MTV Multiplayer – Zombies

One-Liner: 'Left 4 Dead' Designer On Slow Vs. Fast Zombies

Posted 10/17/08 11:00 am EST by Patrick Klepek in one liner, valve, Zombies

"First of all, let me say that I love the forum flame wars about what 'real' zombies are like. Guys get religious [about it]. 'Zombies are slow and shambling. Everyone knows real zombies move slowly!' 'No, zombies move fast!' [laughs] You know, I haven't seen a real zombie. I'm just saying."

-- "Left 4 Dead" lead designer Michael Booth responding to a question about what zombie movies influenced the design of his game. His game has fast zombies.

[Image Credit: 20th Century Fox]

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'Left 4 Dead''s Lead Designer Explains Why Split-Screen Has Quietly Disappeared From Games

Posted 10/16/08 6:45 pm EST by Patrick Klepek in Co-op Play, valve, Zombies

If Wii and the "LEGO" games have proven anything, it's that people still like to play games with other people in the same room.

Despite this revelation, games of the last few years have all but abandoned split-screen gameplay. Almost everything has been relegated to online multiplayer.

But split-screen was something "Left 4 Dead" lead designer Michael Booth believed was critically important to the Xbox 360 version of his co-op zombie shooter -- even if it was going to be a nightmare to implement.

"Split-screen was a pretty huge investment," said Booth to MTV Multiplayer at a San Francisco event to unveil the zombie mode of the game last night. "It's hard. That's the thing."

Game Company Sends Us A Bikini

Posted 10/14/08 1:00 pm EST by Tracey John in Publicity Stunts We Fell For, Wii, Xbox 360, Zombies

It's October, which means the gaming press is bound to get some Halloween-themed swag in the mail. Like candy perhaps.

But today, I got something different from D3 Publisher: I got... a bikini. Size small.

To promote their upcoming sword-fighting zombie games "Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers" on the Wii and "Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad" on the Xbox 360, I received my own costume kit to dress up as the protagonist, a Japanese cowgirl named Aya. It came with a feather boa, a cowboy hat, a samurai sword, fake blood and a striped "Onechanbara"-branded two-piece swimsuit.

You know, I think it's a little cold in New York to be wearing this, so I'm going to have to pass on this one. Hit the jump for more pics. Read More...

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EA Corners Market On Severed Hands

Posted 10/1/08 11:30 am EST by Stephen Totilo in Box Art, dead space, ea, valve, Zombies

Possibly stealing a play from my colleague Tracey, I feel compelled to point out an amazing convergence in Holiday 2008 video game box art.

In October, Electronic Arts will release sci-fi horror game "Dead Space" and will try to attract gamers' eyes with this box art featuring a severed right hand:

In November, Electronic Arts will release Valve's co-op zombie horror game "Left4Dead" and will try to attract gamers' eyes with this box art featuring a severed left hand:

One could say that at EA, the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Yes, one could say that.

And special bonus points to the first person to use these box arts to create one of those "Zelda"/"Star Fox"-style two-big-hands next to a big head. Maybe do it in "Little Big Planet"?

["Left4Dead" Image Credit: Kotaku]

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'Left 4 Dead' Single-Player: You Don't Want To Play This

Posted 9/2/08 5:07 pm EST by Patrick Klepek in PAX 08, valve, Xbox 360, Zombies

No, you shouldn't play "Left 4 Dead" by yourself.

PAX 2008 was not the first time I touched Valve and Turtle Rock's zombie thriller, but it was the first time I played alongside the game's built-in artificial intelligence.

How good -- or how bad -- is the humans vs. fast zombies games when a computer controls your human allies? I learned the answer at the Penny Arcade Expo. Read More...

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E3 Impressions: 'Bikini Zombie Slayers'

Posted 7/17/08 10:22 am EST by Tracey John in Bikinis, e3, Slayers, Wii, Zombies

I didn't know much about the Japanese-imported "Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers" when it was announced last week, but I knew that it had bikinis and zombies in it.

In other words, I had to see it.

Alongside demos for kid-friendly titles like "Ben 10" and "Naruto," I entered a private booth within D3Publishers's E3 meeting room through beaded curtains. It kind of felt like I was entering the adult section at a video store (not that I've ever been).

However, fans of zombies and girls who kick butt should take note...

'Left 4 Dead' Is The Online Zombie Game That 'Resident Evil: Outbreak' Wanted To Be

Posted 5/13/08 6:12 pm EST by Patrick Klepek in PC, Zombies

At an Electronic Arts event last night, I touched one of my most desired games of 2008: "Left 4 Dead" from Valve and former "Counter-Strike" contributor Turtle Rock Studios.

There's nothing I love more than a good horror movie, especially those involving zombies. It's as though "Left 4 Dead" was a game made just for me.

Good horror games are few and far between. Good horror games involving group cooperation are fewer. Do they even exist? The last one I can remember is "Resident Evil: Outbreak" -- and we all know how that one turned out.

Thankfully, "Left 4 Dead" looks to be much, much better. It's not even a fair comparison.

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