Borderlands 3 arriving Sep 13, PC version exclusive to Epic for 6 months
Wipe off your guns and reset those skill trees, Vault Hunters. Gearbox Software and 2K have announced that Borderlands 3 will be phasewalking into existence on Sep 13th! That’s less than half a year away! While you mull over your budget, perhaps you’d like to check out the latest trailer for it.
Trailer first, questions later
The next chapter in the critically-acclaimed shooter-looter is a labour of love nearly seven years in the making. When asked for comment, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said:
“For the past several years, the team at Gearbox Software has been devoting every ounce of our passion, creativity and love into making Borderlands 3 the biggest, baddest and most ambitious Borderlands adventure we’ve ever made. Borderlands 3 is being crafted not only as a love letter to fans of the series, but also as an ideal entry point for new players to jump-in alone or cooperatively, on or off-line, in the latest and greatest installment of the definitive best-in-class benchmark shooter-looter.”
Nice!
So, what’ve we got?
Well, based on that trailer, “ambitious” definitely looks like the word for it. Pilotable mechs, gigantic dinosaur creatures, and the ever-present hordes of Psychos all make an appearance. Not to mention the “bazillions” of guns available and our new Vault Hunters. Moze, Amara, FL4K, and Zane take to the field in Borderlands 3, each with their own unique fighting style, abilities and customisation options.
I think I’ll be going for Moze first. She looks really cool, especially with that Titanfall-esque mech. There’s also that weird single-wheeled vehicle… thingy. Can’t wait to ride that.
Furthermore, unlike previous instalments where you’re largely confined to a single planet, Borderlands 3 will have you hopping from world to world to fight the Children of the Vault. Led by the Calypso Twins, it’s up to our motley crew of Vault Hunters (and returning characters) to take down the cult and save the universe.
Fans in Asia are getting some special treatment, too. 2K says there will be localized voice-overs, subtitles, and menus in Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese, with Traditional Chinese getting the last two.
What’s that about the Epic store?
Yup, Borderlands 3 is a timed-exclusive. PC owners can only get the game through the Epic Games store, and it’ll stay that way for six months until April 2020.
2K president David Ismailer said that they are doing so to “embrace new distribution platforms that will contribute to our effort to grow the audience for Borderlands 3” but the reception has not been favorable to put it lightly. Things have gotten vocal enough for Pitchford to step forward and say that the decision was not in Gearbox’s hands.
2K/Take Two has exclusive publishing rights for Borderlands 3 and makes all decisions regarding price-points, territories, distribution and platform partnerships. Please direct all inquiries regarding any of those topics to 2K. We are *just* the talent. 1/3
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) April 1, 2019
For what it’s worth, 2K’s decisions aside, myself and the team at Gearbox have a very keen interest in cross-platform play. We believe multi-platform support is a pre-requisite and Epic’s leadership with cross platform support is helpful to our interests there. 3/3
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) April 1, 2019
Last but definitely not least
Yup, we’ve come to the pre-orders section but don’t scramble for your wallets, we’re just giving you the heads up. Pre-ordering gets you some gold weapon skins and a weapon trinket.
- Borderlands 3 Standard Edition – US$59.99 (~S$81)
- Borderlands 3 Deluxe Edition – US$79.99 (~S$108)
Bonus digital content:- Neon Cosmetic Pack: Vault Hunter head & skin, Echo Device skin, weapon trinket;
- Gearbox Cosmetic Pack: weapon skin, weapon trinket;
- Toy Box Weapon Pack: 2 Toy guns, Toy grenade mod, weapon trinket; and
- XP & Loot Drop Boost Mods.
- Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition – US$99.99 (~S$135)
All bonus digital content, the pre-order bonus, and the Season Pass which includes:- 4 campaign DLC packs featuring new stories, missions and challenges; and
- Butt Stallion weapon skin, weapon trinket, and grenade mod.
2K also says that the Super Deluxe Edition is on “limited time pricing” and that it’ll increase to US$119.99 starting Sep 17. Hmm.
Before we forget…
Oh, it almost slipped my mind, but there’s going to be a gameplay reveal livestream on May 1st (PST), although Gearbox has yet to announce the exact time. I hear the new Vault Hunters have some pretty cool action skills at their disposal.
Images: Gearbox Software/2K
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