Since ending support for its hero shooter, Battleborn, last month, fans of Gearbox Software have been eager to learn about what else the developer is working on. Specifically, fans are desperate to find out more about Borderlands 3, the studio's much-awaited RPG sequel.

While Gearbox isn't quite ready to lift the lid on its highly anticipated open-world game just yet, it seems that the developer is storming ahead with production on the title. According to a new job posting, it seems that the latest major step in Borderlands 3 development is hiring a writer.

In a job listing, Gearbox explains that it is "looking for someone to join the writing team for an unannounced AAA FPS/RPG hybrid with strong characters and central narrative thread." The hired writer will "write, punch up and iterate scripts in-line with established story and plot outlines," including writing dialogue for voice-overs and mission-related text. The developer does not explicitly mention the Borderlands series, but the fact that the hire must have a "love for comedy writing" is a dead giveaway given the franchise's tone.

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Interestingly, out of the nine job listings posted by Gearbox, the writing position seems to be the only one that could be for Borderlands 3. The others seem to relate to Gearbox's general development, or its recently announced multiplayer shooter, Project 1v1.

As 90% of Gearbox staff is already said to be working on Borderlands 3, the fact that the developer is looking for just one more person to complete the puzzle (right now) could be a good sign. If the game was still a long way out from being completed, or if Gearbox was hiring a lead writer rather than a writer to join the team, then that would surely be reflected in the job listings.

Unfortunately, though, the job listing doesn't offer any clues on when the game might be formally revealed. Gearbox parent company Take-Two seemed to suggest that Borderlands 3 could be released as soon as 2018 or even in early 2019. If Take-Two's teasing is to be believed, then that doesn't give Gearbox a huge amount of time to announce the game and promote it ahead of launch.

However, the hiring of a writer may mean that the developer is tightening up the game's language and tone and is preparing to put marketing materials together too. Fingers crossed that fans don't have much longer to wait.

Source: Gearbox Software