At Gearbox Software, players’ opinion is important. And the studio proves it to us by revealing the presence of a borderlands 4 functionality added to the demand of the fans.
After having been the subject of multiple controversies in recent weeks, the time of calm after the storm has finally arrived to Borderlands 4. Indeed, while the question of the price of the game generated heated discussions between the players and Randy Pitchford for almost a month, all the tensions finally passed out when its final price has been revealed. For the CEO of Gearbox Software, the time has now come to turn the page and resume communication around the new products expected in this new opus.
Gearbox explains the absence of mini-map in Borderlands 4…
In a long thread published on X, the creator has indeed focused in depth on The question of the mini-map Within Borderlands 4 which, as it recalls, will offer the largest franchise game area to date. “There are main missions and secondary quests (many) which often have objectives, sometimes multiple objectives, which go beyond the scope of a useful mini-map” explains Pitchford. “In addition, the game offers much more verticality than before”.
“This is why the mini-map becomes problematic” then confides the latter. “If you have already tried to use Google Maps to walk in Tokyo, you know how confusing and insane”. Not to mention that, as he then specifies, include a mini-map in a game like Borderlands 4 has costs. First of all, it takes time to the teams. “It’s not just about making a small version of the big map”he explains. “This is an entirely new system that requires development time that could be devoted to other features and content”.
Then, this takes place on the screen, which necessarily impacts the vision of the player. And finally, more importantly, it requires a place “Considerable” in the memory of the game. “For a game like [Borderlands 4]the game is not worth the candle “ then assures Pitchford. This is why instead, Gearbox has rather decided to invest more in the creation of the Grande Map, which they accompanied by a compass and a drone companion in order to facilitate the navigation of the player in the world.
… Before revealing the presence of a combat radar
The problem, as Pitchford points out, is that the absence of a mini-map has still been the subject of certain criticisms. After having presented Borderlands 4 to different journalists and creators of content around the world, it came out in several of them that his absence was slightly harmful to the fighting, because it was then impossible for them to clearly identify the number of enemies and their position. “They pleaded for a combat radar” recalls the studio boss.
And while the subject began to be the subject of many discussions on social networks, the idea has gradually started to mature at Gearbox … who finally decided to take action. “Some developers met and found time on the sidelines of their schedule” reveals Pitchford. Result: the players finally won, and a combat radar will indeed be present in Borderlands 4 as an option for those who wish. Everything is good that ends well, therefore.
“This happened thanks to the best elements of our community. I’m talking about real fans who sincerely want the best for the game and who have given constructive notes and reasonable arguments. You know who you are, and you are great. It is thanks to you that it happened! »» Then concluded Pitchford, before recalling that Borderlands 4 will be officially available from September 12.
