With the upcoming releases of spin-offs like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and true sequels to the Borderlands franchise, Gearbox is poised to have its hands full for the foreseeable future. However, the potential transition to an MMO could bring fresh opportunities to the Borderlands universe while also presenting healthy competition for other popular MMOs, including Destiny 2.
Given the striking similarities between recent Borderlands games and Bungie's MMO looter-shooter Destiny 2, a transition to an MMO seems like a natural progression that's just waiting to happen. This shift could open doors to future games with dedicated PvP modes, such as a Borderlands Battle Royale.
Future Borderlands Games Should Give PvP a Chance
While more Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands games seem likely, rumors of the potential sale of Gearbox by Embracer Group cast uncertainty on the future of Borderlands spin-offs. However, an unexpected transition to the MMO genre could be the franchise's saving grace, especially considering it wouldn’t require too drastic a change from the current offerings of Borderlands games.
As it stands, the multiplayer experience in Borderlands could benefit from greater depth, making a shift to a proper MMO a logical progression for the franchise. One area for consideration in future Borderlands games is the inclusion of dedicated PvP modes.
While Borderlands has existing multiplayer elements, including duels and co-op matchmaking, it lacks true PvP or large-scale multiplayer. Borderlands 3 already laid the groundwork for a Borderlands Battle Royale through Arms Race, thus not fully realizing the potential for proper multiplayer content within the series would be a missed opportunity. Transitioning to an MMO could pave the way for a live-service Borderlands game, which is a realistic possibility for the franchise’s future.
A Borderlands MMO Could Be a Game-Changer
It is uncertain whether a Borderlands MMO could overshadow Destiny 2, but it could certainly pose healthy competition for it. This transition for the Borderlands franchise could be beneficial for both Destiny 2 and other MMO looter-shooters, as competition could theoretically motivate all games to improve.
While it might be overstated to claim that a Borderlands MMO could be a “Destiny 2 killer,” the natural rivalry between these games makes it a possibility. Borderlands’ signature gunplay and ability-based combat could truly shine in a large-scale multiplayer environment, a key appeal of Destiny 2. Currently, one of the main differences between these two franchises is Destiny 2’s larger-scale multiplayer. If the Borderlands franchise were to expand its online offerings, it would pose a close competition against Destiny 2.
Destiny 2 Is Facing Decline
In addition to fueling ongoing competition, the timing of a Borderlands MMO could also present a significant challenge for Destiny 2. With reports of layoffs within the studio and the delay of The Final Shape expansion, player engagement in Destiny 2 appears to be waning. Specifically, the peak player count in Destiny 2 on Steam in the last 30 days isn’t far from its lowest point.
- Current Peak Player Count: 77,163 (December 2, 2022 - January 2, 2023)
- Lowest Peak Player Count: 60,854 (November 2022)
- Highest Peak Player Count: 316,651 (February 2022)
With the upcoming release of the Borderlands movie and the anticipation for Borderlands 4, the Borderlands franchise continues to gain momentum. Considering this, the franchise could potentially steal Destiny 2’s thunder if Destiny 2’s next expansion falters, particularly if an upcoming Borderlands game transitions into a true MMO with expansive areas to explore, bustling hubs, and increased multiplayer content.