Before the latest patch, the PC version of the Left 4 Dead demo incorporated split-screen play. Gamers found themselves confused, angry, and craving blood after the feature was removed in the latest patch. Thankfully, Valve designer Yahn Bernier came to save the day for those who like to crowd around their PC monitor with a friend and explained (via the Steam forums) why it was taken out and how it will be an “unsupported bonus feature” in the future:
[Split-screen] was always something we only wanted to officially support on the x360 due to the controller issues. However, we are planning on making some of the functionality work on the PC as an “unsupported” bonus feature. We turned it off for the demo because we didn’t want to have to deal with any additional bug reports etc. about it interfering with the demo experience, but the current plan is to re-enable it after we launch the full product.
Bernier then said that the best possible setup for the feature would be for players to have two controllers rather than keyboard and mice. It makes sense that way, mainly because it’s really hard to cram two keyboards and two people on one desk.
Valve’s Left 4 Dead does seem like it will be quite the special product, but perhaps not awesome enough to be knocking shoulders and rubbing feet with your best buddy for hours on end.
[via Shacknews]
