Gearbox: Borderlands Won't Be As "Boring" As Fallout 3

We all have our personal preferences; what someone might call "boring" another might call "immensely entertaining." Considering this, we know Gearbox Randy Pitchford was speaking about a certain group of gamers who may have considered the excellent RPG, Fallout 3, "boring." ...but he might also be a member of that group.

Anyway, in talking up Gearbox's very promising RPG/FPS, Borderlands, Pitchford said it would be "less boring" than Fallout 3 in a recent interview with OXM. Essentially, he's referring to the inherent action in Borderlands, which has a better chance of immediately snagging those with shorter attention spans. Said Pitchford:

"I understand why we do those games [like Fallout 3] but I don't know - do we want that? I think that game could have been much better if it didn't have a single dialogue tree. Honestly. And if it was more action-orientated, and if the shooting was better."

Pitchford isn't saying his approach to exploring vast landscapes is better, but he does say he'll leave it up to the consumer to decide. "We'll find out when we decide what people are gonna buy," he said. If it weren't for the more fantastical setting, we'd compare it to Deus Ex, as Borderlands will most certainly boast both role-playing and standard FPS elements. The question is: does it appeal to you? It'll drop on October 20.

Related Game(s): Borderlands

10/6/2009 9:19:30 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (68 posts)

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Zemus101
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 9:49:05 PM
Reply

As I've said on other topics about this game, I am extremely stoked. I ordered it from Amazon.ca and I'm hoping it arrives around the 21st. 4 player co-op and definitely confirmed the system generates over 16 million weapons (or is it items?) anyways ...can't wait, hoping it's as good if not better than Fallout3.

When can I expect a review from you guys? Would be nice to find some before I get it, for those that get the review copies early.

Last edited by Zemus101 on 10/6/2009 9:51:38 PM

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:09:03 PM
Reply

Why OH why do these devs open their mouths??!!

I'm very interested in Borderlands, but why does he have to open his stupid yap and bad mouth one of my all time favorite games?

Hey Pitchford, here's an idea, talk AFTER you've released your game.

4 up, 9 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:43:05 PM

Maybe becuase one of your all time favorite games didn't live up to the hype. It wasn't a true RPG or Fallout game.

16 up, 6 down

Wage SLAVES
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:50:37 PM

I agree Alien. That sh*t talking doesn't come over too well with me either. One thing M$ did innovate was the thuggish approach everyone has while endorsing their products.

This game already had my attention because I loved Fallout 3 and I must agree the shooting was not the best. The weapons were just awesome though.

4 up, 7 down

coverton341
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 11:18:27 AM

I'm going with Vertigo on this one actually. Fallout 3 was neither a true Fallout game, and it was not too RPG akin either, but I will also go onto record as stating that I do love Fallout 3 for what it is.

It is a solid open world FPS with customization aspects. I have not really been too excited about this game though. I never really heard too much about it quite honestly up until recently and Demon's Souls snuffed any and all interest in other games as of late and now that I have it I am realising that I will not really have time for too much else for a great and long amount of time.

2 up, 1 down

Alienange
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 2:57:32 PM

@ LV and coverton341 - Are you guys for real? Do you think Borderlands is a true RPG? He's comparing his game that is yet to be released saying it is what people want, compared to a game that IS released and has sold millions and won many GotY awards. Go on guys, speak to me about how it didn't live up to the hype.

When a game sells into the millions, yeah, there's going to be a few who don't like it and don't 'get' it, but don't pretend that Gearbox has the right to mouth off about it before they've even released their game. When they have over 5 million in sales for bordeland, THEN they can say "our game is about as good as F3."

About it not being a "true Fallout game." Well that's not what Pitchford is saying is it?

2 up, 1 down

Wage SLAVES
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 7:34:58 PM

@Alienange

Damn, we just got crapped on for no reason. Unless people like the bully approach to propaganda.

On Fallout 3, all that should matter is that it was a good game. MGS4 wasn't exactly like the first so is it a bad thing?

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 10/7/2009 7:36:04 PM

2 up, 1 down

BTNwarrior
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:12:32 PM
Reply

This game just reminds me so much of Resistance 2's co-op. And considering that was the best part of that game, this is a must buy for me.

And fallout is only boring when someone else is playing it!

5 up, 0 down

nickert0n
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 11:22:51 AM

Resistance 2 co-op owns.

3 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:13:45 PM
Reply

lol !

Won't get this either

6 up, 3 down

HAMCHUNKS
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:30:08 PM

i wont buy Besthesda's basterd children (yes they did buy the Fallout license from another studio but its ders now lol)

Borderlands looks awful with its points poping rite out of the ppl as u shoot them
i would rather have my buggy FO3 then this rip off thats just more shooter heavy

6 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:21:02 PM
Reply

Blasphemers. Without dialogue Fallout 3 would have been a waste of time. Anyway this game looks lame but I will keep an open mind and eye out for reviews.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 10/6/2009 10:25:46 PM

6 up, 3 down

The_R0gue_Ninja
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:38:38 PM

I like it when people stir up controversy. By making blatant statements, such as what Randy Pitchford said about taking out the dialogue tree in Fallout 3, mature people actually consider new possibilities.

Fallout 3 really could have used better gunplay, though. It was pretty bad, and V.A.T.S. only sort of made up for it.

2 up, 5 down

The_R0gue_Ninja
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:45:45 PM

So you know, I was not indirectly saying you are immature. I said that mature people consider different possibilities, because if they weren't mature they would immediately crucify anyone with a different opinion instead of listening and discussing other viewpoints.

Just wanted to make sure you knew that. :P

0 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:06:10 PM

man, im pushin 30 and consider myself pretty mature, and it is also my diagnosis that dialogue integral to a grander story and strategy (such as VATS) cater to a more grown up audience than mindless blasting away. The fact that guns were in the game at all was just an artifact of the story. It wasn't a shooter.

Anyway, shooting ones mouth off isn't mature, its what makes the news when you do it at a town hall. Introducing "new" ideas isn't about stripping away what is vital to the experience.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 10/6/2009 11:08:15 PM

4 up, 4 down

coverton341
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 11:24:06 AM

" I think that game could have been much better if it didn't have a single dialogue tree "

I don't know about you guys but when I read this sentence over and over I see a stark word that it appears a lot of people are over looking and that word is SINGLE.

I am not trying to defend the statement he made but I am trying to look at it from a different point of view. What if, he is saying it could have been much better with a dialog tree that went in a multitude of directions?

Why don't we try and see from more than one perspective instead of a single viewpoint? (See that there?)

1 up, 0 down

The_R0gue_Ninja
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 1:02:19 PM

That was profound, and really caused me to think. Good insight to a different viewpoint, coverton341. :)

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:02:40 PM

All of the dialogue trees went in a multitude of directions, are you guys high?

0 up, 0 down

The_R0gue_Ninja
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:26:40 PM
Reply

I already have Borderlands per-ordered and fully paid for! The only thing left now. . . is to. . . . . . wait. . . . .

0 up, 1 down

Zemus101
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:53:27 PM

Tell me about it :P It's killing me. It's also the only game I'll be able to get until after Christmas, I think the last full priced game I bought was Fallout3 lol I spent over 200 hours into that before trading it in and pre-ordering Borderlands.

1 up, 0 down

The_R0gue_Ninja
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 1:09:35 PM

That's awesome! The last game I bought for full price was Killzone 2. I only spent about 80+ hours in that game, but I still feel that I got my money's worth.

This holiday season, though, I'm getting four games for the full price. I would usually wait for the price to fall, but these games are simply too good to wait.

1. Uncharted 2
2. Brutal Legend
3. Borderlands
4. Modern Warfare 2

0 up, 0 down

napoleon85
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:35:45 PM
Reply

I don't know about this one 'cause I haven't paid enough attention to it. Regarding FO I thought it was boring indeed. I don't know, that's just my opinion. I know there are lots of gamers out there that actually enjoyed it.

1 up, 1 down

The_R0gue_Ninja
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 10:42:01 PM

I first read about it in GameInformer's September 2007 issue, this was before I had a next-gen console. Borderlands was the first game that made me want to get a PS3. I have been waiting for it for a long time now, and it is only two weeks away!

Has anyone ever heard of the band Further Seems Forever? Well, they're wrong! It should be: "Sooner Seems Forever"!!!

0 up, 1 down

NoSmokingBandit
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:06:14 PM
Reply

I thought Fallout 3 was boring
<_<
>_>

Half the time is spent hunting down the next person to talk to. If i wanted that i'd play Professor Layton.

Borderlands looks pretty sick. Cant wait to get my hands on it.

4 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:12:20 PM

lol, don't buy an RPG if you don't want to hunt down the next person to talk to :)

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 10/6/2009 11:12:29 PM

6 up, 1 down

Zemus101
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:29:03 PM

I agree. I loved Fallout3 and loved the pacing, didn't find a single thing boring about it. Actually, even after the 100 hour mark and on like ..my 2nd or 3rd character it was still insanely fun blasting away people in different ways, with different weapons.

1 up, 0 down

chucknasty
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 1:32:08 AM

I thought fallout 3 was worse than boring. I go to take an exam which I assumed would form my character traits and...pencil tap....yeah, fail. Fine I tried to be crappy to my annoyance since I hated to hurt my karma and snuck though.
Then I am outside, with a 10mm hand gun and run into a mole (yes, a radiated mole) and shoot it not once, not twice but three times in THE HEAD!!! and it killls me. Huh?
Keep playing and run into captain-fix-my-pipes. Find hole, can't fix. Fine.
Keep playing (?) and go to store, shoot everyone in the head twelve times or whatever it takes for a 10mm with head shots to kill someone and then get killed by a dog as I leave.
Put game on shelf.
worse game ever.

4 up, 5 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:06:01 PM

@ chuck, its an RPG not a shooter. I'm pretty sure one sword swing would reasonably kill any bad guy in FFVII too, but it didn't for a very good reason. And well, there is this thing called "Difficulty" you could have turned down.

*sigh* Some people's kids...

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 6:29:45 PM

The guy got killed by a radiated mole... You can't take his impression of this game seriously after that comment.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:10:08 PM
Reply

Maybe Borderlands will change things and I will sing its praises some day but right now I don't think Cell shading belongs in a serious FPS.

0 up, 0 down

Zemus101
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:31:17 PM

That's why I'm interested in Borderlands (well one of the reasons) they aren't afraid of doing something different for an FPS (which I already played KZ2, that's enough FPS for me for awhile, not really a fan of FPS so much) also they aren't afraid of going up against the big boys this holiday season.

It's also not cell shading, it's an art style that strongly resembles their concept art and I really like it, much better than if it was bland and had no color.

Last edited by Zemus101 on 10/6/2009 11:31:39 PM

0 up, 0 down

nickert0n
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 11:27:30 AM

I'm interested to see an FPS in cell shaded look. One of the reasons I liked playing Crackdown was the amount of detail you saw with Cell Shading.

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 3:06:29 PM

@ Zemus101 - Uh ... You ARE aware that Borderlands is a FPS? If you've had enough of fps then maybe you should pass on this?

0 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:03:53 PM

nope, you guys are insane, cell belongs to rpgs and stuff like Jet Grind Radio. Mark my words.

0 up, 0 down

Kevadu
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:30:57 PM
Reply

He's basically saying he doesn't like RPGs, which is fine. Not everyone has to like RPGs. But why knock one of the best RPGs of this generation just for being an RPG?

4 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 @ 11:44:51 PM

Actually it consistently gets knocked by RPG lovers for not being a true RPG. Course the biggest crime the game committed was not being a true Fallout game, that aspect of it really pissed me off.

5 up, 2 down

Corak
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 4:41:44 AM

@Vertigo:
Exactly my thoughts.
Except maybe the fact that I LOVE fallout 1 & 2(!!!) so much that I couldn't go on playing Fallout 3 after about three hours of try really hard to like it.
Its not Fallout; its a Shooter with a few stats and a cheat button.
I have high hopes for Borderlands 'cause it does say it is a shooter with RPG elements.

1 up, 1 down

Alienange
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 3:12:24 PM

Oh yes, the old "F3 is not a true Fallout game" argument. Funny how you never hear why. According to those l33t gamers who think it's cool to bash a blockbuster, it's "just not." Wow! What an argument!

1 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:06:06 PM

@Alienange

You've been around the block before and if you've played 1 and 2 than I'm not going to waste my time listing obvious differences since you hate me. But I'll give you one of the things that pissed me off.

You can't kill children in Fallout3

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:08:39 PM

Sorry guys but I have Brotherhood of Steel on xbox and it is just so much lameness compared to what goes on in Fallout 3 I can't even begin to explain. Bad argument. And the only reason people say it isn't a "true" RPG is because it is a Western RPG. Which are held in less esteem than a solid JRPG affair.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 6:32:15 PM

@ LV - I hate you? No, last time we spoke it was YOU that was swearing at ME. You don't remember? Anyways, your point is valid, you can't kill children, but I don't feel that makes this game "not Fallout."

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 12:23:18 AM
Reply

boring?
wow, you gotta be kidding me.
i loved fallout 3 and to this day its the only RPG i actually like.
even the game freezing every hour and me having to reset my ps3 was not enough to stop me from playing it.
arrogance like this is what puts me off buying a game, if you expect me to buy borderlands i suggest you stop running your mouth off.
i hate developers these days, they have become so full of themselves its not funny.
if your games good GREAT let the game speak for itself.

5 up, 4 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 12:25:23 AM

The only RPG you like?

Well your credibility just went out the window.

7 up, 4 down

Gabriel013
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 1:06:06 AM
Reply

I really enjoyed the 'take your time' pacing of Fallout 3. If this is more frantic then I'll give it a miss.

3 up, 2 down

Akuma07
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 1:38:29 AM
Reply

i love fallout3. true rpg or not. its the best ive played.

fair enough borderlands is in competition with fallout but dnt talk shit till uve sold more copies then fo3.

3 up, 1 down

piratedrunk
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 1:43:43 AM
Reply

I got Fallout 3 collectors edition at a wicked sale at EB in July. About a week ago I traded the game in for $40 and now I'm up $10 and a lunchbox. sweet deal, boring game. RPGs are my games of choice but I could not get into it at all. If this is similar I won't be picking it up

1 up, 1 down

Ultimadesires
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 3:18:12 AM
Reply

Apart from the fathat Falout 3 has some of the best dialouge/ voice actors in a game.... They even had Liam Neeson!

3 up, 2 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 3:43:17 AM

Wing Commander FTW

2 up, 1 down

slayerkillemall
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 3:57:20 AM
Reply

I've been Following this game since 2007,before the Cartoonish Grephics?

I played a little of Fallout 2 on a friends pc,and he also got fo3,its like day and night.

this game might be fun if its cheap,but is it worth $60 ?....we will see...

0 up, 0 down

DGo8
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 4:45:48 AM
Reply

RAGE will be better then this i think.

2 up, 1 down

Lotusflow3r
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:03:49 AM
Reply

what a twat!

thats what makes fallout or oblivion, great!

This guy sounds like he has no sense of immersion.

its actually the opposite, too much action is boring.

I was thinking about getting this, definitely not now.

Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 10/7/2009 5:04:31 AM

4 up, 2 down

frostface
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 6:41:53 AM
Reply

I traded in Fallout 3, can't remember what I got in return but don't regret the trade in! Seems alot of people do like that game though, so why not have 2 games on the market that are similar and cater for everyone, rather then start with this talking trash just to boost a few sales. From what I gather, the people who like the Fallout 3 game are REALLY into the Fallout 3 game and this could isolate them from wanting to buy Borderlands. The best thing Pitchford could of done was keep his mouth shut and let the game do the boasting when it's released, if it's even all that good!

0 up, 0 down

tridon
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 7:55:28 AM
Reply

Meh.

I'll just stick to playing my Uncharted 2 and Modern Warfare 2. Thanks.

1 up, 0 down

nickert0n
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 12:23:55 PM

I second these actions, however Demon Souls has caught my eye, something about challenging my video game manhood saying it will kick my ass has intrigued me.

1 up, 0 down

big6
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 9:03:34 AM
Reply

Actually, I didn't find Fallout 3 to be boring at all. I put many, many hours into it. I didn't know about it going in, but when I eventually hit the level 20 cap, it floored me. That was my WTF moment, and I pretty much dropped my controller and stopped playing...

(but it was great fun up until that point)

2 up, 0 down

Frenchy17
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 10:59:52 AM
Reply

OMG, what a bunch of babies! The guy is a gamer too and is allowed an opinion of what can make a game better.

4 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 12:32:33 PM
Reply

I hope Borderlands at least isn't as buggy. Fallout 3 on the PS3 was one of the best games I've ever played: addictive, terrifying, engrossing and beautiful. It just was a buggy mess. I don't know how many times the game froze my PS3 or did something else like lose the audio. I had to end the game sooner because I didn't want it to take my PS3 with it...and that was after the patch.

2 up, 0 down

BeezleDrop
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 1:21:39 PM
Reply

I hear that Brighat, no other game has run as horribly as Fallout3 did on my PS3. I never really thought any of the Fallout's were boring, 3 wasn't it had ton's of adventure and action. With Borderlands I am excited but I'm also anxious to read some reviews because I can't just throw money around these days. Gearbox seems to have quite the ego but we will see if they can have it. They finished Hells Highway recently and that game wasn't too great, so lets see if they deliver. I have hope!

Last edited by BeezleDrop on 10/7/2009 1:22:49 PM

0 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 2:27:53 PM
Reply

To me, Fallout 3 is the perfect marriage of FPS and RPG.

It's my favorite game of all time.

It's only problem? It doesn't make the hardline folks happy on both ends.

2 up, 0 down

The CEO
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 4:48:18 PM
Reply

Borderlands looks like cel shaded garbage to me. They should have kept original art instead of changing it. You know the original look of the game but I guess they figured out the could not outdo Fallout 3 since it was basically a Fallout 3 rip-off looks wise. As for Fallout 3 I loved all 170 hours I spent playing it and all the expansions for it.

0 up, 1 down

The CEO
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 4:55:40 PM
Reply

Oh I have to mention it was the 360 version I played because I heard about the bugs and did not want to have to wait for the expansion packs.$110 well spent. Game=$60 Expansions=$50 still worth it. Borderlands looks like a turd to me but time will tell. I think Pitchford just wanted to compare his game to a great game to generate hype.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:10:26 PM
Reply

Vertigo, where are you? I'm callin' you out! What's so bad about Fallout 3?

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:15:01 PM

I'm getting my ass kicked in Demon's Souls.

Leave me alone! I'll enlighten you after I dispatch the 2nd boss.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 5:43:45 PM

haha, man I have to wait to get that game but I'm lookin forward to it. I'll let you go for now.

And I accept your apology.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 6:36:09 PM

Won't be long before the air of Demon's Souls hype balloon burst. Waaaait foooor iiiit...

0 up, 2 down

BeezleDrop
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 9:19:02 PM
Reply

I dunno man, I hear only great things about Demon's Souls. I'm dying to play it!

0 up, 0 down

eLLeJuss
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 @ 11:09:38 PM
Reply

This game will probably be like haze's fate.

0 up, 0 down

Cuetes
Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 5:04:23 PM
Reply

boring? millions disagreed...

0 up, 0 down

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Gearbox: Borderlands Won't Be As "Boring" As Fallout 3

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