to solidify their game's position amongst gamers. They need to make an expansion.

I'm sure everyone has a wish list for this game. I know I do. So, I'll offer my ideas and perhaps others can offer theirs. See if we can make an interesting thread for the devs to read. Might give them help when they generate ideas for the next game. Who knows. A few years ago I went on a GTA forum and explained how drug dealing should be added to the series, and now Chinatown Wars has such a feature (exactly as I described too).

Sometimes fans can offer useful input... or - at the very least - think on parallel lines as the game makers. It's just fun to think about.

My suggestions for L4D:

Left 4 Dead in the UK

I'd like to see an alternate plot about four British survivors because, unlike our American survivors, they wouldn't have guns and ammo around every corner. Instead, they would have to make do with melee weapons or utilize more creative methods of zombie extermination. These brits would have to use stuff like swords and axes and butcher knives and pitch forks (etc etc) to hack and slash their way through a campaign.

Sure, they'd be able to find a gun or two here and there (over & under shotgun, a soldiers rifle etc) but the primary focus would be on melee. Why not? Everyone seems to like the melee combat in L4D... but there's only one type of attack. Why not explore this area further? I say, give a melee weapon a primary stab and a more powerful secondary swipe attack.

For killing things like tanks, some melee weapons could be hurled or stuck into the body. Rendering the zombie a little slower and weaker with each attack.

The possibilities are there.

PS yes, I am fully aware that, the game, Killing Floor is set in London and utilizes melee weapons. I don't think it will corner the zombie shooter set in the UK with some melee weapons market, though. So please don't make a moot point that what I suggested is exactly the same. That would be daft.

Similar to what I suggested, sure, but certainly not the same thing. There's plenty of room for new perspectives and interpretations.

Bottom line - L4D needs some melee weapons added. Doesn't necessarily have to be set in the UK. I just thought it would be neat to have some cursing in British accents for a change.

....

For our vanilla, American survivors....

Tier 3 weapons

Who doesn't want a mobile, belt fed machine gun? Or a flame thrower? Or a 40mm grenade launcher?

I didn't think so.

Magnum/high caliber pistol as alternate to akimbo .45acp

I'd like a .5 desert eagle or a huge Dirty Harry revolver. The effect of such a weapon would, essentially, be the same as a sniper rifle but without a scope and would have less spread from movement (not as sensitive) and would have a smaller clip (10 rnds or 6 if revolver I figure).

A big pistol should be the opposite of the current pistol's attributes: more useful against special infected than mass hordes (unless u shoot through a few minor zombies that are lined up).

Also...

I'd like to see a campaign with a game mode that puts players in the roll of some escaped convicts during the outbreak. These characters would be encouraged to work together but also employ some dirty tricks against one another, as well. I have some ideas for how that would unfold... but I'll stop here. It would take to long to explain.

However, if there was an addition of an unscrupulous team of survivors i could see there being a new versus mode which gave players a choice between the two types of humans. Each team would have an objective to carry out while the zombies run through the map creating hell for everyone.

Just a thought.

What's your idea(s)?

[DethPenguin]

Who doesn't want a mobile, belt fed machine gun? Or a flame thrower? Or a 40mm grenade launcher?

I didn't think so.



In Left 4 Dead? I don't.

[BlackCat]

In Left 4 Dead? I don't.

I second that.

I mean, something like an M249 SAW (which I assume is the type of belt-fed machine gun referred to) is not going to be easy to carry around. If you're holding it and firing, good luck staying on your feet, let alone hitting any single target... even in combat those are usually used in a prone position on the ground to provide cover fire, or they are mounted. Wouldn't work, sorry.

Flame throwers, as has been said before, would be really bad for friendly fire, even a misplaced molotov is a nightmare... not to mention the fact that hunters do more damage when they are on fire.

Grenade launcher... really? Where would survivors happen to find one of those lying around? And how would they automatically know how to use it? lol

[Tyr]

I third that.

[Infest0125]

I approve the pistols idea, but the others I disagree with to be honest.
I'd like more enviroments and maps though. Possibly new bombs too. But balancing is hard to do in this game.

[EViLMinD]

Thanks for your input, fellas. But, I'm quite surprised you all disagree.

I second that.

I mean, something like an M249 SAW (which I assume is the type of belt-fed machine gun referred to) is not going to be easy to carry around. If you're holding it and firing, good luck staying on your feet, let alone hitting any single target... even in combat those are usually used in a prone position on the ground to provide cover fire, or they are mounted. Wouldn't work, sorry.

Don't you think that is a moot point considering this game's play style is more arcade leaning as apposed to pure realism. I mean... come on. None of the weapons in the game perform as they would in reality. Crips, the uzi has 50 rnds and a .45 acp has 15. wtf

Your argument would make sense if this game were more like America's Army or CS.

It really doesn't matter what the heck the actual gun is... just that its effin big and has lots of bullets. There is room in the design for this. It could be a gun that a player finds, uses and then discards because extra ammo is not available. Dunno. lot's of possibilities to explore.

Flame throwers, as has been said before, would be really bad for friendly fire, even a misplaced Molotov is a nightmare... not to mention the fact that hunters do more damage when they are on fire.

Team killing and friendly fire accidents will always be an issue and flamethrowers have already been successful in online games (Return to Castle Wolfenstein, for one), so again I think your argument is faulty.

Sure, a flamethrower would be dangerous to teammates. But... so what. If some pathetic latchkey kid wants to misuse it - he will regardless of what the weapon he's using. All weapons can be used against teammates.

As for hunters becoming more deadly when on fire and thus making the weapon have an Achilles’ heel, i say... so freakin what. That is what your teammates are for: helping you.

Besides, it makes sense to give a really powerful weapon a weakness.

Grenade launcher... really? Where would survivors happen to find one of those lying around? And how would they automatically know how to use it? lol

You can't be seriously asking this? The game throws plausibility out the window in so many areas.

Did you give this any real consideration?

(shakes head)

Ok... Bill might have instructed them how to use it and... . erm.. whatever. Who cares, man. Adding big guns would be really fun if the game had larger hoard attacks and some new specials to kill. Why is this not painfully obvious to you too?


My impression is that you folks are being far too narrow in your vision. Try to be a bit less unimaginative and a tad more practical. Nothing I suggested can be so immediately dismissed.

No game is complete. People need variety to stay interested. Why else would people cheat on there spouses or buy a new car or try a new food?

This game needs guns, maps, monsters and other stuff. No, not just for the novelty but because new stuff can lead to new exciting gameplay.

Thanks for this discussion. It's fun to think about, eh?

[Platypus]

I approve of grenade launchers...






If they allow us to sticky jump our way to victory.

[DethPenguin]

I think all your "counter-arguements" to BlackCat are:

"Erm..so. Who cares?"

[BlackCat]

I think all your "counter-arguements" to BlackCat are:

"Erm..so. Who cares?"

That's what I got out of it.

I would take the time to respond if it wouldn't be pointless.

[Infest0125]

No game is complete. People need variety to stay interested. Why else would people cheat on there spouses?

Cause their spouse is a bitch :)

I'll get a more serious response, but that just stood out to me :P

EDIT: I still only really approve of pistols. But not too much variety of them, the game was originally intended to be noob friendly, and they got to keep it that way.

If there were a mode for more seasoned players, like extreme versus or such, I wouldn't mind a little more variety to weapons and such.

[EViLMinD]

That's what I got out of it.

I would take the time to respond if it wouldn't be pointless.

ANY discussion on a game forum is a pointless waste of time... but we all do it anyway.

Hell, your comment is pointless incarnate.

Please keep the weenie-ish, snide comments out of this discussion. It's lame and.. well... pointless.

[BlackCat]

ANY discussion on a game forum is a pointless waste of time... but we all do it anyway.

Hell, your comment is pointless incarnate.

Please keep the weenie-ish, snide comments out of this discussion. It's lame and.. well... pointless.

Good, then don't just brush off what I said before. They are obviously going for some level of realism in the game. The specific weapons name, woudl break that and they would no fit into the game. More campaigns, yes, those weapons, no, and I already said why. Don't be snarky.

[SlainPwner666]

ANY discussion on a game forum is a pointless waste of time...

No one said you HAD to be here. That is all I plan on adding to this discussion, good day.

[HolyEvilz]

Grenade launcher? a fixed one maybe? or takes about 10 - 20 seconds for the player to learn to use? if not i'd say its too rigged, though, i'd like to see zombie corpses flying around.

[EViLMinD]

The snarkyness is there for color and my own personal amusement. ;)

Nevertheless, I brushed off what you said because it just didn't make much sense. Sorry but that's how it is.

If you make a good point, however, I'll be fair and tell you I think so. I'm not being a dink because you disagree, I just want you to disagree with an adequate amount of effort. I'm not asking for much here.

To all the winjers: Don't take this crap so personally. You give me stupid comments and I'll give "snarky" responses.

Keep to the topic or beat it. :mad:

Ok, let's all be sweet now. Ty

[DethPenguin]

To all the winjers: Don't take this crap so personally. You give me stupid comments and I'll give "snarky" responses.

Keep to the topic or beat it. :mad:

Ok, let's all be sweet now. Ty

Welcome to the internet. Where, surprisingly, not everyone agrees with you.

[BlackCat]

The snarkyness is there for color and my own personal amusement. ;)

Nevertheless, I brushed off what you said because it just didn't make much sense. Sorry but that's how it is.

If you make a good point, however, I'll be fair and tell you I think so. I'm not being a dink because you disagree, I just want you to disagree with an adequate amount of effort. I'm not asking for much here.

To all the winjers: Don't take this crap so personally. You give me stupid comments and I'll give "snarky" responses.

Keep to the topic or beat it. :mad:

Ok, let's all be sweet now. Ty

Then ask what I meant if something didn't make sense but be specific, I'm not psychic. I give you just about the only detailed response as to WHY it isn't a good idea and you now say that I put no effort into disagreeing with you? And calling people's comments stupid, not cool, I don't see any stupid comments in the thread. Sorry, but I can no longer take your immaturity seriously.

[DaSciz]

[QUOTE=EViLMinD;278317]
For our vanilla, American survivors....

Tier 3 weapons

Who doesn't want a mobile, belt fed machine gun? Or a flame thrower? Or a 40mm grenade launcher?

I didn't think so.
QUOTE]


If you don't agree with this, you are irreparably boring and/or a square.

[Eddie]

[QUOTE=EViLMinD;278317]
For our vanilla, American survivors....

Tier 3 weapons

Who doesn't want a mobile, belt fed machine gun? Or a flame thrower? Or a 40mm grenade launcher?

I didn't think so.
QUOTE]


If you don't agree with this, you are irreparably boring and/or a square.

I guess I am boring and/or a square, because I think thats just WAY to out of line for a Zombie Horror game..
I mean
Its rare enough that the survivors find m16's and shot guns lying around.. but flamethrowers and mobile manchine guns, and grenade launchers?
Thats just to over the top, In my opinion.

[EViLMinD]

Flamethrowers could be makeshift weapons that require a fixed location to use. They could be gas station hoses that a survivor converts into a weapon, during an event.

ZOE: "Bill, their everywhere! We're surrounded! What do we do?"
BILL: "Grab a pump, pray and do what I do. TOP 'O THA WORLD, MA!"

This way, a player could only travel so far with one. It would be a weapon that is extremely useful against mass hoards yet only usable for a specific event area of a map.

Another thing I think might work is the ability to pour gasoline where you choose and then be able to ignite it. That would be fun.

Anyone else have some ideas? Who knows, one idea might spark another.

[zombicidalmaniac]

i strongly disagree wif da hole flamethower thing not just becuz of friendly fire but becuz where the hell are you gona find an M2 Flamethrower(only used the M2 because that the only one that i know thats actually has been made and apporved by the military)around on the ground or anywhere execpt in a military base.

And seriously a 40mm grenade launcher i highly doubt that you can find one of these lyin on a table and the survivors actually know how to use it and aim wif it.

Last but not least a belt fed machine gun again highly doubt you'll find it lyin around but as black cat said you would need to go prone just to get 1 infected standing up u would need some super long bi-pod legs to get a infected.

the pistols im ok wif and some other ideas were ok.

[BlackCat]

Flamethrowers could be makeshift weapons that require a fixed location to use. They could be gas station hoses that a survivor converts into a weapon, during an event.

This way, a player could only travel so far with one. It would be a weapon that is extremely useful against mass hoards yet only usable for a specific event area of a map.


This makes a bit more sense, though it is pretty much already a property of the mounted guns. The only problem as far as realism is that flames would follow the fumes back through the hose and into the ground... BUT propane tanks don't really explode when they are shot (per Mythbusters) so that detail may not matter. I can see this idea working maybe at the crescendo on NM3 or on a new campaign. I can roll with that idea and I kind of like it.

It would have to be only 1 pump and the team would have to cover as they do when using the mounted gun though, if this was to work at all, otherwise it would throw off the balance of the game.


Another thing I think might work is the ability to pour gasoline where you choose and then be able to ignite it. That would be fun.


I can't agree with this though, it is pretty much what the gas can already does.

[Steve Cloud]

No more of these threads, please.

If you've got a weapon suggestion, post it here (http://www.left4dead411.com/forums/showthread.php?p=154571#post154571).