How to uncensor Australian Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2 uncut)

Word is that zombies are disappearing before they even hit the ground in the edited Aussie version.

Rec's method work to get the overseas version? (http://www.gamers-underground.com/forum/games-general/31864-how-buy-steam-games-other-regions-without-vpn.html)

Enable gore fix:
This fix can be run without risk. There is no chance of receiving a ban.

You need to edit 2 text files, and in future only launch the game via the left4dead2.exe instead of through Steam.

The first file ("steam_appid.txt") is found in \Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2 demo and needs to be edited as per this picture ("590" to "510"):

[Attachment 5837]

Second file ("steam.inf") is found in \Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2 demo\left4dead2 and needs to be edited as per this picture ("590" to "510"):

[Attachment 5838]

You've now enabled gorey, unedited goodness that the OFLC didn't want you to have.

Uncensored hack:Quote from t1myah;402407:

I can verify it works fine online. Simply run the program before launching l4d2. [Image: http://img.gamers-underground.com/images/smiley-wp/icon_biggrin.png]

edit by Aegis: link - https://sites.google.com/site/left4uncut/l4u

Having the Aussie release I noticed the bodies fade away before they even hit the floor.
Sorry Drowning Pool....
[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_QntXc-c4]

I'll be playing a little later today - I'll let you know a) if my demo is the AU or UK version and b) if I'm experiencing the same bugs.

Confirmed that bodies disappear before they hit the floor.

I fixed the game not launching by updating video drivers, too.

From what I'm reading, it is indeed just the AU version with the stupid bodies disappearing. Some quotes from the AusGamers forum about the different levels of gore:

Quote from Mephz:
Can confirm that gifted from NZ demo is at least gory, blowing out zombies chests/stomachs/legs/arms etc. is cool

Quote from ravn0s:
aus demo is censored. people on steam forums are complaining about how shit it is.

Quote from jum:
i got my copy from a US 4 pack. i can see limbs and stuff flying off

Quote from do_0b:
fukin censored version sucks, bodies dissapear as soon as they die, limbs dont fly off, not much blood, heads dont explode. BALLS

Quote from Khel:
Yeah, I ordered from the US and mine is full violence. Decapitating zombies with a guitar results in a very satisfying blood fountain :) And I had to laugh when I shotgun a zombie and blew the front half of its chest of and it just staggered around for a while looking confused with no front, and then died.

Number 1 was more gory than number 2; it's stupid.

Heaps of people are already working towards modifying the low violence files to enable all of the gore - there'll no doubt be a resolution for owners of the AU version soon enough.

Why can't you add the GU server as a favourite? How are you meant to connect to it?

I also read the German version has console commands to work around the restrictions

violence_ablood 1
violence_agibs 1
violence_hblood 1
violence_hgibs 1

Tried it on AU version with no joy though.

Afaik you can't add any L4D2 servers to the Steam server browser? You can't even select Left 4 Dead 2 in the games list to see a server list.

But, when you go into L4D2, our server will pop-up down bottom as one of your Steam Group servers. Also you can click-through to join a Steam Group server via the campaign start thingo.

FYI

Quote from AusGamers.com:
The demo for Left 4 Dead 2 has hit today a bit later than planned. Already it's pretty obvious the Australian version has been watered down almost pathetically - zombies vanish almost as soon as they hit the floor and the level of violence in the game has been reduced to very tender levels.

While the core gameplay is unaffected, it does dramatically affect the atmosphere of the game (and frankly it looks sort of lame after you've seen the US version). We're having a bit of a play around at the moment to see if there's any way Australians are able to flip over to the uncrippled version, so stay tuned.

good on 'em. i cant help but think the over cuddly-ified version is meant to stir us up. when does SA have its next election?

Quote from rec;372751:
Afaik you can't add any L4D2 servers to the Steam server browser? You can't even select Left 4 Dead 2 in the games list to see a server list.

But, when you go into L4D2, our server will pop-up down bottom as one of your Steam Group servers. Also you can click-through to join a Steam Group server via the campaign start thingo.

Yeah that's the other problem - I can join a lobby for the GU servers but theres never a match running and I cant start one :(

Try now Milenko. It wasn't even seeing you connect?

Hey rec... did you way of getting a non censored version work? ie its actually non censored.

http://www.gamers-underground.com/forum/games-general/31864-how-buy-steam-games-other-regions-without-vpn.html

If you have a copy from any Steam store except Australia's, purchased by you or gifted to you, you get the uncensored version.

Dozens of people on AusGamers got the USA version, and are playing it with full violence.

For those trying to uncensor the AU version, here are things that have been tried and failed, plus some extra comments:

Quote from Trog:
- deleting the left4dead2_lv folder (which is the only obvious on-disk difference between US/AU versions)

- using the client.dll file from US version - different md5s between AU and US

39b7db01a3a2f824f8ef87b9371be6f4 *au-client.dll
5b46f4083e625f8e175b0e5a69073289 *us-client.dll

- syncing entire US directory over my AU directory

- quick poke in registry for obvious settings differences; nothing yet. I suspect it might be tied into the license data.

- edit: also tried a full export from a US-based copy and import into AU based; no luck there either.

From what I can tell all the gory content/data IS present in the AU version - there's no missing data files that I can see (from a windiff of the entire directory structure). So that means it's probably a simple setting that needs to be discovered to flick it over. If it's a license issue it might be a bit more complicated than that though.

Quote:
violence_ablood 1
violence_agibs 1
violence_hblood 1
violence_hgibs 1

are not in the AU version of the game at all

I figured the censored version would be at L4D level; but its worse.

Im tempted to attempt a refund and re-buy it from overseas now.

This is what it *should* look like (albeit with shitty graphcis settings):

[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT42YrGgx2o]

I hope, for the sake of people that bought the AU version that there is indeed a way around it, and that it's not checked at a Steam/license level. That would truly suck.

Some extra info:

Quote from Trog:
left4dead2.exe is md5-same between my copy and a US copy. Client.dll is the only file I can see that is different.

Quote:
We have an additional package: l4d2_lv. This contains the censored content and is loaded at runtime over the top of the base package.

I have successfully deleted that whole directory and ran the game - I get the feeling that directory is a Valve ruse to throw us off the scent. The game runs fine - with normal censored content - without that directory.

This is why all efforts to uncensor the aussie version will fail
[Attachment 5830]

Aussies are joining servers, raging, and leaving at a dramatic rate - including our server.

Quote from ctd:
Edit: It took me 4 different lobbies to get a game because all the aussies are raging in chat about how crap it looks.

The most popular theory atm is it's checking the individual purchase locale; from the software license for each user upon launch.

Meaning we're boned.

nah that cant be right lenko - since that german hack apparently works (using the german client.dll or whatever file it was)

that german hack was for tf2 wasn't it?

FPSBANANA > Forum > L4D > Help > L4D Uncut patch safe?

this one? says L4d2 all over so assuming it's not - never know though, and i'd rather not risk it myself

edit: nvm it's L4D not 2.

Its for L4D however it works for L4D2 and a few other games as well. Rumour is it can get you banned though.

PS. L4D2 uncensored is awesome. Decapitation wielding a guitar, cutting arms off with blades, blowing off legs while they're jumping with a shotgun... and of course, blow their heads into bits with pistols. :D

welcome to l4d rec

I thrashed L4D while living in the UK. The melee weapons make things a whole lot more fun, and the gore is better.

Buying from uk seems to work, or at least the demo is uncensored for me. Well heads explode, bodies stay put, etc.

l4d2 au version sucks balls. :(

just had a quick game of it, and I don't like it. /hanson

The atmosphere is completely lax with no gore + vanishing zombies. Should now be rated PG.

Request a refund, the reason being that you pre-ordered before it was censored and no longer want it. Then re-purchase from UK or USA store.

If you didn't pre-purchase before censoring issue came up, just say you weren't aware that "the graphcis were worse than L4D1" or something newb like that (play ignorant).

I've tried very hard to grab it from UK but I'm getting my card and Entropay rejected by 2 steam accounts... any ideas? :(

Using both the vpn and web based methods, same result... countries match and all its just getting rejected in the final confirmation thing. Dammit

Country needs to be United Kingdom (not the country of your card). Otherwise, try a different card?

Yeah I'm doing that... tried US on the US one too, still the same error every time with the actual credit card and with Entropay... it still works if I buy something from Australia though.

"Your purchase has not been completed. Your credit card information has been declined by your credit card company."

Which isn't true, the transaction isn't getting through to the bank I already called them. It simply won't work with the credit card or with Entropy if I set the country to anything other than AUS. Dunno if Westpac might have some crazy security on their cards or something.

Yeah it was set to UK. Still not working though even with Entropay (which apparently doesn't send the other address details). Tried my housemates credit card too, also rejected.

Though I just used the steam client to buy a game normally with one of my Entropay cards (with Aus as country) and it worked fine.

Like I said I also tried VPN and it's still rejecting paypal, entropay and my normal credit card... can't really think of what else I've missed

Whats the best method of actually requesting a refund?

No idea sorry Ooshp - haven't had any issues at all.

Edit - Nvm - blonde moment.

Quote:
hellaflush wrote:

a mate just used the original german l4d crack on the l4d2 demo... we can confirm it works for l4d2 also!

[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOOwyBuQSEA]
Quote:
that would be me

it does work for AUS l4d2.

the problem is the steam folder

c:\programfiles\steam > steam.dll

this must talk to the LV folder somehow or tell the game that its censored, it works for l4d2 as it makes all games on steam uncensored.

so the problem isnt in the l4d2 folder its in that steam.dll file. this crack on the video changes it so u can play it.

soooo much blood, AUS version is BORING!!!!!

umm dunno if that helps at all

It does - but I'm more worried about losing thousands of dollars in games tied to my steam account; if it's a bannable offense.

Found @ Uncensor the Australian version of the Left 4 Dead 2 demo! - Facepunch

Thanks to Grimezy15's suggestions and my testing, we can remove the censor on the Australian version of Left 4 Dead 2's demo. This fix allows you to play Online and in Single Player without risk. That means ABSOLUTELY NO RISK OF GETTING VAC'D.

All you need to do is change TWO text files and you're set. You'll have to launch the game through the left4dead2.exe instead of through Steam. Steam will disconnect you immediately.

First file is found in \Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2 demo
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u41/adzicents/l4d2demofix.jpg

Second file is found in \Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2 demo\left4dead2
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u41/adzicents/l4d2demofix2.jpg

That's it! Just run the game through the left4dead2.exe and you'll be able to play with all the gorey goodness the OFLC didn't want you to have.

Just tested and confirmed that it works.

Due to the change only being to variables; rather than a dll hook, i will be continuing it's usage as it's 99% safe.

Now to watch the random forum hits sky-rocket :p

Updated first post. Thanks Milenko. You've made a lot of people very happy. ;)

lenko you better be at the lan tonight, because by GOD sir i am going to hump your leg.

LENKO FTW!!!.

thanks now I just need to wait for it to finish downloading for what seems like the 17th time in the last week.

I've been reading reports that Valve have fixed this 'fix' already, as of about 2 hours ago - now even with these text file changes, gore does not appear online.

Can anyone please confirm/deny?

well.. even if it doesnt work anymore, i'm still gonna hump lenko's leg. any objections?

I played 30 mins ago, 100% gorey awesomeness for me :)

Quote from Aegis;372845:
well.. even if it doesnt work anymore, i'm still gonna hump lenko's leg. any objections?

Haha none from me :p

woo! ;P

now make sure you're at the DGA tonight :P

L4D2 Needs more work to unlock all :P

OKAY bodies hit floor and stay there, but not uncut yet!!
There are no blood splatters on screen and I also get no speech on movie intro anyone else getting that?, but great work guys!! AND THANKS!!
see this [Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH7QCtuaXgI] to figure out what else if different!
The Uncut is way better! The Aussie version still sucks..:D

Cool shit Chips, cheers.

Gonna check again at lunch with a steam restart too.

Let us know, Chips!

"bloke28" says bodies are hitting the floor but he's not seeing the uncut gore.

Just tried it seems to have worked for me. BTW you need to have run it at least once as the files aren't there if you have just freshly downloaded it.

Quote from Jay;372733:
Word is that zombies are disappearing before they even hit the ground in the edited Aussie version.

Rec's method work to get the overseas version? (http://www.gamers-underground.com/forum/games-general/31864-how-buy-steam-games-other-regions-without-vpn.html)

Update with the fix:

This fix can be run without risk. There is no chance of receiving a ban.

You need to edit 2 text files, and in future only launch the game via the left4dead2.exe instead of through Steam.

The first file ("steam_appid.txt") is found in \Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2 demo and needs to be edited as per this picture ("590" to "510"):

[Attachment 5837]

Second file ("steam.inf") is found in \Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2 demo\left4dead2 and needs to be edited as per this picture ("590" to "510"):

[Attachment 5838]

You've now enabled gorey, unedited goodness that the OFLC didn't want you to have.

That didn't quite work for me, bodies dropped but no, blood splated till I dide this..

Add this to
(violence_ablood "1" violence_agibs "1" violence_hblood "1" violence_hgibs "1")
without brackets.
to the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\config.cfg

NOW Seems to be Bloody as the US Uncut, but still no speech for me in the intro movie anyone else getting that?
Guess i can live with that in a demo.. Just hope the full version is this easy for us aussies.
:)

Machete cuts up and bloody's up my screen now!! YAY
WOO HOO!

haha yeah i had speech in the intro - also chips just rebooted steam and the above is still working - so news of valve 'fixing' that is false.

I've just restarted Steam, and my L4D2 demo is updating - quite a large update. I checked my account via the website, and now insead of not showing the demo in my subscription list at all it shows "Left 4 Dead 2 Demo (AU)".

Whether or not this will carry through to the full game is unknown. Perhaps they can do this because we didn't "buy" the demo, thus they're happy to go and change our versions. Or maybe they'll change our full game versions, too.

My recommendation for anyone with VPN access is to connect to the USA or UK, then restart Steam, and hopefully the IP validation check it runs is only run once, hence you'll avoid this wave of verification and keep the uncensored version.

If someone tries this, please let us know if your L4D2 demo updates while connected to the UK/USA VPN. Then disconnect, restart Steam again (normal IP), and see if it updates or lies unchanged.

Don't be alarmed just yet guys: even with this "AU" version, full gore is STILL enabled for those that had an inernational version gifted, or if they used a VPN/URL trick to purchase it.

Quote from Mephz:
Full gore is -still- enabled....

BUT, they've made this a specific "AU" version for a reason. Perhaps the lock-down of gore is still coming. Everyone keep us posted with your experiences.

And my additional advice would be to send off support e-mails to Valve raging about additional downloads. This is my third time downloading the demo, and there might be more. Laaame.

Ok more news - apparently this "AU" demo update censors the intro, but doesn't remove the gore from the game? I'm not sure if the gore stays for people using the txt file trick, or if it stays, period.

I think everyone should still be right. Full gore remains. Lander's take on it makes sense...

Quote from Lander:
I'm not 100% convinced it's a case of a nerf update that hit us.

As it updated the account history and added the Demo (AU) as complimentary, could it be a case of preparations for the mass public release in a few days? Every other time I've encountered demos on Steam they auto add to my account and games list and are listed as complimentary.

It would make sense that if they pushed a demo out to us Aussie IP address holders, it would be the AU version. It also makes sense that our uncensored versions are still working because Steam would have kept the original appid's from the purchase/gifting. If zee Germans have been using this sort of trickery for ages, I don't believe it'd suddenly be locked down because our puny gaming portion of the 20 odd million population have been doing the same thing

I tried the text file edit and the inf to 510; it refected Steam validation upon trying to start a game.
Now wishing I hadn't bought the Aussie version.

You need to launch L4D2 demo via the exe once you've made those changes Jug. If you start it via Steam, it will always revert is what I gather.

hopefully because the censorship doesn't affect the American version we won't end up with a coffeegate.

Quote from rec;372883:
You need to launch L4D2 demo via the exe once you've made those changes Jug. If you start it via Steam, it will always revert is what I gather.

Cheers Rec, I will give it a go later on.
Beer time over here!

Holy crap, censored version is crap.

[Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGCADuPYKM0]

Hey rec what is the go with purchasing the UK version? Me, chips and two other mates got the Censored 4 pack.. we want to return and i would then get the 4 pack from the UK. what would happen. please let me know haha. would they accept the return? would i rebuy the other stuff and find that it will redo an aus version or what? PLEASE HELP lol.

There's a post on WP about returning a 4pack.

Quote:
Guys, I had my $ refunded this morning for a 4-pack AU censored.

Just sent an email to steam support using their website. File it under Billing -> Preorder

Simply state you are not happy with the censored demo and have decided the changes are enough to make you change your mind about purchasing the full version. If you bought a 4-pack, say that your 3 friends have agreed to a refund as well, and state their steamid's

This is their response:

Hello XXXXXX, Thank you for contacting Steam Support. As requested, we have processed a refund to your account. Your confirmation number is: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Your bank or credit card issuer will return the funds to your account – please allow 3-5 business days for the funds to be posted. Please note in the future that Steam purchases, per the Steam Subscriber Agreement, are not refundable – this refund was issued as a one-time customer service gesture. Steam Subscriber Agreement What is Steam If you require any further assistance, please let us know.

So, now I've bought a 4pack using the ?cc=UK page, loading up an EntroPay Prepaid Visa, and did it all through a proxy (I have a server in france). The total cost with the entropay 5% fee and current exchange rate ended up being "58AUD (choose to be charged in AUD when loading up entropay). Also, after loading, just change country in entropay to UK, and the same in steam (in ur profile too) and you can just use your real address with only the country changed. Works fine.

My demo says (AU) but the actual game says (preorder) instead of (preorder AU).

Demo is uncut. Demo was also preloaded while I owned the AU censored version so maybe thats why?

Enjoy :) Hopefully steam/valve turn a blind eye to this until someone from the govt arcs up against it.

Left 4 Dead 2 - Part 2 - PC Online - Gaming - Whirlpool Forums

I bought the Aussie version but the text file edit worked fine, played through using the guitar.
Adrenaline is good...especially when the horde beckons and you have your six string on your back.

actually its a 3 string :D... and did you play over the internet with other people on a normal server?

No I played single player.
Six string was a reference to a Bon Jovi song.

Been playing single player and online with the text edit and still uncensored.

i have a retail preorder activation code.
any word on what i should do to make it uncensored before i activate it?

Quote from Munkymagic;372897:
actually its a 3 string :D

jug plays for keeps

I heard only the names have changed...

Quote from paladin;372905:
jug plays for keeps

only cause I might not make it back

you dont need to, you've been everywhere.

mayhap i have; but I'm standing tall.

There was another demo update this morning - Chips is reporting that he's now back to no gore, even though he previously made the text edits and could see gore.

Anyone else confirm?

Just checked my text files - they all reverted back to appid 590 - must have been a l4d2 update, just changed em back and will now go check.

Sweet full gore back in both SP and MP, i'm guessing the GU servers are down atm cos they weren't showing in the main menu.

Unfortunately... Chips still has his copy!!!
I got a refund and bought through the UK store, but chips still has his copy. I'm left with one copy of gore to distribute still. WTF lol?

Edit: This is a different chips btw lol.

Quote from rec;372934:
There was another demo update this morning - Chips is reporting that he's now back to no gore, even though he previously made the text edits and could see gore.

Anyone else confirm?

Same here, thought I changed them back and it's back to gore now. Howie had just jumped in to the server with me and the game decided to randomly reboot me.
All Howie's fault!

Yep it's still working - Jimmy just applied the text fix and he has gore.

help required

k i got l4d 2 from steam but i know it will be censored so is there a way to uncensored it without getting my account banned or if i get an overseas copy and install it in my account will that overwrite my steam bought copy and uncensored it? or not?
whats the best way to uncensored this dam game?

This is what i did....

Go to steam support and request for a refund. This will work as its a preorder...

Then, go to the uk Store, mentioned earlier in the thread and buy the left 4 dead copy, but make sure that you change your country to UK, and only your country.

Quote from chips;372936:
Just checked my text files - they all reverted back to appid 590 - must have been a l4d2 update, just changed em back and will now go check.

Probably a standard file rewrite.

Also a reply from Steam apparently.

Quote:
Hello,

Thank you for contacting Steam Support.

The version of the game is only dependent on the territory it was purchased in.

Users who purchase a game from a different territory will receive the content included in that territory's version of the game.

Quote from nucilar_22;372942:
k i got l4d 2 from steam but i know it will be censored so is there a way to uncensored it without getting my account banned or if i get an overseas copy and install it in my account will that overwrite my steam bought copy and uncensored it? or not?
whats the best way to uncensored this dam game?

The same way everyone else has. Read the first post.

had the same thing happen to me chips just need to change the files back to 510 and still full of gore.

Hey guys, I'm being told that even with gore enabled on the AU version, you're might still be missing important additions.

Everyone with the uncensored version has to fight off the odd "riot cop zombie", who can only be shot in the back to kill him, but:

Quote from ravn0s:
i still havent seen the riot cops because apparently if you are playing with someone with the AUS version, the riot cops get removed. :(

Ie. you're running it for everyone else as well. And, as far as I understand, each campaign has a unique one of these "uncommon common" zombies - and the AU version, it seems, misses out on these.

My recommendation is to request a refund, avoid all of this horse shit, and get yourself a copy from the USA or UK store.

Jimmy requested a refund on his AU copy yesterday, and today that was processed, and has purchased the UK version.

I had noticed that rec when playing by myself on the sever the cop was always at the start, but when an AUS person joined he was never there.

i think it may just be the cop. but they may remove all of the uncommon common infected, like the hazmat suits or the clowns because of this.

That's exactly right, Munky. At least that's what I'm predicting - because they appear more "human".

Answer: refund AU version. :)

yeah do it. I got through UK, im havin gore. its awesome! and totally worth it!!

riot cop is in the hacked aussie version

I'm an aussie, was workin, but not now :'(

I had it fully uncensored, saw the riot cops, and killed em..
They kinda look outta place anyway and are hard to kill... lol
but we should all be able to get the Uncut version its way better!

Now mine is not uncut online which sucks!!, now no riot cops too.

Stupid steam patched it, noticed a download...
Fixed my other issue with loading but stuff censored gaming online now forced with L4D2 Demo :'(

ATM..
SUCKS TO BE TRUE BLUE, FAIR DINKIM AUSSIE, MATE!

ANY FIXES FOR THIS?
I have a legit purchased steam version of this demo, so I guess perhaps Garena and a non steam patch?? would that work?
Does pirating pay for aussies? (In This case? for a full uncut version)

scroll back to page 5 or 6, there's a workaround there involving editing of two config files. every time the game updates you need to redo the change.

Go back to the pages about returning... thats the best option. Thats what i did and i have fullll gore.