When Valve announced that it planned to release downloadable content for Left 4 Dead, one thing missing from the press release was the price. The new content is set to arrive on both the PC and the Xbox 360 and the track record from Valve shows that while PC gamers get updates and DLC for free, as they have become accustomed to, those playing on the Microsoft gaming console tend to pay to get new stuff for their games.

Valve has decided to clarify the problem by stating, quite clearly, that it would not charge gamers for the Survival Pack DLC, regardless of the platform on which they play the game. Which is pretty nice to hear from a developer and publisher in an age when some are thinking of charging money to let players meet the last boss of a game.

The Survival pack for Left 4 Dead should give players access to two new campaigns in the Versus mode, where two teams alternatively play as the survivors or as the zombies, while also adding a new game type, called Survival, which seems to be a “last stand” variation.

Valve is set to offer a Critic's Choice Edition of Left 4 Dead that will be available at retail in spring and will incorporate all the fresh stuff coming as part of the Survival Pack. The price of this new edition of the game has not been unveiled.

PC gamers are also getting a Software Development Kit for Left 4 Dead, which should allow modders to create new levels, campaigns and content for the game. Xbox 360 users will miss out on the content created by the fan community.

Through moves such as these, Valve has managed to become one of the most loved game developers in the world. Such a good public image and the desire to experience the new content will likely increase the sales of Left 4 Dead. Anyway, Valve is good to gamers. :)