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Gearbox: How did we forget games were supposed to be fun? photo

Gearbox seems to have catapulted into the spotlight ever since it wowed the gaming world with its radical redesign to the previously obscure Borderlands. This RPG-styled shooter is coming along really well, but the studio's Mikey Neumann explains how the developer almost missed the most important aspect.

"The art style, again, is the glue to everything. It allows us to embrace what our game actually is," he states, "and man, when we had that epiphany, when it all came together, we were like, 'sh*t man, that's what this game is, this game is about having fun.'

"Really, as developers, when you have an epiphany that the game's supposed to be fun, you simultaneously feel like the biggest genius in the world and biggest idiot that has ever existed. Like, how did we forget this? How did we forget games are supposed to be fun? And we do! Walk the show floor! We forget!"

I'm glad they remembered it in time. A fair few studios seem to have been getting amnesia when it comes to fun in games. Borderlands is looking amazing in any case, and it looks like it'll certainly be fun. Hopefully we get our hands on the game soon!








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17 comments | showing # 1 to 17
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lawlflip's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 17:18
lawlflip
DAT ASS.
Naim Master's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 17:20
Naim Master
@lawflip
Meh , prety half-assed (pun intended) ass , kinda thin ...
garison's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 17:22
garison
I wouldn't say that games necessarily HAVE to be fun. I wouldn't really say that Shadow of the Colossus, or Persona 4 are really that fun to play, but they make me think.

But fun is good.
garison's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 17:22
garison
I wouldn't say that games necessarily HAVE to be fun. I wouldn't really say that Shadow of the Colossus, or Persona 4 are really that fun to play, but they make me think.

But fun is good.
HiddenAHB's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 17:29
HiddenAHB
Is a shooter with RPG elements or a RPG with shooter elements?
Or something like Fallout 3 or Oblivion?

Anyway, it's looking pretty good(and fun).
Daxelman's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 18:22
Daxelman
MMMMMHMMMMM. YA GURL.
BattyAdroit's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 19:55
BattyAdroit
I am psyched for this.
BattyAdroit's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/04/2009 19:57
BattyAdroit
PS - All we have to do now is remind gamers that games are supposed to be fun too.
El Edito's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/05/2009 02:42
El Edito
Can't wait for this one.

@Moto
Apparently all the weapons are generated in game and there are more than 100,000 different combinations.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/05/2009 06:03
Chronic Logic
Games are supposed to be fun?! But MMORPGs told me that it's not supposed to be fun!
Jayge's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/05/2009 09:07
Jayge
@HiddenAHB it's a shooter first and an RPG second, as opposed to Fallout 3, which is an RPG first and a shooter second, if you get what I mean.
B-Radicate's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/05/2009 13:12
B-Radicate
I am going to buy this game just to support the artistic direction they took it in. Looks frickin' amazing to me and the prospect of the vast weapon collection will likely hit my sweet spot.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2009 12:10
Holyetheline
I'm sure I would have fun with this even if they weren't necessarily bent on implementing "fun" into the game. ;)
Filt's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/11/2009 17:36
Filt
EEEP! I can't freaking wait for this game.

And it's about time that some developers are admitting the fact that they've really lost the fun-factor, at least these guys are willing to wake up and do something about it. I hope this game is as great as I imagine it to be.
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