Penny Arcade Expo ‘09 Updates!
The Left 4 Dead 2 Info page has just been updated with all the juicy new information that came out of PAX this year in Seattle! We strongly recommend that you read the page and look for update tags, but here’s the quick synopsis:
The Jockey jumps around and hops on Survivors’ backs, actually controlling their movements. This allows him to steer them into sticky situations. Survivors who are snagged by the Jockey lose most of their control over their movements, but they are able to steer very slightly. The Jockey has a telltale snicker and makes a maniacal laughing sound when controlling players.
The Spitter has undergone a major facelift. Or…rather, her face now looks like it was slammed into some burning-hot asphalt made out of lava and then wrung through a hyperactive Van De Graaff generator. The look of her spit itself and the AOE it causes has changed. Also, she now drools. Lovely!
In other Special Infected news, the poor Tank is now bald.
The festive shoes of the Zombie Clown attract other Infected, potentially causing minor hordes frequently. There may be an achievement for honking his nose.
Electric guitars, crowbars, machetes, and police batons have been either seen or reported. The wooden baseball bat also made its first appearance. The bat is available in the pre-order demo, but players who don’t pre-order can unlock the bat when they play with pre-ordering players. Melee weapons now replace pistols in their slot when picked up. Originally, they were held like large explosives.
In addition, the Desert Eagle has been added as an alternative to the standard pistols. The Deagle has a 8-round capacity but cannot be dual-wielded. It replaces the standard pistols in their slot, and can be fitted with a laser sight.
After fleeing Savannah in the first campaign, Survivors hit a traffic jam and are forced to leave the highway. They reach a two-story motel, then make their way to the Whispering Oaks amusement park, where nefarious thrills await. See videos. ▼
The first chapter begins on the highway and encompasses the motel and the path to the fairgrounds. The second chapter, aptly titled “The Fairgrounds,” begins in a small shed outside the main entrance. The early areas of the fairgrounds include concessions like hot dogs and other food stands. Later on, Survivors will make their way through a number of courtyards, and then slide down from the top of a giant slide.
Later, Survivors will encounter a carousel, where the second chapter’s crescendo occurs. Survivors must activate a switch that turns on the carousel and opens a gate on the far side of the carousel. They must then fight through the ocean of undead to turn off the merry-go-round and stop the onslaught. From there, Survivors must travel a short distance to a lover’s lane, where the saferoom awaits.
The remaining chapters have not been released, but Dark Carnival is likely a 5-chapter campaign. The outline of a ferris wheel suggests that one may be included. Chet has said that the crescendo has something to do with the electric guitars added very recently, so we believe that it may have something to do with a stage or other performance venue. In the final build, the fairgrounds will include playable parlour games (mini-games). For instance, Chet hints that there may be a shooting gallery that has an associated achievement.
