Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 empowers AI director to dynamically change level layouts

Not a year after Valve's Left 4 Dead hit Steam, its sequel is already dancing across E3 screens, and the changes are worth killing for.

Valve's Left 4 Dead 2 empowers AI director to dynamically change level layouts

The E3 show floor is packed to the gills with gamers from around the world, many of whom are waiting for their chance to play Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the rapid-fire sequel to a game that only came out last year. Already played Left 4 Dead? Awesome! Then you'll be able to jump right in to its follow-up. Left 4 Dead 2 plays just like the original -- at least at first. It's still you and three other (albeit new) characters, blasting your way through zombie hordes as you try to escape to safety. And yes, the AI director is still tuning the excitement to epic proportions.

Where the new game pushes forward is in level design and changes to that AI director. Sure, there are other tweaks like the addition of such melee weapons as chainsaws (about time!), but those wouldn't be worth the price of a brand-new game.

That's why Valve has designed Left 4 Dead 2's levels to be fluid and changeable. If the AI director notices that a team of survivors is weaving through an area with a bit too much gusto, it'll close off shorter routes and make the goal a little harder to reach.

The objectives for every level of the game have also been shifted away from the now-routine "wait-for-pickup" finale that drives so many players nuts. Left 4 Dead 2's "crescendo" moments will all be unique to each of its maps. For instance, you might have to battle your way through a maze of chain-link fences to reach a tower at the center of the level and shut off an alarm that's calling every zombie for a hundred miles.

Not convinced? Check out the gameplay footage of that level, "The Parish," taken from the E3 floor. Once you're done, be sure to check out the rest of GamePro's E3 coverage all this week!

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LiLDeMoN818

damm a sequel already....u know how those sequels go....big disapointment....they should just wait another year and give left 4 dead more downloadable content...so they can get the game right....left 4 dead didnt even have a story....think about it...

TheMisfit138

Definitely a buy. First one is still fun as hell. Sounds like they're making a lot of changes, good ones might I add. Enough to buy it at least :)

UR2EZ

I am going to buy 2 copies of this game just like I bought 2 copies of Left 4 Dead. My wife and I love this franchise and will continue to support it, especially since it's exclusivity probably prevents Valve from making a lot more money.

UR2EZ

I am going to buy 2 copies of this game just like I bought 2 copies of Left 4 Dead. My wife and I love this franchise and will continue to support it, especially since it's exclusivity probably prevents Valve from making a lot more money.

numba1gamer

I loved Left 4 Dead and still do actually. I'm going to get a 360 soon so I will definately get L4D2. Chainsaw killing and levels adapting to how the gamer plays are good enough for me!

Mr_ChickenWings

Nice. Only played for Left 4 Dead once and that was yesterday now i can't wait to play the second game. Watching the video looks they changed a lot of things. Such as playing in Daylight.

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