Now we know why we aren't getting Borderlands 3 -- developer Gearbox Software has instead been working on a brand new, next-generation IP that blends first person shooting with gameplay elements more likely to be found in games like League of Legends and Dota 2.
Called Battleborn, the game's story revolves around a band of intergalactic heroes converging on the last star in the cosmos and fighting for superiority. Because the heroes come from all over the galaxy, expect to see some crazy playable characters from a wide range of archetypes, ranging from an aristocratic robot gentleman with a gun-cane, to a futuristic samurai and a giant wielding an over-sized mini-gun.
Each character plays vastly different; an elven archer is quick and able to leap above foes while raining down arrows from on high, while a more stereotypical space marine character plays as if he'd been ripped from a modern military shooter. Gamers can expect unique and distinct gameplay for each of the game's numerous playable characters.
Game Informer, who has the exclusive reveal, dove into the game's 5v5 Incursion mode and will be sharing more details on the title all month. In Incursion, players battle it out in a manner similar to that of a MOBA. NPC minions engage in a never ending tug-o-war battle, while heroes fight one another through jungle and desert environments. Similar to games like League of Legends, players level up over the course of the match, unlocking new abilities and customization options.
Gearbox says Battleborn will also feature a 5v5 cooperative campaign mode, though the developer is staying quiet for now on details.
It should once again be stressed that this is all being played in first person, a first for the MOBA genre. Accompanying the game's unique gameplay elements is an equally unique art style, one that is stylish, cartoony and allows for the larger than life character to really stand out. Be sure to watch the trailer below for a better glimpse of the game's personality.
"As a genre-fused, hobby-grade, co-operative and competitive FPS exploding with eye-popping style and an imaginative universe," says Gearbox president Randy Pitchford, "Battleborn is the most ambitious video game that Gearbox has ever created."
Those excited for the game will have to wait longer than they would like. Publisher 2K Games currently plans to release Battleborn on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC sometime in 2016.
