For all of the high-intensity action and zombie-fueled chaos that Valve’s Left 4 Dead provided, the one thing it didn’t offer was a deep story. Of course, when a developer like Valve skimps on the narrative, you know there has to be a good reason. That's why it's hardly surprising that Left 4 Dead 2 will feature a bit more story this time around, for as Valve’s Doug Lombardi explains, the first game was meant to be more of an introduction to the game's design, control and mechanics, rather than a vehicle for a really deep story.

"Now that we feel that we have a good framework, or a good lexicon, for folks communicating about the game and the action, we can start layering in bits of story now, and having them comment more on things in the world, comment more about what they're thinking...and that just gives the world a richer feel to it, rather than just a sort of zombie shooting gallery."

There are a few great interactive storytellers out there, and Valve has surely secured a permanent seat at the top of that list, which is why I can't to see how it's able to fill out the game world, and overarching story, of the Left 4 Dead universe.

To find out more about the game's narrative design, Valve's stance on fan criticism and more, be sure to check out the full interview.