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

[rec]

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

- 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.

violence_ablood 1
violence_agibs 1
violence_hblood 1
violence_hgibs 1

are not in the AU version of the game at all

[Milenko]

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.

[rec]

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

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.

[rec]

Some extra info:

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

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.

[Aegis]

This is why all efforts to uncensor the aussie version will fail

[rec]

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

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

[Milenko]

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.

[Aegis]

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

[paladin]

that german hack was for tf2 wasn't it?

[Aegis]

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.

[Milenko]

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

[rec]

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.

[psyave]

welcome to l4d rec

[rec]

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

[Jay]

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