"Valve has confirmed that 'The Sacrifice', DLC for both Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2, will be released on October 5 for the PC and Xbox 360. It will be free for both games on the PC, while the Xbox 360 DLC will cost 560 MS Points ($7)." | more

The much-anticipated Left 4 Dead fan-made campaign I Hate Mountains has been released and is available over on FileShack.

Coming from folks behind Portal: Prelude, I Hate Mountains takes Francis and the gang deep into the wilderness in a full five maps. The survivors will venture through a branching forest, explore a spooky mansion, probe tunnels, venture into a lumberyard and visit a lake.

Thanks to Shacker ahem 'Godhatesfatpeople' for the tip-off.

What do Jigsaw from "Saw," Freddy Krueger, and Jason from "Friday the 13th" all have in common, besides serial killing? Videogames, if the horror stars' latest round of promotions are to be believed.

Horror videogames are having a record year as zombies, monsters, demons, and chain-saw wielding psychos fight against the consoles, making videogames the new home of horror for some.

After a one-day delay, the PC demo for Left 4 Dead 2 preorder customers has been released. The demo offers co-op or LAN players a chance to check out the New Oreleans-centered "Parish" campaign. The demo will be available for non-preorder PC customers and Xbox Live Gold members on November 3. Last, and most definitely least, Xbox Live Silver members get access on November 10.

To play the demo, visit www.steamgames.com (PC) or Xbox Live (360).

While Valve has remained rather quiet regarding Left 4 Dead 2's new multiplayer mode, the developer took the wraps off it tonight at a press event in San Francisco. Dubbed "Scavenge," the mode essentially combines Left 4 Dead's Versus and Survival modes. One team, the survivors, is tasked with retrieving scattered gas canisters and using them to fill up generators. As in Versus, the other team takes control of "special infected" and attempts to stop the survivors alongside legions of regular zombies.

Throwing yet another pre-order incentive into the mix, Valve today announced that those who pre-order Left 4 Dead 2 from "participating retailers" will get 10% off the game.

The offer brings the PC version to $45 and the Xbox 360 edition to $55. Of course, the company's own PC digital distribution outlet Steam is among those participating.

Left 4 Dead 2 has been refused classification by Australia's Office of Film and Literature Classification, effectively banning Valve's co-op shooter sequel from sale in Oz. Documents rustled up by News.com.au reveal gore is behind the decision, listing all the blood, guts and violence making the game "Unsuitable for a minor to see or play."

"The game contains realistic, frenetic and unrelenting violence which is inflicted upon "the Infected" who are living humans infected with a rabies-like virus that causes them to act violently... it is the use of the "melee" weapons such as the crowbar, axe, chainsaw and Samurai sword which inflict the most damage. These close in attacks cause copious amounts of blood spray and splatter, decapitations and limb dismemberment as well as locational damage where contact is made to the enemy which may reveal skeletal bits and gore. Projectile shots to infected humans can cause abdominal wounds which can reveal innards or even cause intestines to spill from the wounds."

Two leaders of a group boycotting Left 4 Dead 2 were flown to Valve's offices to see the game... and they returned with a very different take on the boycott. The community seems less than happy with the result, and accuse their leaders of being bought off with a little personal attention. How Valve got the boycotters on its side.

When Left 4 Dead 2 was announced at E3 this year, PC fans reacted with horror and many felt almost betrayed. A sequel, already? Where were all the updates to the first game? Where was the free content? The backlash began immediately, and Valve was forced to go into damage control mode, giving interviews and telling its side of the story. It may not have been enough, with a boycott group springing up in Steam and gamers promising not to buy the new game. It seems as if Valve has given the team behind the boycott the ultimate gift: a tour of Valve, and direct answers to their concerns.

Along with many Shackers, the staff here has been hoping for a theme park campaign for some time. In fact, we even asked Valve writer Chet Faliszek about it at E3. "Are you guys taking pictures from our office or something?" he said in response, laughing. "Um...

The decision to charge for the Xbox 360 version of the upcoming "Crash Course" Left 4 Dead DLC was ultimately made by Microsoft, according to Valve's Chet Faliszek. "We own our platform, Steam. Microsoft owns their platform. They wanted to make sure there's an economy of value there," said Faliszek to Eurogamer. The first content release for Left 4 Dead, which included a new Survival mode and extra Versus maps, was free on both platforms.