At PAX East this year, there is no overlooking the fact that Borderlands 2 sits atop the list of most anticipated games for many of the attendees. Much of the game’s changes and character customization has been detailed before, but Gearbox Software still has a few tricks up their sleeve. During the company’s panel, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford unveiled the brand new Mechromancer Class. The new character type is still in the conceptual stages, so owners of Borderlands 2 will be receiving the Mechromancer as DLC 60-90 days after release.
Obviously when gamers hear the words ‘DLC’ and ‘character class’ in the same sentence the worst is immediately assumed. However, this case is something entirely different. Pitchford was completely open during the panel about the fact that the Mechromancer is still in the early, early stages of development. The team has ideas about what they want to do with the character class, but nowhere near enough time to complete it and implement it into the existing game.
As such, the character will be tackled wholeheartedly only when Borderlands 2 moves into certification and the team can direct the necessary resources. So far the team only has concept artwork, depicting the Mechromancer as a diminutive steampunk girl whose abilities seem to extend beyond her own physical strength. Along with the character herself, one sizable murder-bot dubbed ‘Deathtrap” was also shown in concept artwork.
For those who pre-order the game (or presumably purchase it at full price) the Mechromancer DLC will be downloadable for free when it is released. Otherwise, players will be spending a bit more for access to the character class.
Aside from adding a player class to the numerous pre-order goodies for Borderlands 2, this reveal goes a long way to back up Gearbox’s claims that they are dedicated to making the sequel far less repetitive than the original Borderlands. Some might complain over the delayed content on the grounds that it should have been thought of and developed sooner, but the development team has to be commended for adding content to their game even this late in production.
The 60-90 day window given by Pitchford can also be understood, since the expanded skill and ability trees for the Mechromancer will need to be built and balanced from the ground up. With Borderlands 2 set to release in September, time just wasn’t on their side.
What do you think about Gearbox’s desire to follow through on a good idea, even if it means later DLC offered free to owners? Is this case of Gearbox’s customer support extending beyond release something you’d like to see more of, or preemptively avoided?
Borderlands 2 will release on September 18, 2012 (September 21, 2012 for international markets) for the PS3, PC, and Xbox 360.
Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce.
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I can’t wait for this.
Already go my preorder and playing through the first to tide me over.
The 60 to 90 day wait doesn’t bother me because I wouldn’t play through with the Mechromancer first anyway.
Come to me Zero!
I’ve already preordered and have no problem with this either way. Can’t wait to see what they have in store, it going to be INSANE! Maya is mine.
They’re giving it free to people who buy it day 1 so I see nothing wrong with it. I only see a problem with companies like Capcom nickle and dimeing people by charging them for the dlc later when it should have been with the full game.
If you don’t buy this on day 1 then you are just not cool enough to use the Mechromancer.
it’s all good if those of us who buy it day one get the class for free, or if the class is sold for something like 300 ms points. but if they’re gonna charge activision prices for their DLC (i know they wont but if they do) then i’m sorry gearbox but i’m out.
i loved the 1st one b/c the DLC packs where literally expansion packs to the vanilla game, taking us to different settings with new enemies etc, i want them to keep the same formula at the same price.
I’m fine with them charging for a character developed post certification. What irks me is that it’s used as a way to circumvent reviews affecting the sales, by promising it for free to early buyers/pre-orderers. What I want to know is if it’s a pre-order/limited edition bonus, or a bonus to anyone who buys the game new for as long as it’s in stock, like EA’s online passes.
my guess is that it will be exclusive for free players and available to everyone for a few days (like the DLC pack for BRINK), then move to paid price afterwards, makes the most sense to me.
alternatively it could just be pre-order bonus b/c the gearbox forumers where asking for free DLC or figurines with pre-orders and from what i’ve seen so far none of those are offered