Valve: Oh right, the Left 4 Dead 2 demo was supposed to be done today...

So anybody waiting to play the Left 4 Dead 2 Demo through Steam probably already knows that there was a bit of miscommunication that happened somewhere down the line. You see, the official Steam L4D2 Demo event earlier today said the game would be released at 3pm CST on October 27th. That time came and went, then about 30 min after that (and hundreds of posts/threads on the official forum later), that page updated to say 1am CST on October 28th. Valve has yet to comment on the event, and at this point I doubt they will. But if you spent anytime in the official forum today/tonight then you'd see a huge opportunity for Valve to save some face and communicate what the problem was, and why it happened. Because now the Oct 27th demo date that the pre-orders were given as incentive isn't going to happen save for a few timezones.

To rub it in even more, Xbox 360 pre-order customers were able to download their demo early this morning. So the system that, in the past Valve has criticized because of it's closed nature, and the content delaying approval process that Microsoft enforces, now got the demo first. Almost an entire day earlier to be precise. Not cool Valve...not cool.

On a related note, here's the first Gamestop-sponsored TV spot for L4D2:


Update: The time has now changed AGAIN to 3:00pm CST on October 28th.



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Battlefield 1943 PC pre-order now available

Battlefield has been a staple in PC gaming ever since the beginning of the series. Although recently it's been more focused on the console gamers than the PC fans. Battlefield 1943 really isn't a true sequel, but it was more than enough for the Xbox 360 and PS3 players to gobble up when it launched a few months ago. Now EA has finally opened up the gates for PC gamers to start pre-ordering the game with a tweet, although unfortunately they still haven't given out a release date other than "Pre-Release 2010".

It will be interesting to see if BF1943 has the same effect on the PC gamers as it did on the consolers. It's much more casual-oriented than the PC folk are used to.

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Left 4 Dead 2 now available for pre-order!

The DLC came earlier this week, the demo comes out later this month, and today, the pre-order goes live for Left 4 Dead 2. That's news in itself, but Valve is also offering a 10% off incentive for pre-orders. Bringing the PC version to $45 and the Xbox 360 version to $55. You also get early access to the demo and an exclusive weapon, the American baseball bat.

Left 4 Dead 2 launches on November 17th.

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"This game is so incomplete"

Apparently "wannering" can get you somewhere, as in the case of the renowned Left4Dead 2 boycott.  Valve agreed to bring two of the leaders of the boycott to Valve headquarters to show off the game.  Valve's goal was to help extinguish the flames of their forum naysayers who think that L4D1 is incomplete and refuse to buy L4D2, feeling that Valve is abandoning the player-base for L4D1 while trying to cash in on a sequel that contains content that should be built in for free to the original.

The editors here at techphules have played the hell out of Left4Dead, and for awhile, defended the 'lack of completeness' on the valve official forums until they got bored of setting fire to whining children. 

So in a great turn of events, Valve's invite has caused a 180 degree fanboy headturn (and who could argue with that) to the boycott leaders, which is causing an uproar in the community of boycotters they originally helped to form.  Apparently the boycott now needs a boycott?  Or everyone who wrote something bad on the forums needs a plane ticket to Valve headquarters to shut them up?  LAME.  If you hate the idea of this sequel, VOTE WITH YOUR MONEY AND DON'T BUY THE GAME.  I on the other hand, will be preordering... and not to get that stupid 'exclusive' bat either.

This just goes to show you what 2 airplane tickets, a crowbar trophy, and a stained shirt can get ya.

Me:Is that a fannie pack worn on the hip masquerading as a "camera bag"?
Scott: I think it's just a deluxe camera bag

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Pre-order of the MMO: Champions Online

August 31st marks the last day to pre-order Chapions Online.  Including the extended opportunity to purchase a lifetime subscription to the game for $200.  Check out the website for more info on this up coming superhero MMO.  In addition, all pre-orders are entitled to a 3 day head start to the game.  What do you readers think of lifetime subscriptions?  Are you willing to bet $200 on the fact that you'll continue playing the game after a year? -risking the fact that it's still fun, and doesn't bottom out like Hellgate London's lifetime subscription?

Lifetime Subscriptions come with:

• Access to the Star Trek Online Closed Beta, beginning later this year
• Exclusive Art Deco costume set , available only to lifetime subscribers
• Retro Future costume set
• Unique Mirror Universe outfit for Star Trek Online, available at the game’s release  
• Exclusive in-game Foxbat action figure, available only to lifetime subscribers  
• Eight additional character slots

6-Month Discounted Subscriptions come with:

• Saves $29.95 USD (33% off!) over regular monthly subscription
• Retro Future costume set  
• Access to the Star Trek Online Closed Beta, beginning later this year

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