Managing Hype: Borderlands

Every game has the potential to let us down. Even our most anticipated games can be bombs if our hype is high and they manage to hit all the wrong notes. People often say they get over-hyped for a game, and when it comes out, they are let down as the game failed to meet their ridiculously high expectations. This has happened to me, and I'm sure it has happened to all of you.

For some, the solution is a complete media blackout. They try to avoid all trailers and info about a game they are excited about in order to not get over-hyped. I refuse to do this. So how then do we keep our hype in check?

I propose we should all look at the games this Fall we are most excited about, and then try to realistically break down what can likely go wrong. If we analyze the potential for problems prior to release, then when the game finally does come out, we might harp less on the issues and focus more on the positives.

First up, Borderlands. This is an RPG with the mechanics of a first person shooter. The RPG elements and loot system are very much inspired by Diablo 2, one of my favorite games ever.  My hype level for Borderlands is directly proportional to the amount the game feels like Diablo 2.  So here are some ways it can go wrong:

Brad says:

1) Shitty world design. I will go into detail on the failure of world design in modern video games in a separate, more in-depth post; but for Borderlands, lets just say this... I want to know where I am by looking around, not by looking at a map. I want to travel around in my vehicle because I know where I am and how to get to my destination, and not have to rely on bullshit quick travel and destination markers.

2) Lack of build variety in the class system. This could be a real problem for me.  Because you build your own persistent character for the world of Borderlands, there is a good chance that, when playing with other people, same classes will have fight together.  Since there are only four classes, I really hope there are different ways to play any given class.  For example, the mage-like class should have the ability to have a build that focuses on pure damage, a build that focuses on magic that helps teammates do more damage or whatnot, and a build that focuses on keeping others alive with support abilities.  Build variety allows for much more finely tuned groups, and without it, co-op in Borderlands will be a lot less interesting.  My fear is that any given class might feel and play the same for every player.

3) Lack of depth in the skill system. Basic "hurt and heal" skills are not going to do it for me.  I need options for any given character that can really change how combat is approached.  Interesting movement, environmental, and support skills are very important to making this game last for me.  If the range of skills is limited to "my bullets do more damage" and "my character takes less damage" then well... we have Too Human.  And nobody wants that.

4) The game fucks up the loot. There is a right and wrong way to do loot.  It's ridiculous just how important the loot system is in making Diablo 2 the addictive game that nearly ruined my college career.  Most games do loot horribly wrong.  This game has already hinted at doing it right with its randomized modifiers, but there are still some ways it can fail for me.  First, the game needs to have loot that caters towards different class build types.  For example, when I pick up a gun, I should say "Hey, this gun would be perfect for that Support Hunter I was thinking about making.", instead of "Hey, this gun does a lot of damage, I'll use it for whoever."  This means that the loot should have depth in the bonuses it provides beyond damage increases -- stat increases, added support effects, and other properties that some classes might find really useful and others might find completely useless.  This way you feel like you are collecting shit for a reason -- because you might find something that encourages you to make another class type.

The pacing of loot is perhaps even more important though.  Always finding useful loot is necessary, but so is not always being overwhelmed by better loot.  It's nice to find weapons that I might use at a later date for for a different class, but if I'm constantly replacing my own equipment every 10 minutes, then my shit becomes a lot less meaningful to me.  I want to feel that the equipment I spend time grinding for has some real worth.   Also, the unique equipment that pops from bosses shouldn't make every random item I grinded for useless.  I need to feel like the loot randomizer has potential to drops items that are just as good as the unique stuff.  The "knowing that amazing stuff is out there and will pop with time and persistence" is what makes Diablo 2 the crack addiction that it was for me.

The loot system also worries me the most because loot is limited to weapons, grenade types, and shields.

5) Unbalanced/less useful classes. This one is simple.  If some classes are overpowered and some completely suck, then the multi-player component to the game will be terrible.  I don't want 4 of the same type of class running around in the same game because said class is just too fucking powerful.  If this game does balance right, then we should always see at least 3 different class types in any given game.

So yeah, there are many ways the game can go wrong for me, but I have lofty expectations for Borderlands.  Don't let me down Gearbox.

Brad