GREAT news! I've been looking everyday for this demo! Get ready peeps, this is FUN!!

My first impression was that the avatars do look a bit juvenile. But you are right, we'll have to see. Depending on the creative freedom, it could be cool. But REAL individuality should be at play. If I want my avatar to be a perfectly round black ball with one eye and three hairs, then so be it. THAT would be very cool! And anything is doable! Aside from the avatar, the UI looks pretty slick. If Apple can do slick a slick UI, I think Microsoft should be allowed to.

I play tested this game at Valve for the past week or so, and I have to say that not playing it the last few days has not been fun. The game delivers a LOT. it's very tied to the camaraderie between players. It feels good to play with others. I lost track of how many times I said, "Hang on bro, I'm on the way." You have to revive fallen allies. There are some scary moments, to say the least!

Also, the motion capture effects on this game are hands down the best ever in a video game. I think this game will be a big deal!

Valve is an especially strong INDEPENDENT entity. It would be a crime to see Valve go to a Google, a Gogle, or whatever. I hope, selfishly, that Valve STAYS independent. That is where the best work is done. That is where the magic happens!

I spent many years in the music business. People forget that in the 80's and 90's it was the absolute height of creative beauty on the planet. When Wall Street got involved when the majors were gobbled up by big corporations in the later 90's, the real music business died.

After recently having the honor to play test Left 4 Dead at Valve, and see the creativity and camaraderie first hand, I pray to god that company will not be gobbled up to make game apps for a Google phone, or whatever "web 2.0" trend comes along.

Please Gabe, be "George Lucas." Blow off the slave making money.

(after Star Wars Episodes 1, 2, and 3, there is a problem comparing Gabe and Valve to George, but I hope you understand the sentiment)