This weekend, things are going to get even harder for the poor Survivors from Left 4 Dead 2, thanks to the game's latest rule-changing "Mutation." And one Mutation is up for permanent, not weekly, contention.

"Bleed Out" the second gameplay variation added to the rotation to those who have upgraded to Left 4 Dead 2's first expansion, The Passing, will afflict the Survivors with "no permanent health, only temporary health that is continuously ticking away." This time, it affects the game's Campaign mode. Next week? "Follow the Liter." Sounds like cola escort to me.

Valve notes on the official L4D blog that the Left 4 Dead 2 in-game poll poses an important question: "Should we make Realism Versus a permanent game mode?" Sure. Why not? Why not make them all permanent?

Puking and Bleeding Out [L4D Blog]