The Extended Mutation System

February 11, 2013 - L4D Team

Today we are releasing an Extended Mutation System for the L4D2 Beta program. Modders from around the world will help us test the expanded tools before we roll them into the main game and the workshop.

What is EMS? It is vastly improved scripting system that allows script authors to go past modifying existing scripts and write custom script logic, spawn and control entities, and much much more.

Mod authors will now be able to create deep custom experiences that can be played on any map or tailor create something for new or existing maps.

We have included numerous examples including a new survival mode called Holdout, other all new game modes, and numerous other examples to help show mod authors how to use the new tools.

We have also included a wiki walking through some of the simplest examples and this week we will be online in the Beta group chat and forums to help modders learn the new tools.

How long will EMS be in beta? Long enough for us to achieve our goals:
- Find out what new tools people use, and how well they work.
- Find out what are the most important missing features we can add.
- Drive out as many bugs and issues as possible.

For everyone else waiting to play these new creations, we have some changes coming up for the workshop and our servers based on community feedback.

*The screenshots with this post are from the example game modes shipped with the beta.