Gabe Newell: Behind Left 4 Dead 2 and Beyond Interview

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  • Posted Oct 29, 2009

We interview Gabe Newell, president and cofounder of Valve. He gives us some insights into what it took to create Left 4 Dead 2 and what's on their minds for the future.

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142 Comments

  • Phantsy16

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 10:04 am PT

    Thats one good looking fella

  • SoulGamerJames

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 7:28 am PT

    Why hasn't time travel been patented and given to the people yet? I've been sick and tired from waiting so long for the game, Though the Demo made it a good wait. and now it's down to 14 hours untill Zero Hour(Game launch). Well i know I'm going to have a Marathon of L4D2 for the next week. anyone want to join me?
    "SG James" on Steam.

  • DarkWhoppy

    Posted Nov 11, 2009 7:53 am PT

    Justinian103, adding to your tid-bit... to play the demo, he must have pre-ordered L4D2.. HA!

    Overall, L4D2 is exactly what we needed. I love being able to blow an arm off and they keep coming. :-) You've got to be crazy not to love a game with excellent replay value. I have played CoD for years... same old experience, over and over. L4D changed that for me.

  • Justinian103

    Posted Nov 9, 2009 6:09 pm PT

    DJPETTITE for a guy who thinks L4D2 is a complete waste of time and is the same game as L4D, you spend an awful lot of time keeping up with every bit of info that pops up on gamespot about it. And if you thought the demo was nothing more or new your purposely being ignorant or just plain stupid. Any fan of the first game cannot say they aren`t impressed with the way L4D2 looks, plays and feels. They bumped up Source even more, the textures, character models, evironments and lighting look gorgeous. The guns are plenty and modeled beautifully and melee weapons are amazing and add the special layer the first game was sorely missing. And don`t forget the gore engine on the infected, it`s definitely somthing you must see first hand, in a word AWESOME!! Go away already, your fighting a losing arguement.

  • 666NightsInHell

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:13 pm PT

    .. and game is like addon, not the full imdepemdent and new game.. good thing is games from valve is for every1..work on poor systems

  • 666NightsInHell

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:11 pm PT

    Trhis guy from video, include his self in game, he is real zombie, wow.. ofc stolen scenario from first popular zombie movie everithing, evemn black man, who looks sux and not real like puppet in 2nd part, fat like zombie who talk in video

  • DamageIncM

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 3:21 pm PT

    So, to the people that know the first, I guess this would be an improved version of the first and I wouldn't really have to "go back" to play the first right?
    Especially since it's a different story, or perhaps similar or the same situation only with different characters.

    Well, blasterchief below pretty much points that out.
    But I shouldn't have to go back to the first game anymore if I haven't played it?

    Let me know.


    By the way, I did try the Demo of 2 and I did enjoy it.
    But going back to the first might let me down if it has less features.
    The first was an intriguing concept to me, only the silly crazy shooter-thing to it put me off.
    Now I just tried the Demo for 2 and I really like it for it's craziness and features.
    I don't even want it to become too realistic or anything.

  • dude23md

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 9:25 am PT

    It's like watching a horror movie again!!! awesome...

  • blasterchief

    Posted Nov 7, 2009 9:45 pm PT

    Left 4 Dead 2's demo so far has shown Left 4 Dead 1, but greatly improved: that's exactly what a sequel should be. It brings the core gameplay back with plenty of new weapons, infected, and items (Boomer Bile, Defibrillators, and Adrenaline are all fantastic) and it's a whole lot of fun. Left 4 Dead 2 is doing what a sequel should while not screwing up a franchise, some of you still haven't worked that out.

  • evklinken

    Posted Nov 6, 2009 2:14 pm PT

    I'm not into any of Valve's games but I do think Gabe Newell is a very smart person and Valve seems to hold up pretty well in the anti-L4D2 debate.

  • xtremeflem2day

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 4:21 pm PT

    @ Bog101:

    Just more jealous wii fanboys =)

  • xtremeflem2day

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 4:18 pm PT

    I remember when L4D first came out...I didnt like it at first, but once you see some of its great ideas, uniqueness, and required teamwork, you see that valve has got some serious skills.

  • kukuks

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 1:57 pm PT

    No, actually the L4D owners are pre-ordering L4D 2 more than those who haven't got L4D ... It's just half of L4D players have a pirated version :>

  • ziadpayne

    Posted Nov 5, 2009 1:24 am PT

    I hope this one is as good as the first one.Maybe they improved the graphics

  • mitcjase

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 8:56 pm PT

    SL4Y3Rftw
    I got the numbers mixed up, but "some" new maps? "Some" new weapons? Nope! Valve promised 10 new weapons and 20 new maps. Don't believe me? Skip to 8:52. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G9pqaiMzv4 That is footage from the official demo. Crash Course is not 20 maps, and there have been absolutely no new weapons.

  • ryan-777

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 4:41 pm PT

    i'm probably going to get this game for christmas

  • ryan-777

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 3:45 pm PT

    to me this game is scary, because i'm from louisiana, and the people that made the game, made louisiana infesting with zombies???!!!! YIKES!

  • BigRagu777

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 2:15 pm PT

    @djpetitte

    Are you serious? You just contradicted yourself in one comment. You said that its the same game (which would be a negative side if you read my comment) and then you said if it wasnt the same people would be upset cause its not the same game. But Ill tell you...of course its gonna have the same engine! ITS THE SAME GAME! Its called a sequel. If you want to bash it cause its a sequel I cant complain ...but people cant complain that Valve made another l4d....cause l4d2 is AWESOME!

  • nyahpooh

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 1:30 pm PT

    If zombie appoccalypse happen, Gabe Newell would be a boomer.

  • SeargantGoat

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 9:26 am PT

    I would put money on some new information regarding HL2:E3 coming out *very* soon. What better time for Valve to whet our appetites for more of the HL universe? L4D2 looks great, can't wait to pick this game up.

  • jarheadalex

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 9:13 am PT

    I don't understand peoples complaints about it looks to similar to the previous, it's the same with every sequel. Plus i think its a brilliant game that does get boring quickly so hopefully instead of bringing out a whole new game each year they should bring out a huge DLC every 6 months.

  • jarheadalex

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 9:07 am PT

    Played the demo last night for left 4 dead 2, I think its a good improvment to a great game, I loved the new melee weapons but I think the melee weapons should be a replacement to the pistols not an extra as the idea of unlimited handgun ammo is unrealistic.

  • HLno1 posted Nov 4, 2009 7:40 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    HLno1

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:40 am PT (hide)

    VALVE!!!! STOP MAKING CRAP!!!!
    FOCUS ON HALF-LIFE EPISODES!!! OH GEZZZZZ I GET SO ANNOYED WITH THIS!!!

  • SirMordredX

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 7:22 am PT

    I played the Left4Dead 2 demo, and honestly - rather than just a new skin - it feels like a transition from a cult B - Movie [a.k.a. L4D 1] to a AAA blockbuster zombie flick; so it's not quite a new game, not quite just a revamped version - worth getting if you ask me.

    P.S. Gabe looks really tired, guess he's kind of burned out with all the complaining by relentless haters.

  • djpetitte

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 5:29 am PT

    @8smokes

    You serious? LOL have you even tried the melee weapons yet, they are so lame! Maybe the chainsaw is cool, but the frying pan is just a joke, its basically useless when I can melee with the butt of my gun!

    @BigRagu777

    the meat of the game is exactly the same as before(source engine), even interviews with valve they have said that. Even if they did change everything that wouldn't be a good idea because the fans want more of the same.

  • nabed4t

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 3:59 am PT

    I think this AngryAussie says pretty much what needs to be said, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ekmn4VZWY&feature=dir FIGHT THE POWER!

  • darkrai1797

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 3:08 am PT

    banned in aus and cant i even watch the movie

  • CyanideV

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 12:37 am PT

    All of the infected are in singlets and shorts

  • SL4Y3Rftw

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 11:50 pm PT

    mitcjase
    1. They didn't say 20 new weapons they just said some new maps/campaigns and some weapons and maybe some new characters
    2. Left 4 Dead is finished it just needs adding to (thats what the community is for)
    3. They would really be pushing it if they where releasing Left 4 Dead every year and not releasing anything else.
    And finally give it time before you get all worked up over nothing VALVe like taking their time with everything.

  • takitoes

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 10:35 pm PT

    High percentage of people who joined the boycott are preordering. Thats pretty funny considering the amount of whining they did.

    Looks like a great step up from l4d, cant wait!
    just wish there was R18+ in Aus

  • mitcjase

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 10:33 pm PT

    Left 4 Dead 1 isn't finished. Where are the 20 new weapons that were promised in the demo? Non existent. As far as I can tell, that point STILL hasn't been answered. Concerning HL2: Episode 3: I thought the point of episodic gaming was to reduce time between release dates. We'll see Left 4 Dead 5 before HL2: Episode 3. They might as well drop the "2: Episode" part of the name.

  • ali_hamza

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 9:07 pm PT

    BOOMER

  • TheLemonGelati

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 7:50 pm PT

    I respect the fact he committed to this interview to address some of the.. "issues" that arose. Almost every argument I've read on forums he's addressed. Not many developers care what the consumer or fans think, Valve on the other hand seems to always take care of their Fan base. It was a good interview, he gave ideas of what lies ahead in the future, and what their planning on. For those who said "It just like the first one!", that applies to Every single sequel.

  • HypnoticZombie

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 7:14 pm PT

    man!.......I'm gonna have to get this and MW2

  • HypnoticZombie

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 7:14 pm PT

    lmao.......at 5:30 the charger just runs into the hole.

  • DuncanM908

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 5:38 pm PT

    You can't stop The Newellator

  • Jared2013

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 4:30 pm PT

    haha I couldn't pay any attention, I was just watching the gameplay footage.....

  • dominicangta4

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 3:56 pm PT

    this sequel does not make sense to me im just in for the gameplay

  • macca366

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 3:42 pm PT

    Looks like a worthy sequel, I'll be picking it up

  • Lampooninating

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 3:28 pm PT

    Zombies eating people? Impossible. Gabe Newell eating people? Likely.

  • papapischu

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 3:17 pm PT

    at least the could have told him to fix his damn collar before the interview started...

  • djpetitte posted Nov 3, 2009 3:01 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    djpetitte

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 3:01 pm PT (hide)

    When I played the demo it didnt feel like anything new. It just felt like some new character skins and a new map.

  • Ares360

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 2:41 pm PT

    Glad he was able to shut up boycotters by saying boycotters have pre-ordered more than non-boycotter's. Looks awesome and will be a big hit along with the other great holiday titles.

  • 8smokes

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 2:40 pm PT

    This looks a lot better than the first. My favorite add-on is definately the melee weapons so far.

  • MrGamer117

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 2:26 pm PT

    Bog101 are you kidding, RES Evil is CHEESY

  • Gabe447

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 2:25 pm PT

    I just played the l4d 2 demo, 10X better than the original

  • coolwhipper

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 2:23 pm PT

    what r u talking about it looks awsome!!!

  • Bog101 posted Nov 3, 2009 2:01 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Bog101

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 2:01 pm PT (hide)

    Just more cheesy zombie games

  • BigRagu777

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 1:42 pm PT

    Anyone who thinks this is like the first lfd is very wrong. lfd2 has a completly new system worked into it that changes the environment COMPLETELY! Unlike the first lfd that only changed the items around or the encounters with the infected, lfd2 has the same..but the buildings, hallways, etc. change for every play through. Thats just one thing thats different...anyone who says this game is the same has not researched anything about it.

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Nov 3, 2009 1:41 pm PT

    Good interview.

    I can't wait to play L4D2 on the Xbox360!!

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