Template:Infobox game/row/linporterWarnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
Key points
- A hack enabling split-screen co-op is available; see Local co-op.
- Extensive modding community, including Steam Workshop integration.
- Runs on low-end hardware.
- Censored in some countries, see Low Violence/Censored Versions to override.
General information
- Official Left 4 Dead Blog
- Unofficial Left 4 Dead Wiki
- GitHub Issue Tracker for Left 4 Dead 2 and other Source-based games
- Steam Community Discussions
- Steam Users' Forums
- Steam Workshop for Left 4 Dead 2
Availability
Source |
DRM |
Notes |
Keys |
OS |
Steam |
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- All versions require Steam.
Version differences
- Content is censored in some countries. For Australia, install the Left 4 Dead 2 - Uncensored DLC; for Germany and other regions see Low Violence/Censored Versions.
Essential improvements
Notable Workshop mods
The game has a huge variety of mods, however, what may be "better" is subjective and opinionated (so Shrek Tank won't be listed here, for example). These mods help improve the base game, though use them as your discretion.
Chat with controller
If you play using a controller and want to use the chat (Y) online, you must open the 360controller.cfg file and make it "//unbindall".
Launch parameters
To learn how to add launch parameters, see Launch options.
Useful launch parameters
Parameter |
Description
|
-w X -h Y |
Sets screen resolution (or window resolution if using -window). Example: -w 1920 -h 1080 .
|
-refresh X |
Sets your screen refresh-rate (Hz). Example: -refresh 60 .
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-noborder -window |
Launches the game in a borderless fullscreen window (i.e. very alt-tab friendly). This may result in a minor performance loss. If you experience stuttering, disable Windows Aero.
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-novid |
Skip intro videos
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-autoconfig |
Restores video and performance settings to default for the current hardware detected. Ignores settings inside any .cfg files until this parameter is removed.
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+mat_motion_blur_percent_of_screen_max 0 |
Removes motion blur.
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Low Violence/Censored Versions
- Due to censorship laws in countries such as Australia and Germany, versions of the game sold in these regions have no dismemberment, blood spatter, corpses, burning and more.
- For Australia, install the Left 4 Dead 2 - Uncensored DLC; for Germany and other regions, follow the steps below.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
- Steam Cloud settings are stored in
<Steam-folder>/userdata/<user-id>/550/remote/
.
Video settings
Template:Video settings
Split-screen without bezels
- L4D2 split-screen mode was meant to be played on a single 4:3 or 16:9 screen. If you have a different setup then, the image could not entirely fit the monitor(s).
- L4D2's file which is going to be edited is packed. Minimal hex editing knowledge is required.
Input settings
In-game control settings.
In-game key map settings.
Template:Input settings
Mouse+Keyboard in split-screen
- When you connect only a controller, this is automatically assigned to the first player
Audio settings
Template:Audio settings
Localizations
Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
English |
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Simplified Chinese |
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Traditional Chinese |
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Danish |
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Dutch |
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Finnish |
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French |
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German |
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Hungarian |
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Italian |
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Japanese |
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Korean |
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Norwegian |
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Polish |
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Portuguese |
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Russian |
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Spanish |
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Swedish |
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Turkish |
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Network
In-game multiplayer settings.
Multiplayer types
Type |
Native |
Players |
Notes |
LAN play |
| 8 |
"Versus" mode. Up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected. |
Online play |
| 8 |
"Versus" mode. Up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected. |
Connection types
Ports
Protocol |
Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
TCP |
27014-27050 |
UDP |
4380, 27000-27030 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
- "SFKTeam - Kaotic" created an UI mod which should simplify even more these steps
- A list of useful console commands is available below
Issues fixed
Purple and black broken textures
- A generic fix for this issue can be found on our Source engine page.
Other information
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
Direct3D |
9 |
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OpenGL |
2.1 |
OS X and Linux only. |
Shader Model support |
2, 3 |
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Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows |
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macOS (OS X) | |
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Linux | |
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Middleware
Console commands
- Games running on the Source engine can utilize Source Engine Console Commands for various tasks.[1]
- You can also have the console open by default on launch by following this guide:
Creating your own CFG (to run multiple console commands together)
A CFG is a file that contains a list of commands that when run will attempt to execute them all
Open up a text editor such as notepad and type in all the commands you want separating each with a ;
When done save the file as filename.cfg in <path-to-game>\left4dead2\cfg\
. To run the cfg file, open the console during the game and type in exec filename.cfg
If you want the CFG file to run automatically, name it autoexec.cfg
Launch options
- View this Steam Support Article regarding launch options as well as the relevant Valve Developer wiki page for further information and a list of useful Source engine launch options.
Third person toggle support
Use in console.
c_thirdpersonshoulderaimdist 360
c_thirdpersonshoulderdist 90
c_thirdpersonshoulderheight 0
c_thirdpersonshoulderoffset 20
bind "F10" "thirdpersonshoulder"
Pressing F10 will toggle between first and third person. You will have a greater FOV.
Some warnings:
- Some cutscene intros will be angled incorrectly.
- You will see a weird inaccurate weapon shadow.
- The crosshair will be slightly off-center. You can mess around with the "cam_idealyaw" function to correct this.
- Flashlight glows may be seen at your character's back.
- When survivors heal you, their animations will look glitchy.
- The camera may occasionally see through walls and objects.
Useful split-screen commands
Since Split-screen mode in Left 4 Dead 2 isn't officially supported, there are multiple important key settings which aren't immediately available.
Command |
Description |
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connect_splitscreen localhost [ip-address] 2 |
Connect to a LAN or Internet server. Direct connections must be allowed
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[cmd/cmd2] jointeam (2/3) |
Assign selected player (cmd) to either survivor or infected team
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ss_map <map-name> [realism/survival/versus/mutation# |
Play the selected map in the desired mode
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ss_splitmode (0/1/2) |
Toggle horizontal and vertical screen split (0 is auto selection)
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z_difficulty (Easy/Normal/Hard/Impossible) |
Change game difficulty
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setinfo name Max |
Change player 1 name
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name2 Tony |
Change player 2 name
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System requirements
Windows |
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Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
XP |
Vista, 7 |
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium IV 3.0 GHz
| Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 |
System memory (RAM) |
1 GB (XP) 2 GB (Vista, 7) | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
13 GB | |
Video card (GPU) |
ATi Radeon X800 NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128 MB of VRAM
| ATi Radeon X1600 NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS |
macOS (OS X) |
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Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
10.6.4 |
Processor (CPU) |
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System memory (RAM) |
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Hard disk drive (HDD) |
13 GB |
Video card (GPU) |
ATi Radeon HD 2400 Pro NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT |
- Not supported: OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), ATI X1600 or X1900 graphics, NVIDIA GeForce 7 graphics or Intel graphics less than Intel HD 3000.
Notes
- ↑ Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
References