The Voice of the Speaker in the Videos

[Zhukov]

Not specifically, a lot of horror (grind house being a good example) is tongue in cheek, but that doesn't mean it's not scary. I bring up Shawn of the Dead, which is hilarious right up to the scene in the pub where they suddenly jack up the atmosphere and everything falls to pieces, does the imposing atmosphere jar with the fact that it's a comedy movie?

I do not contend that a game (or movie or book or whatever) cannot be both scary and tongue-in-cheek. I am simply saying that L4D is the latter rather then the former.

...but if you weren't wrapped up in the atmosphere in those first few plays AT LEAST i would argue that you are the exception there.

Well, my first plays were done solo. (I wanted some practice to ensure that I would not be burdening other players with my initial period of incompetence.) Yes, I was wrapped up in the atmosphere. And yes, I admit there is a hint of tension present. However, the atmosphere was still predominantly one of lighthearted zombie action rather then creepiness or in-your-face horror.
Once I started playing with other people, any and all sense of atmosphere vanished immediately. I don't know about you, but I for one cannot maintain a decent suspension of disbelief when the frenetic shotgun-vs-zombie action is being frequently interrupted by a friend's voice whining about how his new girlfriend refuses to give him blowjobs.

To further illustrate my point, I'd like to add that even Yahtzee, the harsh critical bastard himself, conceded that Left 4 Dead had a fantastic atmosphere.

I do not know of this Yahtzee, but I agree with him. However, "fantastic" is not synonymous with "scary".

My conclusion is that you're either trying to big yourself up...

Hardly. Besides, "bigging oneself up" on an internet forum strikes me as a self-defeating endeavor.

...or you are an emotionless robot who cannot feel fear.

Once again, hardly.

Oh, and the witches.

Incidentally, I thought the witches were the best thing in L4D, at least on the conceptual level.

[Ozymandias]

I'm a bit lazy here guys and it's 4 AM, haven't gone to bed yet. How did we start talking about left 4 Dead when the original topic was about John? =o (or Jeff, whoever, I can't pay attention XD )

[Zhukov]

Mea culpa.

Although the thread had already served its purpose.

[Untadaike]

I'm a bit lazy here guys and it's 4 AM, haven't gone to bed yet. How did we start talking about left 4 Dead when the original topic was about John? =o (or Jeff, whoever, I can't pay attention XD )

It's my fault: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5510#p90993