Borderlands 2 ends with a cinematic reveal depicting numerous Vaults scattered around the galaxy, feeding years of rumors that Borderlands would turn the co-op looter shooter franchise into a full-blown Destiny-like MMO, and that almost came to pass. Unfortunately, a Borderlands MMO was canceled in 2015, yet now it is making a comeback.
For those unfamiliar, Borderlands Online was that MMO. It began development at Shanda Games in 2014 until the company shut down (and the project was canceled) in 2015. Borderlands Online was an official game in the wider universe and would have launched as a free-to-play game exclusively in China alongside four iconic Borderlands classes: the soldier, the berserker, the hunter, and the siren. Other confirmed features would have included Guilds, Gun Crafting, Hub Cities, deep customization, Restock Stations, and PvP Arenas.
Borderlands MMO Being Brought Back By The Fans
Since 2016, Gearbox has released Borderlands 3 and Borderlands 4, keeping the franchise on a co-op looter shooter runway and not fully exploring the teases made in Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel about a possible, massive-scale, MMO-oriented war of the Vault Hunters. That may or may not be the premise of this MMO, but at the very least, it checks off the promise of that gameplay style. A year ago, it was reported that a group of fan modders was working on bringing back Borderlands Online, and it’ll soon be playable.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Known community member EpicNNG revealed that he and “countless teams” have been working hard to get Borderlands Online in a playable form, described as a “true-to-form remaster.” Beyond presumed improvements to gameplay, EpicNNG stated that it would feature Native 1440p Support, 120 FPS, unlocked FOV, and fully handcrafted English localization. If it sounds like a herculean undertaking, that’s because it is, with EpicNNG adding that this would be their “last gift” to the community as a “modder for the foreseeable future.” He mentioned there would be a “special announcement” for it and that folks could play it “soon.”
In other words, Borderlands fans should keep their ears open for more news on this upcoming Borderlands game. It’s worth highlighting that this is a fan project, not official game canon or supported by Gearbox/2K, and it may not reflect Borderlands 2‘s ending, the same gameplay quality fans expect, or the most modern graphics. It remains to be seen what fans accomplish, but for everyone who has wanted a Destiny 2-like Borderlands MMO for the longest time, it might finally scratch that itch.
With that caveat in mind, said announcement could very well be hype for those disappointed in Borderlands 4 or those flocking back to it to play as the new Vault Hunter Loveless. Ultimately, more than a decade after Borderlands Online was canceled before ever leaving China, fans may finally get the chance to experience the MMO that the franchise itself never got to make.
- Released
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October 20, 2009
- ESRB
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m
