2K Bags Borderlands
Gearbox Software's ambitious online/offline mega-shooter has found a publisher.
Published: August 16, 2007
We've gotta hand it to the Gearbox guys. Who woulda thunk the developers of a couple of original Half-Life expansion packs would go on to garner such praise for their own titles (even if a lot of it wasn't coming for us -- but we blame it on trying to fit a meaty tactical shooting experience on to the woefully underpowered PS2 hardware)? But while the Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway developers are happily chugging along with the next-gen extension of their flagship franchise for Ubisoft, they're already spreading the love around a little more with Borderlands, which 2K Games, not Ubi, will be publishing.
Just hearing that the guys are working on something that isn't World War II-themed or a tactical shooter is exciting enough, but the idea that a game will randomly generate everything from missions to levels to weapons (2K is touting "hundreds of thousands of weapons" to give you an idea of the scope) definitely has our interest piqued. Well, that and the fact that it's coming to the PS3, but then that shouldn't be entirely surprising given that their other next-gen project is too. Clearly, though, we're in need of some nigh-hyperbolic statements from the pub and dev-oh hey!
"Borderlands represents an important evolutionary leap in game design and technology,” boldly opined 2K President Christoph Hartmann.“By utilizing revolutionary new technology to create thousands of unique, randomly generated missions, weapons and situations, Borderlands will raise the bar for next gen action games.”
“Borderlands creates a universe of gameplay that goes far beyond anything anyone would expect. We’re tapping into every bit of Gearbox Software’s experience with the biggest science fiction video game franchises, then taking everything way past the next level,” touted Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. “The team at 2K Games shares our passion for pushing boundaries in gameplay and storytelling and are absolutely perfect partners for Borderlands.”
"Borderlands will be the greatest game ever created by the hand of man. Grown men will weep when they have seen what the combined might of the Gearbox coding team has hewn from a pile of ones and zeroes. It will revolutionize how you see the world, uniting former enemies and causing a worldwide understanding that religion is folly for there is only one god that should be praised, that of Borderlands. Kneel, sinners, and repent for having sired thoughts with your devil boxes of false deities, for the coming of Borderlands will judge all accord--" whoa. Sorry, we just got caught up in all the hype.
Seriously, though, the idea that a game could have so many permutations across weapons, missions, enemies, item drops and environments, in effect creating a game that has near-infinite longevity (y'know, so long as the actual gameplay is cool), means Borderlands could actually end up being one of the biggest bangs for your buck ever created. Hyperbolic? Sure, but we like to get caught up in all the hype, don't y'see. Tack on customizable vehicles and drop-in/drop-out online matches and you've got a lot of room to find a favorite game type.
There's more info in the latest issue of Game Informer if you're the type that likes to read something physical (ewwwwwww), but rest assured that as soon as we get more info piped directly into our brainboxes, we'll make sure we update you. Check back soon!
Just hearing that the guys are working on something that isn't World War II-themed or a tactical shooter is exciting enough, but the idea that a game will randomly generate everything from missions to levels to weapons (2K is touting "hundreds of thousands of weapons" to give you an idea of the scope) definitely has our interest piqued. Well, that and the fact that it's coming to the PS3, but then that shouldn't be entirely surprising given that their other next-gen project is too. Clearly, though, we're in need of some nigh-hyperbolic statements from the pub and dev-oh hey!
"Borderlands represents an important evolutionary leap in game design and technology,” boldly opined 2K President Christoph Hartmann.“By utilizing revolutionary new technology to create thousands of unique, randomly generated missions, weapons and situations, Borderlands will raise the bar for next gen action games.”
“Borderlands creates a universe of gameplay that goes far beyond anything anyone would expect. We’re tapping into every bit of Gearbox Software’s experience with the biggest science fiction video game franchises, then taking everything way past the next level,” touted Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. “The team at 2K Games shares our passion for pushing boundaries in gameplay and storytelling and are absolutely perfect partners for Borderlands.”
"Borderlands will be the greatest game ever created by the hand of man. Grown men will weep when they have seen what the combined might of the Gearbox coding team has hewn from a pile of ones and zeroes. It will revolutionize how you see the world, uniting former enemies and causing a worldwide understanding that religion is folly for there is only one god that should be praised, that of Borderlands. Kneel, sinners, and repent for having sired thoughts with your devil boxes of false deities, for the coming of Borderlands will judge all accord--" whoa. Sorry, we just got caught up in all the hype.
Seriously, though, the idea that a game could have so many permutations across weapons, missions, enemies, item drops and environments, in effect creating a game that has near-infinite longevity (y'know, so long as the actual gameplay is cool), means Borderlands could actually end up being one of the biggest bangs for your buck ever created. Hyperbolic? Sure, but we like to get caught up in all the hype, don't y'see. Tack on customizable vehicles and drop-in/drop-out online matches and you've got a lot of room to find a favorite game type.
There's more info in the latest issue of Game Informer if you're the type that likes to read something physical (ewwwwwww), but rest assured that as soon as we get more info piped directly into our brainboxes, we'll make sure we update you. Check back soon!
