Left 4 Dead Etiquette

Just as your mom told you, you should always mind your manners when playing on Xbox Live, but the way that Left 4 Dead versus games are setup requires some special considerations to be taken.

Most people prefer playing as Infected, so if your team is playing as Infected first each round, you should have the courtesy to play the second half of every round you participate in so that everybody has a chance to play as Infected. It is in poor form to play a round as Infected and then drop out for the second half.

Because there is no Matchmaking system like in Halo, and because rounds automatically startup without a lobby system in the middle, there is no built-in opportunity to change teams. The only way to re-balance uneven teams but keep the overall party together is to pass a vote to return to the lobby. If one team is getting blown out and they propose a lobby, it is in good form to follow that vote, even if you're on the winning team. Another reason why a lobby may need to be taken is if more clan members have joined during the game, and there are now extra players just spectating. A lobby will allow them to spawn a second game.

Not everything is bad etiquette, however. Talking excessively, pretending you're on the other team in voice chat, laughing hysterically when you pounce on somebody, are all part of the fun of having a parallel Xbox Live party running. Just remember that it works both ways!