PAX 2008: Playable Left 4 Dead confirmed

Here’s some awesome news for those of you lucky enough to be going to PAX: Valve has just announced that it is where the first public debut of Left 4 Dead’s 360 version will take place. Members of the development team will be on hand to yell “You’re doing it wrong!” every time you die, along with handing out some L4D swag.

“The shared experience of Left 4 Dead is unlike that of any other action game,” said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. “That’s what we’ve experienced playing the game, and from showing the game to the press and our partners. It sounds cliché, but in many ways you have to play this one to truly appreciate what we’re attempting. So, to give gamers a chance to sample this new type of experience first hand, we’re taking Left 4 Dead on the road.”

If you happen to live in Europe and aren’t too thrilled at needing to make a transatlantic flight to give Valve’s zombie-filled shooter a try, don’t despair. The PC version of L4D will also be playable at the following industry events in Europe.

• Leipzig Games Convention (Germany)
• Festival du Jeu Video (France)
• PC Gamer Showdown (UK)

So not only am I going to miss out on the best panel ever, but also an opportunity to play my most anticipated first-person shooter of 2008? Lame. Guess I’ll just have to wait until the November 4 release date like everyone else.

August 12, 2008 – Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced a series of live demonstrations of Left 4 Dead at upcoming industry events the world over.
Left 4 Dead is the new survival co-op action 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.
The PC version of the game will be playable by the press and public at a series of upcoming events including Leipzig Games Convention, (Germany), Festival du Jeu Video (France), and PC Gamer Showdown (UK). The worldwide debut of the Xbox 360 version will be at the upcoming Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in Seattle, WA. Members of the development team will be on hand at each event to provide information and give away some Left 4 Dead memorabilia.
“The shared experience of Left 4 Dead is unlike that of any other action game,” said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. “That’s what we’ve experienced playing the game, and from showing the game to the press and our partners. It sounds cliché, but in many ways you have to play this one to truly appreciate what we’re attempting. So, to give gamers a chance to sample this new type of experience first hand, we’re taking Left 4 Dead on the road.”
Left 4 Dead is due for release on the PC and Xbox 360 this November, and earned numerous awards at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, CA, including 1up.com, Gamespot.com and Maximum PC’s Best PC Game, as well as Best Multiplayer Game from Kotaku, IGN, G4TV, the official E3 Judges, and more.
For more information, please visit www.l4d.com