New L4D Graphics Tech Explained - 7/29/08

Two articles have come out explaining new graphics technology seen in action on Left 4 Dead during E3 2008. The first comes from CVG when they talked with Valve employee Jason Mitchell. Besides the graphics talk, it mentions that Steam Cloud will precede the release of Left 4 Dead which "means your campaigns can be saved and resumed from anywhere at any time, even if the friends you were playing with have gone on a holiday." We're not sure how exactly this will work, likely just saved checkpoints.

The second article, In-Depth: How Valve Makes Art To Enhance Gameplay, brings to the masses a presentation from Microsoft's recent Gamefest by Valve employees Randy Lundeen, on the L4D team, and Moby Francke, art director on TF2. One particularly interesting point on Left 4 Dead:

The AI Director's omniscient knowledge of the game state allows the game's visual tone to change even before events take place. Said Lundeen, "We take the local contrast and crank it up. Everything gets sharper, like there's an adrenaline rush, and things start to feel more clear, like people get in near-death experiences. What the Director is subtly saying to you is, 'I am going to spawn 100 zombies around the corner.'"

All the new effects that we were able to see from the many E3 videos released have looked great, although the red color and vignetting when being mauled by a Hunter seem a bit too extreme.

E3Coverage.com has posted a video interview with Chet Faliszek, with Chet looking particularly distracted inbetween answering questions. The video offers nothing breaking, going over Versus mode, the Director, Survivor bots and Xbox 360 co-op, the campaigns and weapons. If you don't watch it for the L4D content, watch it for the 80's intro.

RockPaperShotgun posted an article The Joy of Co-Op which covers L4D and lists some 'co-op classics'. Lastly, QuakeCon starts on the 31st of July. Left 4 Dead was shown at least year's event but from what information we have now, it looks like Left 4 Dead will not make it. Probably something to do with needing to finish the game for this November.