XBOX LIVE ARCADE Black Friday Deals

Todd Jepperson

Listen, maybe some of you enjoy waiting in the freezing cold for hours, days, maybe even weeks for screamin' deals the day after Thanksgiving. Maybe, but, that crap's not for me. However, sitting in my underwear, on the couch in front of my flat screen, browsing Black Friday deals on XBOX LIVE ARCADE... now we're talking! What's even better, the deals start today!

Some of the more zombie friendly offerings this year include Dead Island and Left4Dead2 (1600 MS points/$20 USD; or £14.99/£11.99, respectively) and a whole horde of DLC, including Darksiders II, for as much as half off.

 

For a more complete list of everything up for grabs, check out the XBOX LIVE ARCADE Marketplace, or to just take a peek at the list, head over to the Examiner.

Left 4 Dead 2 Boomer Plush

For those wishing for a 13" Left 4 Dead 2 Boomer plush doll, you're in luck! The bonus? It makes 10 different in-game sounds. Designed by Alexandria Neonakis who was responsible for the Left 4 Dead holiday cards, Boomer is confirmed to be followed by moire special infected.

Boomer sells for $49.99 at the Valve Store. I'm not certain, but I think you can receive free shipping for orders over $50.

Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing

Most of you L4D2 gamers out there probably know already but just in case... The Passing downloadable content is now available for download.

The Passing brings the original cast of Left 4 Dead south for a meeting with the survivors from Left 4 Dead 2. The download also delivers new single and multi-player gameplay. There will also be week-long "mutations" of new gameplay modes. These new gameplay modes range from "Realism Versus" mode to "Chainsaw Massacre," which gives all players unlimited gasoline-filled chainsaws. There are over 20 Mutations planned, each playable on all L4D2 Campaigns. In addition, The Passing offers a new "uncommon common" zombie class (the fallen survivor), melee weapon (golf club), and firearm (M-60).

The Passing is available for 560 Microsoft Points on Xbox 360 and free on the PC.

Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing

Valve has released some screen shots and the poster for The Passing. This will be the long-rumoured content where the paths of both games' heroes cross. New zombies and new weapons will be heading our way in March.

More Zombie Cookies

I guess it was only a matter of time. Readers of Zombies & Toys should be no strangers to the posts on zombie food. No, not brains. Rather, food that looks like zombies. Keeping with the theme of zombies and the holiday season, someone was creative enough to create some Left 4 Dead 2 gingerbread cookie zombies. Feast your eyes on these delicious treats!

For more edible zombies, check out some previous posts:

Left 4 Dead Cookies

Zombie Wedding Cake

Birthday Cake

Various Zombie Cakes

Zombie Wine

More Zombie Wine

Left 4 Dead Holiday Cards

Can you have too much Left 4 Dead? I didn't think so. Valve doesn't think so, either. That's why they are offering a package of 10 Left 4 Dead or Left 4 Dead 2 Holiday Cards for $15.95. If I made it on anyone's zombie Xmas card list, you can email me for my address.

ZT Update

After a whopping 61 updates in October, it seems as if zombie news is slowing down a bit. But fear not, I'm working harder than ever to keep things moving. So please allow me to give you a glimpse as to what you have to look forward to...

Left 4 Dead 2 will finally be released this month. I think I'm just as tired reporting news about this game as you are reading it. But I will say this; I downloaded and played the demo and it is outstanding. Blowing a hole through the torso of a zombie with a rifle is unnervingly satisfying. There is no way the upgrades made could have been done as downloadable content for the first one. If I can tear myself away from the game long enough to write about it, I'll post a review.

Speaking of review, I just received my trio of zombie busts from Sideshow Collectibles' The Dead. Do they live up to my expectations? Are they as outstanding as the Patient Zero reviewed earlier? You'll find out next week when I post my hands-on review and pics.

I also have two other reviews in the works. One is for an extremely popular, fun, and addicting zombie board game. Yes, a zombie board game. The other review is for a zombie that doesn't eat flesh. This particular zombie is so unique that I cannot even classify the type of review it will be. You may also be seeing some guest reviewers in the near future!

The Zombies & Toys Zombie Toy Store is open, active, and functional! Thanks to everyone who made purchases prior to this even getting done. There are a few items I am almost sold out of (and one that I am) already but will be restocking soon. I can special order pretty much anything even if it's not zombie related so if I can help you out give me a yell. Also expect some deals like free shipping or discounts around the corner.

Speaking of toys, I am extremely excited to announce that Zombies & Toys will have its first exclusive zombie toy soon! I hope to have these by Christmas and will make an official announcement once they are in-hand.

Oh, yeah! Christmas! This month I will be posting in segments the official Zombies & Toys holiday gift-giving guide for zombie fanatics. I have been working on this for some time now and am excited to share with you what I feel are some of the best gifts you can give the zombie fan in your life.

Of course, I'm still working on some great contests to start the new year off with and have something special planned for fans in December. I'm also preparing to do something for a special charity soon which should involve something that will interest most readers.

So thanks, everyone, for your continued interest and support!

Left 4 Dead's Conspiracy Theory

Reading all of the graffiti in the safe houses was one of my favorite things to do while playing Left 4 Dead. Not only has the fun literature returned in Left 4 Dead 2, but it looks like a type of conspiracy theory has evolved from it all. It is being reported that not only are there “carriers” of the zombie virus who are immune to changing, but that our original four heroes from L4D may actually be spreading the plague! There’s a great write-up about this theory over at Destructoid with some very thorough and well-thought arguments.

Evidence points to the wall writings with talk of “immunes” in the first installment. This may have been included throughout the game to lightly explain why our heroes can be attacked and bitten but never change. On the walls of L4D2, we are told that “Some people are carriers” and "They're immune but they can spread the infection"

More evidence to support the claim that original four are carriers refer to the man in the church changing as well as the helicopter pilot. Could they have been bitten prior to the survivors arrival? Yes. But what was it about the presence of our survivors that caused them to change immediately?

A great read for anyone who enjoys the Left 4 Dead saga. Visit Destructoid to read the full article in its well-thought-out entirety.

Left 4 Dead 2 Demo Available Now!

Just a quick heads-up that the Left 4 Dead 2 demo is now available for XBox Live Gold members and PC users. Previously only available it you pre-ordered the game, The Parrish can now be enjoyed by (most) all.

See you online!

Left 4 Dead 2... Wedding?

If you thought the previous post with the zombie wedding cake was different, how about a zombie-themed Left 4 Dead 2 wedding? Sarah from London was kind enough to provide some pics and information about this unique event.

Recently in Manchester, Donna Mills and Stephen Craddock along with Clare Walsh and Steven Curtis were joined in undead matrimony to the theme of Left 4 Dead 2. Afterward, they joined a zombie walk of around 4,000 complete with a hearse carrying a Left 4 Dead 2 wreath.

Next stop, New Orleans, the source of the latest zombie outbreak. Honeymoon courtesy of Left 4 Dead 2.

I just have one question... If my wife and I dress like zombies, will a company pay for our anniversary celebration?

Avatar Rewards Featured For L4D2

Here's some fun news! Not only will completing tasks in Left 4 Dead 2 earn you some achievements, but it will also unlock exclusive accessories for your avatar. This is confirmed by Steam and G4 has a video showcasing some of the goodies. Here's the rundown and video:

* Unlock the Med Kit by beating all five campaigns on any skill level.
* Unlock the Frying Pan by killing 10,000 Infected.
* Unlock the Garden Gnome by rescuing Gnome Chompski.
* Unlock the Bull Shifters shirt by winning 10 games of Versus.
* Unlock the Left 4 Dead 2 shirt by winning 10 games of Scavenge.
* Unlock the Zombie Hand shirt by killing 10,000 Infected.
* Unlock the Depeche Mode shirt by rescuing Gnome Chompski.

Video Game - E3 2009 - Videogames

Tips For Surviving Left 4 Dead 2

Who else is ready for some L4D2? The countdown has begun and I'm stocking up on Red Bull in anticipation of playing for a week straight. Well... one can dream. Considering I'm an aging geek with a "real" job and family, I'll have to settle for for Friday and Saturday from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am the weekend following its release.

To tide us over, EA Games has created a light-hearted video featuring some survival tips. Thanks to Mandy for sending this over!

Valve Spending 25 Million Promoting Left 4 Dead 2

Alrighty-then. So Vavle is spending 25 million on an ad campaign promoting a game we were going to buy anyway. Valve's vice president of marketing Doug Lombardi reports that "[Valve will] be supporting Left 4 Dead 2's launch with a $25 million campaign." Lombardi continues, "Left 4 Dead 2 has already set the record for greatest number of pre-orders in our company's history, and we're still over a month out from shipping."

Valve expects Left 4 Dead 2 to be the fastest-selling product in their history. Co-founder Gabe Newell said that pre-orders for the new title is running 300 percent of the original game, which was also a bestseller.

Left 4 Dead Downloadable Content and L4D2 Demo

Now, don't get me wrong, I likes me some Left 4 Dead. But I'm tired of reporting on Left 4 Dead news so I'm keeping this on brief.

The new downloadable mission, Crash Course, will be available on Tuesday, Sept 29th. I should be up late gaming on Wed the 30th, so if anyone wants to join me look for "xnoybis zombie". Make sure to mention Zombies & Toys if sending a friend request. This new mission will also bring us a total of 60 achievements.

Also announced is the Left 4 Dead 2 demo will be available on October 27th. I was hoping to have it sooner but, hey, I'll still check it out!

Speaking of Left 4 Dead 2, don't forget to vote on our first poll in the margin.

Valve Makes Friendly With Boycotters

Nothing huge to report other than the show of goodwill from Valve but you can read the article here.

Co-Optimus reported some words from the small group who went to Valve HQ. The most vocal of the boycotters said that L4D2 “seemed balanced and 'tight' and did not feel like a rushed job.” There is also news of more downloadable content for the original game soon and that it will be ongoing.

Left 4 Dead 2 News

I've held off posting about Left 4 Dead 2 as it seems like something new is being mentioned every week. So, briefly, here are some semi-new screen shots. One is of the "jocky", a new special infected. Apperantly, he laughs and hops onto your back controlling your movements.

Valve Announces Third Left 4 Dead 2 Campaign

"Dark Carnival" is the official name of the latest campaign we will be playing on Left 4 Dead 2. Even better, if attending the Penny Arcade Expo next week in Seattle, you'll be able to play the demo! For now, enjoy this pic from IGN.com!

Great Interview With L4D2 Writer, Chet Faliszek

I know, I know... more Left 4 Dead news? Well, don't shoot the messenger. However, Destructoid has a great interview with Chet Faliszek about Left 4 Dead 2. Chet answers questions about the accusation of racism, the mapping over of the first game's infected, the developing of new characters, and the addition of a more in-depth story line.

One of the better and most informative interviews I've read regarding the Left 4 Dead world so I suggest checking it out. Read the interview by clicking here.

Yes, More Left 4 Dead 2 News

You can take the title as being one with enthusiasm or sarcasm. Personally, I can't wait to play this game and find all new news interesting. But on the flip side, I'm sick of reporting about it. Personal feelings aside, here's some interesting information about some of the new infected we will be encountering courtesy of Game Spy.

It looks like we will encounter level-specific infected with this second installment in addition to the new boss infected. Let's talk about the boss infected. So far we know about the Charger who will ...well ...charge at your group of survivors hitting and splitting you up. We now also have news of the Spitter. The Spitter works in much the same way as the Smoker. Instead of lashing with his tongue, he will (you guessed it) spit at you. This acid-like spit will stick to the ground if it misses its target causing damage if a survivor walks over it.

So the level-specific common infected? We already know about the Hazmat Zombie seen in the Parish level. We now know that he's immune to any fire in the level. Newly introduced in the Swamp level are Mud Zombies that run around on all fours posing a challenge when there is water present.

New Left 4 Dead 2 Campaign Revealed

Left 4 Dead 2. I think this gets mentioned more than anything else around here so I'll apologize if you're sick of hearing about it. However, I don't make the news just report it. With that said, a new screenshot of the second announced campaign has been released. The first announced campaign was "The Parrish" and this second is "Swamp Fever". It was also said that the AI Director will have control over the weather elements making the rain and sun unpredictable.