Here’s a look at seven early concept designs for Valve’s Left 4 Dead, posters that blur the line between the 2008 original game for PC and Xbox 360, and Left 4 Dead 2, released one year later.
The above, “Dead End”, looks like an early take on the level that would become Left 4 Dead 2’s “Dark Carnival”, with its memorable motel and outdoor wooded setting. Other poster concepts feature looks at the sequel’s swamp and amusement park levels, but each poster stars the original Left 4 Dead cast of Louis, Zoey, Francis and Bill.
Obviously, those four were replaced by a new group of Survivors, but many of these concepts lived to see the sequel. Perhaps the most interesting of the group is “Wrecked”, which shows a rotting cruise ship and lighthouse. Maybe Valve will revisit that level in a future downloadable map.
Click on the “expand” button in the bottom right corner of each gallery image to see each poster at its full size.
Left 4 Dead “Drive In Hell” looks like the opening to Left 4 Dead 2’s “Dark Carnival” campaign, with hints of Whispering Oaks.
Left 4 Dead “Fair Game” would eventually become the popular “Dark Carnival” chapter in Left 4 Dead 2.
Left 4 Dead “Ghost City” looks to feature the flooded waters of the sequel’s “Hard Rain”.
Left 4 Dead “Line of Fire” appears to feature the trailer parks featured in Left 4 Dead 2.
Left 4 Dead “Wrecked” offers a tantalising look at a destroyed cruise liner, an area we’ve not yet explored in the universe.
Left 4 Dead “Dead March” looks like the beginnings of the Left 4 Dead 2’s “Swamp Fever” campaign.
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