Changelog

Beta 8.5

Nov 7, 2026

Game & Security Updates

• Updated all Vendetta servers to the latest Left 4 Dead release, bringing them up to date with Valve’s security and exploit fixes.
• This includes protections against known remote code execution (RCE) exploits.

Plugin Repository

• Built and verified a dedicated plugin repository, keeping my custom work and maintained forks separate from the original upstream releases.
  • Organized the matching source files, compiled plugins, configuration files, and dependencies so each version is easier to maintain and recover.
  • This makes future updates easier to manage—and helps me keep track of what’s actually running.

Plugin & Dependency Updates

• Updated server plugins and dependencies, including SourceMod and Left 4 DHooks, and recompiled plugins against the current releases.
• Rebuilt and tested the latest backups alongside the new repository to bring the server files back into a consistent, maintained state.
• Apologies for a few inconsistencies across the Vendetta servers during the past 24 hours. Those issues appear to be resolved, but I’m continuing to check everything. Please report anything that still looks out of place.

SourceBans++

• Updated SourceBans++ to 2.2.3.
  • Includes fixes for ban verification, duplicate bans created by SourceSleuth, and other upstream issues.
  • The official update replaces Vendetta’s previous ban-verification hotfix.

New VIP Test Server

• Added a new VIP test server at 69.30.249.10:27055.
  • Intended as a private space for testing experimental features, with limited access planned. More details soon.
  • Added the Left 4 Dead 1 melee weapons mod. This is available on the VIP server only.
  • Players must install the matching client mod before joining: Download Left 4 Dead DLC Melee Weapon.

Vens Save Weapons

• Updated Vens Save Weapons to 6.6.3.V.
  • Added support for saving and restoring weapons from the L4D1 melee weapons mod on map restart when using CSM / duplicate Survivors.

5+ Survivor Balancing

• Adjusted Common Infected limits and horde sizes, along with Battlefield restrictions, for teams of five or more Survivors.
• These are early adjustments intended to give larger teams a more challenging campaign. Further balancing will follow as I review how the changes play out.

Scene Processor & Vocalizations

• Corrected a pitch-initialization issue in Scene Processor.
  • A vocalize command could create a dialogue scene before the player’s stored pitch was initialized, causing the scene to inherit an incorrect pitch.
  • This caused some Survivor vocalizations to sound unusually low-pitched and slowed down at the start of a campaign.
  • This fix was already included in Beta 8.0, but I missed it in the patch notes.

Thanks for playing!

Beta 8.0

Oct 31, 2026

MapTankFix & The Sacrifice

• Updated MapTankFix with a fix supplied by the plugin’s author.
  • The plugin helps map-scripted Tanks spawn when Infected slots are full, preventing events from getting stuck.
  • Its previous version could occasionally spawn Tanks in the starting saferoom on The Sacrifice — Map 1 after a team wipe, even before the train car event had started. This affected Left 4 Dead 1 specifically.
  • I reported the issue to the author and have applied the updated version. Testing looks good so far, but I’ll keep watching it during normal play.

Experimental Connection Fix

• Added a Left 4 Dead 1 port of No Steam Logon Block.
  • This targets a Steam authentication issue seen on expanded-slot servers using L4DToolZ, the extension that allows our larger co-op teams.
  • When Steam identity verification fails, a player can be rejected from the session with a “No Steam logon” message.
  • I ported the plugin in the hope of reducing some of these connection failures. This is highly experimental, and I’m still monitoring the results. Please keep reporting connection problems.

Introducing Venguard

• Venguard is Vendetta’s new automated protection against deliberate team killing.
  • Watches for repeated harmful friendly fire, warns the attacker, and temporarily protects teammates when the behavior becomes excessive.
  • Continued attacks can result in an automatic ban. Repeat offenses receive longer penalties, while a clean period gradually lowers the next punishment.
  • Offense history is shared across all four servers, so switching servers does not reset it.
  • Works alongside our vote-controlled Reverse Friendly Fire, so reflecting damage back onto the attacker does not bypass the system.
  • Designed to leave room for accidents while responding to repeated attacks. I’ll keep reviewing how it behaves in real games; please report anything that seems unfair.
• Friendly fire is now blocked in ending saferooms. Type !kill if you need to suicide.

Boo!

Happy Halloween, and see you in-game!
Thanks for stickin’ around!

Beta 7.0

Oct 21, 2026

Security Updates

• Updated PHP to 8.5.12, including both critical security fixes released on October 21.
• Applied additional system security patches.

SourceBans++ Hotfix

• Applied a hotfix for a SourceBans++ 2.2.1 ban-enforcement issue.
  • The plugin could detect an active ban but fail to remove the player during connection, allowing a banned account to remain in the session.
  • I have applied the fix to Vendetta’s servers. Apologies to anyone affected by this upstream bug; please report any further ban-enforcement issues.

Vens Save Weapons

• Updated Vens Save Weapons to 6.6.2.V.
  • Fixed a chapter-transition issue that left Survivor bots frozen in the saferoom while their players were still loading. Bots should now behave normally until their players take over.
  • Preserved the existing health, inventory, and pistol-ammo restoration fixes.

Downloads Page

• Added four new custom maps:
  • Fort Noesis
  • Run to the Hills
  • The Sacrifice: Night Edition
  • Yama
• Checked that all listed map downloads are up to date.
• The download collection now includes 41 maps.

MOTD Updates

• Updated in-game MOTD scaling so pages display consistently across different aspect ratios and resolutions.
• Redesigned the MOTD leaderboard to match the theme, panels, and layout of the other MOTD pages.
  Preview

  

Beta 6.0

Oct 13, 2026

Website Updates

• Added the News page, which will now serve as the primary source for Vendetta’s changelogs.
• Rebalanced font sizes across the website to make text easier to read and more consistent from page to page.
• Updated the home page orb with new Zoey artwork.
• Updated SourceBans++ and built a new theme that better matches the rest of the Vendetta website.

MOTD Updates

• Added new commands.
• Updated the changelog.
• Added a festive Halloween theme and effects to the MOTD. Happy Halloween!

Plugin & System Updates

• Introducing Vens Voice Manager, a new plugin for adjusting how loudly you hear other players.
  • Type !vm in the in-game chat to open the Voice Manager menu.
  • Set a global volume adjustment for everyone, or adjust individual players separately.
  • Your preferences are saved in a shared database and carry across all four servers, so you only need to set them once.
  • More thorough testing is still needed.
• Vens Save Weapons has been updated and rebranded.
  • Health and items should now restore more consistently, without duplicating when a map restarts.
  • Fixed the pistol ammo bug.
  • More thorough testing is still needed.

Remix Map Fixes

Death Toll

• Map 1
  • Added a gas can event.

Blood Harvest

• Map 1
  • Removed collision from the bushes near the starting rocks so they no longer block movement.
• Map 2
  • Completely reworked the map.
  • Added moving shutters and flashing alarm lights to the event.
  • Extended the alarm sound so it continues for the full duration of the doubled panic event.
  • Added dynamic routing: the upstairs event hallway is sometimes blocked, sending players back around and allowing additional player spawns before they reach the tunnels.
• Map 3
  • Adjusted the train car layout to make starting the event easier.
  • Repositioned the trees near the saferoom so their bases sit naturally in the ground.
• Map 5 — Finale
  • Reworked the dynamic event so a plane crash now triggers the barn fire, with debris and smoke added to the scene. Thanks to Asa for the plane crash idea.
  • Added two new dynamic pickup locations for the APC truck, at the front and back of the house. The finale now has three possible pickup locations.
    Preview 1

    
    Preview 2

    
  • Refined the placement of the barn fires and reduced their damage and spread.

What’s Next?

• I have one or two nasty bugs to hunt down which will be my primary focus.
• Polishing the MOTD leaderboard to better fit the MOTD’s theme and scale.
• Further updates to the Stats page.
• Continuing to refine the Remix maps through Stripper. A few areas still need attention, but this update should leave things in a better state.

Beta 5.0

Sep 23, 2026

New Hosting & Server Expansion

• Vendetta has moved to a much faster bare-metal server located in Kansas City, Missouri, providing a stronger foundation for all of our game servers and web services.
  • Overall performance and latency should now be more balanced across the general player base.
  • A fourth Vendetta server has been added, creating more room for players—and more places to reject trolls.
  • The Remix server is now officially Vendetta IV, rather than Vendetta III.

Website & Backend Overhaul

• The Vendetta website has received a massive visual update. It maintains the familiar Vendetta styling while offering a cleaner, more polished, and modern experience.
  • New administrators have been added to the Contact page.
• The Help page has been completely redesigned, featuring:
  • A new index menu for easier navigation.
  • Brand-new pages containing a wide range of useful information.
  • Modding guides, Vendetta-specific information, common fixes, and more.
• SourceBans++ has been updated to the latest version, bringing a completely redesigned web interface and improved functionality.
• Vens Stats has been massively updated and debugged:
  • Fully compatible with the latest PHP version.
  • Improved player-search functionality.
  • Player searches are no longer case-sensitive.
• In-Game MOTD pages have been completely rebuilt, featuring:
  • A cleaner presentation, better formatting.
  • Remix page has been filled out a bit more.
  • Now easier to apply future themes.

Plugin & System Updates

• Left 4 DHooks, Source Scramble, and other important server dependencies have been updated.
• Admin force-vote commands have been unified across Vendetta’s voting systems:
  • Type !vp to force-pass the current vote.
  • Type !vc to force-cancel the current vote.
• L4D Infected Bots and Infected Limit Control have both been updated:
  • These plugins manage Special Infected and common Infected limits based on the number of Survivors.
  • They now take control only during 5+ player co-op. This is significant, because most servers ignore it's behavioral changes.
  • Standard four-player co-op once again remains under the original game Director, preserving the most vanilla spawning behavior possible.
• Multislots has been updated:
  • At the beginning of a new campaign, an additional first-aid kit is placed on the ground for each human Survivor above the original four-player limit.
• Unrestrict Panic Battlefield has been updated:
  • It now disables itself when a finale begins, preventing ordinary panic-event hordes from spawning during finale Tank waves.
• Multi-Tank finale scaling has been added for expanded co-op:
  • With six or more Survivors, every finale Tank wave will now include two Tanks.
• Loot4Dead has been updated:
  • The menu is now cleaner and easier to navigate.
  • Individual player cooldowns have been added to item spawning.
  • The allowed item count and cooldown duration can be configured.
  • Administrators with the appropriate flags are exempt from the cooldown.
• Vens Anti-Friendly Fire has been updated:
  • Reverse friendly fire now applies only when real players shoot one another.
  • Shooting a Survivor bot will still damage the bot, but that damage will no longer be reflected back at the player.
• Vens Restart Empty has been updated and rebranded:
  • Additional fixes improve its consistency and compatibility with Vens Map Change.
• Vens 5+ survivor Rescue updated and rebranded:
  • Sacrifice finale no longer provides invincibility to players, resulting in sacrificing player(s) still standing before credits roll. This issue was explicitly patched for l4d2. Now updated to maximize l4d1 compatibility.
• Vens Spawn Position Fix updated and rebranded:
  • Some maps can place a survivor in the wrong spawn position.
  • Happens especially with 5+ survivors, notably on l4d_garage01_alleys.
  • Plugin changed to be more narrow scoped. Only affects specified maps, retains fallback system while avoiding reported idling issues.
• Vens Survivor Identity Fix has updated and rebranded:
  • Better handling when players enter and leave idle mode.
  • Improved switching of available bots to the least-used Survivor characters.
  • Your selected Survivor model should now remain more consistent while idling and returning to play.
• Vens Flashlight has been updated and rebranded:
  • The attached flashlight model is now given only to players with permission to use the flashlight commands.
  • Bots and players without access no longer receive the model, preserving a cleaner and more official visual style.
• Vens Survivor Eyes has been updated and rebranded:
  • Eye particles are now removed while a player is idle, fixing the distracting particles that could appear at the feet of the idle Survivor bot.

Looking Ahead

Remix map fixes remain the primary goal.
Expect a hotfix shortly.

See you in-game!
Thanks for stickin’ around!

Beta 4.0

Jul 28, 2026

Website/backend Changes:

• Updated Salt Hell Park to the latest version.
  • Be sure to update your local copies as well to avoid connection issues.
• Added new L4D2, Apocalypse, and Silent Hill pages to the downloads section.
  • This marks complete consistency across the downloads page and makes it easier to find all the correct links in one place.

[ I’ve confirmed that all custom campaigns are updated to their latest available releases. ]

• Ven’s Autoexec has been uploaded to the Downloads page. If you don't currently have an autoexec file, this a great place to start.
• Ven’s Vocalizer has been completely restructured and is uploaded to the Downloads page.
  • Improved layout based upon Ion’s vocalizer.
  • Improved the key bind section. Includes Admin wheel: Works alive, dead and spectating.
  • Optional fixed/improved captions.
  • Optional infected sounds.

[ I will make a future post better explaining the caption fixes and benefits of using Ven's Vocalizer. ]

Server Changes:

• Fixed a long-standing server restart bug caused by a sequencing conflict with Ven’s Map Change during automatic campaign transitions.
  • In the event final player disconnect doesn't trigger a restart, the server will now restart automatically once the grace timer expires.
  • This ensure all votes/commands, survivor limits, and map get restored on server empty.
• Added a new custom vote: Vocalization Spam-Block.
  • Players without the appropriate permissions are now subject to a token limit on vocalizations, helping reduce excessive spam while still allowing general use.
• Added a new experimental feature: Common Infected Fade.
  • Removes excess Common Infected ragdoll entities after death, which may help improve both client and server performance.
  • Only activates with 5+ players. Automatic & dynamic.
• Fixed the way Anti-Rush handled multiple admin groups.
  • Updated maximum distances, warning behavior, and timer adjustments.
  • Now reads multiple flags as OR situations, not AND.
• Adjusted dynamic balancing for 5+ player games.
  • Gameplay should now feel a bit less chaotic while staying engaging.
  • Further testing and balancing may still be needed.

Miscellaneous:

• Fixed fire and explosives not damaging other players while Reverse Friendly Fire was enabled.
• Fixed the initial Special Infected spawn timer.
• Updated the rescue wait message to better reflect Left 4 Dead 1.
• Fixed several admin permissions.
• Updated the GeoIP database.
• Fixed all remaining warnings in the server error logs.

Looking Ahead

• Vendetta III: Remix - Map Fixes (stripper) (lowered this on the priority list as to not put off this update.)
• Optimize Dynamic-Scaling Logic Performance, reduce hang-ups and crashes.
• Optimize Network rates
• Continued balancing and gameplay tuning across all servers.
• Additional website improvements.
• Small caption and vocalization updates.
• A few potential bug fixes
• Discord grand opening

Thanks for stickin’ around

Beta 3.5

Apr 14, 2026

Beta 3.5 Changes

• Admin groups and permissions fully reworked to support multiple tiers of admins
• Improved role separation and expandability for future features
• New Admin Features Added
  • Light Menu
  • Survivor Eyes
  • More admin-exclusive features planned for future updates

Admin Tiers

VIP Admin — Appointed by Staff

• Includes elevated admin permissions
• Access to majority of current/new advanced admin features
• Can log in and manage personal bans via https://Left4Vendetta.com/bans/

Base Level Admin — Available via $5 Donation to Vendetta

https://ko-fi.com/insomniactm
(Leave steam profile/steamid in message)

• Features currently limited
• Help support server operations, maintenance, and ongoing development
• Prevents abuse by reserving advanced tools for VIP Admins

Beta 3.0

Apr 11, 2026

Beta 3.0 Changes

• Updated 5+ player balancing for both Vanilla and Veteran
  • Dynamic Friendly Fire, ammo, etc. in 5+ player scenarios to alleviate chaos.
  • Blocked spectating when playing with 5+ players to avoid issues.
  • New Custom Plugin: Vens Command Control (Changes commands based on players alive/dead or in-game amount)
• New custom maps added to all 3 servers and the Vendetta website.
• Various minor bug fixes / new backend plugins
• General synchronization / cleanup across Vendetta systems
• Small Unban Wave

Looking Ahead

Planned future updates include:

• Reworks/fixes for several maps in Vendetta III: Remix
• Plan Gauntlet Event/Custom map marathon
• Fix Vocalizer / talker
• More polish and gameplay tuning across all servers
• Other BS

Thanks for stickin' around

Beta 2.0

Feb 22, 2026

Server Expansion — Now Running 3 Live Servers

Vendetta has officially expanded from one server to three independent live servers, each contributing to the overall ecosystem:

All servers are fully integrated with shared stats, Admin/Ban tracking, and backend systems.

Vendetta Servers:

This expansion improves availability, reduces downtime risk, and allows for greater flexibility and experimentation.

Vens Stats — Global Ranking System

Vendetta now includes a fully integrated stat tracking system across all 3 servers.

With Vens Stats, you can:

• View your global rank placement
• Track your performance and progression
• View map statistics and more

You can view your personal stats in-game anytime by typing:

!rank
!rankmenu

The Top 25 Leaderboard is now also accessible directly in-game through the MOTD panel.

MOTD System Overhaul

The in-game MOTD system has been redesigned.

It now serves as a central hub for:

• Server info
• Leaderboard
• Commands
• Difficulty info & changelog

New Custom Vote Options — Reverse Friendly Fire & Anti-Rush

Two new vote-controlled systems have been implemented to give players more control over how strictly sessions are moderated, while keeping Vendetta’s default experience fair and flexible.

Players can now vote to enable Reverse Friendly Fire.

When active, any damage dealt to teammates will reflect back onto the attacker instead. This helps prevent intentional griefing and encourages more careful and coordinated play, especially in higher player count scenarios.

The Anti-Rush system is now also available through vote.

When enabled, this system prevents players from advancing too far ahead of the team, helping maintain group cohesion and preventing situations where players skip major portions of the map or disrupt pacing.

Up to 8-Player Co-op — Fully Dynamic Scaling

Co-op is now expandable from the default 4 players up to 8 players by using the !votes command, with full dynamic difficulty scaling, even on Veteran. Many fixes that you would expect, such as character saving, map changing, 8 player rescue vehicle pickups, witch target patches, etc. are all there as you would expect them to work.

As survivor count increases, the game will intelligently scale:

• Common infected density
• Special infected frequency and pressure
• Tank frequency and health

This ensures that larger groups remain challenging, coordinated, and engaging.

Importantly, games with fewer than 4 players will not be artificially scaled, preserving the intended vanilla experience.

The only exception is Veteran difficulty, which has been carefully adjusted to remain playable and endurance-focused even for solo players, while still maintaining its identity as a high-challenge mode.

Vendetta Remix — Dynamic Vanilla Campaign Changes

Vendetta Remix introduces new dynamic changes to vanilla campaigns, while still trying its best to retain authenticity.

This server features dynamic campaign modifications that can change at random on map start, including:

• New and altered pathing routes
• New map mechanics
• Expanded environmental detail and foliage
• Double panic events on many maps

Each run can feel slightly different, creating unpredictability while preserving the original identity of the maps.

Thanks to everyone who has played, tested, and supported Vendetta throughout its development.

Nothing is perfect. Expect more fixes and another update shortly.

— Insomniac

Beta 1.0

December 19, 2025

• Restored banners and Christmas trees across official maps for the holiday season.
• Added a fix for crouched Common Infected that could not be shoved.
• Added improved welcome and connection messages for players and administrators.
• Reworked major Veteran balance components to increase difficulty while maintaining fairness.
• Updated the MOTD to document the latest changes.

Work continued on Veteran balance, the Steam group, in-game menus, administration groups, vocalizations, captions, and custom radial menus.

Alpha 0.95

2025

• Rebuilt the server on the latest game update and SourceMod 1.12, then recompiled plugins and updated scripts.
• Added Christmas trees to official maps and introduced a seasonal server banner and MOTD theme.
• Added a Downloads page and six additional custom campaigns, bringing the total to 24 at the time.
• Improved Survivor and Infected vocalization scripts.
• Updated SourceBans branding and styling.
• Added Tank Rock Lag Compensation for more consistent rock skeets in Veteran.
• Continued Veteran balance changes and updated its dedicated information page.

Alpha 0.88

2025

• Obtained the Left4Vendetta.com domain.
• Added 18 custom campaigns, also accessible through the vote menu.
• Improved Survivor and Infected vocalization scripts.
• Added numerous Veteran balance changes and documented them on the dedicated page.
• Added Anti-Ladder Block and campaign-friendly Hunter skeet behavior for Veteran.
• Added SourceBans for centralized moderation and appeals.
• Added the Revive Reload Fix, new map decals, and the administrator pause command.

Alpha 0.85.1

2025

• Website and MOTD optimizations.
• Too many earlier improvements to list—but the foundation was in place.