In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, player engagement often ebbs and flows with the release of updates and expansions. This week, Gearbox released a free DLC for Borderlands 4, yet the anticipated surge in player activity has not materialized. Despite my personal enjoyment of the game, I find myself grappling with the motivation to dive back into the new story event, a sentiment echoed by many in the community.
Borderlands 4 has undeniably made significant strides compared to its predecessor, enhancing both its strengths and weaknesses. It stands out as one of the best first-person shooters of the year, possibly even my top choice. However, the game’s Steam peak this week reached only 15,887 concurrent users, mirroring last week’s numbers and reflecting a decline from earlier this month.
Understanding Player Dynamics
The initial drop in player count following a successful launch is not unexpected. While Borderlands 4 introduces more elements catering to the endgame grind, it lacks the allure of full-fledged action RPGs like Diablo. The percentage of players who continue their journey after completing the main storyline tends to be relatively small, especially in a year filled with a plethora of enticing gaming options.
For many, Borderlands serves primarily as a narrative experience, with replayability stemming from experimenting with different characters. The transition to an open world and the introduction of engaging side missions have somewhat diminished the impact of revisiting the main campaign. Gearbox has recognized this shift by allowing players to fast-track characters into Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, yet the question remains: why return now when future expansions are poised to elevate the UVHM cap and potentially outstrip existing builds?
Examining the New DLC
The newly released DLC, titled ‘How Rush Saved Mercenary Day,’ follows the leader of the Outbounders and offers a glimpse into his character development. However, it is not a particularly substantial addition. Gearbox opted to release it for free, citing that there was “more mayhem than time” in the original planning of Bounty Pack 1, largely due to the extensive work required for optimization and balancing.
This lighter-than-expected offering still includes a new boss fight, legendary loot, and cosmetics, alongside the story missions. Players who purchased the deluxe edition will receive an additional bounty pack as compensation. Nevertheless, the lack of compelling reasons to return is palpable, compounded by Gearbox’s insufficient promotion of the free content. Furthermore, the PC version’s performance issues on lower-end machines add to the list of deterrents.
As the holiday season approaches, I may find the thematic relevance of the Rush story more appealing, yet I am inclined to wait for the first full Story Pack DLC. The upcoming adventure featuring Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned promises a cosmic-horror experience alongside the return of a beloved character from Borderlands 2. With the introduction of the new Vault Hunter, C4SH, I am hopeful that this content will provide the incentive needed to revisit Kairos.
