http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/ A games writer in the UK who also sometimes tries to make things. Tue, 22 May 2012 00:46:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-45896 LaZodiac Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:58:11 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-45896 @Snow: From what I understand, the quote "They're changing" is infact Bill saying "they are going from crazy people with just a bad case of rabies, to...well, the Infected we see in the game" Basicly, the rabies virus in L4D, in certain bodies mutates, turning them into the Boss Infected. I wouldn't be surprised if, during a new campaign, suddenly a new Boss Zombie appeared and, after killing it, the survivors mention things like "what was that?" or things like that. Of course, once you've encountered it, it would save into your data so that the next time you face it, you do know what it is, and if your with any players that haven't seen it, your character will tell them about it.
Basicly, the rabies virus in L4D, in certain bodies mutates, turning them into the Boss Infected. I wouldn't be surprised if, during a new campaign, suddenly a new Boss Zombie appeared and, after killing it, the survivors mention things like "what was that?" or things like that.

Of course, once you've encountered it, it would save into your data so that the next time you face it, you do know what it is, and if your with any players that haven't seen it, your character will tell them about it.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-45893 Pentadact Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:27:03 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-45893 You're right, Jackrabbit, it's actually funnier with just the sound. http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38930 Jackrabbit Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:59:52 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38930 By some twist of fate the first time round there was no picture. Somehow it was even funnier. http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38734 Enjay Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:33:11 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38734 For those of you wanting a zombie game where if you die, you get turned into a zombie, play zombie panic source. Or Counter strike zombie mod. Or TF2 zombie fortress mod even. L4D isn't trying to be those games, hence why it's only four players on one team. The infected bosses are sweet though, and I wouldn't mind seeing a mode where you and another team of four try to fight through an incredibly hard (Like, harder then expert) campaign, and if you die, you turn into an infected and for the rest of the campaign get to try to stop your former teamates from finishing. Would make for a more difficult experince that has a bit of the "My teamates want me to die, I'll show them!" aspect to it.
L4D isn't trying to be those games, hence why it's only four players on one team. The infected bosses are sweet though, and I wouldn't mind seeing a mode where you and another team of four try to fight through an incredibly hard (Like, harder then expert) campaign, and if you die, you turn into an infected and for the rest of the campaign get to try to stop your former teamates from finishing.

Would make for a more difficult experince that has a bit of the "My teamates want me to die, I'll show them!" aspect to it.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38709 Jazmeister Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:12:49 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38709 Nothing really to say, except I wish Jason L. had posted some sort of blog link. Maybe a war of the mindless bitey ones is in order?
Maybe a war of the mindless bitey ones is in order?]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38702 Lack_26 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:59:48 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38702 Oh yeah, that anonymous comment was me, but on a different machine. Also, I'm sure some virus can be airborne, in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis they can inhale the virus, which they've engineered to deliver the working CFTR gene, using an aerosol, although the virus has mutated in a few cases and killed the person it's being treating.
Also, I'm sure some virus can be airborne, in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis they can inhale the virus, which they've engineered to deliver the working CFTR gene, using an aerosol, although the virus has mutated in a few cases and killed the person it's being treating.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38698 Jason L Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:30:31 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38698 No, they're not undead, they basically have a less-debilitating form of rabies. I actually don't like to call most modern 'zombies' by that name, for precisely that reason. A pop-culture division's already forming - notice the relative paucity of 'zombie' in L4D discussions, given the focus of the title. People seem to steer toward 'horde' or 'Infected', and Infected is definitely part of the larger lexicon. I think it's time to just go whole-hog on recognising the 'natural', subhumanity and contagion-terror based Homo Sapiens Mordicansis as a different phenomenon from supernatural, Uncanny Valley-dwelling Homo Sapiens Putrescens. They move differently, group differently, develop differently and their homes are plotted differently. Their offspring so far have been few (basically Shaun of the Dead) and not very fertile. One has no particular hunger for braaaaiiins. Some bacteria cysts (notably anthrax) spread as a fine dust that even small breezes can spread as an aerosol. I'm not an expert but I'd be surprised if there weren't viruses that exploited the same trick using host cells. I'm pretty sure I read about a couple that colonised keratinising skin cells to be flaked off as household dust? In the postapocalyptic stillness, sure, it settles out (until you disturb it). But in a world of cars and mobile professionals and central ventilation, the difference is academic. Sez Oi. I thought you just said the lobbying system didn't work, Roadrunner. Bdmp-tshh.
Some bacteria cysts (notably anthrax) spread as a fine dust that even small breezes can spread as an aerosol. I'm not an expert but I'd be surprised if there weren't viruses that exploited the same trick using host cells. I'm pretty sure I read about a couple that colonised keratinising skin cells to be flaked off as household dust? In the postapocalyptic stillness, sure, it settles out (until you disturb it). But in a world of cars and mobile professionals and central ventilation, the difference is academic. Sez Oi.

I thought you just said the lobbying system didn't work, Roadrunner. Bdmp-tshh.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38692 Jazmeister Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:34:21 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38692 I didn't think you could get "airborne" viruses. I thought that was a pretty edwardian view of the way things work. I want... I want the Witch to be more scary. Why not have a whole host of scary shit that happens when you decide against avoiding her? That could be with any updates they release. Like if they added more damage to demoman nades with every class pack. Are they "undead"? It says so in promotional materials, but then, PR stuff just needs to send a message, it isn't always written by the same people. If they actually physically die, then reanimate, you could have the player's corpses rising. The more I think about it, the more I warm to that idea; it would fuck with your friendly-fire-tuned reflexes.
I want... I want the Witch to be more scary. Why not have a whole host of scary shit that happens when you decide against avoiding her? That could be with any updates they release. Like if they added more damage to demoman nades with every class pack.

Are they "undead"? It says so in promotional materials, but then, PR stuff just needs to send a message, it isn't always written by the same people. If they actually physically die, then reanimate, you could have the player's corpses rising. The more I think about it, the more I warm to that idea; it would fuck with your friendly-fire-tuned reflexes.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38690 Anonymous Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:31:32 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38690 Erm... I don't have much of an answer to those questions. But this is based of B-movies, and they're not really known for their convincing plots and on some graffiti it's stated that zombification can take between 3 days and 5 minutes, from varying accounts. Although you do see quite a few dead bodies around, although the normal infected could have just killed them. I wonder if Valve actually have answers.
Although you do see quite a few dead bodies around, although the normal infected could have just killed them.

I wonder if Valve actually have answers.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38689 Roadrunner Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:18:23 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38689 If you agree that the lobbying system fails horribly, sign this petition on the steam forums to bring back the good ol' server browser. http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8505218&posted=1#post8505218 http://forums.steamp... ...ost8505218]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38686 Snow Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:00:02 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38686 Oh ok i feel quite the fool now. But if it isn't airborn then how come you don't see partly-eaten zombies at all. I understand that whole towns could be infected through the water supply and such, but NO bites on the zombies? Also in the opening sequence bill says that the zombies are changing doesn't that mean that he would turn into a common infected before becoming a boss infected? as it is he goes from regular person to smoker/hunter/boomer in like a minute. or at least close enough to a human to talk and ring bells. http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38685 Lack_26 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:45:33 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38685 [spoilers] He turns into a smoker/hunter/boomer. Also he says that he let someone else in that said they were clean and got bitten for his trouble. He wasn't immune, he just never caught the virus until someone passed it onto him by bodily fluids. Some one has written on one of the CETA survival guides that it isn't air-born, despite CETA stating that after securing a room you should seal it with plastic-sheeting. Oh and you can play the piano in the church :) [/spoilers]

He turns into a smoker/hunter/boomer. Also he says that he let someone else in that said they were clean and got bitten for his trouble. He wasn't immune, he just never caught the virus until someone passed it onto him by bodily fluids. Some one has written on one of the CETA survival guides that it isn't air-born, despite CETA stating that after securing a room you should seal it with plastic-sheeting.

Oh and you can play the piano in the church :) [/spoilers]]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38683 Snow Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:06:06 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38683 The 4 survivors are immune, Thats why in one campaign someone says: "The army is still taking in immunes" HOWEVER (spoiler) in the death toll campaign in like the 2nd or 3rd safehouse is a some crazy guy who not only refuses to let you in the safehouse but rings a church bell to bring zombies. After the horde falls he becomes a smoker and bursts out of the safehouse (/spoiler). If he was still alive he must have been immune, but then why did he become a smoker at the end if he was immune? Take that valve! http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38682 Aldo Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:57:14 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38682 So, does this mean the Director passes the Turing test? ;) http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38677 Dante Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:55:26 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38677 @ Dragonalex It can totally hear you, a freind made the mistake of confessing he found smokers the most terrifying of the special zombies when playing Dead Air last night. And suddenly couldn't move more than a few meters without getting tongued. In the finale he managed to get snagged by a smoker who dragged him past a boomer, which vomited on him. He was a nervous wreck by the end of it.
It can totally hear you, a freind made the mistake of confessing he found smokers the most terrifying of the special zombies when playing Dead Air last night. And suddenly couldn't move more than a few meters without getting tongued. In the finale he managed to get snagged by a smoker who dragged him past a boomer, which vomited on him.

He was a nervous wreck by the end of it.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38674 Pentadact Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:11:16 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38674 I was going to go to that, but Warren Spector was throwing me a street parade so it just seemed kind of rude. Peter's right, the plot is that you four are immune to the infection. But it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to change that to just being very resistant to it. I think it's got to be a rare occurence with no telltale signs, otherwise you're just going to get blown away by your team-mates in public games without a second thought.
Peter's right, the plot is that you four are immune to the infection. But it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to change that to just being very resistant to it.

I think it's got to be a rare occurence with no telltale signs, otherwise you're just going to get blown away by your team-mates in public games without a second thought.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38666 Jazmeister Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:08:50 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38666 In I Am Legend, the survivors are immune. Maybe that's what you're thinking about? I mean, if you take the game as a perfect representation of the world and assume there aren't any mistakes (a rare and dangerous procedure), the fact that "infected" can beat the shit out of you and you don't turn, nor does your corpse rise (which would certainly change things), you could take that as proof that you can't be infected. Knowing Valve, they probably thought it would detract from the purity of the game, not be fun, or make it too complicated to be intuitive. That's what Gabe Newell seemed to think last night, as he mentioned it at the private tea party I attended in my honour.
Knowing Valve, they probably thought it would detract from the purity of the game, not be fun, or make it too complicated to be intuitive. That's what Gabe Newell seemed to think last night, as he mentioned it at the private tea party I attended in my honour.]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38665 Hoborg Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:39:48 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38665 peterd102: ... eh? :s http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38663 peterd102 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:25:37 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38663 Aren't these people meant to be immune to the zombie creating agent? Thats why they are still alive right? Valve spend ages making zombies plausible and realistic, and everyone just smashes it to bits :( - Shame on you!
Valve spend ages making zombies plausible and realistic, and everyone just smashes it to bits :( - Shame on you!]]> http://www.pentadact.com/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time/#comment-38658 BigJMoney Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:41:51 +0000 http://www.pentadact.com/index.php/2008-11-19-im-not-making-the-plan-next-time#comment-38658 Infected idea is awesome! I have two issues with it: - The invulnerability to zombies wouldn't add much to gameplay; in fact probably annoying gameplay (like steep learning ramp siliness in TFC; veterans could ALWAYS tell who was a spy). Actually I think it would be more fun if you had it so that when the infected gets killed by zombies he IMMEDIATELY becomes one of them; this makes it even more tense about "do we kill him or not?" - The person who turns into the zombie can't turn into an NPC. Otherwise most team-oriented players will just say "kill me I'm infected"... furthermore 1 NPC zombie is no threat. They're a piece of cake to kill and who gives a damn if your temmate becomes one. **BUT! If you allow the infected player the option of continuing to play with the desire to become a traitor and wipe out the rest of the team to win by himself, then you've added a VERY cool dramatic aspect to the gameplay that encourages the player to say nothing at all about their infection (unless they feel very loyal to the team). My thoughts
- The invulnerability to zombies wouldn't add much to gameplay; in fact probably annoying gameplay (like steep learning ramp siliness in TFC; veterans could ALWAYS tell who was a spy). Actually I think it would be more fun if you had it so that when the infected gets killed by zombies he IMMEDIATELY becomes one of them; this makes it even more tense about "do we kill him or not?"

- The person who turns into the zombie can't turn into an NPC. Otherwise most team-oriented players will just say "kill me I'm infected"... furthermore 1 NPC zombie is no threat. They're a piece of cake to kill and who gives a damn if your temmate becomes one. **BUT! If you allow the infected player the option of continuing to play with the desire to become a traitor and wipe out the rest of the team to win by himself, then you've added a VERY cool dramatic aspect to the gameplay that encourages the player to say nothing at all about their infection (unless they feel very loyal to the team).

My thoughts]]>