So I am 100% going to be buying Left 4 Dead when it comes out in November. But I can not for the life of me decide which platform to buy it on. I am interested to see what the SGC thinks.

At the moment I am leaning towards the pc based upon DLC being free and available straight away there. As well as some lingering doubts about crazy fast pace of the game working as well on the 360.

But then the 360 has live and I have more friends and acquaintances on live than I do on Steam. In summary I am torn.

Any input from those that played the game at PAX or other events would be awesome. As well as everyone else's opinions.

As XBL is a great online gaming community and L4D is a co-op/multiplayer based game, I'd suggest getting it on the 360. You'll be able to play it with your friends, with the people from SG and with some random annoying people, like, for instance, randomperson.

Rumble + friends list + no difference between PC and xbox version = buy the 360 version.

Rumble + friends list + no difference between PC and xbox version = buy the 360 version.

Agreed. Most of my friends are getting the 360 version, so I see no reason to get it for the PC.

most of my friends are on xfire, and i would prefer a mouse/keyboard to a controller... and i don't have an xbox360... PC for me!

As XBL is a great online gaming community and L4D is a co-op/multiplayer based game, I'd suggest getting it on the 360. You'll be able to play it with your friends, with the people from SG and with some random annoying people, like, for instance, randomperson.

This here.

I don't own a gaming PC so I will be getting L4D on the 360.

I'm going with the 360 version for all the reasons posted above. But this is a good topic and it certainly made me consider both ways before voting.

If your PC can run it PC is the only option.

Rumble + friends list + no difference between PC and xbox version = buy the 360 version.

My PC has rumble, a controller and two friends lists.

Choice of controller + cheaper + free online play + fast, free DLC = buy the PC version. :)

most of my friends are on xfire, and i would prefer a mouse/keyboard to a controller... and i don't have an xbox360... PC for me!

See you there on launch? I have the game reserved for the PC... have since Halo was being released (did it for a raffle when picking up my brother's H3 while he was overseas).

Rumble + friends list + no difference between PC and xbox version = buy the 360 version.
Agreed , and I dont have a good Computer.

See you there on launch? I have the game reserved for the PC... have since Halo was being released (did it for a raffle when picking up my brother's H3 while he was overseas).

depends if i have the money when it comes out... i may have to wait a little bit.

I'm getting the 360 version manly for the reasons Lono said plus my PC is an out of date piece of crap:lol:!

As XBL is a great online gaming community

Are you sure your talking about XBL?

Are you sure your talking about XBL?Yeah. There are many criminals in the world, which doesn't make it a bad place to live. It all depends on who you spend your time with.

Lol but more often than not In some places you do not have a choice and the criminals seek you out.

Free DLC + mods = PC version.
Oh, and if you like controllers more than mouse&keyboard (I do) there are 360-esq controllers for PC.

I'm awful at shooters when I'm holding a controller. I'm at least more than halfway decent than a monkey on speed with a PC. So, getting the PC version, although I'm curious to see where the chips fall in terms of where more players will be.

Free DLC + mods = PC version.
Oh, and if you like controllers more than mouse&keyboard (I do) there are 360-esq controllers for PC.

Yeah, it's called an ACTUAL 360 controller! (Wired or with a sensor sitting on your tower.) :thumbsup: I have one! It's amazing! It's terrific! It MAKES JULIAN FRIES!!!!!!


Ok I wanted to go that far... but in all seriousness, why use a clone when you can use the real thing?

Rumble + friends list + no difference between PC and xbox version = buy the 360 version.

PC has a map editor, I think.

You have to consider that the game is built on the computer, and the xbox version is a specialized port. I would personally (considering that the MASSIVE lag issues on the xbox TF2 more or less killed the game) go for the pc, which would also secure you from having to pay for free DLC.

Totally get it on PC, other then the fact that Valve is primarily a PC developer, but also all the user created goodies that will be coming for the PC.

You have to consider that the game is built on the computer, and the xbox version is a specialized port. I would personally (considering that the MASSIVE lag issues on the xbox TF2 more or less killed the game) go for the pc, which would also secure you from having to pay for free DLC.

Left 4 Dead will be running on dedicated servers, which means no lag issues. For me, the only real difference is cost (Xbox will ultimately be more costly) and controller options (Mouse and controller both have strengths and weaknesses)

The game plays the same on both versions.

Just wanted to clear up a few myths.

It will come down to a demo for me.

If Valve drops a demo for PC and Xbox, I'll make my real decision then.

The frame rate and DLC for the PC is going to be a HUGE factor in this game I feel. The 8mb Microsoft update thing is bullshit for games like this which means any major update Valve wants to do (and we ALL know they will do them) we'll have to pay for.

In my opinion, I think Valve is able to give a better overall experience for the PC gamer.

PC, obviously >.>

360, My pc probably couldn't handle it but XBL is way more catered to co-op games.

I'll be going with the 360. My PC would explode if I brought Left 4 Dead in the same room with it. Besides, I have a lot of friends on XBL.

Left 4 Dead is still based on the Source engine, which is four years old now. I think you'd be surprised at the number of PCs that can run it happily.

360 ftw!

Yeah, it's called an ACTUAL 360 controller! (Wired or with a sensor sitting on your tower.) :thumbsup: I have one! It's amazing! It's terrific! It MAKES JULIAN FRIES!!!!!!


Ok I wanted to go that far... but in all seriousness, why use a clone when you can use the real thing?

Because of the first line of my post! The DLC is free on PC and there's the possibility of user created mods. No such thing on Xbox.

he's saying you can use a 360 controller on your PC.

he's saying you can use a 360 controller on your PC.

??? How?

plug it in.

Yeah I'd definitely say get the 360 version, just because you'll probably have an easier time finding friends to play with.

Hmmm I might be being swayed to the 360 version. If it really does play as well and from the PAX coverage it looks like it doesn, then I think I am sold :)

I vote for the PC version. Free DLC, plenty of people to play with, there's a friends list, accurate mouse support, the game also supports gamepads although I don't think it'll support rumble on PC.

The Source engine is well known for being very scaleable, so lower end PCs should be able to run it. That said, if you have a very old PC then yes, go for the 360 version.

Left 4 Dead will be running on dedicated servers, which means no lag issues. For me, the only real difference is cost (Xbox will ultimately be more costly) and controller options (Mouse and controller both have strengths and weaknesses)

The game plays the same on both versions.

Just wanted to clear up a few myths.

It wont all be dedicated servers. If you wanted a SG gamernight without randoms you'd pretty much have to host a listen server. Dedicated servers will full up real fast too since its only 8 people per game so they're going to need a heck of a lot of them.

Out of curiosity, what's the strength a controller has over a mouse? Or the weakness a mouse has? I cant really think of any in an FPS game.

Controller games have auto aim. ;)

Just kidding. I'd guess it's that you'd have more buttons right there under your fingers, but even that can be equaled with a tweaked out mouse. The key advantage is you don't need something to rest it on, I guess. Cuts down on the space required.

I suppose you could argue that controllers being less sensitive \ accurate is a benefit in some cases as you don't flinch and throw you aim off, but that's really stretching. They're much better for racing games though (assuming they've got analogue sticks).

Well the PC version has free DLC and custom maps, but my PC probably couldn't run it. The 360 has more of my friends, and it's easier for me to play the 360 so I think I'm gonna go with the 360 version.

It wont all be dedicated servers. If you wanted a SG gamernight without randoms you'd pretty much have to host a listen server. Dedicated servers will full up real fast too since its only 8 people per game so they're going to need a heck of a lot of them.

Out of curiosity, what's the strength a controller has over a mouse? Or the weakness a mouse has? I cant really think of any in an FPS game.

Besides rumble? Well, controllers have more buttons that (IMO) are easier to use to do stuff very quickly... Keyboards get a little complicated for some, unless you have a custom keyboard, like a Zboard. Also Voice chat is a tad bit easier, getting into games on the Xbox 360 is easier... AND, I hardly believe that my xbox and internet connection will be taxed by 4 v. 4 games...

At PAX they were running the game and using laptops as servers for chrissakes...

I don't see rumble being that big a deal really. The majority of the sensation is given through good use of sound in most games. There's very few games that use rumble well anyway.

Buttons; with a standard mouse you have 5 functions (including wheel scroll) the on keyboard you have 15 keys, not including movement, that are easily accessible and lots more just a slight stretch away. A controller has 15 max. Yes there's a learning curve but you aren't going to pick up a controller and be able to use it right then and there, if anything a mouse is a far easier thing to pick up than stick aiming (judging by my friends and my nephews anyway). ZBoards only serve to give you less keys - such a waste of money.

Voice is built into steam games (friends list too), just plug in a mic and you're mostly set up. If you want private chat, even my mother and sister can use skype.

About servers, 4v4 doesn't sound like much but you're forgetting there's going to be (this is just a guess) 50-80 AI creatures to transmit to all players which makes the data it has to send a lot more than a 10v10 in TF2. The fact a laptop can run it doesn't mean anything since its just processing a bunch of numbers, heck my laptop can run a UT3 server, its the internet pipe that's the bottleneck.

Its all personal taste. There's a lot of games I would rather play on a console but when its a FPS with a horde or zombies chasing me its mouse all the way! That's before factoring in free DLC, user maps and other perks of being on an open platform. I'll rent for 360 but I'll buy on PC.

I'll disagree with you about rumble and the ease of use of a controller vs. the mouse...

My computer is pretty good and I dont have a 360 anymore, so yea, PC.

Though I think I might of gotten it for 360 if I still had one. But then again I buy all Valve games on PC. But then again this could be different. Then again I dont think Im gonna say "Then again" again.

Speaking of which, around the time it comes out, me or someone else in SG has to get a group together for the PC version on launch.

Definitely going to get it for PC. Besides the fact that I don't have a 360, I love the easiness of the mouse + keyboard over the complicated 360 controller (I don't like that thing for FPS's). Plus, the PC has a way better community, and most of the people (in my experience) have mic's and actively use them. I will probably have to run the game at lowest settings (DirectX 7 low) though, because my graphics card is terrible.

i'm bad at getting games to work on my PC so xbox360 fo me

I'll disagree with you about rumble and the ease of use of a controller vs. the mouse...

i just have to say... rumble is the most over-rated thing i've ever seen on a game console... i mean really, i had dualshock controllers since resident evil 2 was released. wtf is the big deal? your controller vibrates when something happens. i may be completely alone here, but vibrating hands do not immerse me any more than non-vibrating hands when i'm playing a game.

and come on lono... i know you're bull-headed and will argue your point to the ground, but you can't honestly say that an FPS would be easier to pick up and play with a controller than a mouse. really... :lol::lol::lol:

I think in some games it can be used really really well. For the most part though its pretty low on my list of games tech. Best thing rumble has done was to add a decent weight to the Sixaxis ;)

I'd admit my initial reaction to rumble is usually "Why is the controller vibrating?". If anything it tends to detract from the experience, as I immediately look at the controller, rather than what's happening on the screen, but I guess it works better for some people.

As for controller vs. mouse, well it's each to their own. I'd suspect with a total novice though, they're going to do better with a mouse, simply because even if you haven't played a game before, you've probably used a mouse and know how it works.

Oh yes, and community, got to go with the PC. I had my first experience of Xbox Live yesterday courtesy of a friend. I assumed the thing about having a singing eight year old in every match was an exaggeration, but nope, every single time. Thank God for mute.

I'll get it on both, assuming that the PC version is £20-£35. Most of the people that I play with are on the Xbox, but my PC should be able to run it a little better. I should have moved to civilization+ have a good internet connection by then too!

I'm waiting for reviews on the 360 version. If the online runs smooth, I will get it for 360, and play on my 95" screen while sitting on my comfy ass couch. If the online runs like TF2 on the 360, I'll have to get it for PC.

i just have to say... rumble is the most over-rated thing i've ever seen on a game console... i mean really, i had dualshock controllers since resident evil 2 was released. wtf is the big deal? your controller vibrates when something happens. i may be completely alone here, but vibrating hands do not immerse me any more than non-vibrating hands when i'm playing a game.

and come on lono... i know you're bull-headed and will argue your point to the ground, but you can't honestly say that an FPS would be easier to pick up and play with a controller than a mouse. really... :lol::lol::lol:

For a newbie, I think there's no question that a controller would be easier for a person to pick up and play. The keyboard has fifty frigging buttons on it and even though I can play both to a reasonable level of competency, a newbie would struggle with picking out the WASD keys amongst the rest, if they played a PC shooter with a standard keyboard. Heck, I have trouble with the WASD keys, unless i'm using my zboard... So to call me bull headed because of my opinion, is kind of ridiculous...

Get over your PC fanboyness...

As for your rumble argument, I totally disagree. When I first got my PS3, my biggest complaint was not having rumble. For a PC player, i can understand how you don't miss it, since you've never had it, but for 360 console players and PS2 players, it was nice to have.

PC players are such a small cross section of the total video game player populace for a reason... One of them being the fact that a keyboard and mouse are a bit alien to SOME game players...

For a newbie, I think there's no question that a controller would be easier for a person to pick up and play. The keyboard has fifty frigging buttons on it and even though I can play both to a reasonable level of competency, a newbie would struggle with picking out the WASD keys amongst the rest, if they played a PC shooter with a standard keyboard. Heck, I have trouble with the WASD keys, unless i'm using my zboard... So to call me bull headed because of my opinion, is kind of ridiculous...

you make it sound like you need to use every key for every PC game. but ok, i'll say it's a person to person basis on that subject.

Get over your PC fanboyness...

i own a PS3, Wii, PS2, N64, NES, and a PSP, as well as my PC... and i play my PS3 and PSP regularly, so fanboy is probably not the best term. :undecided:

As for your rumble argument, I totally disagree. When I first got my PS3, my biggest complaint was not having rumble. For a PC player, i can understand how you don't miss it, since you've never had it, but for 360 console players and PS2 players, it was nice to have.

i had dualshock controllers since resident evil 2 was released.

hmm...

PC players are such a small cross section of the total video game player populace for a reason... One of them being the fact that a keyboard and mouse are a bit alien to SOME game players...

i think it's more along the lines of having to keep their hardware up to date, but we could argue the ins and outs of why more people don't play PC games for ages. :lol::lol::lol:

PC players are such a small cross section of the total video game player populace for a reason... One of them being the fact that a keyboard and mouse are a bit alien to SOME game players...

What? uh, Lono, back up there a sec.

Total Xbox unit sales as of May: 19 million worldwide.

Total number of PC Gamers? Well, I'll be nice and just take two games.

World of Warcraft: 10.4 million subscribers
Second Life: Estimated around 12.2 million.

That's just two games, neither of which I play. Who's the small cross section here? ;)

...and as I mentioned, there's probably a hell of a lot more people these days who know how to use a mouse and keyboard than a gamepad. Most people work with them these days, and the curse of casual desktop games which sweep most offices tend to teach people the basics. Where as you have to actively seek out a console to learn to use a control pad, and the profusion of different directional controls (plus the fun of the sixaxis tilting control) and hidden trigger buttons bemuses a lot more newbies than a simple keyboard and mouse setup, where every key is clearly labelled.

Valve has said that they are going to be releasing a demo for both the 360 and the PC. So I guess everyone can try both and see what they like more. :)

http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=54661

Ok, I gotta answer this one myself... as a primarily PC gamer.

For a newbie, I think there's no question that a controller would be easier for a person to pick up and play.

For a number of game types, I would agree completely.... HOWEVER, we will have to disagree about FPS games. Unless you mean the Wiimote or a game with INSANELY high auto-aiming (read Serious Sam 2), I dont see a newbie player picking up a controller for any system, and not getting upset with the sensativity of the right analog vs turning.

The keyboard has fifty frigging buttons on it and even though I can play both to a reasonable level of competency, a newbie would struggle with picking out the WASD keys amongst the rest, if they played a PC shooter with a standard keyboard. Heck, I have trouble with the WASD keys, unless i'm using my zboard... So to call me bull headed because of my opinion, is kind of ridiculous...

...what are you playing, MechWarrior 3? Seriously, man... most FPSs I play use the WASD keys and maybe 4 or 5 more buttons around it, having moved weapon changing control to the mouse wheel. There may be a few extras dependant on the game, but after covering leans, crouch, jump, and inventory opening.... I havent seen a game try to use "50 keys" since I left MechWarrior 2.

Get over your PC fanboyness...

Im going to disregard you said that to anyone for the sake of avoiding an online fight. (NERDS IN BATTLE!!! *geeky snorty laugh* sorry I had to.) Ive heard these exact words from the xbot brother I live with who has declaired he refuses to play anything not on his 360.

EDIT: Ok, Im just responding because I feel I should... if he called you bullheaded, you are more then right to respond. (But I hope the laugh in the middle made you smirk)

As for your rumble argument, I totally disagree. When I first got my PS3, my biggest complaint was not having rumble. For a PC player, i can understand how you don't miss it, since you've never had it, but for 360 console players and PS2 players, it was nice to have.

Honestly, I think the only system to need rumble is the Wii, but then there it can be used to make swinging that bat into some thug's head more physical... or impact of Link's sword could be felt in the hand swinging it.

PS2 has done it ONCE really well that Ive played, though... Fatal Frame... the heartbeat in the controller did add a creepy-factor... nice touch there. But I heard about how Godfather uses it too... so a few titles DEFINATELY know how to do it right....

PC players are such a small cross section of the total video game player populace for a reason... One of them being the fact that a keyboard and mouse are a bit alien to SOME game players...

Ok, I GOTTA dissagree with you... as someone pointed out by just two titles (albiet the biggest ones in the industry most likely). I wont repeat the argument, but I will add to it... the PC can have a 360 controller... and let me tell you, rumble works there too. (I have one because some games I do like it better, actually.... and Ive yet to play a Phantasy Star that plays better with a mouse then a controller.)

Second Life: Estimated around 12.2 million.



Seriously dude? That's a -1 for credibility.

(albiet the biggest ones in the industry most likely).

Actually, I left the biggest one out. It alone shipped more units than the 360 and the Wii put together by a few million, before you include is sequel and expansion packs. But it's rather embarassing, so lets not talk about it.

Seriously dude? That's a -1 for credibility.

Nope, we're discussing number of people who play games. Not hardcore, serious, casual, whatever. Those people play games so they count. I admit I don't think much of their choice of game myself, but you can't deny they're there. If you remove a section because they're not "hardcore" enough, you're on a slippery slope.

There's no way in hell there has ever been 12.2 million people that play Second life... maybe have signed up for it... but I've read that there were at most less than 500,000 total... ever...

Prove me wrong, get the numbers from somewhere credible.

Prove me wrong, get the numbers from somewhere credible.

Actually, I retract that number. The site I got it from http://www.voig.com/ is usually more reliable, but you're correct, they did use total unique subscriptions.

I can continue to argue the point with other figures if you like, but this one is invalid. My bad.

Nah Lonos right, virtually nobody plays Second Life . Theres maybe 10k in there, 1k of which a griefers, 7k of perverts and 2k of sad twatters that think their avatar is cool.

That said, I still think you'll find a lot more PC gamers than console gamers, just not all on current up to date games. The original CS still has masses of servers as does a lot of HL1 mods, Q3/UT still have big followings, Wolf:ET had loads last time I was there and WoWs 12million+ current subs (thats not copies sold just those currently paying - I wouldnt be surprised if the amount of people thats played it is over 10 times that number both in boxed and in trials which would put it past PS2). All those games pretty much require mouselook.

Looking around in a 3D space on a console though is still an infant thats only been here since last gen. Its just less intuitive. I gave my girlfriend a shot of something (I think it was Condemned) on the 360 and she ended up looking at her feet, then sky, then feet, then sky. I let her try Crysis and she wasnt quite hitting anything since it was her first try but she was a lot more stable.




Wait.... what the heck has all this got to do with Left 4 Dead anyway :lol:

If its FPS, its PC.

I don't feel like upgrading my comp so I'll go with 360 version.

i have more friends on xbox. I already voted for 360 but now i that i think about it i might want the pc version for the same update reason as tf2.