Release both games as standalone expansions.

[kelbear]

EDIT: 6/4/09 - Updated proposal and resent to Chet and Gabe


Proposal
I would like to suggest selling both L4D2 and L4D1 as standalone games that can be bought as expansions of each other.

The attached link references the thread containing the strong positive feedback already received for this idea: http://forums.steampowered.com/forum...d.php?t=888377

Separate but expandable
I recommend that you sell the 1st game at full price, and sell the 2nd as an expansion. Let players buy either L4D2 or L4D1 as their 1st game. A real-world example is City of Heroes and City of Villains, which are two standalone games. You can buy either one and play it all the way through. However, you can also buy the other one as an expansion and have them combined. It doesn't matter if you buy City of Heroes OR City of Villains first. This idea has already been executed successfully. Also, CoH/CoV faces the same issue of having stories told in separate places as seen in L4D/L4D2.

Rewarding repeat customers to increase returns
I recommend selling L4D2 and L4D at the full price for a single game. Then charging an expansion price for the second game. This means that Valve can reap the full reward for attracting a new customer with L4D2, while respecting repeat customers with an expansion cost. Typically once a sequel has been released, sales for the original game tend to drop off, using this method current L4D2 customers can be induced to buy L4D1 as well. (I'd suggest $50 for the first game, and $35 for the second game, but obviously this is up to Valve.)

Update L4D1 with technological updates, reserve content for L4D2
In order to execute this idea of making both games expansions of the other. Valve would need to update L4D1 with L4D2's technology(Director 2.0, new special infected, improved common infected). This would also constitute the free update everyone's been expecting. However, Valve should leave the additional campaigns and weapons in L4D2. As noted in interviews, this content is best served as a whole package set down in New Orleans. The way CoH/CoV executed their integration plans may be a valuable guideline for how to bring separate games together. (I can provide additional detail upon request).

Advantages of allowing both games to be integrated.

• This allows players from both games to play together on custom maps.
  
• When players with only one of the two games find that they can't play a round because they're missing maps, this is an implicit invitation to buy the game they don't own.
  
• This would also make a L4D2&L4D1 bundle more attractive, since L4D1's gameplay wouldn't be a step down after it's technology is updated.
  
• This also prevents players with both games from having to switch games to play different campaigns. A goal stated in an earlier interview. This was abandoned due to the extra work, but given the public response thus far, adding this feature in due to feedback would improve Valve's image.
  
• The value of the sum would be greater than that of its individual parts. The value of each game is increased due to the increased longevity and ability to integrate into other purchases.
  
• As stated in prior interviews, one of your long-term goals is to have multiple stories interconnecting into 16 players moving through the world together. By integrating future L4D sequels together, you have a natural lead-in to the intersection of the characters introduced in each sequel. At the the same time, every sequel would invite increased sales of prior games! (Expanding upon this idea, you could include additional content unlocked by having purchased multiple games in the franchise, further increasing value and increasing incentives for the buyer.)
  

Thank you for your time and consideration. If at all possible, please let me know if you have read this e-mail, even if you cannot give comment at this time.

Best Regards,
-[Name deleted]



For the forum readers:
If you like this idea, your comments in this thread would be appreciated. If you would also like to direct this to Gabe and Chet's attention, please be polite, concise, and emphasize the benefits to Valve. Offensive and/or rude comments won't be taken seriously by anyone.

EDIT: 6/10/09 - It looks like Valve has at least listened to our desire for integrating the community.

http://kotaku.com/5286185/valve-resp...t-for-original

"Newell says. "We also agree with our customers that there needs to be an interoperability plan for players of L4D1 and L4D2, as multiplayer games are driven by the cohesiveness of their community.""

[Retzilience]

Originally Posted by kelbear

I'd already sent this suggestions to Gabe Newell a few days ago(who knows when he'll get to read it)

City of Heroes and City of Villains are two standalone games. You can buy either one and play it all the way through. However, you can also buy the other one as an expansion and have them combined. Doesn't matter if you buy City of Heroes OR City of Villains first.

I'd suggest that they sell L4D2 and L4D at the full price for a single game. Then charge an expansion price for the second game. This means that they can reap the full reward for attracting a new customer with L4D2, while respecting repeat customers with an expansion cost. Also, current L4D2 customers can be induced to buy L4D1 as well. (I'd suggest $50 for the first game, and $35 for the second game, but the exact numbers are obviously up to Valve)

In order to do this, they should update L4D1 with L4D2's technology(Director 2.0, new special infected, improved common infected). This would constitute the free update everyone's been expecting. They can leave the additional campaigns and weapons in L4D2 since that is a package that all happens down in New Orleans.

Now that both games are on equal footing in terms of technology, both can be integrated when both are purchased. Which hits another goal they wanted. They decided against this for being too troublesome, but given the feedback thus far, this is may be the ideal compromise that allows for happy fans and as well as the revenue they've worked for.

I'd BUY THIS.

Even for $50.

Won't buy this robbery that is happening now. It's all about honesty.

[Transformer]

A genuinely new and original solution, and a viable one. I really like this one.

[Xirvus.rei]

This is a must.

It's the only way you won't fragment the community, and it's a marketing move that's already successfully been utilised by computer game companies such as Relic, ArenaNet (Guild Wars), Crytek and Gas Powered Games (SupCom and FA).

It's probably more logical from a business perspective as well, seeing as people who would only buy L4D2, would now more likely to purchase the original L4D to complete their collection.

And they can bundle them together.

Aww hell, the more I think about the idea, the more it is win.

It's just, I'm sceptical it could happen.

[Spanky88]

This, imo, would fix most of the issues I have against Valve at the moment. It's a great idea and would double the community size (atleast should keep L4D1s community stable)

[Zebra One]

I'd be down to buy this.

One of the main reasons I am upset is because:

1. Valve broke their promises.

2. They are calling it a sequel when that usually includes a new engine (or just a bigger update in general.)


I realize Valve is a business and I'm surprised at their generosity in the past with free updates. I'd gladly drop the money if this was called an expansion rather than a full-blown sequel.

The CoX idea is really amazing and I support it!

[AngryJens]

This is an excellent suggestion.

[Nickq2007]

Surprisingly a great idea.

Although I'm not familiar with City of Heroes, this idea sounds similar to how Guild Wars had its extra campaigns, which worked very well.

[xplay2.0]

Good idea, +rep.

[AngryJens]

This idea is not only a fantastic solution for L4D fans, it's also an INCREDIBLY good solution from a business point of view.

With L4D2 coming out, there is no incentive to buy L4D. Valve will see sales plummet like a rock. Why would you purchase a game that is obsolete?

This solution encourages people to buy BOTH games, thus ensuring better sales for Valve over time.

[AngryJens]

Also to the OP, I sent this as an email to Gabe as well. In fact, I encourage EVERYONE to copy and paste this as an email to Gabe.

This solution is perfect.

[demonruler]

that would me badass

[Newf77]

Honestly, I think this is what they do intend to do. By the time L4D2 comes out, perhaps the original will be updated to the point that they'll be equal in all aspects rather than having L4D2 being a 'better' or 'improved' version. I think the last thing they want to do is split their player base. The more options players have for the games, the better, and more satisifed, they'll be.

This solutions makes sense in every aspect possible. I can't see any issues with this at all.

Great job OP for bringing all of this up.

[AngryJens]

Originally Posted by Newf77

Honestly, I think this is what they do intend to do. By the time L4D2 comes out, perhaps the original will be updated to the point that they'll be equal in all aspects rather than having L4D2 being a 'better' or 'improved' version. I think the last thing they want to do is split their player base. The more options players have for the games, the better, and more satisifed, they'll be.

This solutions makes sense in every aspect possible. I can't see any issues with this at all.

Great job OP for bringing all of this up.

The important thing is that they *must* bring the two up with the SAME technology.

That means that L4D1 needs to have the special infected/AI2.0 added as well, which was something the Dev team didn't want to do(But is necessary).

Keep the Campaigns/Weapons/Survivors separate for the two games, and expand on them with similar content related to each game, but ensure that the two games can still intermingle with each other, provided you have both games.

[Spanky88]

Originally Posted by AngryJens

The important thing is that they *must* bring the two up with the SAME technology.

That means that L4D1 needs to have the special infected/AI2.0 added as well, which was something the Dev team didn't want to do(But is necessary).

Keep the Campaigns/Weapons/Survivors separate for the two games, and expand on them with similar content related to each game, but ensure that the two games can still intermingle with each other, provided you have both games.

this 100 times over. If I own both i should be able to get in a lobby for either. This idea would effectively double the community size making a better experience for everyone involved. It promotes buying both games and would keep L4D1 from being obsolete.