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Difference between revisions of "Left 4 Dead 2"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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−
{{infobox
+
{{Infobox game
−
|title          = Left 4 Dead 2
+
|cover        = Left 4 Dead 2 cover.jpg
−
|cover          = Left_4_Dead_2.jpg
+
|developers  =  
−
|developer      = Valve Corporation<br/>Turtle Rock Studios
+
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Valve Corporation}}
−
|publisher     = Valve Corporation
+
{{Infobox game/row/porter|Ryan C. Gordon|Linux}}
−
|engine        = Source
+
|publishers  =  
−
|release dates = '''Microsoft Windows'''<br/><sup>JP</sup> November 19, 2009<br/><sup>NA</sup> November 17, 2009<br/><sup>EU</sup> November 20, 2009<br/>'''Mac OS X'''<br/>October 5, 2010
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Valve Corporation}}
−
|steam         = 550
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Akella|Retail (Russia)|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/43901/left-4-dead-2/cover/group-65780/cover-177589/|title=|date=2023-03-06}}</ref>}}
−
|gog            =  
+
|engines     =  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Source}}
 +
|release dates=  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 19, 2009}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|OS X|October 5, 2010}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/date|Linux|May 3, 2013}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|left-4-dead-2|89}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|left-4-dead-2|89}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Action, FPS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Realistic }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Horror, North America, Post-apocalyptic, Zombies }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Left 4 Dead }}
 +
|steam appid  = 550
 +
|steam appid side = 322070
 +
|gogcom id    =
 +
|official site= http://www.l4d.com/blog/
 +
|hltb        = 5212
 +
|lutris      = left-4-dead-2
 +
|strategywiki = Left 4 Dead 2
 +
|mobygames    = 43901
 +
|wikipedia    = Left 4 Dead 2
 +
|winehq      = 10546
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
== Version Differences ==
 
−
Retail copies of the game use Steamworks as its DRM, therefore all copies of the game are tied to a Steam account.
 
−
=== Cut/Uncut ===
 
−
Some versions of the game you purchased or get gifted via steam are cut, the German version being the best example, in which there is almost literally no blood, literally no gore and the corpses disappear mostly before they hit the floor.
 
−
==== Uncutting ====
 
−
If you live in the USA and one of your German friends gift you the game via Steam, you'll have the cut version even though it's not necessary in your country.
 
  
−
There is a way to uncut the game '''without''' downloading a gore patch. You simply click Start and then click on run (or press windows+r) and type: ''regedit'', after that you find <code>\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\VALVE</code> and then rename the folder called ''Valve'' to ''Valve_old''.
+
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
  
−
This has worked for all people whom ever did it right and is '''NOT''' illegal. If you were to contact costumer support for this, it's what they'd tell you to do, but there are no sources indicating that it will work if your PC/Laptop is actually in Germany since it's necessary there.
+
|release history  =  
−
== Patches ==
 
−
Valve has periodically release updates often to stabilize the game and less often adds more content to the game in the form of DLC. All copies of the game use Steam so it will automatically download the latest update whenever released. You can view the [http://store.steampowered.com/news/?appids=550&appgroupname=Left+4+Dead+2&feed=steam_updates patch notes] through Steam's news page.
 
−
== Console Commands ==
 
−
Games running on the source engine can utilize [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Console_Command_List Source Engine Console Commands] for various tasks.
 
−
To use the Console you need to enable it first by going to options -> Keyboard/Mouse -> Allow Developer Console and change it to enabled. To open the console command window press the tilde key in the upper left hand corner of your keyboard (`~). Some console commands require that the server has sv_cheats set to 1 in order to be allowed.
 
−
===Common Commands===
 
−
This is a list of common commands that do not require the use of sv_cheats
 
−
----
 
−
* [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Bind bind "key" "command(s)"]: This binds a command(s) to the set key
 
−
* chooseteam: Allows you to change team in versus
 
−
* cl_colorblind: Set to 1 for high contrast crosshairs. Set to 2 for specific color changes intended to help common types of color blindness.
 
−
* cl_showfps "0-2": Displays the current FPS (0 = off, 1 = real time, 2 = average over the past few seconds)
 
−
* cl_crosshair_alpha "0-255": Set the alpha value of your crosshair
 
−
* cl_crosshair_blue "0-255": Set the blue value of your crosshair
 
−
* cl_crosshair_green "0-255": Set the green value of your crosshair
 
−
* cl_crosshair_red "0-255": Set the red value of your crosshair
 
−
* cl_crosshair_thickness "#": Set the thickness of your crosshair
 
−
* cl_drawprogressbar "0-1": Turn healing progress bar on and off
 
−
* cl_fov "#": Sets the field of view
 
−
* cl_showhelp "0-1": Turns hints on and off
 
−
* clear: clears console command window
 
−
* differences: shows convars that are not at their default values
 
−
* exit: Closes the game
 
−
* help "command":Displays information about a certain command
 
−
* retry: Tries to reconnect to current server
 
  
−
===Common Commands That Require "sv_cheats"===
+
|current state    =
−
To turn on sv_cheats open the console on the main menu and type "map" "mapname" (without the quotes) then once the map is loaded type sv_cheats 1 into the console. '''Note this will prevent you from earning achievements until you restart the game.'''
+
}}
−
----
+
 
−
* adrenaline_duration "#": How long the effects of adrenaline lasts (default is 15.0)
+
'''General information'''
−
* adrenaline_run_speed "#": How fast one runs while under the effects of adrenaline (default is 260)
+
{{mm}} [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues GitHub Issue Tracker for Left 4 Dead 2] and other Source-based games
−
* buddha "0-1": Take damage but will not die
+
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/550/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
−
* cl_drawhud "0-1": Turns hud on and off
+
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/browse/?appid=550 Steam Workshop for Left 4 Dead 2]
−
* give "item name": Gives you the item (example "give rifle" will spawn the tier 2 rifle)
+
 
−
* givecurrentammo: Gives you ammo for your current weapon
+
==Availability==
−
* god "0-1": Makes you invincible
+
{{Availability|
−
* firstperson: Changes view to firstperson
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Steam | | | Windows }}
−
* map "mapname": Changes map
+
{{Availability/row| Steam | 550 | Steam | {{store link|Steam-bundle|233|Left 4 Dead Bundle}} also available. | | Windows, OS X, Linux }}
−
* thirdperson: Changes view to thirdperson
+
}}
−
* thirdpersonshoulder: Changes view to thirdperson from the shoulder
+
{{++}} Includes the campaigns of the original [[Left 4 Dead]] and its DLC.
 +
 
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} Some content is censored in Australia and Germany. Install the official {{store link|Steam|322070|Uncensored}} DLC to remove the limitations.
 +
 
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Skip intro videos===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use the {{code|-novid}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Rose|date=2020-09-25|comment=}}</ref>}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Delete or rename video files|ref=|fix=
 +
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\left4dead2\media}}.
 +
# Delete or rename {{file|l4d2_intro.bik}} and {{file|valve.bik}}.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Game data==
 +
===Configuration file(s) location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|game}}\left4dead2\cfg\}}
 +
{{Game data/config|OS X|}}
 +
{{Game data/config|Linux|}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Save game data location===
 +
{{Game data|
 +
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|steam}}\userdata\{{P|uid}}\550\remote\}}
 +
{{Game data/saves|Linux|{{p|steam}}\userdata\{{P|uid}}\550\remote\}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 +
{{Save game cloud syncing
 +
|discord                  =
 +
|discord notes            =
 +
|epic games launcher      =
 +
|epic games launcher notes =
 +
|gog galaxy                =
 +
|gog galaxy notes          =
 +
|origin                    =
 +
|origin notes              =
 +
|steam cloud              = true
 +
|steam cloud notes        = Approx. 1 GB available.
 +
|ubisoft connect          =
 +
|ubisoft connect notes    =
 +
|xbox cloud                =
 +
|xbox cloud notes          =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Video==
 +
{{Image|Left 4 Dead 2 Video.png|In-game video settings.}}
 +
{{Video
 +
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/left-4-dead-2
 +
|widescreen wsgf award      = gold
 +
|multimonitor wsgf award    = silver
 +
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = gold
 +
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = gold
 +
|widescreen resolution      = true
 +
|widescreen resolution notes=
 +
|multimonitor              = true
 +
|multimonitor notes        =
 +
|ultrawidescreen            = true
 +
|ultrawidescreen notes      =
 +
|4k ultra hd                = true
 +
|4k ultra hd notes          = Closed captions font does not scale with resolution and may appear small at 4K resolution.
 +
|fov                        = true
 +
|fov notes                  = 75-120 in multiplayer settings.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foGfFq60i2c|title=How Left 4 Dead 2 Players Reacted When The FOV Slider Was Added On PC|date=2021-07-02}}</ref> Though the option is in multiplayer settings, it also applies for singleplayer. See [[#Viewmodel FOV|Viewmodel FOV]] to adjust the weapon viewmodel.
 +
|windowed                  = true
 +
|windowed notes            =
 +
|borderless windowed        = true
 +
|borderless windowed notes  =
 +
|anisotropic                = true
 +
|anisotropic notes          = Up to 16 samples.
 +
|antialiasing              = true
 +
|antialiasing notes        = Up to 8x [[MSAA]].
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 +
|vsync                      = true
 +
|vsync notes                = Double and triple buffered.
 +
|60 fps                    = true
 +
|60 fps notes              =
 +
|120 fps                    = true
 +
|120 fps notes              = Capped at 300 FPS by default.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160913143805/http://120hz.net/showthread.php?3258-New-120Hz-Games-Report|title=New 120Hz Games Report|date=May 2023}}</ref> Use <code>-refresh xxx</code> command line parameter to set custom refresh rates.
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 +
|color blind                = true
 +
|color blind notes          = Set in Settings, Multiplayer; Affects crosshair, HUD, and survivor outlines.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===[[Glossary:Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]]===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Force SGSSAA (Nvidia only)|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ekUZsK2YXgd5XjjH1M7QkHIQgKO_i4bHCUdPeAd6OCo/edit#gid=0&range=A374|title=NVidia Profile Inspector - AA Flags - Google Drive|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Download and run [[Nvidia Profile Inspector]].
 +
# Select the Left 4 Dead 2 profile.
 +
# Change <code>Antialiasing compatibility</code> value to <code>0x000000C0</code>.
 +
# Change <code>Antialiasing - Behavior Flags</code> to <code>None</code>.
 +
# Change <code>Antialiasing - Mode</code> to <code>Override any application setting</code>.
 +
# Change <code>Antialiasing - Setting</code> to <code>4x [4x Multisampling]</code>.
 +
# Change <code>Antialiasing - Transparency Supersampling</code> to <code>4x Sparse Grid Supersampling</code>.
 +
#Press "Apply Changes" in the top-right corner.
 +
 
 +
'''Notes'''
 +
{{ii}} Antialiasing fix is needed.<ref>https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ekUZsK2YXgd5XjjH1M7QkHIQgKO_i4bHCUdPeAd6OCo/edit#gid=0&range=A374</ref>
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Ambient occlusion===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Force HBAO+ (Nvidia only)|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sq0vgFlerS-YT093TS2jEpx6xjZP7X1x1BcAs7EHXYY/edit#gid=0&range=A153|title=HBAO+ Compatibility Flags|date=May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/hbao-compatibility-flags-thread.387114/page-22#post-4818767|title=Original HBAO+ Post at Guru3D.com Forums|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Download and run [[Nvidia Profile Inspector]].
 +
# Select the Left 4 Dead 2 profile.
 +
#Change <code>Ambient Occlusion compatibility</code> value to <code> 0x00000014</code>.
 +
#Change <code>Ambient Occlusion setting</code> to <code>High Quality</code>.
 +
#Change <code>Ambient Occlusion usage</code> to <code>Enabled</code>.
 +
#Press "Apply Changes" in the top-right corner.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Disable motion blur===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use the {{code|+mat_motion_blur_percent_of_screen_max 0}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Keith|date=2020-10-24|comment=}}</ref>}}
 +
 
 +
===Viewmodel FOV===
 +
{{ii}} Works in multiplayer.
 +
{{ii}} The default FOV value is 51.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Change viewmodel FOV|fix=
 +
# Bring up the in-game [[#Console commands|console]].
 +
# Type in {{code| "cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor XX"}} to change the viewmodel FOV (replace "XX" with the desired value).
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Input==
 +
{{Image|Left 4 Dead 2 Controls.png|In-game control settings.}}
 +
{{Image|Left 4 Dead 2 Remapping.png|In-game key map settings.}}
 +
{{Input
 +
|key remap                = true
 +
|key remap notes          =
 +
|acceleration option      = true
 +
|acceleration option notes =
 +
|mouse sensitivity        = true
 +
|mouse sensitivity notes  =
 +
|mouse menu                = true
 +
|mouse menu notes          =
 +
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 +
|invert mouse y-axis notes =
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 +
|controller support        = true
 +
|controller support notes  = When gamepad is in use, the game prevents keyboard and mouse controls to prevent autoaim exploits. However, this becomes inconvenient, because the chat and voting keys become unbinded. See [[#Text chat with keyboard in controller mode|Text chat with keyboard in controller mode]].
 +
|full controller          = true
 +
|full controller notes    = The gamepad option in the keyboard/mouse settings first needs to be enabled and saved.
 +
|controller remap          = true
 +
|controller remap notes    =
 +
|controller sensitivity    = true
 +
|controller sensitivity notes=
 +
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 +
|invert controller y-axis notes=
 +
|xinput controllers        = true
 +
|xinput controllers notes  =
 +
|xbox prompts              = true
 +
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = false
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4              = true
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        = Officially supported via [[Steam Input]].
 +
|dualshock prompts        = true
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  = Both [[Controller:DualShock 4|DualShock 4]] and [[Controller:DualSense|DualSense]] prompts.
 +
|light bar support        = true
 +
|light bar support notes  = Static Yellow. Doesn't have any gameplay purpose.
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = Wired, wireless
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers        = true
 +
|other controllers notes  = Any controller supported by [[Steam Input]].
 +
|other button prompts      = Nintendo
 +
|other button prompts notes=
 +
|button prompts            = Steam, Xbox, DualShock, Nintendo
 +
|button prompts notes      = [[Steam Input]] must be enabled for all supported prompts else Xbox prompts are shown instead.
 +
|controller hotplug        = true
 +
|controller hotplug notes  =
 +
|haptic feedback          = true
 +
|haptic feedback notes    = [[Steam Input]] must be enabled for all supported controllers to enable haptic feedback
 +
|simultaneous input        = true
 +
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = true
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = true
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = true
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = true
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = true
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =
 +
}}
 +
{{ii}} "Gamepad" option in Keyboard/Mouse settings menu is to enable legacy Xinput controller mode. Enabling this erases all keyboard bindings.
 +
 
 +
==Audio==
 +
{{Image|Left 4 Dead 2 Audio.png|In-game audio settings.}}
 +
{{Audio
 +
|separate volume          = true
 +
|separate volume notes    = Game and music volume sliders.
 +
|surround sound          = true
 +
|surround sound notes    = 7.1, 5.1 surround sound, 4 speaker surround.
 +
|subtitles                = true
 +
|subtitles notes          =
 +
|closed captions          = true
 +
|closed captions notes    =
 +
|mute on focus lost      = true
 +
|mute on focus lost notes =
 +
|eax support              =
 +
|eax support notes        =
 +
|royalty free audio        = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Simplified Chinese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Traditional Chinese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Czech
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Danish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Dutch
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Finnish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = French
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = limited
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Not all original voice lines have been completly dubbed, including some unused original ones.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Japanese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Korean
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Norwegian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Polish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Portuguese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Brazilian Portuguese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Latin American Spanish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = hackable
 +
|subtitles = hackable
 +
|notes    = Fan translation by «Primera Llamada» and «KROSK». Download via [https://www.nexusmods.com/left4dead2/mods/115 Nexus Mods] and [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2940589012 Steam Workshop].
 +
|fan      = true
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Swedish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Turkish
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Network==
 +
{{Image|Left 4 Dead 2 Multiplayer.png|In-game multiplayer settings.}}
 +
{{Network/Multiplayer
 +
|local play          = hackable
 +
|local play players  = 2
 +
|local play modes    = Co-op
 +
|local play notes    = See [[#Local play|Local play]].
 +
|lan play            = true
 +
|lan play players    = 8
 +
|lan play modes      = Co-op, Versus
 +
|lan play notes      = Co-op (4 players) or "Versus" mode (up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected).
 +
|online play          = true
 +
|online play players  = 8
 +
|online play modes    = Co-op, Versus
 +
|online play notes    = Co-op (4 players) or "Versus" mode (up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected).
 +
|asynchronous        =
 +
|asynchronous notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Network/Connections
 +
|matchmaking        = true
 +
|matchmaking notes  =
 +
|p2p                = false
 +
|p2p notes          =
 +
|dedicated          = true
 +
|dedicated notes    =
 +
|self-hosting      = true
 +
|self-hosting notes =
 +
|direct ip          = true
 +
|direct ip notes    = Use <code>connect [IP address here]</code> in the console.<br />Server must have set <code>sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0</code>
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Network/Ports
 +
|tcp  = 27014-27050
 +
|udp  = 4380, 27000-27030
 +
|upnp = unknown
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
====[[Glossary:Local play|Local play]]====
 +
{{ii}} A list of useful console commands is available [[#Useful split-screen commands|below]].
 +
{{ii}} If using a single 4:3 or 16:9 monitor, see [[#Split-screen without bezels|Split-screen without bezels]].
 +
{{ii}} If loading bar is stuck, quickly pause and unpause game
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Playing with two controllers|ref=<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161019083728/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1029890 Official L4D2 split-screen Steam thread] (retrieved)</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170518162044/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745113&page=81#post12266137 Left 4 Dead: SplitScreen PC Guide - Steam Users' Forums] (retrieved)</ref>|fix=
 +
{{ii}} If you want to play with only a controller and a mouse+keyboard, check [[#Mouse+Keyboard in split-screen|Mouse + Keyboard in split-screen]]
 +
# Download custom [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/357-left-4-dead-splitscreen-cfg/ split.cfg] file
 +
# Extract it inside {{folder|{{p|game}}\left4dead2\cfg}}.
 +
# Start the game and open the [[#Enabling the console in Source games|console]]
 +
# Load up the desired map with the <code>ss_map #map-name#</code> command
 +
# Type <code>connect_splitscreen localhost 2</code>
 +
# Load second player keys bindings by typing exec <code>exec split</code> in console (all bindings are reset).
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Alternative method: use [https://gamebanana.com/mods/27912 Kaotic's UI mod]|ref=|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
====Mouse and keyboard in split-screen====
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Bind controller to second player|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Configure [[Xbox 360 Controller Emulator#Change controller slot|x360ce]] to force controller on the guest slot
 +
# Copy {{file|x360ce.ini}} and {{file|xinput1_3.dll}} to {{folder|{{p|game}}}}.
 +
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\bin}} and rename {{file|xinput1_3.dll}} to something else
 +
# Follow [[#Local play|standard procedure]]
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2780549026 Kush's menu]|ref={{cn|date=November 2022}}|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
====Split-screen without bezels====
 +
{{--}} The file which needs be edited is packed. Minimal hex editing knowledge is required.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Edit split-screen aspect-ratio|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.wsgf.org/blog/blevar/2012/01/13/howto-left-4-dead-split-screen-eyefinity|title=WSGF Left 4 Dead 1 Eyefinity Guide|date=May 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170601111724/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2798958#post31834898 Replace a file in vpk - Steam Users' Forums] (retrieved)</ref>|fix=
 +
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\left4dead2}}.
 +
# Open {{file|pak01_000.vpk}} with a hex editor such as [https://mh-nexus.de/en/downloads.php?product=HxD HxD].
 +
# Look for the <code>"aspect"...."8 by 3"</code> string (offset 0x1C4CCFB, just under hex <code>73 20 34 78 33</code>).
 +
# Change it according to the desired aspect ratio divided by 2.
 +
# Save the changes.
 +
 
 +
'''Notes'''
 +
{{ii}} After hex editing, the original and final file size must remain the same. Therefore if a digit is added or removed, it may be necessary to add or remove a character elsewhere as well.
 +
{{ii}} For horizontal split-screen aspect ratio, change the <code>"aspect"...."32 by 9"</code> string according to the desired aspect ratio multiplied by 2.
 +
{{--}} As long as the Valve pak file is modified, it may be impossible to join [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Pure_Servers pure servers].
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==VR support==
 +
{{VR support
 +
|gg3d name                  = Left 4 Dead 2
 +
|native 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision gg3d award = gold
 +
|tridef 3d gg3d award        = platinum
 +
|iz3d gg3d award            = gold
 +
|native 3d                  = unknown
 +
|native 3d notes            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision            = true
 +
|nvidia 3d vision notes      =
 +
|tridef 3d                  = true
 +
|tridef 3d notes            =
 +
|iz3d                        = true
 +
|iz3d notes                  =
 +
|vorpx                      = true
 +
|vorpx modes                = G3D,DirectVR
 +
|vorpx notes                = Officially supported game, see [https://www.vorpx.com/supported-games/ official vorpx game list].
 +
 
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Issues fixed==
 +
===Purple and black broken textures===
 +
{{ii}} A generic fix for this issue can be found [[Engine:Source#Missing models or textures|on the Source engine page]].
 +
 
 +
===Improper sniper scope on 1366x768 resolution===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Set resolution to 1360x768|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Subscribe to this workshop addon: [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=707130221 L4D2 Default Scope: OVSF]|ref=|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Other information==
 +
===API===
 +
{{API
 +
|direct3d versions      = 9
 +
|direct3d notes        =
 +
|directdraw versions    =
 +
|directdraw notes      =
 +
|opengl versions        = 2.1
 +
|opengl notes          = OS X and Linux only.
 +
|glide versions        =
 +
|glide notes            =
 +
|software mode          =
 +
|software mode notes    =
 +
|mantle support        =
 +
|mantle support notes  =
 +
|vulkan versions        = 1.0
 +
|vulkan notes          = Need to run with <code>-vulkan</code> in launch options. Uses DXVK wrapper (DXVK-Native on Linux).
 +
|dos modes              =
 +
|dos modes notes        =
 +
|shader model versions  = 2.0, 3.0
 +
|shader model notes    =
 +
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app = true
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app = false
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        = {{CN|date=August 2015}}
 +
|linux 32-bit executable= true
 +
|linux 64-bit executable= false
 +
|linux arm app          = false
 +
|linux executable notes = {{CN|date=August 2015}}
 +
}}
  
−
===Director Commands===
+
===Middleware===
−
These all require sv_cheats to be on
+
{{Middleware
−
----
+
|physics          = Havok
−
* director_no_bosses "0-1": If set to 1 bosses will not spawn
+
|physics notes    = Heavily modified variant.
−
* director_no_mobs "0-1": If set to 1 mobs will not spawn
+
|audio            = Miles Sound System
−
* director_no_specials "0-1": If set to 1 special infected will not spawn
+
|audio notes      =
−
* director_force_panic_event: Starts a panic event
+
|interface        =
−
* director_force_tank: Forces a tank to spawn
+
|interface notes  =
−
* director_force_witch: Forces a witch to spawn
+
|input            =
−
* director_panic_forever: Endless panic event
+
|input notes      =
−
* director_stop: Stops the director from spawning enemies
+
|cutscenes        = Bink Video
−
* director_start: The director will resume spawning enemies
+
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = Steamworks
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
}}
  
−
===Spawning the Leaker===
+
===Console commands===
−
The Leaker was to be a new special infected that caught survivors on fire by committing suicide near them. However it was cut in favor of Spitter. The Leaker is quite buggy as it was never meant to be in the final version of the game and as such does not take damage other then from itself during suicide.
+
{{ii}} Games running on the Source engine can utilize [https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Console_Command_List Source Engine Console Commands] for various tasks.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://left4dead.fandom.com/wiki/Console_commands|title=Left 4 Dead Wiki - Console commands|date=May 2023}}</ref>
  
−
List of commands in the order they must occur:
+
{{Fixbox|description=Enabling the console in Source games|ref=|fix=
−
----
+
# Launch the game
−
*sv_cheats 1
+
# From the main menu, select <code>Options</code>
−
*boomer_leaker_chance 100
+
# Select the <code>Keyboard/Mouse</code> tab
−
*z_spawn boomer
+
# Set <code>Allow Developer Console</code> to Enabled
  
−
===Creating Your Own CFG===
+
'''Notes'''
−
A CFG is a file that contains a list of commands that when run will attempt to execute them all
+
{{ii}} Press {{key|~}} to open the console.
 +
{{ii}} Some commands may first require enabling <code>sv_cheats</code> with the <code>sv_cheats 1</code> command.
 +
{{ii}} Many servers will not allow playing with cheats enabled, or will disable them upon entering the server.
 +
{{--}} Users without a US keyboard could experience some [[Engine:Source#Console doesn't open|problems]].
 +
}}
  
−
Open up a text editor such as notepad and type in all the commands you want separating each with a ";" (remove the quotes). When done save the file as filename.cfg in <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\left4dead2\cfg</code> ('''NOTE:''' This directory may be different depending on your installation location and what OS you are running). To run the cfg file, open the console during the game and type in "exec filename.cfg" (remove quotes).
+
===Creating a custom CFG file===
 +
A CFG is a file that contains a list of commands that will be executed when called.
  
−
==System Requirements==
+
{{Fixbox|description=Creating a custom CFG file|ref=|fix=
 +
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\left4dead2\cfg}}.
 +
# Create a .cfg file.
 +
# Open the file with a text editor and type in all desired commands, separating each with a <code>;</code> character.
 +
# Save the file.
 +
# To run the .cfg file, open the console during the game and type in <code>exec [filename].cfg</code>
  
−
{{SysReq
+
'''Notes'''
−
|minOS = Windows XP/Vista/7
+
{{ii}} To run the .cfg file on every launch, name it <code>autoexec.cfg</code>
−
|minproc = Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
 
−
|recproc = Intel Core 2 Duo E4600
 
−
|minmem = 1 GB/ 2GB for Vista/7
 
−
|minHD = 13 GB free
 
−
|minGPU1 = NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128 MB or ATi Radeon X800 128 MB
 
−
|recGPU1 = NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS 128 MB or ATi Radeon X1600 128 MB
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
{{SysReq
+
===Third-person view support===
 +
{{Image|Thirdperson.png|The game in third-person view, featuring multiple other modifications}}
 +
{{ii}} Pressing {{key|F10}} will toggle between first and third person after enabled.
 +
{{ii}} A simplified setup can be achieved with the [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=438477513 3PS] mod.
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Command set 1|ref=|fix=
 +
* Input the following commands in the console:
 +
<pre>
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderaimdist 360
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderdist 90
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderheight 0
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderoffset 20
 +
bind "F10" "thirdpersonshoulder"
 +
</pre>
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Command set 2 (camera centered on player, higher zoom)|ref=|fix=
 +
* Input the following commands in the console:
 +
<pre>
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderaimdist 1000
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderdist 115
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderheight 15
 +
c_thirdpersonshoulderoffset 0
 +
bind "F10" "thirdpersonshoulder"
 +
</pre>
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
'''Warnings'''
 +
* Some cutscene intros may be angled incorrectly.
 +
* Several graphical glitches may occur: an inaccurate weapon shadow, flashlight glows seen at character's back, motion blur for melee weapons looking broken (see [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=130918986 mod to remove this effect]), and potential others.
 +
* Switching between first and third person in-game may cause the HUD to disappear.
 +
* The crosshair may be slightly off-center; use the <code>cam_idealyaw</code> function to correct this.
 +
* The camera may occasionally see through walls and objects.
 +
* The shotgun will sound very quiet. Try [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=443211769 this mod] (may cause online games to crash).
 +
* Dying and entering new areas may revert it to first person.
 +
 
 +
===Text chat with keyboard in controller mode===
 +
{{ii}} If playing using a controller and the text chat needs to be used (press {{key|Y}}) online, there are several methods. This also applies to the voting keys.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Enable [[Steam Input]] from game porperties from Steam's library.|ref={{cn|date=June 2021}}|fix=
 +
This allows simultaneous input from both keyboard, mouse and controller.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Edit .cfg file|ref={{cn|date=September 2016}}|fix=
 +
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\cfg}}.
 +
# Open {{file|360controller.cfg}} in a text editor.
 +
# Find the line which starts with <code>unbindall</code> and comment it out by adding <code>//</code> before it (resulting in <code>//unbindall</code>).
 +
{{ii}} If this still does not work, it is possible that the key bindings were unbound, so re-binding them in the settings menu is required.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Remove item/character glows===
 +
Some players may wish to remove the item glows and/or character glows since they are unrealistic and makes discovery of other players/items too easy.
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Create a custom .cfg file|ref=|fix=
 +
# See [[#Creating a custom CFG file|instructions on creating and running .cfg files]]
 +
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">
 +
: '''Copy and paste the following lines'''
 +
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
 +
<pre>
 +
//Glow of barfed survivors
 +
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_b 0
 +
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_g 0
 +
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_r 0
 +
 
 +
//Glow of survivors
 +
cl_glow_survivor_b 0
 +
cl_glow_survivor_g 0
 +
cl_glow_survivor_r 0
 +
 
 +
//Glow of incapped survivors
 +
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_b 0
 +
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_g 0
 +
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_r 0
 +
 
 +
//Glow of items after you are in black and white mode (after 3rd incap)
 +
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_b 0
 +
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_g 0
 +
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_r 0
 +
 
 +
//GLOW from FAR distance:
 +
cl_glow_item_far_b 0
 +
cl_glow_item_far_g 0
 +
cl_glow_item_far_r 0
 +
 
 +
//GLOW from UP CLOSE:
 +
cl_glow_item_b 0
 +
cl_glow_item_g 0
 +
cl_glow_item_r 0
 +
 
 +
cl_glow_ability_r 0
 +
cl_glow_ability_g 0
 +
cl_glow_ability_b 0
 +
</pre>
 +
}}
 +
</div></div>
 +
 
 +
===Command line arguments===
 +
{{Help|Commandline}}
 +
 
 +
{{Standard table|Parameter|Description|content=
 +
{{Standard table/row| -w X -h Y | Sets screen resolution (or window resolution if using <code>-window</code>). Example: <code>-w 1920 -h 1080</code>.}}
 +
{{Standard table/row| -refresh X | Sets the screen refresh rate (Hz). Example: <code>-refresh 60</code>.}}
 +
{{Standard table/row| -noborder -window | Launches the game in a borderless windowed mode. This may result in a minor performance loss. Windows Aero (Vista/7) may cause stuttering. }}
 +
{{Standard table/row| -novid | Skips intro videos.}}
 +
{{Standard table/row| -high | Sets the game's process priority to High.}}
 +
{{Standard table/row| -autoconfig | Restores video and performance settings to default for the current hardware detected. Ignores settings inside any .cfg files until this parameter is removed.}}
 +
{{Standard table/row| +mat_motion_blur_percent_of_screen_max 0 | Removes motion blur.}}
 +
{{Standard table/row| -vulkan | Forces the Vulkan renderer.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.phoronix.com/review/l4d2-vulkan-radeon|title=Left 4 Dead 2 Vulkan DXVK implementation|date=2015-12-02|snippet=The Left 4 Dead 2 Vulkan implementation is through the use of [https://github.com/Joshua-Ashton/dxvk-native DXVK-native], a native implementation of DXVK, a Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D 9/10/11.}}</ref>}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
====Useful split-screen commands====
 +
{{ii}} Relevant only when using [[#Local play|split-screen mode]].
 +
{{Standard table|Parameter|Description|content=
 +
{{Standard table/row|connect_splitscreen localhost [ip-address] 2| Connects to a LAN or Internet server. [[#Connection types|Direct]] connections must be allowed }}
 +
{{Standard table/row|[cmd/cmd2] jointeam (2/3)| Assigns selected player (cmd) to either survivor or infected team }}
 +
{{Standard table/row|ss_map <map-name> [realism/survival/versus/[https://left4dead.fandom.com/wiki/Console_commands#Playing_any_Mutation mutation#]|| Plays the selected map in the desired mode}}
 +
{{Standard table/row|ss_splitmode (0/1/2)| Toggles horizontal and vertical screen split (0 is auto selection) }}
 +
{{Standard table/row|z_difficulty (Easy/Normal/Hard/Impossible) | Changes game difficulty }}
 +
{{Standard table/row|setinfo name Max || Changes player 1 name }}
 +
{{Standard table/row|name2 Tony || Changes player 2 name }}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Mods===
 +
====Graphics====
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2798311732 HD Skyboxes Remix]
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=121339498 Improved Blood Textures] - Adds higher resolution textures for blood splatters and wounds.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=312294075 Left 4 Dead 2 HD REMASTERED] - Improves all the textures and materials in the game.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=410592353 Tuned Flashlight]
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=140683367 Definitive Post Process Disabler] - Disables some post processing effects, which can improve your FPS. However, this addon also disables the "black and white" vision when being on your final incapacitation. If you want to keep that effect, you may also use this addon:  [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2237222448 Definitive Post Process Disabler - No Color Correction].
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=157449092 No Blood/Mud Splatter] - Removes blood and mud splatter on the player's screen after killing an infected or getting hit by Mud Men or Jimmy Gibbs Jr.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2589034080 4K Remastered Pre-Rendered Main Menu BGs & Intro Cutscene] - Upscales all the pre-rendered cutscenes/FMVs to 4K.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=No_one_17|date=2021-12-25}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
====UI====
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=121088866 Team Health Counter] - adds numbered HP for teammates.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=122513703 Urik Color Icons] - adds color to the black-and-white icons.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2780549026 Kush's Menu] - UI overhaul, including [[#Local play|split-screen]] support.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=285662486 HD Portraits] - adds HD portraits.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=235605374 HD Interface, HD Textures For UI] - adds HD interface elements.
 +
 
 +
====Audio====
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=215993913 Resident Evil Weapon Sounds (low mid)] - lowers the volume of loud gunshot sounds, but has a glitch with the combat shotgun where there is a very loud static noise after each shot.
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=334705265 Shut Up Survivors] - mutes some of the more annoying survivors' quotes. Important quotes are left intact.
 +
 
 +
====Gameplay====
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=121071656 Improved Bots (Advanced)] - increases bot AI. The advanced version of this mod is not compatible with SFKTeam's custom main menu mod, but [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=121071938 Improved Bots (Simple)] is.
 +
 
 +
==System requirements==
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Windows
 +
 
 +
|minOS    = 7, 8.1, 10
 +
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
 +
|minRAM  = 2 GB
 +
|minHD    = 13 GB
 +
|minGPU  = ATI Radeon X800
 +
|minGPU2  = Nvidia GeForce 6600
 +
|minSM    = 2.0
 +
|minDX    = 9.0c
 +
|minVRAM  = 128 MB
 +
|minaudio = DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
 +
 
 +
|recOS    =
 +
|recCPU  = Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
 +
|recGPU  = ATI Radeon X1600
 +
|recGPU2  = Nvidia GeForce 7600
 +
|recSM    = 3.0
 +
|notes    = {{ii}} Windows XP and Vista were previously supported. As future updates for this game and Steam occurred, the support was dropped, even for retail copies.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{System requirements
 
|OSfamily = OS X
 
|OSfamily = OS X
−
|minOS = 10.6.4
+
 
−
|minHD = 13 GB free
+
|minOS   = 10.7
−
|minGPU1 = NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT or ATi Radeon HD 2400 Pro
+
|minCPU  = Intel Dual Core 2 GHz
 +
|minHD   = 13 GB
 +
|minRAM  = 2 GB
 +
|minGPU  = ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro
 +
|minGPU2  = Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
 +
|minGPU3  = Intel HD Graphics 3000
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Linux
 +
 
 +
|minOS    = Ubuntu 12.04
 +
|minCPU  = Intel Dual core 2.8 GHz
 +
|minCPU2  = AMD Dual core 2.8 GHz
 +
|minHD    = 13 GB
 +
|minRAM  = 2 GB
 +
|minGPU  = ATI/AMD Radeon HD2600/3600
 +
|minGPU2  = Nvidia GeForce 8600/9600GT
 +
|minOGL  = 2.1
 +
|minother = (Graphic Drivers: Nvidia 310, AMD 12.11)
 +
|minaudio = OpenAL Compatible Sound Card
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}} OpenGL versions require the GL_EXT_draw_buffers2 extension.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux/issues/248#issuecomment-12125062|title=Could not find required OpenGL entry point 'glColorMaskIndexedEXT'! · ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux|date=9 June 2023}}</ref> A hacky workaround [https://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/0/882966056532198187/?ctp=7 exists].
 +
{{ii}} Not supported: OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), ATI Radeon X1600 or X1900 graphics, Nvidia GeForce 7 graphics or Intel graphics less than Intel HD 3000.
  
−
[[Category:Game]]
+
{{References}}
−
[[Category:Mac Game]]
 

Latest revision as of 11:18, 5 April 2024

Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 cover
Developers
Valve Corporation
Linux Ryan C. Gordon
Publishers
Valve Corporation
Retail (Russia) Akella[1]
Engines
Source
Release dates
Windows November 19, 2009
macOS (OS X) October 5, 2010
Linux May 3, 2013
Reception
Metacritic 89
IGDB 89
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Action, FPS
Art styles Realistic
Themes Horror, North America, Post-apocalyptic, Zombies
Series Left 4 Dead
Icon overlay.png
Left 4 Dead 2 on HowLongToBeat
Left 4 Dead 2 on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Left 4 Dead 2 guide on StrategyWiki
Left 4 Dead 2 on MobyGames
Left 4 Dead 2 on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead 2008
Left 4 Dead 2 2009

Warnings

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.

Left 4 Dead 2 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person action and FPS game in the Left 4 Dead series.

General information

GitHub Issue Tracker for Left 4 Dead 2 and other Source-based games
Steam Community Discussions
Steam Workshop for Left 4 Dead 2

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
 Left 4 Dead Bundle also available.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Linux
Includes the campaigns of the original Left 4 Dead and its DLC.

Version differences

Some content is censored in Australia and Germany. Install the official Uncensored DLC to remove the limitations.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Use the -novid command line argument[2]
Delete or rename video files
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\left4dead2\media.
  2. Delete or rename l4d2_intro.bik and valve.bik.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\left4dead2\cfg\[Note 1]
macOS (OS X)
Linux

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <Steam-folder>\userdata\<user-id>\550\remote\
Linux <Steam-folder>\userdata\<user-id>\550\remote\

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Steam Cloud
Approx. 1 GB available.


Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
 Closed captions font does not scale with resolution and may appear small at 4K resolution.
Field of view (FOV)
75-120 in multiplayer settings.[3] Though the option is in multiplayer settings, it also applies for singleplayer. See Viewmodel FOV to adjust the weapon viewmodel.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Up to 16 samples.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Up to 8x MSAA.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Double and triple buffered.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Capped at 300 FPS by default.[4] Use -refresh xxx command line parameter to set custom refresh rates.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Color blind mode
Set in Settings, Multiplayer; Affects crosshair, HUD, and survivor outlines.

Anti-aliasing (AA)

Force SGSSAA (Nvidia only)[5]
  1. Download and run Nvidia Profile Inspector.
  2. Select the Left 4 Dead 2 profile.
  3. Change Antialiasing compatibility value to 0x000000C0.
  4. Change Antialiasing - Behavior Flags to None.
  5. Change Antialiasing - Mode to Override any application setting.
  6. Change Antialiasing - Setting to 4x [4x Multisampling].
  7. Change Antialiasing - Transparency Supersampling to 4x Sparse Grid Supersampling.
  8. Press "Apply Changes" in the top-right corner.

Notes

Antialiasing fix is needed.[6]

Ambient occlusion

Force HBAO+ (Nvidia only)[7][8]
  1. Download and run Nvidia Profile Inspector.
  2. Select the Left 4 Dead 2 profile.
  3. Change Ambient Occlusion compatibility value to 0x00000014.
  4. Change Ambient Occlusion setting to High Quality.
  5. Change Ambient Occlusion usage to Enabled.
  6. Press "Apply Changes" in the top-right corner.

Disable motion blur

Use the +mat_motion_blur_percent_of_screen_max 0 command line argument[9]

Viewmodel FOV

Works in multiplayer.
The default FOV value is 51.
Change viewmodel FOV
  1. Bring up the in-game console.
  2. Type in "cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor XX" to change the viewmodel FOV (replace "XX" with the desired value).

Input

In-game control settings.
In-game control settings.
In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
When gamepad is in use, the game prevents keyboard and mouse controls to prevent autoaim exploits. However, this becomes inconvenient, because the chat and voting keys become unbinded. See Text chat with keyboard in controller mode.
Full controller support
The gamepad option in the keyboard/mouse settings first needs to be enabled and saved.
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration
PlayStation controllers
Officially supported via Steam Input.
PlayStation button prompts
Both DualShock 4 and DualSense prompts.
Light bar support
Static Yellow. Doesn't have any gameplay purpose.
Adaptive trigger support
DualSense haptic feedback support
Connection modes Wired, Wireless (Bluetooth)
Generic/other controllers
Any controller supported by Steam Input.
Button prompts
Additional information
Button prompts
Steam Input must be enabled for all supported prompts else Xbox prompts are shown instead.
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Steam Input must be enabled for all supported controllers to enable haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M
Steam Input
Steam Input API support
Official controller preset(s)
Steam Controller button prompts
"Gamepad" option in Keyboard/Mouse settings menu is to enable legacy Xinput controller mode. Enabling this erases all keyboard bindings.

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Game and music volume sliders.
Surround sound
7.1, 5.1 surround sound, 4 speaker surround.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Czech
Danish
Dutch
Finnish
French
Not all original voice lines have been completly dubbed, including some unused original ones.
German
Hungarian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese
Brazilian Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Latin American Spanish
Fan translation by «Primera Llamada» and «KROSK». Download via Nexus Mods and Steam Workshop.
Swedish
Turkish

Network

In-game multiplayer settings.
In-game multiplayer settings.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
2 Co-op
See Local play.
LAN play
8 Co-op, Versus
Co-op (4 players) or "Versus" mode (up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected).
Online play
8 Co-op, Versus
Co-op (4 players) or "Versus" mode (up to 4v4 Survivors vs. Infected).

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP
Use connect [IP address here] in the console.
Server must have set sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0

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.

Local play

A list of useful console commands is available below.
If using a single 4:3 or 16:9 monitor, see Split-screen without bezels.
If loading bar is stuck, quickly pause and unpause game
Playing with two controllers[10][11]
If you want to play with only a controller and a mouse+keyboard, check Mouse + Keyboard in split-screen
  1. Download custom split.cfg file
  2. Extract it inside <path-to-game>\left4dead2\cfg.
  3. Start the game and open the console
  4. Load up the desired map with the ss_map #map-name# command
  5. Type connect_splitscreen localhost 2
  6. Load second player keys bindings by typing exec exec split in console (all bindings are reset).
Alternative method: use Kaotic's UI mod

Mouse and keyboard in split-screen

Bind controller to second player[citation needed]
  1. Configure x360ce to force controller on the guest slot
  2. Copy x360ce.ini and xinput1_3.dll to <path-to-game>.
  3. Go to <path-to-game>\bin and rename xinput1_3.dll to something else
  4. Follow standard procedure
Use Kush's menu[citation needed]

Split-screen without bezels

The file which needs be edited is packed. Minimal hex editing knowledge is required.
Edit split-screen aspect-ratio[12][13]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\left4dead2.
  2. Open pak01_000.vpk with a hex editor such as HxD.
  3. Look for the "aspect"...."8 by 3" string (offset 0x1C4CCFB, just under hex 73 20 34 78 33).
  4. Change it according to the desired aspect ratio divided by 2.
  5. Save the changes.

Notes

After hex editing, the original and final file size must remain the same. Therefore if a digit is added or removed, it may be necessary to add or remove a character elsewhere as well.
For horizontal split-screen aspect ratio, change the "aspect"...."32 by 9" string according to the desired aspect ratio multiplied by 2.
As long as the Valve pak file is modified, it may be impossible to join pure servers.

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
TriDef 3D
iZ3D
vorpX
G3D, DirectVR
Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list.

Issues fixed

Purple and black broken textures

A generic fix for this issue can be found on the Source engine page.

Improper sniper scope on 1366x768 resolution

Set resolution to 1360x768
Subscribe to this workshop addon: L4D2 Default Scope: OVSF

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9
OpenGL 2.1 OS X and Linux only.
Vulkan 1.0 Need to run with -vulkan in launch options. Uses DXVK wrapper (DXVK-Native on Linux).
Shader Model support 2.0, 3.0
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
[citation needed]
Linux
[citation needed]

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Havok Heavily modified variant.
Audio Miles Sound System
Cutscenes Bink Video
Multiplayer Steamworks

Console commands

Games running on the Source engine can utilize Source Engine Console Commands for various tasks.[14]
Enabling the console in Source games
  1. Launch the game
  2. From the main menu, select Options
  3. Select the Keyboard/Mouse tab
  4. Set Allow Developer Console to Enabled

Notes

Press ~ to open the console.
Some commands may first require enabling sv_cheats with the sv_cheats 1 command.
Many servers will not allow playing with cheats enabled, or will disable them upon entering the server.
Users without a US keyboard could experience some problems.

Creating a custom CFG file

A CFG is a file that contains a list of commands that will be executed when called.

Creating a custom CFG file
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\left4dead2\cfg.
  2. Create a .cfg file.
  3. Open the file with a text editor and type in all desired commands, separating each with a ; character.
  4. Save the file.
  5. To run the .cfg file, open the console during the game and type in exec [filename].cfg

Notes

To run the .cfg file on every launch, name it autoexec.cfg

Third-person view support

The game in third-person view, featuring multiple other modifications
The game in third-person view, featuring multiple other modifications
Pressing F10 will toggle between first and third person after enabled.
A simplified setup can be achieved with the 3PS mod.
Command set 1
  • Input the following commands in the console:
c_thirdpersonshoulderaimdist 360
c_thirdpersonshoulderdist 90
c_thirdpersonshoulderheight 0
c_thirdpersonshoulderoffset 20
bind "F10" "thirdpersonshoulder"
Command set 2 (camera centered on player, higher zoom)
  • Input the following commands in the console:
c_thirdpersonshoulderaimdist 1000
c_thirdpersonshoulderdist 115
c_thirdpersonshoulderheight 15
c_thirdpersonshoulderoffset 0
bind "F10" "thirdpersonshoulder"

Warnings

  • Some cutscene intros may be angled incorrectly.
  • Several graphical glitches may occur: an inaccurate weapon shadow, flashlight glows seen at character's back, motion blur for melee weapons looking broken (see mod to remove this effect), and potential others.
  • Switching between first and third person in-game may cause the HUD to disappear.
  • The crosshair may be slightly off-center; use the cam_idealyaw function to correct this.
  • The camera may occasionally see through walls and objects.
  • The shotgun will sound very quiet. Try this mod (may cause online games to crash).
  • Dying and entering new areas may revert it to first person.

Text chat with keyboard in controller mode

If playing using a controller and the text chat needs to be used (press Y) online, there are several methods. This also applies to the voting keys.
Enable Steam Input from game porperties from Steam's library.[citation needed]

This allows simultaneous input from both keyboard, mouse and controller.

Edit .cfg file[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\cfg.
  2. Open 360controller.cfg in a text editor.
  3. Find the line which starts with unbindall and comment it out by adding // before it (resulting in //unbindall).
If this still does not work, it is possible that the key bindings were unbound, so re-binding them in the settings menu is required.

Remove item/character glows

Some players may wish to remove the item glows and/or character glows since they are unrealistic and makes discovery of other players/items too easy.

Create a custom .cfg file
  1. See instructions on creating and running .cfg files
Copy and paste the following lines
//Glow of barfed survivors
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_b 0
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_g 0
cl_glow_survivor_vomit_r 0

//Glow of survivors
cl_glow_survivor_b 0
cl_glow_survivor_g 0
cl_glow_survivor_r 0

//Glow of incapped survivors
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_b 0
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_g 0
cl_glow_survivor_hurt_r 0

//Glow of items after you are in black and white mode (after 3rd incap)
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_b 0
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_g 0
cl_glow_thirdstrike_item_r 0

//GLOW from FAR distance:
cl_glow_item_far_b 0
cl_glow_item_far_g 0
cl_glow_item_far_r 0

//GLOW from UP CLOSE:
cl_glow_item_b 0
cl_glow_item_g 0
cl_glow_item_r 0

cl_glow_ability_r 0
cl_glow_ability_g 0
cl_glow_ability_b 0

Command line arguments

See command line arguments on how to use the following options.
Parameter Description
-w X -h Y Sets screen resolution (or window resolution if using -window). Example: -w 1920 -h 1080.
-refresh X Sets the screen refresh rate (Hz). Example: -refresh 60.
-noborder -window Launches the game in a borderless windowed mode. This may result in a minor performance loss. Windows Aero (Vista/7) may cause stuttering.
-novid Skips intro videos.
-high Sets the game's process priority to High.
-autoconfig Restores video and performance settings to default for the current hardware detected. Ignores settings inside any .cfg files until this parameter is removed.
+mat_motion_blur_percent_of_screen_max 0 Removes motion blur.
-vulkan Forces the Vulkan renderer.[15]

Useful split-screen commands

Relevant only when using split-screen mode.
Parameter Description
connect_splitscreen localhost [ip-address] 2 Connects to a LAN or Internet server. Direct connections must be allowed
[cmd/cmd2] jointeam (2/3) Assigns selected player (cmd) to either survivor or infected team
ss_map <map-name> [realism/survival/versus/mutation#
ss_splitmode (0/1/2) Toggles horizontal and vertical screen split (0 is auto selection)
z_difficulty (Easy/Normal/Hard/Impossible) Changes game difficulty
setinfo name Max
name2 Tony

Mods

Graphics

UI

Audio

  • Resident Evil Weapon Sounds (low mid) - lowers the volume of loud gunshot sounds, but has a glitch with the combat shotgun where there is a very loud static noise after each shot.
  • Shut Up Survivors - mutes some of the more annoying survivors' quotes. Important quotes are left intact.

Gameplay

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 7, 8.1, 10
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
System memory (RAM) 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 13 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon X800
Nvidia GeForce 6600
128 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Shader model 2.0 support		 ATI Radeon X1600
Nvidia GeForce 7600
Shader model 3.0 support
Sound (audio device) DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
Windows XP and Vista were previously supported. As future updates for this game and Steam occurred, the support was dropped, even for retail copies.
macOS (OS X)
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 10.7
Processor (CPU) Intel Dual Core 2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 13 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro
Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Linux
Minimum
Operating system (OS) Ubuntu 12.04
Processor (CPU) Intel Dual core 2.8 GHz
AMD Dual core 2.8 GHz
System memory (RAM) 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 13 GB
Video card (GPU) ATI/AMD Radeon HD2600/3600
Nvidia GeForce 8600/9600GT
OpenGL 2.1 compatible
Sound (audio device) OpenAL Compatible Sound Card
Other (Graphic Drivers: Nvidia 310, AMD 12.11)
OpenGL versions require the GL_EXT_draw_buffers2 extension.[17] A hacky workaround exists.
Not supported: OS X 10.5.x (Leopard), ATI Radeon X1600 or X1900 graphics, Nvidia GeForce 7 graphics or Intel graphics less than Intel HD 3000.


Notes

  1. ↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References

  1. ↑ [1] - last accessed on 2023-03-06
  2. ↑ Verified by User:Rose on 2020-09-25
  3. ↑ How Left 4 Dead 2 Players Reacted When The FOV Slider Was Added On PC - last accessed on 2021-07-02
  4. ↑ New 120Hz Games Report - last accessed on May 2023
  5. ↑ NVidia Profile Inspector - AA Flags - Google Drive - last accessed on May 2023
  6. ↑ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ekUZsK2YXgd5XjjH1M7QkHIQgKO_i4bHCUdPeAd6OCo/edit#gid=0&range=A374
  7. ↑ HBAO+ Compatibility Flags - last accessed on May 2023
  8. ↑ Original HBAO+ Post at Guru3D.com Forums - last accessed on May 2023
  9. ↑ Verified by User:Keith on 2020-10-24
  10. ↑ Official L4D2 split-screen Steam thread (retrieved)
  11. ↑ Left 4 Dead: SplitScreen PC Guide - Steam Users' Forums (retrieved)
  12. ↑ WSGF Left 4 Dead 1 Eyefinity Guide - last accessed on May 2023
  13. ↑ Replace a file in vpk - Steam Users' Forums (retrieved)
  14. ↑ Left 4 Dead Wiki - Console commands - last accessed on May 2023
  15. ↑ Left 4 Dead 2 Vulkan DXVK implementation - last accessed on 2015-12-02
    "The Left 4 Dead 2 Vulkan implementation is through the use of DXVK-native, a native implementation of DXVK, a Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D 9/10/11."
  16. ↑ Verified by User:No_one_17 on 2021-12-25
  17. ↑ Could not find required OpenGL entry point 'glColorMaskIndexedEXT'! · ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux - last accessed on 9 June 2023