Left 4 Dead 2 Sells 2 Million, in 2 Weeks

[modeps]

http://evavhost.com/i/news/left-4-dead-2-logo.jpg

Looks like Left 4 Dead 2 is a rousing success. Valve just issues a press release indicating that their incredible sequel, Left 4 Dead 2, has sold 2 million units in 2 weeks of release. Additionally, we're supposed to get some news regarding the first DLC pack very soon.

Hit the headline to check out the full press release, and be sure to catch our L4D2 review (http://evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100733).

[modeps]

LEFT 4 DEAD 2: TWO MILLION SOLD IN TWO WEEKS

Valve's Zombie Apocalypse Sequel Doubles Sales Over Original

Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced sales results and multiplayer numbers for its zombie apocalypse, co-operative action, Left 4 Dead 2.

Released just two weeks ago, over 2 million retails copies of L4D2 have been sold worldwide and the game appears to be on target to become one of the top selling Xbox and PC titles for the month of November. Sales to date are more than double the original title, which was released exactly one year prior to L4D2. And "Black Friday" promotions during the title's second week of availability in North American resulted in stronger than expected sales in L4D2's bid to become one of this year's best selling releases on both platforms.

"Left 4 Dead 2 is off to a great start with strong support at retail and great reviews from the press," said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing at Valve. "Meanwhile the title has already been played by over 1 million Xbox LIVE Gold account holders, and news regarding L4D2 DLC 1 is coming very soon."

Exclusively available for the Xbox 360 and PC, L4D2 sets a new benchmark for co-operative action games. The title adds melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaws, frying pans, axes, baseball bats, and more.

With the AI Director 2.0, L4D's dynamic gameplay is taken to the next level by giving the Director the ability to procedurally change weather effects, world objects, and pathways in addition to tailoring the enemy population, effects, and sounds to match the players' performance. The result is a unique game session custom fitted to provide a satisfying and uniquely challenging experience each time the game is played.

Finally, with new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, Left 4 Dead 2 offers a much larger game than the original, featuring more co-operative campaigns, more Versus campaigns, new Survival maps, and the new competitive game mode, Scavenge, all available at launch.

For more information, please visit www.l4d.com

[ilRadd]

I was one of those 2 million purchases...well, actually two - we also picked up a copy for my nephew for Christmas...

$35 at Best Buy - I couldn't pass it up.

[Spacebear]

That's a lot of 2's.

I really hope that this doesn't become a yearly title. I love Left 4 Dead as much as the next person, but I rather they do with Left 4 Dead what they did with Team Fortress 2: constant updates.

[Demo_Boy]

That guy from Gearbox is a little bit right about Valve being a bit anticompetitive.

Left 4 Dead 2 Demo showed up in My Games list without my permission or request. But I don't see, for example, the Trine, Batman, or Fuel Demo mysteriously showing up there without user input. I can only imagine how happy any company with a demo would be to have their trial show up in the player's My Games list.

PS. Killing zombies is wrong. Zombies are like alligators. Just leave them alone.

[Johan]

Left 4 Dead 2 Demo showed up in My Games list without my permission or request.

I noticed that as well, and did not like it at all. At the same time, I'm not surprised. Companies will use their platform to push content (push advertising, in fact) to as many consumers as possible, hoping to draw those who might be interested. Pull advertising, on the other hand, is targeted to specific consumers' preferences/interests. Amazon uses pull advertising by tracking your views/searches when you log in, placing particular adds to pull you based upon your unique preferences and purchases. The demo would be pull advertising if it were targeted at owners of L4D, but it apparently appears in everyone's Steam list.

Microsoft uses push advertising on Xbox Live. Sony uses it on their PSN. Nintendo? They just advertise to your mom, and she buys it for the household. ;)

[modeps]

Did they force you to download it, or was it just an option in your 'Not Installed' list?

[Johan]

Did they force you to download it, or was it just an option in your 'Not Installed' list?

It's an option, but a slightly irritating one sitting in my "Not Installed" list. If I wanted the demo, I'd download it. I don't want it, so don't stick it in my face, please, in my games list.

[Demo_Boy]

Also, I cannot remove it from "My Games" list.

So despite having a moral objection to killing zombies, I am nevertheless taunted by the game's title every time I go to launch Osmos.

[BalekFekete]

Not bad for an expansion pack. :p

[modeps]

Not bad for an expansion pack. :p

Violence. Rage.

[Johan]

Also, I cannot remove it from "My Games" list.

I wonder if you installed the demo and then deleted it, if that would work? ;)

I can't try, despite being on my lunch break. Steam is blocked here.

[Demo_Boy]

Sorta like the only way an alcoholic can get rid of a bottle of Gin is to crack open the bottle and take a heady whiff before pouring it down the sink?

No, I think I will just let it sit there and build my smoldering loathing.

[gzsfrk]

Maybe now they can afford to put some resources into actually finishing HL2:Ep.3? Cripes--HL2 came out, what, just over 5 years ago? Episode 2 came out over 2 years ago. Methinks Valve missed the thought-train on the definition of "episodic".

[Kragg]

Violence. Rage.

LULZ @ angry modeps

[Kragg]

I'm still on the fence about this game. I LOVED the first one, and this new one is even better, but something about it just doesn't give me the warm fuzzies like it should be. I got over the initial "THIS IS AWESOME OMGOMGOMGOMG!" feeling like a day after, and now I'm actually thinking about getting rid of it.

[SnappyCrunch]

now I'm actually thinking about getting rid of it.

I'll buy your copy if you don't want it!

Oh wait...

[ElfShotTheFood]

There's not an internet boycott alive that can withstand a "Buy Now!" button.

[Taiso]

Also, I cannot remove it from "My Games" list.

So despite having a moral objection to killing zombies, I am nevertheless taunted by the game's title every time I go to launch Osmos.

I've never heard of anyone having a moral objection to killing zombies.

/cultureshock

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

Clap clap who cares.

Valve can go to hell and only do console titles from now on for all I care even though Im a huge PC gaming fan and love all of their work. Yeah Im pissed about the whole L4D1 not getting any support thing but my biggest cause of anger is Episode 3 disappearing. Thats two "promises" for content to two popular games, one being responsible for their god damn success, being broken solely to milk the cow. Hell you could even add TF2 to that list, where are the rest of the updates oh wait never mind they at least freely admitted to ditching it for L4D2...

[Johan]

Clap clap who cares.

Gabe?

Gabe's banker/broker?

Gabe's employees?

Gabe's mother?

Gabe's local Krispy Kreme?

:D

[Anenome]

/waiting for it to hit $20

[NickAragua]

/waiting for it to hit $20

Yep, me too.

[QueeG-Servo]

Waiting for Gamefly to send this. I sent back Batman:AA two weeks ago just to make sure I got this day one....and they sent me another copy of Batman:AA in return. Now my friends are covered in Zombie bits and I'm clean as a whistle. :(

[Orphiuchus]

Clap clap who cares.

Valve can go to hell and only do console titles from now on for all I care even though Im a huge PC gaming fan and love all of their work. Yeah Im pissed about the whole L4D1 not getting any support thing but my biggest cause of anger is Episode 3 disappearing. Thats two "promises" for content to two popular games, one being responsible for their god damn success, being broken solely to milk the cow. Hell you could even add TF2 to that list, where are the rest of the updates oh wait never mind they at least freely admitted to ditching it for L4D2...

When did they cancel episode 3? According to everything I can find its still in development.

Also, please name 5 developers who treat PC gamers better than Valve.

[3Suns]

Happy about this for two reasons. 1, there should be matchmaking partners for a good long time with those numbers. 2, DLC1 as in distinguished from DLC2 and DLC3. I like.

Thanks for posting the full press release, modeps. I couldn't find it on their blog, and nothing is more accurate and quotable than words from the horse's mouth.

First game in a long time that has caused me problems with my spouse. On the marriage disruption scale (which is in 1 to 1 relationship with the fun scale), this game rates a 10 out of 10.

[saulob]

boycott = success?

hm....

[Elrik Murder]

I wonder if you installed the demo and then deleted it, if that would work? ;)

I can't try, despite being on my lunch break. Steam is blocked here.

Yeah, me too. Shame!

Since I only payed $15 for the original I didn't mind forking over $40 for the sequel the past weekend. Also, it seems to be listed $40 over the next week at Target so expect that number to grow easily. I'm hyping my friends so I'll have more people to play with. :D

[WpnX]

Does the L4D2 demo show up for all Steam users, or only ones who bought the first game?

[almightyorb]

I'm hyping my friends so I'll have more people to play with. :D

I'm doing the same thing. $35 during last week's Steam sales was the magic number for me. I was initially hesitant, but really happy with it so far. I forgot how much fun it is.

[lockwoodx]

Not bad for an expansion pack. :p

Exactly what I was thinking too.

[Illuminus]

Also, I cannot remove it from "My Games" list.

So despite having a moral objection to killing zombies, I am nevertheless taunted by the game's title every time I go to launch Osmos.

Glad to know i am not the only one finding this irritating.

[Illuminus]

Since i can't edit my post....

I just checked and noticed that the demo is finally out of my list :rolleyes:.

[modeps]

Since i can't edit my post....

I just checked and noticed that the demo is finally out of my list :rolleyes:.

The demo stopped being available when L4D2 was released... so about 2 weeks now :)

[Isamura]

Clap clap who cares.

Valve can go to hell and only do console titles from now on for all I care even though Im a huge PC gaming fan and love all of their work. Yeah Im pissed about the whole L4D1 not getting any support thing but my biggest cause of anger is Episode 3 disappearing. Thats two "promises" for content to two popular games, one being responsible for their god damn success, being broken solely to milk the cow. Hell you could even add TF2 to that list, where are the rest of the updates oh wait never mind they at least freely admitted to ditching it for L4D2...

L4D1 did get a free partial episode if I recall. Left 4 Dead 2 from what I've seen is a big upgrade, and I don't mind paying extra for the polish.

As far as waiting for episode 3 to come out, does anyone remember waiting for TF2 to come out? I remember waiting for it back in 1999, so this is no surprise that Valve is moving at their own pace. They make quality games and most are well worth the wait.

[murpes]

Thats two "promises" for content to two popular games ...

Hell, I'm still bitter about the whole Half Life 2 release debacle.