Dubbed "The Passing," the first game add-on for L4D2 brings the original Left 4 Dead (L4D1) Survivors down south for a meeting with the L4D2 cast, while delivering new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay.

Targeted for release in early spring, "The Passing" takes place just after the Dead Center campaign of L4D2. Set in a small town in rural Georgia, players assume the role of the L4D2 Survivors as they meet with the L4D1 characters.

In addition to the new co-operative campaign and associated narrative, "The Passing" will include new arenas for Survival, Versus and Scavenge mode and introduce a new co-operative challenge mode of play. The Passing will also include a new "uncommon common" zombie class, melee weapon, and firearm.

"The Passing will become the most important campaign in the Left 4 Dead story, as all the Survivors are being called together in one campaign," said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing at Valve. "It will also be a huge offering of new gameplay content, with something new for every game mode plus a new uncommon common and weaponry."

Dubbed "The Passing," the first game add-on for L4D2 brings the original Left 4 Dead (L4D1) Survivors down south for a meeting with the L4D2 cast, while delivering new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay.

Targeted for release in early spring, "The Passing" takes place just after the Dead Center campaign of L4D2. Set in a small town in rural Georgia, players assume the role of the L4D2 Survivors as they meet with the L4D1 characters.

In addition to the new co-operative campaign and associated narrative, "The Passing" will include new arenas for Survival, Versus and Scavenge mode and introduce a new co-operative challenge mode of play. The Passing will also include a new "uncommon common" zombie class, melee weapon, and firearm.

"The Passing will become the most important campaign in the Left 4 Dead story, as all the Survivors are being called together in one campaign," said Doug Lombardi, VP of marketing at Valve. "It will also be a huge offering of new gameplay content, with something new for every game mode plus a new uncommon common and weaponry."

<a href="http://www.spike.com/event/vga2009/page/vote/category/34723"><img src="http://www.l4d.com/blog/images/posts/vga.jpg" width="440" height="103" border="0"></a>

Spike TV just posted their nominees for the 2009 Video Game Awards, and we're proud to announce that Left 4 Dead 2 is up for <strong>six</strong> awards&#151;Game of the Year, Studio of the Year, Best Xbox 360 Game, Best PC Game, Best Shooter and Best Multiplayer Game. If you've been enjoying L4D2 this week, don't forget to drop into <a href="http://www.spike.com/event/vga2009/page/vote/category/34723" class="standardLink">Spike's onine voting center</a> and give us some love!<br />

Spike TV just posted their nominees for the 2009 Video Game Awards, and we're proud to announce that Left 4 Dead 2 is up for six awards&#151;Game of the Year, Studio of the Year, Best Xbox 360 Game, Best PC Game, Best Shooter and Best Multiplayer Game. If you've been enjoying L4D2 this week, don't forget to drop into Spike's onine voting center and give us some love!

Due to high demand for L4D2, we decided to move various street dates forward for a coordinated worldwide release&#151;except in the UK, where this was not possible (copies of the game are still arriving).

The good news is that we plan to have everyone in the UK playing Left 4 Dead 2 by Friday morning. Those who pre-ordered in the UK before the worldwide launch have been given access to the game.

Due to high demand for L4D2, we decided to move various street dates forward for a coordinated worldwide release&#151;except in the UK, where this was not possible (copies of the game are still arriving).

The good news is that we plan to have everyone in the UK playing Left 4 Dead 2 by Friday morning. Those who pre-ordered in the UK before the worldwide launch have been given access to the game.

<img src="http://www.l4d.com/blog/images/posts/006/launchBox.jpg" width="420" height="280" border="0">

The sequel to the best-selling and critically-acclaimed co-operative multiplayer thriller, is now available via Steam to gamers around the globe. The title will be available for the PC and Xbox 360 at retail stores on Tuesday, November 17th in North America, and worldwide throughout the week. For more information, please visit <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/" class="standardLink">www.steamgames.com</a>.

The sequel to the best-selling and critically-acclaimed co-operative multiplayer thriller, is now available via Steam to gamers around the globe. The title will be available for the PC and Xbox 360 at retail stores on Tuesday, November 17th in North America, and worldwide throughout the week. For more information, please visit http://store.steampowered.com/.

The "Dude, Where's My Thumb?" contest is officially closed. Congratulations to contest winner Roland Nagy, who just won himself an extremely limited edition (i.e. one) customized "infected" Xbox 360 for his entry below:

<img src="http://www.l4d.com/blog/images/posts/025/photo_1.jpg" width="420" height="248" border="0">

Sure, it's photoshopped. But with the level of detail and originality of its premise, it was awesome enough that it wins anyway.

See some of the other winners <a href="http://www.l4d.com/blog/post.php?id=3119">here</a>.

Also, last Friday we posted character pages for <a href="http://www.l4d.com/survivors/ellis/" class="standardLink">Ellis</a>, <a href="http://www.l4d.com/survivors/coach/" class="standardLink">Coach</a>, <a href="http://www.l4d.com/survivors/nick/" class="standardLink">Nick</a> and <a href="http://www.l4d.com/survivors/rochelle/" class="standardLink">Rochelle</a>. Today Left 4 Dead 2's new Special Infected get their turn: The <a href="http://www.l4d.com/infected/spitter/" class="standardLink">Spitter</a>, the <a href="http://www.l4d.com/infected/charger/" class="standardLink">Charger</a>, and the <a href="http://www.l4d.com/infected/jockey/" class="standardLink">Jockey</a>.

The "Dude, Where's My Thumb?" contest is officially closed. Congratulations to contest winner Roland Nagy, who just won himself an extremely limited edition (i.e. one) customized "infected" Xbox 360 for his entry below:



Sure, it's photoshopped. But with the level of detail and originality of its premise, it was awesome enough that it wins anyway.

See some of the other winners here.

Also, last Friday we posted character pages for Ellis, Coach, Nick and Rochelle. Today Left 4 Dead 2's new Special Infected get their turn: The Spitter, the Charger, and the Jockey.