" Here's my replies to their 'beefs'!!!

* Significant content for L4D1 was promised, and never delivered

A new multiplayer mode was launched recently. Versus ina ll campaigns. Valve haven't announced that they're stopping the support for L4D. This is a cricism based on thin air and paranoia.

* Valve put little faith in L4D1 since they almost certainly started working on L4D2 right after release

Every developer does that with a successful product. Valve would be crazy to do any different.

* The fact that L4D2 is nearly identical to L4D1 will decimate the community for both games

Assumption. The sequel is 5 months away - who says it will be identical. Any sequel hurts the community for the game that came before - what's the problem? It's like an argument for the world standing still. On that basis Valve should never release sequels for Half-Life or Portal. Ludicrous idea.

* The announced date is not nearly enough time to polish content or make significant gameplay changes

Says who? Total assumption. Apparently zombies are totally different, limbs can be blown off, new infected, different characters, setting, maps, and melee weapons, guns, and incendiary ammo. Also a new multiplayer mode. And a new AI director that will alter the actual layour of the level, and the weather. And apparently in-level changes like constant respawn areas where the zombies must be siwtched off. No significant gameplay changes? Utter nonsense!!!

* The new character designs seem bland and unappealing so far

This is not a reason to not want a sequel. If they end up bland an unappealing and nobody buys the game, then what does it matter?

* L4D2 is too bright to fit in with L4D1's visual aesthetic

That'd be why it's called a sequel. The desire for a sequel to mirror the initial game is just weird - I like sequels to do something different. Plus this is contradictory with the point about lack of time meaning less changes - you can't have it both ways.

* The fiddle-based horde music is extremely disliked, though the differently orchestrated music is otherwise welcome

Irrelevant. If anything this is an argument for a sequel, not against one.

* L4D2's release will result in a drop in quality and frequency for L4D1 content, even compared to before

Says who? Where's the evidence of this? This is the best point made so far though - if you bought the first game expecting there to be a good few years of support, then maybe the sequel will affect that. But speaking personally, I don't play my games for years on end - what proportion of gamers play the same game for more than 12 months?

* The community has lost faith in Valve's former reputation for commitment to their games post-releaseBased on what? Which game has Valve left unsupported? L4D has had a major update recently. TF2 still gets crazy updates! I just don't see the evidence for this complaint! "

"

@Alex_V said:

" Here's my replies to their 'beefs'!!!

* Significant content for L4D1 was promised, and never delivered

A new multiplayer mode was launched recently. Versus ina ll campaigns. Valve haven't announced that they're stopping the support for L4D. This is a cricism based on thin air and paranoia.

* Valve put little faith in L4D1 since they almost certainly started working on L4D2 right after release

Every developer does that with a successful product. Valve would be crazy to do any different.

* The fact that L4D2 is nearly identical to L4D1 will decimate the community for both games

Assumption. The sequel is 5 months away - who says it will be identical. Any sequel hurts the community for the game that came before - what's the problem? It's like an argument for the world standing still. On that basis Valve should never release sequels for Half-Life or Portal. Ludicrous idea.

* The announced date is not nearly enough time to polish content or make significant gameplay changes

Says who? Total assumption. Apparently zombies are totally different, limbs can be blown off, new infected, different characters, setting, maps, and melee weapons, guns, and incendiary ammo. Also a new multiplayer mode. And a new AI director that will alter the actual layour of the level, and the weather. And apparently in-level changes like constant respawn areas where the zombies must be siwtched off. No significant gameplay changes? Utter nonsense!!!

* The new character designs seem bland and unappealing so far

This is not a reason to not want a sequel. If they end up bland an unappealing and nobody buys the game, then what does it matter?

* L4D2 is too bright to fit in with L4D1's visual aesthetic

That'd be why it's called a sequel. The desire for a sequel to mirror the initial game is just weird - I like sequels to do something different. Plus this is contradictory with the point about lack of time meaning less changes - you can't have it both ways.

* The fiddle-based horde music is extremely disliked, though the differently orchestrated music is otherwise welcome

Irrelevant. If anything this is an argument for a sequel, not against one.

* L4D2's release will result in a drop in quality and frequency for L4D1 content, even compared to before

Says who? Where's the evidence of this? This is the best point made so far though - if you bought the first game expecting there to be a good few years of support, then maybe the sequel will affect that. But speaking personally, I don't play my games for years on end - what proportion of gamers play the same game for more than 12 months?

* The community has lost faith in Valve's former reputation for commitment to their games post-releaseBased on what? Which game has Valve left unsupported? L4D has had a major update recently. TF2 still gets crazy updates! I just don't see the evidence for this complaint! "

Well played. "