June 8, 2009
There is, apparently, a consumer protest of sorts bubbling up around Valve's E3 announcement of Left 4 Dead 2.
A user group which opened within the last few days on Valve's Steam Community is actively calling for a boycott of the game and has nearly 17,000 members as I write this.
So, what are the protesters griping about? Via Videogames Republic, here's the list:
- Significant content for L4D1 was promised, and never delivered
- Valve put little faith in L4D1 since they almost certainly started working on L4D2 right after release
- The fact that L4D2 is nearly identical to L4D1 will decimate the community for both games
- The announced date is not nearly enough time to polish content or make significant gameplay changes
- The new character designs seem bland and unappealing so far
- L4D2 is too bright to fit in with L4D1’s visual aesthetic
- The fiddle-based horde music is extremely disliked, though the differently orchestrated music is otherwise welcome
- L4D2’s release will result in a drop in quality and frequency for L4D1 content, even compared to before
- The community has lost faith in Valve’s former reputation for commitment to their games post-release
The group also has requests:
- That Valve honor its commitment to release ongoing periodic content for Left 4 Dead.
- That Left 4 Dead 2 not be released as a stand-alone, full-priced sequel but as either a free update to Left 4 Dead or an expansion with full compatibility with basic Left 4 Dead owners.
- That Left 4 Dead owners be given discounts for Left 4 Dead 2, should it be released as premium content.
GP: To be honest, after EA's phony Dante's Inferno protest last week, I'm a but gunshy about declaring this one genuine and not another case of viral marketing. I'd like to hear more...
Comments
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
So wait, are you saying you play games but don't call yourself a gamer because of the negative connotations associated with the term? Kind of like saying "I was expelled from someone's anus, but I don't call myself a shit".
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
In other words.... boycott it?
From a consumer protection standpoint, they have a legitimate gripe. They bought a product with the company promising free updates/expansions/goodies, and then the company did not deliver on those promises.
While hardly a legally binding contract, it is understandable to be pissed when one spends money on (A+B) and the company only delivers (A)... esp when the company banks on it's reputation of delivering B.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
I agree with this post 100 percent.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Sorry. I bought the first game. It was great. I will be buying the second. If those whiners don't want to buy the new one, I'm glad I won't have listen complaints over voice.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Enjoy your overpriced expansion
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
And then comes out with C at the same price as (A+B), dividing the A+B+C community into (A) and (A+C).
-If an apple a day keeps the doctor away....what happens when a doctor eats an apple?-
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
That happens every time a sequel is released.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
They're releasing a sequel mere months after the first one was released. They should've waited awhile. This will allow the content to be better and more original (instead of the simple rinse/recycle that L4D2 looks like) and allow for more people to appreciate L4D1 to its fullest. And piss less people off.
-If an apple a day keeps the doctor away....what happens when a doctor eats an apple?-
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
mere months? Actually it's exactly one year later...
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Most definitely 1 year later. When they announced the date I thought that it was pretty damn close to the actual day of L4D1's release.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
But then you have to consider A2 + B2 = C2
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Why doesn't Valve just: ABC/0, that should rid us of a few problems...
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
I wouldn't call it consumer protest so much as a bunch of bitchy whiners on the forums.
Threads like this: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=886585
And the big momma of em all, the one that the points in the article are lifted directly from is here: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=885287
Vavle is trying to address these people's issues as best they can by creating a "post ur opinions here" thread that's been stickied. Valve seems somewhat suprised by this although I don't know why. They gave TF2 a boatload of updates including new maps and weapons, new achievements, videos etc etc. L4D gets a sequel in under a year and like 1 new game mode which should have shipped with the game to begin with.
After all is said and done I'm ok with buying the new game myself I just wish there was some kind of discount for L4D1 users who've owned a game for all of 6 months and now are hearing that their game is going to be left by the wayside.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
LOL someone in that 2nd thread you posted referred to the cast of L4D as "icons"!
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
IMO this is genuine, I know several people who are pissed and as soon as it was announced the steam l4d and then l4d2 forums exploded, its completely full of people complaining, infact its impossible to have a decent discussion of either game anymore without it being derailed into a l4d2 is valve telling us all they hate us
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
It isn't a publicity stunt. Many other players I know are also upset and there are tons of complaints across the board. I agree with many of their complaints however. It does split communities apart, especially now with the ones that want to throw their money at valve and the ones that feel cheated for buying the first, especially at full price.
I too, wish for a boycott, it'd make Valve drop the price of the title quickly for a discount and then when it hits a price everyone wants, they'll buy it and support valve.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
It's funny because if it were EA or Actiblizzion nobody would say anything because this is business as usual for those guys.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
It is funny, many players are used to valve giving tons of support and freebies, so this is unusual behavior for them.
I want to buy the game, but I think they'd go crazy and charge 50 for it, so I'm just going to wait until it goes down in price.
Fans are hard to please, but Valve does try to balance.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
You mean they might charge full price for a new game? Crazy!
http://craigostrin.com
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Please read up on the issue, including the reasons why people are so up in arms, before spouting some jackass comment.
Also, no one cares about your blog. Pimping it in forum/comments = teh fail
"Life sucks, get a fuckin helmet" - Denis Leary
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Crazy indeed, when I agree it seems to be an expansion-esque title; especially with how focused it is on replayability. This is one reason why many people are bitching about feeling L4D wasn't worth $50 or $40 (current price). The gameplay isn't really different except from having a new director, some new weapons/items and trigger events end after progressing forward instead of time based.
Yes, it feels a lot like that yearly title thing EA and Activision do.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
say they make it an expansion
what about people who don't own the first then?
how about a stand alone expansion then? well then that is basically a whole new game
now remember this is also a 360 game, how do you release an expansion for a 360 game? why not just make it a stand alone game. the difference between a stand alone expansion and a new game are but some minor technicalities
also I dont believe the price has even been anounced yet, could you link me if it has? it isn't on the l4d blog yet.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
"now remember this is also a 360 game, how do you release an expansion for a 360 game?"
The same way that was done for GTA4 and Fallout 3.
-Ultimately what will do in mankind is a person's fear of their own freedom-
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Dont forget how they were able to pull the Rock Band 1 tracks from the disc.
Though this is probably a bad example.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
And Oblivion. Shiveing Isles is available for 360 as an install disc.
/b
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=884519
"Release: November 17, 2009.
Platforms: Windows and Xbox 360.
Engine: Source.
Preliminary Price: $59.99 for Xbox 360. $49.99 for PC.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (according to Amazon.com)."
As far as people who don't own the first game: frak them. They aren't going to buy the second one since it is exactly the same thing only with Uncle Phil and a cast iron skillet.
Re: Left 4 Dead 2 Sparks Consumer Protest... Apparently
Tell that to the sad sacks who bought Condemned 2 on the PS3...