Left 4 Dictionary

Left 4 Dictionary refers to a set of terms used to describe a space within a level.

Close Quarters

Close Quarters are a series of small combat spaces where the survivors must deal with the infected at a close proximity. Typically, the infected can get within 50 feet of the survivors before they are vulnerable. For example, the apartment building at the beginning of the No Mercy campaign in Left 4 Dead is a Close Quarters space. Although the infected have the advantage of appearing at close range, the survivors don't have too many entrances to cover to protect themselves.

Melee weapons in Left 4 Dead 2 add a lot to Close Quarters combat.

Narrow Flow

Flow is the main path of the level without taking any detours or dead ends. Narrow Flow is a tight directional space such as a hallway or alleyway that the survivors can cover by only looking forward and backward. If the survivor team has 3 or 4 members active, the first can cover the front, a second can cover the back and the third and fourth members can consider themselves relatively safe. This allows for healing or reloading in a comfortable environment. Of course, the addition of the Charger makes Narrow Flow areas a bit more dangerous.

The Tunnel of Love in the Dark Carnival campaign is an example of Narrow Flow

Wide Flow

Capillaries

Masking

Sanitizing

Tube

King of the Hill

Fish in a Barrel

One-Way

Return

Holdout

Todo: add pictures and content, make visually decent

See also

Left 4 Dead Design Theory
Left 4 Dead Level Creation
Left 4 Dead 2 Level Creation

External links

12 Terms from the Left 4 Dictionary - Original blog post discussing some terms