Borderlands Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Saber CEO hides jab at Randy Pitchford in game trailer as payback for Pitchford dumping on Embracer: ‘Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living’

Saber Interactive's upcoming Rideshare "Stimulator" trailer features a narrator who makes a reference to "randy" passengers, which is a nod to Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. This reference stems from a humorous incident involving Pitchford and a drive left at Medieval Times, which was explored by his colleagues. The underlying motivation for the reference relates to tensions following Embracer Group's acquisition of Gearbox in 2021 for .3 billion and subsequent downsizing, leading to Gearbox's sale to Take-Two for 0 million. Pitchford later indicated that the narrative for Borderlands 4 was inspired by the sale of Gearbox, and the game includes critiques of Embracer Group, such as a location called Embracer's Bluff. Saber Interactive CEO Matt Kartch expressed disappointment over Pitchford's shift in loyalty, highlighting the rapid change in relationships following the sale.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

What happens after GTA 6?

The western blockbuster game development industry is facing significant challenges, including layoffs, studio closures, and a component shortage affecting hardware prices. Upcoming titles include Assassin's Creed Shadows, Doom: The Dark Ages, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 in 2025, and this year's Forza Horizon 6, a new Wolverine game, and 007 First Light. Immersion in games is often linked to graphical fidelity, overshadowing alternative artistic styles. Culturally impactful games like Palworld, Peak, Phasmophobia, and Valheim feature distinctive visual styles. The evolution of graphics has improved but not significantly transformed the gaming experience. The anticipated release of GTA 6 may signal a shift away from the focus on graphical superiority, with skepticism about its impact due to hardware limitations. GTA 6 is expected to dominate discussions and sales, but may lead to a more grounded approach among studios. The traditional blockbuster model is becoming unsustainable, prompting studios to adapt to a changing market where high-end hardware is less accessible. This shift could foster growth and innovation, allowing for more complex gameplay experiences.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Videogame villains who sing at you are the best

The villain's monologue is a common trope in video games, often replaced by musical performances from antagonists in some titles. In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, The Singer is an orc who sings operatic verses about battles, enhancing the experience. In Hades 2, Scylla's performances are humorously interrupted by a witch, contrasting her siren songs with Melinoe's indifference. The Joker in the Arkham series incorporates musical interludes, including a haunting rendition of "Only You" during the credits of Arkham City. In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Teh Earworm is a creature that plays catchy tunes, leaving players with memorable melodies. GLaDOS's song "Still Alive" from Portal has become a cultural touchstone, reflecting her personality and enhancing her character's narrative. Total Distortion features guitar warriors, where failure results in a memorable game-over song, integrating music into gameplay. Conroy Bumpus in Sam & Max: Hit the Road offers a satirical country song, critiquing the big-game hunter archetype. In Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell, Satan sings with Broadway flair, adding humor and depth to his character. Ursula in Kingdom Hearts 2 showcases her villainy through song, providing comedic relief with her playful references. I.M. Meen opens with a song that sets the tone for a game blending education and entertainment. In Cuphead, King Dice performs a jazzy number in "Die House," enhancing the stakes and his flamboyant personality.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

Get Borderlands 3, Risk of Rain 2 and 13 other great PC games for $15

The "2K Megahits 2026 Bundle" from Humble includes 15 Steam games for a limited time, featuring popular titles from the 2010s such as BioShock Infinite, Risk of Rain 2, Borderlands 3, and XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The bundle is available until August 7th and is experiencing high demand, leading to a depletion of keys for certain games. Notable games include Risk of Rain 2, which offers engaging roguelike gameplay, and XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a well-regarded turn-based strategy game. The bundle also features three Borderlands titles: Borderlands 3 Special Edition, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and Tales from the Borderlands. Other included games are BioShock Infinite, Duke Nukem 3D, Bulletstorm, and Hidden and Dangerous. A portion of the proceeds will support Covenant House, assisting young individuals facing homelessness, and buyers can customize their donation allocation during checkout. The full list of games in the bundle includes: - Risk of Rain 2 - Borderlands 3 Standard Edition - Mafia II: Definitive Edition - BioShock Infinite - Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands - The Quarry - Tribes of Midgard Deluxe Edition - Homeworld Remastered Collection - Tales from the Borderlands - Bulletstorm Full Clip Edition - Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour - Hidden and Dangerous Bundle - The Darkness II - X-COM: UFO Defense - XCOM Enemy Unknown

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Satisfactory, Space Marine 2, Assassin’s Creed, and more

The Epic Games Store is offering two free PC games: Echo Generation and Luto, available until July 23, when Foretales will be the next free game. Humble has released three new game bundles: the Liminal Spaces bundle featuring titles related to the Backrooms genre, the Humble Handhelds Bundle including Children of Morta and Amid Evil, and the 2K Megahits Bundle with popular games like BioShock Infinite and Borderlands 3. The GOG store is also providing DRM-free discounts. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Get 15 games for $15 in Humble’s 2K Megahits bundle, including Bioshock Infinite, Risk of Rain 2, and one of my favourite shooters of all time

2K and Humble have launched a 2026 'Megahits' bundle featuring 15 games for a minimum price, with notable titles including Risk of Rain 2, Borderlands 3, Mafia 2, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Homeworld: Remastered Collection, Bioshock Infinite, Tales from The Borderlands, The Quarry, Hidden and Dangerous 1 and 2, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour, Tribes of Midgard, The Darkness 2, and Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition. The bundle has a combined value of , and a portion of the proceeds will support Covenant House, a charity for homeless and trafficked youth in North and South America.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: GTA, Borderlands, Kingdom Come, Stray and more

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles this week: Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon, available until July 16, when Echo Generation and Luto will replace them. The July Humble Choice lineup includes eight games: Sea of Stars: Sunset Edition, TUNIC, Neon White, Police Simulator: Patrol Officers, Drop Duchy - Complete Edition, Sledders, Dicefolk, and Our Adventurer Guild, available for purchase until August 4. Additionally, Humble has released two game bundles: the Narrative Bundle, featuring 12 games, and the Squad Goals bundle, which includes cooperative titles. The GOG store has ended its DRM-free summer sale but continues with standard promotions. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

25 Games Tested On The Steam Machine: A Good, But Pricey Device

Valve's Steam Machine, priced at ,000, was tested with a 2TB unit using default settings at 1080p resolution, upscaled to 4K. Various games were evaluated for performance, including: - Cyberpunk 2077: Smooth 60 FPS with light ray tracing; stability issues at resolutions above 1080p. - Mouse: P.I. for Hire: Ran flawlessly at 60 FPS with default settings. - Left 4 Dead 2: Performed admirably. - Borderlands 4: Had visual issues initially; became playable after adjustments. - Hades 2: Ran seamlessly at default settings. - Silent Hill 2: Struggled with performance. - Doom: The Dark Ages: Played smoothly; could use visual adjustments. - Megabonk: Performed impressively. - Spider-Man 2: Decent at default settings; improved with resolution increase. - Windrose: Struggled at default settings; medium settings improved performance. - Overwatch: Exceptional experience at default settings. - Grand Theft Auto V: Ran well after initial setup issues. - Gears of War Reloaded: Visuals improved after tweaks. - Fallout 4: Maintained solid performance without adjustments. - Control Ultimate Edition: Needed settings lowered for stable performance. - Arc Raiders: Playable but with fuzzy image quality. - Elden Ring: Performed admirably with some tweaks. - Vampire Crawlers: Provided a sharp experience. - Resident Evil 4 remake: Satisfactory but needed adjustments for better visuals. - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: Became playable after adjustments. - Helldivers 2: Ran well but lacked sharpness compared to PS5 Pro. - Resident Evil Requiem: Solid experience but fell short against PS5 Pro. - The Last of Us Part II Remastered: Ran exceptionally well. - Peak: Required no adjustments and performed comparably to high-end PCs. - Warhammer 40K: Darktide: Achieved stable 60 FPS after tweaks. - Halo: Master Chief Collection: Unplayable due to login issues. - Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip: Ran smoothly at maximum settings. - Rage: Ran smoothly after adjustments. The Steam Machine is seen as intriguing but its high price limits appeal to dedicated enthusiasts. It offers access to a vast library of Steam games, particularly older or 2D titles, but may not be justifiable for non-PC gamers, especially with upcoming titles on rival consoles.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Take-Two CEO says “Borderlands wouldn’t have been a hit” without $50 million art style change gamble

The original Borderlands, unveiled in 2007, resembled other mid-2000s shooters with a muted aesthetic. As the game neared release, Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two Interactive faced a decision about its art style, which was deemed insufficient by his team. Despite the risk of delaying the project and the significant investment already made, Zelnick chose to support a shift to a hand-inked art style, which ultimately contributed to the game's success. He described this decision as a gamble that few in the industry would have taken, emphasizing the importance of trusting creative vision and fostering innovation within the company.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Take-Two CEO says the original Borderlands’ art style overhaul cost a year of dev time and $50 million: ‘Had we not done that, Borderlands wouldn’t have been a hit’

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, discussed the development of Borderlands in a conversation with podcaster David Senra. The game, initially revealed nearly two decades ago, started with a muted palette and somber tone, contrasting sharply with its final vibrant aesthetic. Transforming Borderlands required an investment of millions and an additional year of development, as the team realized the original art style was not differentiated enough. Randy Pitchford, a key developer, noted that early testers found the initial design reminiscent of other titles like Rage and Fallout 3, which felt dated. Ultimately, Borderlands' unique style has become a defining characteristic, distinguishing it from other shooters.