When Borderlands was last properly shown, it was a sort of gritty, grimy (and, unfortunately, fairly generic looking) effort.
Since then, the game has had a visual overhaul which has been revealed in this months PC Gamer (i’m assuming the US print edition) which Gearbox have claimed is to keep the games visual style as close to their concept art as possible. The cynicist in me says its to differentiate the game from id’s RAGE, but i’m willing to give Pitchford & co. the benefit of the doubt.
Obviously, as we saw with Diablo III’s reveal, a change in art style from ‘apocalyptic grit’ to, well, any other colour palette tends to bring out the angry internet men and this was no exception, prompting a swift respons from several Gearbox employees…
We do care about all our fans, no doubt, and the decision to alter the art style was assuredly not one taken or made lightly. It also wasn’t made without gathering plenty of information and feedback
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Our concept art had this incredible, distinctive style and feel that fit so perfectly – the game has not become less detailed or washed out at all. Rather, it retains the detail and style that’s often lost when we move from concept art to 3D. It stands out, and makes the gray-and-brown bleak landscapes, while still bleak and inhospitable, memorable and recognizable.
So there we have it… Still unconvinced? Buy PC Gamer!
