In addition to the melee weapons and the new infected classes and types, fans of "Left 4 Dead" were also promised a new mode (or two?) in the sequel. The infected cat was let out of the bag today with the announcement of "Scavenge" mode, which works a bit like a one sided version of the Capture the Flag concept that's so popular in multiplayer games.
In Scavenge mode, four survivors are tasked with the goal of filling up a generator with gas, which comes in 16 cans scattered throughout the map. This mode will work much like the "Versus" mode in the original, where up to 8 players can compete as both Survivors (4) and Infected (4), and then switch for three rounds. A round ends when all the cans are destroyed/used, the survivors are killed, or time runs out. Successfully emptying a can into the generator adds 20 seconds to the timer, which is constantly ticking down. The team that has gathered the most cans at the end of the three rounds wins. In the event of a tie, a winner is determined by who reached that total in the least amount of time.
This concept combines the frenetic pace of Survival Mode with the teamwork and/or team griefing of Versus. I was never in the camp of whiners that thought it was too soon for a L4D sequel, but I do find myself more and more convinced that this will be a meaningful addition to the series and well worth my hard earned money. That, and the weather's getting colder so it's about time for me to retreat to the great indoors and share a glass of vino with my old lady Xbox.
"Left 4 Dead 2" is set to be released for the Xbox360 and PC on November 17th
Thanks to Steve from The Bonebat show for sharing this earlier this morning.