Sunday 15 February 2009

Left 4 Dead: "Survival Mode" hopes

Valve recently announced that they would be releasing downloadable content for Left 4 Dead this Spring. One of the new arrivals in the update will be the much-awaited L4D support in the Source SDK, whilst another is the interesting mention of a Survival game mode, "where up to 4 players set records for the longest time surviving hordes of Zombies on over 12 maps". This got me thinking of the possible gameplay changes that could take place for this mode, so here are some of the ones I hope Valve will make (and the ones I'd like to mod in if they don't).

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Non-linear, dynamic maps
Rather than getting from A to B like in conventional L4D maps, we will only have the sole primary objective of defending ourselves. This means we are going to be spending a lot of time in a single well-fortified location as this is the best defensive strategy. To prevent this 'fort' from becoming too familiar and stale, it should gradually deteriorate as the hordes attack (blocked exits being broken through, lights diminishing, doors being smashed in, etc.), forcing the survivors to find somewhere safer. This should be based around an element of choice, with multiple escape routes from each area leading into various other 'forts' that the survivors can hold up in.
Maps should allow the players to move find their own way around a large playing field such as a city block or woodland area. Starting positions could be random to force players into decision-making and forming strategies from the very start. This ongoing changing of the maps would help keep them seem more varied and different each time they are played.

Helicopter item drops
I envisage a 'No Mercy' situation where a helicopter pilot is circling nearby but is unable to land to rescue the survivors. The crew could have a supply of items (ammo, first aid kits, pain pills) which they could drop in crates for the survivors to grab (in exposed, open areas of course). The items would become increasingly more valuable as the well-being of the survivors gradually dwindles.
For an extra layer of complexity, the crate might take a short time to open (something like diffusing the bomb in Counter-Strike) so the survivors may prefer to drag it to a safe location before doing so.

Flares
If the above helicopter system was implemented, what might determine when and where it performs a drop? A simple timer/random system might suffice which could be controlled entirely by the AI Director, and/or it could be determined by the actions of the survivors. Scavenging empty buildings might result in finding the odd flare which could be used to request supplies, perhaps by launching them from mounted flare guns at pre-determined locations (which could again be randomized by the Director to keep the survivors on their toes).

Wave count
The infected hordes could attack in large waves which could be counted and available for the players to see. This would give a sense of progress and would surely also determine the difficulty.

I may add to this list in the future. Let me know what you think!

...Especially if you work at Valve.

4 comments:

Habboi said...

Heh may I suggest emailing that list to Gabe or Doug. They listen to feedback most of the time.

So I see now why you want to be a level designer. :)

Anonymous said...

Moving the more powerful weapons and/or creating a special class of "Anti-Infected" weponry. These weapons would have extremely rare ammunition and they would be in some special containers.

These special containers would take the form of vehicles whose windows need smashing/trunks opened to receive the contents. Doing so may set off the alarm (if it has one) and the alarm would have varying sensitivities. The containers would be in out of the way areas.

Causing the alarm to be set off may alert the infected causing a a varying size horde attack.

This would me survior(s) would need to evaluate whether it is worth doing so.

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It would be a good idea to do as Habboi suggests. If you use my suggestions please credit me.

Matt said...

John, I like the idea of weaponry stashed in alarmed areas (perhaps even in a special cabinet or locked in a weapons store).

I wonder if it may be too late to suggest these ideas to Valve though. If this is not the route they are taking, it is probably too close to release to do anything about it.

And I REALLY don't want to be causing any delays now!

Matthew said...

Waiting a few extra months is better than being dissapointed.