Downloadable Content

Good news Everybody! Custom content support has arrived so all the code monkeys and modders can bgin making us new stuff in which to scream "Aaaaah, I've ben smokered!!!" like girls.

The Left4Dead Blog has the scoop but to quote the blog "We are releasing the Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring Tools and Left 4 Dead 2 Add-on Support today.

PLAYERS: If you are not looking to design but play custom campaigns all you need to do is install the add-on support package. Just go into steam and open up the Tools tab. Look for the entry labeled Left 4 Dead 2 - Add-on Support click and install it. This download is sizable, but will update your L4D2 installation to allow running ANY map, including custom maps made for the original Left 4 Dead. Once installed, you do not need to run this application, it will always be active.

We will be updating the Left 4 Dead 2 game UI to include links to this package when applicable but for now please just download it directly. If you see any missing textures or models from your favorite map let us know in the forums.

DESIGNERS: Besides also downloading the above file you will need to download the Left 4 Dead 2 - Authoring Tools. Downloading it will add applications, utilities, and example files that are useful for building L4D2 game add-ons. These are similar to the tools released for Left 4 Dead, but include many updates and new features. Among the most useful are:

Gamemode Logic: Designers can now make a single map that can behave differently depending on the gamemode in which it is being played. This can dramatically reduce the file size of Campaign add-ons, as the same map can be used for Co-op, Versus, Scavenge, and Survival.

Director Logic: Maps can now alter their layout and behavior depending on how "angry" the A.I. director is. The better the Survivors are doing, the angrier the AI Director seems to get. This allows you to base variable paths and other events on the player's skill and current conditions.

Scavenge Mode Support! All the elements map authors need to support Scavenge in their maps. This includes game props as well as a full example in the form of Deadline 2, an updated tutorial campaign.

We have included an updated tutorial to help you get going and as always you can join the discussion on the map designer email list. What we want for New Years is to get to play your custom maps in Left 4 Dead 2.

For the best user experience and to take advantage of the new map and nav mesh formats, Left 4 Dead 1 Map Makers will want to compile Left 4 Dead 2 specific versions of their map in the new tool.

Happy Holidays,

The Left 4 Dead 2 Team"

Valve celebrated its win at the VGA awards with the news that the first downloadable content pack for Left 4 Dead 2 would arrive this spring and it will be called “The Passing.”

Said to offer more, The Passing will offer at least one new infected type, one new melee weapon, one new firearm and a new co-op play challenge mode. Of course, The Passing will be playable in the regular modes as well as the new mode.

Perhaps the most interesting news is that The Passing will be set in a small town in Georgia and will feature a meet up with the characters from the original Left 4 Dead title. While we hear rumors of 4 plus 4 co-op multiplayer, we suspect that this is unlikely.

While it will arrive this spring, no additional details, including possible pricing, were announced. It will arrive for the Xbox 360 and the PC platforms when it drops. We expect to hear more specifics when we get a little closer to the actual release.

source http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/16830/1/

2K Games has outlined the second downloadable content pack coming for Borderlands later this month. Called Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot.

The pack will cost 800 Microsoft Points ($10) or $9.99 on PlayStation Network. It's coming to Xbox Live on December 29, and following on the PlayStation Network the week after on January 7, 2010. The press release also points out it will be available on PC, but doesn't give a release date. Given the issues with the last DLC, it's easy to see why.

This pack will add three Riot Mode arenas filled with enemies (and loot). It adds a bank, which will let players store spare weapons. Finally, it will add two more skill points as rewards for quests to help bulk up your character. The DLC can be played single-player or cooperatively just like the main game, of course. The added storage is an interesting feature for a game with such a huge item list, so we'll have to see if it runs into controversy similar to Dragon Age Origins when it offered similar downloadable functionality.

Source: 1Up.com

The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned is the first Add-On for Borderlands with new enemy types, new missions, and new ... surprises.

The Jakobs Corporation would like to invite you to experience the splendor of a corporate owned small town known as Jakobs Cove. Any rumors you may have heard about the "undead" walking our streets are completely preposterous and we officially deny them all. If those rumors turn out to be true simply purchase a firearm from the conveniently located Jakobs Brand Vending Machines and aim for the head. Also, would you mind saving our employees? (Non-union only please)

• 5 New Areas to Explore
• Dozens of New Missions
• New Enemies to Eviscerate

It is a bit late for Halloween, but luckily, zombies are for (un)life not just for Halloween. Get on steam, buy it and download NOW!