The Evolution of Borderlands: A Risk Worth Taking
In the early days of its development, the original Borderlands bore a striking resemblance to many other shooters of the mid-2000s, characterized by a muted aesthetic that echoed titles like Gears of War and Halo. When it was first unveiled in 2007, it seemed to follow the trends of the time, leaning more towards a gritty Mad Max vibe rather than the whimsical charm of Mad Moxxi. However, the creative minds at Gearbox Software recognized that merely blending in would not suffice.
In a recent conversation with podcaster David Senra, Strauss Zelnick, the head of Take-Two Interactive, recounted a pivotal moment that altered the course of the franchise. With the game nearing its release—just two months away—and a staggering million already invested, Zelnick faced a daunting decision. The head of the division approached him with concerns, stating, “We just don’t think this is good enough. We think we screwed up; the art style is not appropriate and it’s not differentiated. So, we want to remake the game.”
Faced with the prospect of delaying the project by an entire year, Zelnick found himself at a crossroads. “I dug in,” he recalled, fully aware that this gamble could either make or break the game. Ultimately, he chose to support the team’s vision, a decision he now believes was crucial to the game’s success. “Had we not done that, Borderlands wouldn’t have been a hit,” he stated, reflecting on the transformative impact of shifting to the now-iconic hand-inked art style. This vibrant aesthetic not only set the game apart from its contemporaries but also resonated beautifully with its chaotic narrative and gameplay mechanics.
Zelnick described the decision as “nonobvious,” noting that few in the industry would have taken such a risk. “Because it was insane,” he explained. “They would have said, ‘the game is done. Put out the game, move onto the next thing. I’m not spending 50 million bucks to remake the goddamn thing in another art style, and I have no evidence that one will work either.’”
This anecdote serves as a compelling illustration of the potential outcomes when business leaders place their trust in the creative vision of their teams. Zelnick emphasized the importance of fostering creativity and innovation within the company. “Be the most creative, be the most innovative, be the most efficient,” he advised. “I hired the most creative people. I said, ‘you have to pursue your passions, we will support you.’ They came and said, ‘this is our assessment, this is our passion, are you going to support us?’ And I said, ‘yes.’”
