Decline So apparently Gearbox is making an FPS-MOBA - Battleborn

[Azalin]

The only thing thing that can revive this game is if they follow the Evolve 2.0 route with a massive update and a f2p model

 

[Metro]

For whatever reason I thought it had some kind of single player or co-op with bot teammates mode But I guess it is mostly a PvP experience. I've heard of people taking 10+ minutes to find a match.

 

[Azalin]

It does have a single player with co op but there aren't any bots in the single player,you can have bot matches in the multiplayer though

 

[Martius]

For whatever reason I thought it had some kind of single player or co-op with bot teammates mode But I guess it is mostly a PvP experience. I've heard of people taking 10+ minutes to find a match.

These are two separate modes. Co-op part is even playable solo, it also kinda scales amount of enemies and some boss mechanics depending on amount of players.

 

[Talby]

This looks like it would have flopped pretty hard even without the horrible timing of coming out around the same time as Overwatch.

 

[deuxhero]

Didn't this cost more than the two Boringlands combined?

Who will they sell the Duke License to?

 

[Metro]

Can't remember if this was the game they used the Alien CM funds on or whatever that creative accounting debacle was about. The good (well if you like Borderlands) news is it'll prompt 2K to demand work on Borderlands 3 be expedited.

 

[Infinitron]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-05-yes-battleborn-flopped-but-2k-vows-to-stick-with-it

Yes, Battleborn flopped, but 2K vows to stick with it

Gearbox's hero shooter Battleborn flopped upon its May launch. Its low player numbers on the likes of Steam made that perfectly clear.

But now the boss of publisher 2K has promised to stick with the game in a bid to grow its audience.

Speaking after the release of a financial report, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick (Take-Two is the parent company of 2K) admitted Battleborn missed its sales targets, despite a relatively positive reception.

"While the game launched to solid reviews, its performance in the market has been below our expectations," he said.

Image courtesy of YasterUK, via Reddit.

Battleborn will have hurt Take-Two particularly hard because it spent a lot of money marketing the game. I remember seeing a lot of billboards and posters for it on the London Underground, where it was billed as the next game from the creators of Borderlands.

In its financial report, Take-Two said operating expenses were up by $28.8m "due primarily to higher marketing expense for the launches of Battleborn and our upcoming lineup".

Still, there's a commitment to the game.

"We think there remains an opportunity to grow the audience for this unique experience over time," Zelnick said, "and 2K will continue to drive engagement and recurrent consumer spending on the title through add-on content and virtual currency."

So, what's being done, exactly?

In June, Gearbox outlined an extensive DLC plan for Battleborn that involves the release of new heroes and maps. It just released Pendles for 47,500 in-game credits, for example.

Also back in June, Gearbox launched Battleborn's premium currency, Platinum. This lets you buy new skins and taunts.

Balance updates continue, of course, as do events, such as double XP. It's clear Gearbox is keeping current players interested. But can it get more players interested?

Later in the financial call with analysts, Zelnick expanded on the Battleborn situation.

"So with regard to Battleborn, we're being very frank about where we are, because we're a transparent company," he said.

"We're still delivering new content to Battleborn. Audiences love Battleborn. We still have virtual currency coming for Battleborn. We're not counting it out for a minute. We're just telling you where we're at now."

 

[Turisas]

Whenever Gearbox does anything but Borderlands, it's a shitfest. BL is shit too of course, but at least it's popular shit.

 

[Metro]

Pretty sure the playerbase is down below 500 even after the Humble Bundle promotion.

 

[Parsifarka]

Whenever Gearbox does anything but Borderlands, it's a shitfest. BL is shit too of course, but at least it's popular shit.

The two first Brothers in Arms were good. Anything else is shit, of course.

 

[markec]

Humble Bundle, recent sale and very low price at key seller sites have did wonders for its player numbers.

 

[Metro]

900 is better than I thought. It was around 200 prior to the Humble sale.

 

[DeepOcean]

Well, it seems youtubers shilling for your game isn't enough when it is a pile of crap.

 

[ortucis]

Can't remember if this was the game they used the Alien CM funds on or whatever that creative accounting debacle was about. The good (well if you like Borderlands) news is it'll prompt 2K to demand work on Borderlands 3 be expedited.

It was Borderlands 2.

They created a shitty Aliens game to fund another shitty game. Even indie developers put more effort in their game world and storyline.

 

[Metro]

Except Borderlands 2 was AWESOME!

 

[ortucis]

Except Borderlands 2 was AWESOME!

How is it awesome? It's better than the first one. But that isn't saying much.

I am usually OK with generic stories/gameworlds in RPG's but that game takes 'generic' to a new level.

 

[markec]

 

[hajro]

So Battleborn f2p relaunch when?

 

[Gerrard]

Would it actually change anything though? There's tons of shitty free to play games.

 

[Talby]

They should just let the game die and accept it was a flop that nobody wants. Time for Borderlands 3.

 

[GrainWetski]

They should just let the game die and accept it was a flop that nobody wants. Time for Borderlands 3.

They're going to take a stance on these evil borders on our planet and call it Nobordersland 3

 

[Jinn]

Time for Borderlands 3.

Please, no more of this.

 

[ortucis]

Time for Borderlands 3.

Please, no more of this.

But that's what Gearbox does to stay relevant.

Release a flop > Release Borderlands sequel to gain good press from people with no taste and hard-on for unfunny robots.

Their strategy works.

 

[Talby]

Time for Borderlands 3.

Please, no more of this.

It's inevitable. Maybe they can finally make a good one, third time's the charm.