Battleborn, the multiplayer shooter by Gearbox Software, is ending development, with the game's upcoming Fall Update to be its last one.
Gearbox tried its hardest to keep Battleborn afloat, but it simply could not overcome the juggernaut that was unleashed by Blizzard, Overwatch.
Fall 'Battleborn' Update Will Be Its Last
In June, Gearbox rolled out the Battleborn Free Trial, which was a free-to-play version of the game's online multiplayer modes. This effectively transformed the multiplayer shooter into a free-to-play title, with only a set of six heroes available to players every week and more content available to be unlocked either through in-game credits or Platinum currency purchased with real money. Players who previously bought Battleborn received bonuses to offset the transition of the game into a free-to-play model.
However, the free-to-play Battleborn will apparently only last for a few months. In a note by Battleborn Creative Director Randy Varnell on the official Gearbox forums, he revealed that the upcoming fall Battleborn update will be its last one.
"As of this week, there will be no more Battleplans and there is currently no planned content after the Fall Update," Varnell wrote. However, he added that Battleborn will be staying, with the game's servers to be kept up and running for the foreseeable future. This means that Battleborn fans will not be shut out of the game, but after the Fall update, the multiplayer shooter will remain static with no new skins and balance updates.
Varnell also confirmed the shift in focus of Gearbox to an unannounced game, in which he will be playing a significant role in its development. According to rumors, that upcoming title is none other than Borderlands 3.
'Battleborn' vs 'Overwatch'
Battleborn is a first-person shooter that allows players to choose from a roster of characters, each equipped with different skills and abilities, to take on their opponents in various kinds of matches. If that sounds familiar, then you already know why it has reached the end of the line just over a year since it was launched in May 2016.
Overwatch was launched three weeks after Battleborn, and Blizzard's shooter quickly proved to be more popular. As Overwatch kept drawing more players into its universe with colorful characters, captivating lore, and fast-paced gameplay, Battleborn was not able to do the same, allowing Overwatch to cast a huge shadow over it.
Overwatch remains at the top of its game, with Blizzard about to launch the highly anticipated Overwatch League. Meanwhile, Battleborn, maybe just because of bad timing for its launch, is at the end of its rope.
