Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the next major downloadable content (DLC) update for its co-operative zombie thriller, Left 4 Dead (L4D), the #1 new game title on Xbox 360 and PC in 2008

Entitled "Crash Course," the latest DLC delivers new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay to both platforms. Targeted for release in September, "Crash Course" bridges the gap between the end of the "No Mercy" campaign and the beginning of "Death Toll" in the original game, expanding the game universe with new locations, new dialogue from the original cast, and an explosive finale.

While containing both Survival maps and a Co-operative Campaign, the primary goal of "Crash" is to deliver a complete Versus mode experience in just 30 minutes, resulting in a streamlined version of the game's existing Versus campaigns. A recharge timer for infected teammates has also been added, and item spawn behavior has changed for more balanced gameplay.
"Since the release of Left 4 Dead last November, the design team has been excited about creating new experiences for this world and allowing players to do the same, by releasing much of our internal toolset, like the Survival Pack and Authoring Tools," said Gabe Newell. "We're working with the fans toward the ongoing entertainment value of the product."

Left 4 Dead is an action horror game from Valve that blends the social entertainment experience of multiplayer games such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress with the dramatic, narrative experience made popular in single player action game classics such as the Half-Life series of games. Released in November of 2008, L4D has earned over 50 industry awards from outlets around the world and sold almost 3 million copies worldwide.

Left 4 Dead: Crash Course is targeted for release in September and will be available free of charge on the PC and for 560 Gamer points on Xbox Live.

Two founding members of a group organizing the boycott of Left 4 Dead 2 were recently flown in to Valve headquarters to see the game for themselves.

The two boycotters (shown left, flanking Valve president Gabe Newell) announced their playtest on the group's Steam page, reporting that Left 4 Dead 2 "seemed balanced and 'tight' and did not feel like a rushed job."

"What we can say with confidence is that the quality of gameplay in Left 4 Dead 2 is not in question; and it will only get better," they said following the visit, while adding that they will not give up the boycott until their "individual concerns are addressed."

The group's official charter demands that Valve release ongoing DLC for the original Left 4 Dead, convert Left 4 Dead 2 to a free update or an expansion, and give discounts for the sequel to Left 4 Dead owners.

Despite the duo's assurance that the boycott is not over, some members took the largely complimentary report to mean that the group had been "corrupted" by Valve.

"The boycott points still stand and you guys seem to be brainwashed by Valve," said Steam user $paqhett!e!s. "Boycotters need another group."

Other users were impressed with Valve's gesture, or simply impressed with Valve's trophy.