Hi Borderlanders,
I like many have been enjoying the game for over a year now, purchased all the DLCs and I am eagerly awaiting the last patch so I can really enjoy DLC4. I have noticed a few comments of fans frustrations (dare I say it "rage" pardon the pun) around the patch coming out later than the fourth DLC and as a software developer myself I thought I could offer and explanation of why this might have happened. But before I do that I would just like to say that I hope Gearbox takes the time necessary to get the patch right rather than rush it and have it suck.
Borderlands was brand new IP last year and many gamers (second round customers) would have skipped over it in favour of other tier one releases at the time. It was a cell shaded game which I think is the likely reason many were put off as there are not many good cell shaded games out there especially when realism of MW2 is all teh craze. Since last year though the game has been finally recognised for how cool it really is; and also there have been 3 great DLCs released and a 4th one on the way so it made sense to package a GOTY edition in time for xmas.
I expect they ran into timing problems and were unable to finish both DLC4 and scaling in a timely manner so they would have had some tough decisions to make. If I was managing the project I would have done exactly what they are doing now and I will explain why, and why this is ultimately a good thing for you
DLC4 is "supposed" to be the last for this series and its my expectation that it will be, and also its likely they are well into development of Borderlands 2 but just not ready to talk about it yet. So getting back to GOTY edition and the scaling problem it was better for Gearbox to concentrate on the DLC4 and release it with the GOTY in time for the holidays and release the patch to fix scaling and give us playthrough 3 (which is free btw) soon after when it is ready and working properly. Not including all 4 DLCs in a GOTY is just stupid and to release it after the other tier one titles this xmas would be equally stupid.
Now ignoring the scaling problem for a moment imagine the outrage that would have happened if DLC4 was release in GOTY but not been available for DLC. So release the GOTY complete is the right thing to do, also release DLC4 is the right thing to do. I expect they new the patch was going to take a bit longer and would not be ready even when GOTY was available so it made sense just to give it to the loyal fans now and let them know the scaling patch, level limit increase, along with playthough 3 (big yay from me) is coming "soon" after completely gratis. Those patient of us are waiting and I am sure we will be happy with a balanced game when the patch finally comes out.
The more money they raise with GOTY and DLC4 ultimately means the bigger budget Borderlands 2 will get which does mean greater value for all the fans. So please be patient and I am sure the 3rd run through will be great fun.
Catch a ride... Wambie68!
P.S. I have no affiliation with Gearbox or Borderlands in any way I am just a loyal fan. Wambie68 09:51, October 16, 2010 (UTC)
Well said. I too am patiently awaiting patch 1.5.0. But there is no PT3, just a rebalenced PT2.5. Which is why i'm leaving DLC4 PT2 till after the patch. TheDataAngel 10:49, October 16, 2010 (UTC)