Left 4 Dead !!! It's a multi-player/co-op Zombie FPS SHOOTAN GAEM by Valve with an AI director that spawns infected according to how well you and 3 other players (or computer AI) are playing, along with boss infected to make things more interesting. It'll be released in 20 days but before then there's a demo coming out on Nov. 6th if you pre-order. So whether you get it for the 360 or PC (... I recommend PC :D ) pre-order through Gamestop or Steam!!

Anyway, one different thing Valve is doing differently with marketing is actually spending $10M on an ad campaign. So I've been on the look out for billboards and ads around my area since they've been targeting major cities.

These images came from http://left4dead411.com, and I recognize the bottom pole image from the Powell Bart Station (it says Powell in the picture).

Ballard bridge in Seattle, Washington:

Powell Bart Station:

I was going to SF anyway in a few days for a PR workshop so I was psyched... hoping to see more ads around BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit in Northern California).

I ended up in Montgomery, didn't see anything. But on the way back I went to Powell and.... well, was very disappointed. I've gotta say... "very disappointed" is quite the understatement. The entire station ad space was bought by iPod for their nano-chromatic ads. All over. Every single station ad, every pole.......... all along the walls upstairs (we're talking FULL ON LARGER THAN LIFE WALLPAPERS), the tunnel ads.... I'd say there were about 170 ads total covering 5,000 sq ft (rough estimate, lullz?)  both underground levels, all this ad right here:

THE SAME EXACT AD. OVER AND OVER AGAIN. AGH, it was so frustrating. Already the L4d ad was gone AND the whole station was covered with this lame rainbow fest. Goddamnit, Apple-- greedy, greedy, bastards. >:(

(I just really wanted to see an L4d ad irl.)

Anyway back to being disappointed. Hours later I went home... got on the bus... passed by an L4d billboard........ got off on the next corner. Wait.. I did a double take. There was an L4d billboard. on the corner building. Yay! My stroke of luck, I just so happen get off on the corner with the ad I was looking for! More excitement. I got out my cell phone and took pics from across the street.

Then crossed the street.

Then... walked closer........ the cardboard cutout was a little weird, I'll admit that. Somewhat amusing though.

:< It's a cardboard cutout... for a thrift clothing store called the Buffalo Exchange...?

And right below!!! Hooray! And I was happy.

Hooray! Watch this opening cinematic, it really shows the intensity of the game... in movie form.

Here's the most recent tv spot based on the opening cinematic above! :>

P.S. The next three are in game screens, click to enlarge. Find out more info on http://left4dead411.com, If you like ZOM ZOMs I suggest you buy it now!

grrrrrrr.... brains!