Valve have released a beta version of the Left 4 Dead authoring tools, finally letting users make their own levels.
The new tools include an updated version of Hammer, the Source SDK, and example maps and all the props you'll find in the game, as well as a plug-in for Google's SketchUp, a free 3d modelling program that will let users create new props for the game.
The release of the beta comes ahead of a change to the matchmaking system for the game, which will allow the use of the player created content. In their own words "Our plan is to release a beta of the Authoring Tools now so the community can start working on maps in the full environment. In a few weeks we will then release the updated match making to allow users to play those new maps and campaigns."
If you want to grab the tools, head to the 'Tools' tab in your Steam browser and download it, but remember that you have to opt-in to betas. (The option is in your Steam settings)
I'm steeling myself for a wave of levels based on body parts, and the inevitable Zombie Balls campaign is going to be singularly grisly, but I'm thrilled that I can now make the Left 4 Dead level I always wanted. Bad Apple: Assault on the Rainbow Orchards.
I'm half way through my first L4D map now, it really does show you just how good the AI director is that it can work with whatever you give it in terms of a map.
Wouldukindly: Oh god, here come more maps filled with cornfields...(I really hate that goddamn corn)
I am now tempted to get an epic gaming computer,Left 4 Dead, and whatever it is I would need to make maps, just so I could make a map where everything is corn! Between safehouses, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield !
Indigo_Dingo: Well, this'll make Left 4 Dumb more interesting.
I fear I must agree to disagree with you, good sir, as I finished playing a rented copy of Left 4 Dead and it was quite good. The plot was extremely weak, yes, and with me playing solo it got plenty repetitive, but IMHO it accomplished what it set out to do- finally create 28 Days Later: The Game, and do it well.
Indigo_Dingo: Well, this'll make Left 4 Dumb more interesting.
I fear I must agree to disagree with you, good sir, as I finished playing a rented copy of Left 4 Dead and it was quite good. The plot was extremely weak, yes, and with me playing solo it got plenty repetitive, but IMHO it accomplished what it set out to do- finally create 28 Days Later: The Game, and do it well.
Indigo_Dingo: Well, this'll make Left 4 Dumb more interesting.
I fear I must agree to disagree with you, good sir, as I finished playing a rented copy of Left 4 Dead and it was quite good. The plot was extremely weak, yes, and with me playing solo it got plenty repetitive, but IMHO it accomplished what it set out to do- finally create 28 Days Later: The Game, and do it well.
.....what the hell are you talking about?
You used the phrase 'Left 4 Dumb', which very strongly implied you thought it was stupid.
Indigo_Dingo: Well, this'll make Left 4 Dumb more interesting.
I fear I must agree to disagree with you, good sir, as I finished playing a rented copy of Left 4 Dead and it was quite good. The plot was extremely weak, yes, and with me playing solo it got plenty repetitive, but IMHO it accomplished what it set out to do- finally create 28 Days Later: The Game, and do it well.
I believe the Dingo is speaking of Left 4 Dumb, Shamus Young's current comic series on Stolen Pixels.
Indigo_Dingo: Well, this'll make Left 4 Dumb more interesting.
I fear I must agree to disagree with you, good sir, as I finished playing a rented copy of Left 4 Dead and it was quite good. The plot was extremely weak, yes, and with me playing solo it got plenty repetitive, but IMHO it accomplished what it set out to do- finally create 28 Days Later: The Game, and do it well.
I believe the Dingo is speaking of Left 4 Dumb, Shamus Young's current comic series on Stolen Pixels.
A machinima series, one that would only be helped by giving Shamus further control to illustrate his point.
Wouldukindly: Oh god, here come more maps filled with cornfields...(I really hate that goddamn corn)
I am now tempted to get an epic gaming computer,Left 4 Dead, and whatever it is I would need to make maps, just so I could make a map where everything is corn! Between safehouses, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield !
Go die please. Or let the corn and 'He Who Walks Between the Rows' get you.
Huh. Never thought I'd use a Children of the Corn reference.
Indigo_Dingo: Well, this'll make Left 4 Dumb more interesting.
I fear I must agree to disagree with you, good sir, as I finished playing a rented copy of Left 4 Dead and it was quite good. The plot was extremely weak, yes, and with me playing solo it got plenty repetitive, but IMHO it accomplished what it set out to do- finally create 28 Days Later: The Game, and do it well.
I believe the Dingo is speaking of Left 4 Dumb, Shamus Young's current comic series on Stolen Pixels.
Wow, that's obscure. I suppose I was wrong then, although I hope you understand how people could have misinterpreted it.
Wouldukindly: Oh god, here come more maps filled with cornfields...(I really hate that goddamn corn)
I am now tempted to get an epic gaming computer,Left 4 Dead, and whatever it is I would need to make maps, just so I could make a map where everything is corn! Between safehouses, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield !
Go die please. Or let the corn and 'He Who Walks Between the Rows' get you.
Huh. Never thought I'd use a Children of the Corn reference.
Ha ,also, I just realised I repeated a few things.......Damn it!
Indigo_Dingo: Well, this'll make Left 4 Dumb more interesting.
I fear I must agree to disagree with you, good sir, as I finished playing a rented copy of Left 4 Dead and it was quite good. The plot was extremely weak, yes, and with me playing solo it got plenty repetitive, but IMHO it accomplished what it set out to do- finally create 28 Days Later: The Game, and do it well.
I believe the Dingo is speaking of Left 4 Dumb, Shamus Young's current comic series on Stolen Pixels.
Wow, that's obscure. I suppose I was wrong then, although I hope you understand how people could have misinterpreted it.
Well, people on this site would have been li9kely to have followed this link from the front page....which has two Left 4 Dumb strips on it.....
Wouldukindly: Oh god, here come more maps filled with cornfields...(I really hate that goddamn corn)
I am now tempted to get an epic gaming computer,Left 4 Dead, and whatever it is I would need to make maps, just so I could make a map where everything is corn! Between safehouses, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield! In the safehouses, there's a cornfield! Whenever a smoker or boomer explodes, there's a cornfield !
If I were to slip onto a modded map unknowingly, and my first boomer kill suddenly erupted into a cornfield filling barns, office buildings, warehouses, wherever you were, I would probably laugh so freaking long and loud, that the others in my team would just leave me there to die at the hands of the cornfield loving zombies.
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Valve have released a beta version of the Left 4 Dead authoring tools, finally letting users make their own levels.
The new tools include an updated version of Hammer, the Source SDK, and example maps and all the props you'll find in the game, as well as a plug-in for Google's SketchUp, a free 3d modelling program that will let users create new props for the game.
The release of the beta comes ahead of a change to the matchmaking system for the game, which will allow the use of the player created content. In their own words "Our plan is to release a beta of the Authoring Tools now so the community can start working on maps in the full environment. In a few weeks we will then release the updated match making to allow users to play those new maps and campaigns."
If you want to grab the tools, head to the 'Tools' tab in your Steam browser and download it, but remember that you have to opt-in to betas. (The option is in your Steam settings)
I'm steeling myself for a wave of levels based on body parts, and the inevitable Zombie Balls campaign is going to be singularly grisly, but I'm thrilled that I can now make the Left 4 Dead level I always wanted. Bad Apple: Assault on the Rainbow Orchards.
Source: Left4Dead Blog via Kotaku
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