What changed in Left 4 Dead 2 in 2013

Left 4 Dead 2 will be free until 10AM PST 12/26, allowing players to claim it permanently.

Left 4 Dead 2 will be free until 10AM PST 12/26, allowing players to claim it permanently.

Current players can earn the achievement by helping a free holiday player survive a campaign.

Current players can earn the achievement by helping a free holiday player survive a campaign.

The Smoker Statue is now available for pre-sale as a Halloween gift option.

The Linux version of Left 4 Dead 2 has moved out of Beta into full release.

Left 4 Dead 2 is on sale for 75% off for Halloween.

The Baseball Bat has been removed from the game.

The Hospital Urban map has been split into four separate maps with HL2-style transitions.

The Baseball Bat has been removed from the game.

The Hospital Urban map has been split into four separate maps with HL2-style transitions.

The entire set of 'older' Left 4 Dead 1 models has been released.

Survivors now fall incapacitated when health reaches zero, allowing for potential rescue.

The entire set of 'older' Left 4 Dead 1 models has been released.

Survivors now fall incapacitated instead of dying immediately when health reaches zero.

Skeleton rigs and animation scenes for Items, Weapons, and Special Infected to assist modders.

Skeleton rigs and animation scenes for Items, Weapons, and Special Infected to assist modders.

Zip files containing compiling files for creating Items, Weapons, Special Infected, and Survivors.

Zip files containing compiling files for creating Items, Weapons, Special Infected, and Survivors.

An older version of the character Francis has been added to the game.

A tutorial to help users compile model files from SMDs and DMX.

An older version of the character Francis is now available as part of the update.

Tutorial on setting up SOURCE SDK TOOLS and compiling model files from SMDs and DMX.

L4D2 is free to play until 10am PST Monday and on sale for 75% off.

A special achievement 'Good Guy Nick' is back for players who help free weekend players.

New mutations such as Vicious Infected, Boomer Peril, Stranded, Vampirism, Plague of the Dead, Zombie Run, and Tiny Terror are now available.

Holdout, a multi-map Mutation featuring resources and buildable items, has been released.

Holdout is a new multi-map Mutation featuring resources and buildable items, showcasing EMS functionality.

Linux support for Left 4 Dead 2 is now officially available on Steam.

The Extended Mutation System (EMS) is now available, allowing modders to create new mutations and game modes.

Linux conversion is now officially available on Steam, allowing for broader feedback.

Transition to SteamPipe improves update paths for servers and enhances the downloading experience for clients.

The EMS allows modders to create new mutations and game modes, now available on the L4D2 workshop.

The game has been converted to SteamPipe, improving the downloading experience and allowing installation on any drive.

New mutations like Vicious Infected, Boomer Peril, Stranded, Vampirism, Plague of the Dead, Zombie Run, and Tiny Terror are now available.

Completing all 8 trading cards allows players to craft an L4D2 badge and earn various rewards.

Players can earn 4 card drops by playing L4D2, with a total of 8 cards needed to complete the set.

Completing all 8 cards allows players to craft an L4D2 badge and earn various rewards.

Left 4 Dead 2 now features trading cards focused on the Special Infected.

Left 4 Dead 2 now features trading cards focused on Special Infected.

Players can earn 4 card drops by playing the game, with a total of 8 cards needed to complete the set.

Included various bug fixes and issues that were tested in the Beta.

A sample Mutation demonstrating how to change the game with simple scripting.

Various bug fixes and issues have been addressed as part of the update.

A sample Mutation showcasing how to change the game easily with new scripting mode.

Server code for the Beta has been released and is functioning.

Players in the Beta can access new EMS content, although the Authoring Tools are only available for Windows users.

The Beta is currently the only place to play L4D2 natively on Linux.

Server code for the Beta has been released and is working, with dedicated servers to be rolled out in the near future.

The Beta build will change often, and players are advised to avoid it if they have bandwidth caps.

Authoring Tools updated to work with new EMS, available only in Beta for Windows users.

The Authoring Tools have been updated to work with the new EMS, available only in the Beta for Windows users.

Players in the Beta can access new EMS content.

L4D2 can now be played natively on Linux in the Beta.

The Linux Beta build of Left 4 Dead 2 is now live, allowing Linux owners to play the game natively.

Reworked add-on management to improve stability and support custom mutations.

Fixed main menu not refreshing after workshop add-ons have been loaded.

Server operators can now specify whether custom content is allowed on a per game mode basis.

Prevented an intermittent crash when browsing the add-ons screen.

Players receive access to Left 4 Dead 2 Beta Authoring tools and Dedicated Server for Extended Mutation System.

Fixed main menu not refreshing after workshop add-ons have been loaded.

Prevented an intermittent crash when browsing the add-ons screen.

Four new community campaigns added to official servers: Diescraper Redux, Urban Flight, Back to School, City 17.

The Linux Beta build allows Linux owners to play Left 4 Dead 2 natively and includes the Extended Mutation System.

Reworked add-on management to improve stability and support custom mutations.

Server operators can now specify whether custom content is allowed on a per game mode basis.

Four new community campaigns added to official servers: Diescraper Redux, Urban Flight, Back to School, City 17.

Players in the Beta can only connect to other Beta players and servers.

The Beta is currently testing the new Extended Mutation System (EMS).

The L4D2 Beta will now include a Linux version, expanding the testing environment.

The Beta will be accessible to all owners of L4D2, allowing more players to participate.

The L4D2 Beta will now include a Linux version, expanding the testing environment.

The L4D2 Beta build is a separate download from the main game, allowing for independent updates.

Modders in the Beta should update their work in preparation for new testers.

All owners of L4D2 can now access the Beta without needing a code.

Modders in the Beta are advised to update their work in preparation for new testers.

The Beta is currently testing the new Extended Mutation System (EMS).

A new community campaign will be featured on servers in a few weeks.

Players can submit Resident Evil 6 character skins for potential addition to the official collection.

Players can submit Resident Evil 6 character skins for a chance to be added to the official collection.

Introducing Ogroman skin for the Charger and Lepotitsa replacement for the Boomer.

Ogroman is a skin for the Charger and Lepotitsa is a replacement for the Boomer, added to the Official Resident Evil 6 Collection.

Napad, the Tank replacement, is now part of the Official Resident Evil 6 Collection.

A new community campaign will be featured on the servers in a few weeks.

First Resident Evil 6 replacement creature available in the L4D2 workshop.

First Resident Evil 6 replacement creature available in the L4D2 workshop.

Ongoing testing for the Beta version of L4D2 including the new Extended Mutation System.

Best entries from Resident Evil 6 tab will be included in a special collection.

Ongoing testing for both Linux version and Beta version of L4D2.

Testing continues for the Left 4 Dead 2 version on Linux.

Players can subscribe to the Napad skin to receive automatic updates.

Custom content will soon be usable in non-competitive modes like Campaign and Survival.

New scripted mode EMS continues testing with more mods and features being added.

Working on allowing custom content to be usable in Campaign and Survival modes.

New scripted mode EMS continues testing with additional mods and features.

Internal testing for the Linux release is underway, with promising results.

A mod that changes all common infected into cats, available for download.

Internal testing for the Linux release is underway, with promising results.

Players can now add Workshop items to their game, including mods like the Cat mod that changes common infected into cats.

Upcoming updates to matchmaking features to help find games and lobbies for favorite Mutations.

Upcoming updates to matchmaking features will help players find games and lobbies for their favorite Mutations more easily.

Players can now automatically download custom content from the Workshop when starting the game.

L4D2 and RE6 communities can create and submit their own versions of RE6 characters to the L4D2 Workshop.

Three RE6 creatures - Lepotitsa, Napad, and Ogroman - added as Special Infected replacements in L4D2 Workshop.

Three RE6 creatures - Lepotitsa, Napad, and Ogroman - added as Special Infected replacements in L4D2 Workshop.

L4D2 is on sale for 75% off this week.

Invitation for players to create and submit their own versions of RE6 characters to the L4D2 Workshop.

L4D2 is on sale for 75% off this week.

Players can now find Eddie Riggs' battle-axe and guitar in the Brütal Legend’s Collection inside the L4D2 Workshop.

Players can now find Eddie Riggs' battle-axe and guitar in the Brütal Legend’s Collection inside the L4D2 Workshop.

Resolved consistency issues while playing on dedicated servers.

Helm’s Deep Reborn is now available on official servers, with automatic updates for the campaign.

Released a new example mutation that allows L4D1 style gameplay within L4D2.

Players can now easily download and play the Helm’s Deep Reborn campaign via the workshop.

New example mutation allows L4D1 style gameplay in L4D2, with ongoing work with modders.

Resolved consistency issues with dedicated servers and workshop content.

Helm’s Deep Reborn is playable only in survival mode.

The EMS will be in beta to identify bugs and gather feedback on new tools.

A new survival mode included as part of the Expanded Mutation System.

Introduction of a vastly improved scripting system for modders to create custom experiences.

A new survival mode included as part of the EMS beta.

A wiki has been included to guide mod authors through examples of using the new tools.

A wiki has been created to walk mod authors through examples of using the new tools.

Numerous new game modes introduced to assist mod authors in utilizing the EMS.

Introduction of a vastly improved scripting system for modders to create custom experiences.

Numerous new game modes available for mod authors to utilize with the Expanded Mutation System.

Updated the Mac client for L4D2 to resolve issues Mac players are experiencing with the Workshop.

All community created campaigns have been removed from official servers and will be restored with new versions in the Workshop.

Mod Author’s cloud storage in the Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring tools increased to 2GB.

All community created campaigns removed from official servers as authors move them to the Workshop.

Updated the Mac client to resolve issues with the Workshop for Mac players.

Mod Author’s cloud storage in the Left 4 Dead 2 Authoring tools increased to 2GB.

Removing all community campaigns hosted on servers and refreshing them with Workshop versions as they become available.

Looking into reports of crashes on Windows servers.

Working on resolving issues with the Mac Client and investigating reports of Windows server crashes.

Reminder to not upload content to the Workshop that is not your own, or face removal and a temporary community ban.

Reminder to not upload content to the Workshop that is not your own, or face removal and a temporary ban.

Working on resolving issues related to the Mac Client.

Removing all community campaigns hosted on servers and refreshing them with Workshop versions.

A new forum has been created for discussing Workshop content and reporting bugs.

A new forum has been created for discussing the Workshop and reporting bugs.

The file size limit for Workshop content has been increased to 200MB.

The Workshop is now live, allowing players to add campaigns, items, clothing, weapons, and more.

The Workshop is now live, allowing players to add campaigns, items, clothing, weapons, and more.

The Workshop has increased its file size limit to 200MB for uploaded content.

Content creators must update their Authoring Tools and use the Workshop Manager to upload content.