Battleborn (video game): Difference between revisions

Battleborn
Battleborn
Developer(s)	Gearbox Software
Publisher(s)	2K
Director(s)	Randy Varnell
Producer(s)	Chris Brock
Designer(s)	John Mulkey
Programmer(s)	Neil Johnson / Scott Velasquez / Chase Sensky
Artist(s)	Scott Kester
Writer(s)	Aaron Linde
Composer(s)	Cris Velasco; Kevin Riepl; Mike Rubino
Engine	Unreal Engine 3
Platform(s)	PlayStation 4; Windows; Xbox One
Release	May 3, 2016
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

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Battleborn was a free-to-play first-person shooter video game developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. The game was released worldwide on May 3, 2016.

Battleborn was a hero shooter with elements of multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA). Players select one of several pre-designed characters with different attacks and skills, and participate in either single player, cooperative matches, or competitive matches with other players. During matches, players gain experience to advance their character along the Helix Tree, selecting from one of two new abilities or buffs with each advancement step that allows the player to create a custom loadout for that character for the duration of that match. Furthermore, as the player completes matches, they earn randomized gear (generated similarly to the Borderlands series' randomized weapon feature) that can also be equipped as part of the loadout to provide further buffs and abilities, or purchased through microtransactions.

The game received mixed reviews upon release, with reviewers citing on the difficulties of learning the complex gameplay systems as being ultimately deep and rewarding but off-putting to new players. Battleborn was overshadowed by Blizzard Entertainment's Overwatch, another hero shooter, that was released a few weeks later and which caused a large drop in Battleborn's player count within the month. In response, Gearbox made adjustments in pricing and downloadable content to try to draw new players to the game. In June 2017, it was transitioned to a pricing scheme comparable to a free-to-play title.

Gearbox announced a year-long phased shutdown of the game's servers by January 31, 2021, with the game removed from sale in November 2019 and planned shutting down of in-game purchases by February 2020.

Gameplay

Battleborn is described as a hero shooter, primarily a first-person shooter incorporating multiplayer online battle arena elements.^[2] In any of the game's modes, the player selects from one of several pre-defined hero characters that they have available, each with their own unique attributes, attacks, powers and skills, which can include casting magic and area-of-effect attacks.^[3] During character selection, the player also selects a loadout that can have up to three pieces of gear to bring into a match, earned from previous matches. Each piece requires a number of shards, in-game currency collected during a match, to activate during a match, and once activated, stay active for the remainder of the match. This equipment can boost or detract from base attributes or give additional benefits to the character. Shards can also be used to activate special turrets on maps to strategically defend points.

The hero's base combat level starts at 1 at the start of a round, and as the player defeat enemies and complete other objectives, they will gain experience towards further levels. With each new level, the player can then select one of two or more perks specific to that character along that character's "Helix Tree", including unlocking the character's strongest "ultimate ability".^[4] These experience levels only apply within the current match and reset on the start of a new match.

In Battleborn's meta-game, both the player's "command level" (applying across all characters for a given player) and a character-specific level can be increased based on performance in matches. In this meta-game, new character levels will unlock new perks that can be selected on the Helix Tree, alternative outfits, and other cosmetic improvements. Higher command levels will unlock additional characters that the player can select from, among other benefits. New gear is earned as loot drops from the completion of a match, or through picking up loot during a match, or may be purchased in special loot chests using in-game coins earned from playing matches or from gaining command levels. The player can only store a limited number of pieces of equipment, but can sell unneeded equipment for coins to apply at the meta-game. Battleborn requires a constant Internet connection to play due to the game's meta-game features.^[5]

The game features 25 playable characters upon release and later added 5 downloadable content characters, with each having different abilities and weapons; characters are broadly categorized based on their movement speed and agility, combat range and effectiveness, and the difficulty of playing the character.^[6] For example, Rath is a melee-based character who is equipped with a katana,^[7] while Thorn is a long-ranged character, whose primary weapon is a bow.^[8] Characters of supporting role, such as Miko, who specializes in healing other characters of the same team, are also playable.^[9] During first time after game's release not all characters were available when the player starts the game, they were unlocked for play by completing both missions and multiplayer games, or raising player's command rank. Starting from big update from February 2017, all 25 base game characters become available to play right after tutorial story mission. After "Free Trial" update in June 2017 access to all base game heroes in free version now given after purchasing "Full Game update", along with all Story missions, otherwise they could be purchased separately in Marketplace.

Battleborn includes a story-based mission mode that enables five players to cooperate to complete various missions that include objective-driven narratives used as backstory for some of the hero characters.^[3]^[10] The additional 5-story missions are called Story Operations and were added as DLC; their main differences from main story mode are earning of OPs points, which gives player various rewards depending on chosen character and increases mission's difficulty, and changing of dialogues of main non-playable characters, which fully reveals story's narrative on 10th playthrough.^[11]

There are also three main multiplayer modes in the game that pit two teams of five players each against each other (or against a team of artificial intelligence controlled heroes^[12]):

Meltdown, a mode where the team should escort and sacrifice AI controlled robots while killing robots of enemy team;
Incursion, a mode similar to most MOBAs where teams have to take the opponents' base while protecting their own base;
Capture, a mode where teams vie to seize and hold several control points on a map.^[13]

The other two later added multiplayer modes are:

Face-off, a mode where the main objective is hoarding masks of AI controlled Varelsi mobs, the team that deposits most masks for a given time or score limit wins;^[14]
Supercharge, which unlike other modes feature 3v3 teams and in fact is a slightly different version of Meltdown mode with a second main objective being capture of advantage giving Supercharge pad.^[15]

Battleborn initially did not support microtransactions, and it was only introduced in a June 2016 update. Players could use real money to obtain in-game credits that could be spent on skins and taunts for the various characters (some which can already be earned through advancement with the character), but otherwise has no direct influence on gameplay. Gearbox planned to release downloadable content that would include new skins and taunts for existing characters prior to announcement of the game's shutdown.^[16]

Setting

The game is set in a space fantasy setting, in which every species fled to a star known as Solus after a disastrous event destroyed most other planets and stars in the universe. These species are divided into different factions upon their arrivals, and eventually they united and cooperate with each other by sending out the best fighters, who are labelled as Battleborn, to fight against Varelsi, the origin of the catastrophe.^[10]

Plot

After the leader of the Jennerit Imperium Lothar Rendain started a rampage of destroying all the stars in the universe, the captain of the UPR (United Peacekeeping Republics) Trevor Ghalt formed a coalition in order to save the last star, Solus. The first mission forces the player to play as Mellka, an Eldrid operative who is ordered to rendezvous with Deande, a former Jennerit assassin. During this mission, Rendain offers Deande one last chance to prove her loyalty to him, but she refused. After this mission, the player is allowed to use any of the Battleborn for the next mission, which requires you to defeat ISIC, to make him an ally. In the third mission, the player has to escort an M7 Super Sentry and kill the Varelsi Conservator.

Development

Battleborn was announced by Gearbox Software and 2K Games and revealed by Game Informer on July 8, 2014. It is the first original game developed by Gearbox Software since the release of Borderlands in 2009, and is also claimed to be "the most ambitious video game that Gearbox has ever created" and a "genre-fused" video game by Gearbox Software's president, Randy Pitchford.^[17]^[18]

In a 2017 interview, Pitchford said that prior to Battleborn's development, the principle way to market and promote first-person shooters was to emphasise what abilities the player-character had, which made elements like a detailed game world or narrative a secondary consideration. This led to them thinking about creating a game with "a wide spectrum" of characters and abilities which then could be used in large-player game modes.^[19] Pitchford recognized that they already had experience creating a diverse array of characters through the Borderlands series, and that this roster of heroes approach was gaining popularity in multiplayer online battle arenas.^[19] With Battleborn, Pitchford wanted to take the combination of first-person shooter and role-playing elements they had from Borderlands, and mix in the range of heroes as to create a new genre, what has become known as the "hero shooter".^[19]

Several gameplay elements from Brothers in Arms: Furious 4, another project from Gearbox which was cancelled in July 2015, were transferred to the game.^[20] A closed technical test for this game, which allows Gearbox to test the multiplayer servers and alter the balance between characters, was held on October 29, 2015.^[21] A beta for the game was released on April 8, 2016. It came to the PlayStation 4 first before other platforms.^[22] Battleborn's PC open beta began on April 13, 2016 and lasted until April 18, 2016. Players were able to participate in both story mode and two competitive multiplayer modes: Incursion and Meltdown. More than two million players participated in the beta.^[23] The game was set to be released worldwide for PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One on February 9, 2016,^[24] but was later delayed to May 3, 2016.^[25]

The game's graphics are inspired by computer-generated imagery like the movies produced by Pixar, as well as anime. When creating the game's 2D graphics, the team hired Michel Gagné to work on the 2D effects of the game's maps and characters' abilities. The team also drew inspirations from a variety of fighting games, multiplayer online battle arena games, role-playing games and toys from the 1980s.^[26]

In addition to the standard version, players can purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes the game's Season Pass and cosmetic items. Five additional characters are set to be released for the game upon release for free, and five different paid packs, which includes additional story content, are also scheduled to be released after the game's launch.^[27]

Rumors surrounding the game turning free-to-play started to circulate around the internet, but Gearbox president Randy Pitchford declined any plans of turning the game free-to-play, although he did mention ideas of releasing a free "trial version".^[28]

On October 3, 2016 2K Games announced the addition of a competitive game mode called Face-Off, to be released for free to all players who own Battleborn on October 13, 2016. The game mode launched alongside the first downloadable content Story Operation, titled "Attikus and the Thrall Rebellion".^[29]

In June 2017, the game was updated to add support in for its "Free Trial" mode. This mode effectively makes the game a free-to-play title; at no cost, players can download the game, play a rotating selection of the game's heroes in any of the game's public multiplayer modes, and earn in-game currency towards permanently unlocking other characters and upgrades; the Free Trial does not include the game's story missions, nor allows these players to set up or participate in private matches. Players that already owned the game are designated as "Founders" and were given in-game rewards. Players still can purchase the game, unlocking most of the roster of characters and gaining access to private and story-based game modes.^[30]

Reception

Aggregate score
Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	PC: 69/100^[42] PS4: 68/100^[43] XONE: 71/100^[44]

Review scores
Publication	Score
Destructoid	6/10^[31]
Electronic Gaming Monthly	7.5/10^[32]
Game Informer	6/10^[33]
GameRevolution	^[34]
GameSpot	7/10^[35]
GamesRadar+	^[36]
IGN	7.1/10^[37]
PC Gamer (US)	72/100^[38]
Polygon	7.5/10^[39]
Hardcore Gamer	4.5/5^[40]
PlayStation LifeStyle	8/10^[41]

Edit on Wikidata

Battleborn received "mixed or average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.^[42]^[43]^[44]

Destructoid awarded it a score of 6 out of 10, saying that the game is "Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy this game, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled."^[31] GameSpot awarded it a score of 7 out of 10, saying "With so many moving parts that never quite gel, I found plenty of things to love but just as much to feel confused by and ambivalent about."^[35] IGN awarded it a score of 7.1 out of 10, saying "Battleborn's fun heroes and leveling will keep you hooked despite a lack of content."^[37] Hardcore Gamer awarded it a score of 4.5 out of 5, saying "Battleborn has done what I would have previously thought was impossible: it has kept me interested in its multiplayer. I typically grow bored with adversarial multiplayer after about an hour or two, yet I have spent so much time with this title already and want to keep going."^[40] PlayStation LifeStyle awarded it a score of 8 out of 10, saying "If Borderlands and the MOBA genre could have a baby, I imagine it would look something like Battleborn. Gearbox Software’s signature style shines here, even if the humor falls flat most of the time"^[41]

In looking back at the game a year after its release, Destructoid's Darren Nakamura felt Battleborn was an excellent game once a player had put time to acquire a larger number of playable characters to select from, and had amassed gear that created unique and powerful loadouts for specific characters, but a player would need to work through tens to hundreds of hours of gameplay to acquire these elements, making it off-putting to new players.^[45]

Battleborn was the best selling retail game in its week of release in the UK. It fell, however, to being the 12th best selling retail game in the UK the next week. According to director Randy Varnell, the launch week sales of the game is similar to that of the first Borderlands, which had gone on to sell over 7.8 million units.^[46] It was the fourth highest-selling game in the United States for May 2016 according to NPD Group.^[47] It has grossed $18 million.^[48]

Decline and shutdown

The game's player base quickly declined after release, primarily due to the release of another hero shooter, Overwatch by Blizzard Entertainment, on May 24, 2016.^[49] Gearbox had already been developing Battleborn and had fixed their expected release date when Blizzard announced Overwatch for release within a few weeks of Battleborn.^[19] Though they had considered trying to change the release date as Blizzard had a larger promotional budget that could easily overwhelm 2K Games, Pitchford opted to stay to what they planned and instead make sure the game's release went smoothly and to highlight how Battleborn differed from Overwatch.^[19] In a September 2017 interview, Pitchford believed that the fallout in sales from Battleborn was not necessarily due to the presence of Overwatch, but that people had made comparisons between the two games which reflected negatively on Battleborn and cost them sales.^[50]

By July 2016, the number of concurrent players on PC had dropped below 1000, compared to more than 12,000 at the launch of the game,^[51] and Destructoid reported that at the game's first anniversary, the number of concurrent players sometimes dropped below 100 during off-peak hours, making it difficult to launch a match.^[45] Although Take-Two revealed that the game did not meet their sales expectations,^[52] 2K announced their intention to continue to support the game through add-on content and virtual currency.^[53] An industry rumour in September 2016 suggested that the game would soon switch to a free to play model, which would follow a similar path that 2K Games' Evolve had done in July 2016 and subsequently saw an increase in player base size.^[54] This rumor was later refuted by Gearbox president Randy Pitchford.^[28] Pitchford claimed they have seen 3 million unique players across all systems and that "we're okay. I'm not freaking out. We're fine." in terms of sales.^[19] On June 6, 2017, Battleborn released a patch that introduced the "Free Trial" of the game,^[55] effectively changing the game to a free-to-play model despite Pitchford's comments. This introduced several changes to the game, such as a character rotation, a founder's pack, as well as unlockable characters and cosmetics.

By September 2017, Gearbox announced that after the release of the game's final update, released on October 23, 2017, their support for the title would enter "maintenance mode", effectively shutting down any further development but keeping a skeleton team to maintain the game's servers and fix any critical bugs that may be found.^[56]^[57]

Gearbox announced in November 2019 that the game's servers would be completely shut down by January 2021, rendering the game unplayable. As part of the closeout of the game, the game was removed from sale from digital storefronts and Gearbox announced plans to disable the in-game store in February 2020.^[58] The server shutdown was originally scheduled for January 25, 2021.^[59] 2K Support later announced that this was rescheduled to January 31, 2021, after which the game became unplayable.^[60]

A user-driven project, Battleborn Reborn, has been able to bring back the single-player components of Battleborn through unofficial modding by November 2023. The team behind the project anticipates developing support for the player-versus-player content in the future.^[61]

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External links

Official website

[1] Kreiner, Joe (February 3, 2015). "Unreal Engine Developers at PAX South". Unreal Engine. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.

[2] Marchiafava, Jeff (July 23, 2013). "Dissecting The Elements And Influences Of Battleborn - Page 2". Game Informer. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[IGN-3] Mc Shea, Tom (September 17, 2014). "Gearbox Puts A Happy Spin On The End of The Universe In Battleborn". IGN. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[PCGUS-4] Maiberg, Emanuel (September 17, 2014). "Battleborn preview: a first-person MOBA with a side of Borderlands". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[5] Scammell, David (March 23, 2016). "Battleborn is online-only". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved March 24, 2016.

[6] Nunneley, Stephany (June 4, 2015). "Battleborn E3 trailer shows the hero shooter's characters in action". VG247. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[7] Marchiafava, Jeff (July 18, 2014). "Meet Battleborn's Rath, Marquis, & Caldarius". Game Informer. Archived from the original on June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[8] Marchiafava, Jeff (July 16, 2014). "Meet Battleborn's Thorn, Montana, & Reyna". Game Informer. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[9] Marchiafava, Jeff (July 14, 2014). "Meet Battleborn's Oscar Mike, Miko, & Phoebe". Game Informer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[Poly-10] Sarker, Samit (September 17, 2015). "With Battleborn, Gearbox looks to set a new standard for co-op shooters". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 14, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[11] "Battleborn Story Operations & DLC 1". May 10, 2016. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.

[12] Marchiafava, Jeff (July 23, 2013). "Dissecting The Elements And Influences Of Battleborn - Page 2". Game Informer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

[13] Carter, Chris (June 4, 2015). "2K announces more info for Battleborn, campaign supports co-op". Destructoid. Archived from the original on June 15, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

[14] "PVP at a Glance". June 15, 2017. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.

[15] "Supercharge Mode Comes to Battleborn". June 22, 2017. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.

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[17] Matulef, Jeffery (July 14, 2015). "Gearbox announces new multiplayer FPS Battleborn". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2015.

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@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 | image = Battleborn cover art.jpg
 | developer = [[Gearbox Software]]
-| publisher = [[2K Games]]
+| publisher = [[2K (company)|2K]]
 | director = Randy Varnell
 | producer = Chris Brock
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 | writer = Aaron Linde
 | composer = [[Cris Velasco]]<br />[[Kevin Riepl]]<br/>Mike Rubino
-| engine = [[Unreal Engine 3]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-developers-pax-south|title=Unreal Engine Developers at PAX South|website=Unreal Engine|language=en-US|first=Joe|last=Kreiner|date=February 3, 2015|access-date=October 27, 2021}}</ref>
+| engine = [[Unreal Engine 3]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-developers-pax-south|title=Unreal Engine Developers at PAX South|website=Unreal Engine|language=en-US|first=Joe|last=Kreiner|date=February 3, 2015|access-date=October 27, 2021|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028051059/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-developers-pax-south|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | platforms = [[PlayStation 4]]<br />[[Windows]]<br />[[Xbox One]]
 | released = May 3, 2016
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 }}
-'''''Battleborn''''' was a [[free-to-play]] [[first-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Gearbox Software]] and published by [[2K Games]] for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox One]]. The game was released worldwide on May 3, 2016.
+'''''Battleborn''''' was a [[free-to-play]] [[first-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Gearbox Software]] and published by [[2K (company)|2K]] for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox One]]. The game was released worldwide on May 3, 2016.
 ''Battleborn'' was a [[hero shooter]] with elements of [[multiplayer online battle arena]]s (MOBA). Players select one of several pre-designed characters with different attacks and skills, and participate in either single player, cooperative matches, or competitive matches with other players. During matches, players gain experience to advance their character along the Helix Tree, selecting from one of two new abilities or buffs with each advancement step that allows the player to create a custom loadout for that character for the duration of that match. Furthermore, as the player completes matches, they earn randomized gear (generated similarly to the [[Borderlands (series)|''Borderlands'' series]]' randomized weapon feature) that can also be equipped as part of the loadout to provide further buffs and abilities, or purchased through [[microtransaction]]s.
@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 ==Gameplay==
-''Battleborn'' is described as a [[hero shooter]], primarily a [[first-person shooter]] incorporating [[multiplayer online battle arena]] elements.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/23/dissecting-the-elements-and-influences-of-battleborn.aspx|title=Dissecting The Elements And Influences Of Battleborn - Page 2|first= Jeff |last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=July 23, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref> In any of the game's modes, the player selects from one of several pre-defined hero characters that they have available, each with their own unique attributes, attacks, powers and skills, which can include casting magic and area-of-effect attacks.<ref name="IGN"/> During character selection, the player also selects a loadout that can have up to three pieces of gear to bring into a match, earned from previous matches. Each piece requires a number of shards, in-game currency collected during a match, to activate during a match, and once activated, stay active for the remainder of the match. This equipment can boost or detract from base attributes or give additional benefits to the character. Shards can also be used to activate special turrets on maps to strategically defend points.
+''Battleborn'' is described as a [[hero shooter]], primarily a [[first-person shooter]] incorporating [[multiplayer online battle arena]] elements.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/23/dissecting-the-elements-and-influences-of-battleborn.aspx|title=Dissecting The Elements And Influences Of Battleborn - Page 2|first=Jeff|last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330205949/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/23/dissecting-the-elements-and-influences-of-battleborn.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> In any of the game's modes, the player selects from one of several pre-defined hero characters that they have available, each with their own unique attributes, attacks, powers and skills, which can include casting magic and area-of-effect attacks.<ref name="IGN"/> During character selection, the player also selects a loadout that can have up to three pieces of gear to bring into a match, earned from previous matches. Each piece requires a number of shards, in-game currency collected during a match, to activate during a match, and once activated, stay active for the remainder of the match. This equipment can boost or detract from base attributes or give additional benefits to the character. Shards can also be used to activate special turrets on maps to strategically defend points.
-The hero's base combat level starts at 1 at the start of a round, and as the player defeat enemies and complete other objectives, they will gain experience towards further levels. With each new level, the player can then select one of two or more perks specific to that character along that character's "Helix Tree", including unlocking the character's strongest "ultimate ability".<ref name="PCGUS">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/battleborn-preview-a-first-person-moba-with-a-side-of-borderlands/|title=Battleborn preview: a first-person MOBA with a side of Borderlands|first=Emanuel|last= Maiberg|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref> These experience levels only apply within the current match and reset on the start of a new match.
+The hero's base combat level starts at 1 at the start of a round, and as the player defeat enemies and complete other objectives, they will gain experience towards further levels. With each new level, the player can then select one of two or more perks specific to that character along that character's "Helix Tree", including unlocking the character's strongest "ultimate ability".<ref name="PCGUS">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/battleborn-preview-a-first-person-moba-with-a-side-of-borderlands/|title=Battleborn preview: a first-person MOBA with a side of Borderlands|first=Emanuel|last=Maiberg|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606074201/http://www.pcgamer.com//battleborn-preview-a-first-person-moba-with-a-side-of-borderlands/|url-status=live}}</ref> These experience levels only apply within the current match and reset on the start of a new match.
 In ''Battleborn''{{'}}s meta-game, both the player's "command level" (applying across all characters for a given player) and a character-specific level can be increased based on performance in matches. In this meta-game, new character levels will unlock new perks that can be selected on the Helix Tree, alternative outfits, and other cosmetic improvements. Higher command levels will unlock additional characters that the player can select from, among other benefits. New gear is earned as loot drops from the completion of a match, or through picking up loot during a match, or may be purchased in special loot chests using in-game coins earned from playing matches or from gaining command levels. The player can only store a limited number of pieces of equipment, but can sell unneeded equipment for coins to apply at the meta-game. ''Battleborn'' requires a constant Internet connection to play due to the game's meta-game features.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps4/battleborn/news/battleborn_is_online-only.html|title=Battleborn is online-only|first=David|last=Scammell|work=VideoGamer.com|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=March 24, 2016}}</ref>
-The game features 25 playable characters upon release and later added 5 [[downloadable content]] characters, with each having different abilities and weapons; characters are broadly categorized based on their movement speed and agility, combat range and effectiveness, and the difficulty of playing the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2015/06/04/battleborn-e3-trailer-gearbox/|title=Battleborn E3 trailer shows the hero shooter's characters in action|first=Stephany |last=Nunneley|work=[[VG247]]|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref> For example, Rath is a melee-based character who is equipped with a [[katana]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/18/battleborn-rath-marquis-and-caldarius.aspx|title=Meet Battleborn's Rath, Marquis, & Caldarius|first=Jeff |last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 18, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref> while Thorn is a long-ranged character, whose primary weapon is a bow.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/16/battleborn-thorn-montana-reyna.aspx|title=Meet Battleborn's Thorn, Montana, & Reyna|first=Jeff |last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 16, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref> Characters of supporting role, such as Miko, who specializes in healing other characters of the same team, are also playable.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/14/meet-battleborn-oscar-mike-miko-and-phoebe.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|title=Meet Battleborn's Oscar Mike, Miko, & Phoebe|first=Jeff |last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 14, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref> During first time after game's release not all characters were available when the player starts the game, they were unlocked for play by completing both missions and multiplayer games, or raising player's command rank. Starting from big update from February 2017, all 25 base game characters become available to play right after tutorial story mission. After "Free Trial" update in June 2017 access to all base game heroes in free version now given after purchasing "Full Game update", along with all Story missions, otherwise they could be purchased separately in Marketplace.
+The game features 25 playable characters upon release and later added 5 [[downloadable content]] characters, with each having different abilities and weapons; characters are broadly categorized based on their movement speed and agility, combat range and effectiveness, and the difficulty of playing the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2015/06/04/battleborn-e3-trailer-gearbox/|title=Battleborn E3 trailer shows the hero shooter's characters in action|first=Stephany|last=Nunneley|work=[[VG247]]|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818181659/https://www.vg247.com/2015/06/04/battleborn-e3-trailer-gearbox/|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, Rath is a melee-based character who is equipped with a [[katana]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/18/battleborn-rath-marquis-and-caldarius.aspx|title=Meet Battleborn's Rath, Marquis, & Caldarius|first=Jeff|last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 18, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=June 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608014230/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/18/battleborn-rath-marquis-and-caldarius.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Thorn is a long-ranged character, whose primary weapon is a bow.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/16/battleborn-thorn-montana-reyna.aspx|title=Meet Battleborn's Thorn, Montana, & Reyna|first=Jeff|last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 16, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=June 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627123520/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/16/battleborn-thorn-montana-reyna.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Characters of supporting role, such as Miko, who specializes in healing other characters of the same team, are also playable.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/14/meet-battleborn-oscar-mike-miko-and-phoebe.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|title=Meet Battleborn's Oscar Mike, Miko, & Phoebe|first=Jeff|last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 14, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924053338/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/14/meet-battleborn-oscar-mike-miko-and-phoebe.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> During first time after game's release not all characters were available when the player starts the game, they were unlocked for play by completing both missions and multiplayer games, or raising player's command rank. Starting from big update from February 2017, all 25 base game characters become available to play right after tutorial story mission. After "Free Trial" update in June 2017 access to all base game heroes in free version now given after purchasing "Full Game update", along with all Story missions, otherwise they could be purchased separately in Marketplace.
-''Battleborn'' includes a story-based mission mode that enables five players to cooperate to complete various missions that include objective-driven narratives used as backstory for some of the hero characters.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/17/gearbox-puts-a-happy-spin-on-the-end-of-the-universe-in-battleborn|title=Gearbox Puts A Happy Spin On The End of The Universe In Battleborn|first=Tom|last=Mc Shea|work=[[IGN]]|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Poly"/> The additional 5-story missions are called Story Operations and were added as DLC; their main differences from main story mode are earning of OPs points, which gives player various rewards depending on chosen character and increases mission's difficulty, and changing of dialogues of main non-playable characters, which fully reveals story's narrative on 10th playthrough.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-battleborn-story-operations-dlc-1/|title=Battleborn Story Operations & DLC 1|date=May 10, 2016}}</ref>
+''Battleborn'' includes a story-based mission mode that enables five players to cooperate to complete various missions that include objective-driven narratives used as backstory for some of the hero characters.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/17/gearbox-puts-a-happy-spin-on-the-end-of-the-universe-in-battleborn|title=Gearbox Puts A Happy Spin On The End of The Universe In Battleborn|first=Tom|last=Mc Shea|work=[[IGN]]|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=June 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611015940/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/17/gearbox-puts-a-happy-spin-on-the-end-of-the-universe-in-battleborn|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Poly"/> The additional 5-story missions are called Story Operations and were added as DLC; their main differences from main story mode are earning of OPs points, which gives player various rewards depending on chosen character and increases mission's difficulty, and changing of dialogues of main non-playable characters, which fully reveals story's narrative on 10th playthrough.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-battleborn-story-operations-dlc-1/|title=Battleborn Story Operations & DLC 1|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818172633/https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-battleborn-story-operations-dlc-1/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-There are also three main multiplayer modes in the game that pit two teams of five players each against each other (or against a team of [[artificial intelligence]] controlled heroes<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/23/dissecting-the-elements-and-influences-of-battleborn.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|title=Dissecting The Elements And Influences Of Battleborn - Page 2|first= Jeff |last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref>):
+There are also three main multiplayer modes in the game that pit two teams of five players each against each other (or against a team of [[artificial intelligence]] controlled heroes<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/23/dissecting-the-elements-and-influences-of-battleborn.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|title=Dissecting The Elements And Influences Of Battleborn - Page 2|first=Jeff|last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924053354/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/07/23/dissecting-the-elements-and-influences-of-battleborn.aspx?PostPageIndex=2|url-status=dead}}</ref>):
 *Meltdown, a mode where the team should escort and sacrifice AI controlled robots while killing robots of enemy team;
 *Incursion, a mode similar to most MOBAs where teams have to take the opponents' base while protecting their own base;
-*Capture, a mode where teams vie to seize and hold several control points on a map.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/2k-announces-more-info-for-battleborn-campaign-supports-co-op-293292.phtml|title=2K announces more info for Battleborn, campaign supports co-op|first=Chris|last=Carter|work=[[Destructoid]]|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
+*Capture, a mode where teams vie to seize and hold several control points on a map.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/2k-announces-more-info-for-battleborn-campaign-supports-co-op-293292.phtml|title=2K announces more info for Battleborn, campaign supports co-op|first=Chris|last=Carter|work=[[Destructoid]]|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015|archive-date=June 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615204614/http://www.destructoid.com/2k-announces-more-info-for-battleborn-campaign-supports-co-op-293292.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
 The other two later added multiplayer modes are:
-*Face-off, a mode where the main objective is hoarding masks of AI controlled Varelsi mobs, the team that deposits most masks for a given time or score limit wins;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/battleborn-pvp-at-a-glance/|title=PVP at a Glance|date=June 15, 2017}}</ref>
+*Face-off, a mode where the main objective is hoarding masks of AI controlled Varelsi mobs, the team that deposits most masks for a given time or score limit wins;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/battleborn-pvp-at-a-glance/|title=PVP at a Glance|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818132255/https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/battleborn-pvp-at-a-glance/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-*Supercharge, which unlike other modes feature 3v3 teams and in fact is a slightly different version of Meltdown mode with a second main objective being capture of advantage giving Supercharge pad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/battleborn-supercharge-mode/|title=Supercharge Mode Comes to Battleborn|date=June 22, 2017}}</ref>
+*Supercharge, which unlike other modes feature 3v3 teams and in fact is a slightly different version of Meltdown mode with a second main objective being capture of advantage giving Supercharge pad.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/battleborn-supercharge-mode/|title=Supercharge Mode Comes to Battleborn|date=June 22, 2017|access-date=August 18, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818133022/https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/battleborn-supercharge-mode/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-''Battleborn'' initially did not support [[microtransaction]]s, and it was only introduced in a June 2016 update. Players can use real money to obtain in-game credits that can be spent on skins and taunts for the various characters (some which can already be earned through advancement with the character), but otherwise has no direct influence on gameplay. Gearbox planned to release [[downloadable content]] that would include new skins and taunts for existing characters prior to announcement of the game's shutdown.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/battleborn-getting-microtransactions-heres-when-an/1100-6440907/ | title = Battleborn Getting Microtransactions, Here's When and How Much They Cost | first= Eddie | last =Makuch | date = June 14, 2016 | access-date = June 15, 2016 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref>
+''Battleborn'' initially did not support [[microtransaction]]s, and it was only introduced in a June 2016 update. Players could use real money to obtain in-game credits that could be spent on skins and taunts for the various characters (some which can already be earned through advancement with the character), but otherwise has no direct influence on gameplay. Gearbox planned to release [[downloadable content]] that would include new skins and taunts for existing characters prior to announcement of the game's shutdown.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/battleborn-getting-microtransactions-heres-when-an/1100-6440907/ | title = Battleborn Getting Microtransactions, Here's When and How Much They Cost | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = June 14, 2016 | access-date = June 15, 2016 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-date = June 18, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160618033818/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/battleborn-getting-microtransactions-heres-when-an/1100-6440907/? | url-status = live }}</ref>
 ==Setting==
-The game is set in a space fantasy setting, in which every species fled to a star known as Solus after a disastrous event destroyed most other planets and stars in the universe. These species are divided into different factions upon their arrivals, and eventually they united and cooperate with each other by sending out the best fighters, who are labelled as Battleborn, to fight against Varelsi, the origin of the catastrophe.<ref name="Poly">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/17/6255663/battleborn-preview-campaign-co-op-ps4-xbox-one-pc-gearbox|title=With Battleborn, Gearbox looks to set a new standard for co-op shooters|first=Samit|last=Sarker|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=September 17, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref>
+The game is set in a space fantasy setting, in which every species fled to a star known as Solus after a disastrous event destroyed most other planets and stars in the universe. These species are divided into different factions upon their arrivals, and eventually they united and cooperate with each other by sending out the best fighters, who are labelled as Battleborn, to fight against Varelsi, the origin of the catastrophe.<ref name="Poly">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/17/6255663/battleborn-preview-campaign-co-op-ps4-xbox-one-pc-gearbox|title=With Battleborn, Gearbox looks to set a new standard for co-op shooters|first=Samit|last=Sarker|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=September 17, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614225923/http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/17/6255663/battleborn-preview-campaign-co-op-ps4-xbox-one-pc-gearbox|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ===Plot===
@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 ==Development==
-''Battleborn'' was announced by Gearbox Software and 2K Games and revealed by ''[[Game Informer]]'' on July 8, 2014. It is the first original game developed by Gearbox Software since the release of ''[[Borderlands (video game)|Borderlands]]'' in 2009, and is also claimed to be "the most ambitious video game that Gearbox has ever created" and a "genre-fused" video game by Gearbox Software's president, [[Randy Pitchford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-08-gearbox-announces-new-multiplayer-fps-battleborn|title=Gearbox announces new multiplayer FPS Battleborn|first=Jeffery|last=Matulef|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-dev-reveals-battleborn-a-first-person-/1100-6420973/|title=Borderlands Dev Reveals "Battleborn," A First-Person Battle Arena Game for Xbox One, PS4, and PC|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=July 8, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref>
+''Battleborn'' was announced by Gearbox Software and 2K Games and revealed by ''[[Game Informer]]'' on July 8, 2014. It is the first original game developed by Gearbox Software since the release of ''[[Borderlands (video game)|Borderlands]]'' in 2009, and is also claimed to be "the most ambitious video game that Gearbox has ever created" and a "genre-fused" video game by Gearbox Software's president, [[Randy Pitchford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-08-gearbox-announces-new-multiplayer-fps-battleborn|title=Gearbox announces new multiplayer FPS Battleborn|first=Jeffery|last=Matulef|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122226/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-08-gearbox-announces-new-multiplayer-fps-battleborn|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-dev-reveals-battleborn-a-first-person-/1100-6420973/|title=Borderlands Dev Reveals "Battleborn," A First-Person Battle Arena Game for Xbox One, PS4, and PC|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=July 8, 2014|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617183740/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-dev-reveals-battleborn-a-first-person-/1100-6420973/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-In a 2017 interview, Pitchford said that prior to ''Battleborn''{{'}}s development, the principle way to market and promote first-person shooters was to emphasise what abilities the player-character had, which made elements like a detailed game world or narrative a secondary consideration. This led to them thinking about creating a game with "a wide spectrum" of characters and abilities which then could be used in large-player game modes.<ref name="glixel">{{cite web | url = http://www.glixel.com/interviews/randy-pitchford-on-switch-overwatch-and-being-fearless-w462836 | title = Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchford Talks Nintendo Switch, 'Overwatch' and Being Fearless | first = Matthew | last= Walden | date = January 25, 2017 | access-date = January 25, 2017 | work = [[Glixel]] }}</ref> Pitchford recognized that they already had experience creating a diverse array of characters through the ''Borderlands'' series, and that this roster of heroes approach was gaining popularity in [[multiplayer online battle arena]]s.<ref name="glixel"/> With ''Battleborn'', Pitchford wanted to take the combination of first-person shooter and role-playing elements they had from ''Borderlands'', and mix in the range of heroes as to create a new genre, what has become known as the "hero shooter".<ref name="glixel"/>
+In a 2017 interview, Pitchford said that prior to ''Battleborn''{{'}}s development, the principle way to market and promote first-person shooters was to emphasise what abilities the player-character had, which made elements like a detailed game world or narrative a secondary consideration. This led to them thinking about creating a game with "a wide spectrum" of characters and abilities which then could be used in large-player game modes.<ref name="glixel">{{cite web | url = http://www.glixel.com/interviews/randy-pitchford-on-switch-overwatch-and-being-fearless-w462836 | title = Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchford Talks Nintendo Switch, 'Overwatch' and Being Fearless | first = Matthew | last = Walden | date = January 25, 2017 | access-date = January 25, 2017 | work = [[Glixel]] | archive-date = January 25, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170125214649/http://www.glixel.com/interviews/randy-pitchford-on-switch-overwatch-and-being-fearless-w462836 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Pitchford recognized that they already had experience creating a diverse array of characters through the ''Borderlands'' series, and that this roster of heroes approach was gaining popularity in [[multiplayer online battle arena]]s.<ref name="glixel"/> With ''Battleborn'', Pitchford wanted to take the combination of first-person shooter and role-playing elements they had from ''Borderlands'', and mix in the range of heroes as to create a new genre, what has become known as the "hero shooter".<ref name="glixel"/>
-Several gameplay elements from ''[[Brothers in Arms: Furious 4]]'', another project from Gearbox which was cancelled in July 2015, were transferred to the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/brothers-in-arms-furious-4-battleborn-gearbox/|title=Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 is dead, Battleborn killed it and gained its power|first=Sam|last=Prell|work=[[GamesRadar]]|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> A closed technical test for this game, which allows Gearbox to test the multiplayer servers and alter the balance between characters, was held on October 29, 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/10/15/play-gearbox-39-s-new-fps-battleborn-in-upcoming-online-stress-test.aspx?|title=[Update] Battleborn Closed Technical Tests Start On October 29|first=Tim|last=Turi|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=October 15, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref> A [[betaware|beta]] for the game was released on April 8, 2016. It came to the [[PlayStation 4]] first before other platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-gets-battleborn-beta-first/1100-6431761/|title=PS4 Gets Battleborn Beta First|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=October 27, 2015|access-date=October 28, 2015}}</ref> ''Battleborn''{{'}}s PC open beta began on April 13, 2016 and lasted until April 18, 2016. Players were able to participate in both story mode and two competitive multiplayer modes: Incursion and Meltdown. More than two million players participated in the beta.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/22/over-two-million-people-played-the-battleborn-beta|title=Over Two Million People Played Battleborn Beta|first=Nicole|last=Carpenter|work=[[IGN]]|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 23, 2016}}</ref> The game was set to be released worldwide for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox One]] on February 9, 2016,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/06/gamescom-2015-battleborn-release-date-revealed|title=Gamescom 2015: Battleborn Release Date Revealed|last=Albert|first=Brian|work=[[IGN]] |date=August 5, 2015 |access-date=August 5, 2015}}</ref> but was later delayed to May 3, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-studios-battleborn-delayed/1100-6432033/|title=Borderlands Studio's Battleborn Delayed|first=Chris|last=Pereira |date=November 5, 2015|access-date=November 6, 2015|work=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
+Several gameplay elements from ''[[Brothers in Arms: Furious 4]]'', another project from Gearbox which was cancelled in July 2015, were transferred to the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/brothers-in-arms-furious-4-battleborn-gearbox/|title=Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 is dead, Battleborn killed it and gained its power|first=Sam|last=Prell|work=[[GamesRadar]]|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=July 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721122708/http://www.gamesradar.com/brothers-in-arms-furious-4-battleborn-gearbox/|url-status=live}}</ref> A closed technical test for this game, which allows Gearbox to test the multiplayer servers and alter the balance between characters, was held on October 29, 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/10/15/play-gearbox-39-s-new-fps-battleborn-in-upcoming-online-stress-test.aspx?|title=[Update] Battleborn Closed Technical Tests Start On October 29|first=Tim|last=Turi|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=October 15, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2015|archive-date=October 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017232146/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/10/15/play-gearbox-39-s-new-fps-battleborn-in-upcoming-online-stress-test.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> A [[betaware|beta]] for the game was released on April 8, 2016. It came to the [[PlayStation 4]] first before other platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-gets-battleborn-beta-first/1100-6431761/|title=PS4 Gets Battleborn Beta First|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=October 27, 2015|access-date=October 28, 2015|archive-date=October 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028145832/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4-gets-battleborn-beta-first/1100-6431761/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Battleborn''{{'}}s PC open beta began on April 13, 2016 and lasted until April 18, 2016. Players were able to participate in both story mode and two competitive multiplayer modes: Incursion and Meltdown. More than two million players participated in the beta.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/22/over-two-million-people-played-the-battleborn-beta|title=Over Two Million People Played Battleborn Beta|first=Nicole|last=Carpenter|work=[[IGN]]|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 23, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422212100/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/22/over-two-million-people-played-the-battleborn-beta|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was set to be released worldwide for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Windows]], [[Xbox One]] on February 9, 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/06/gamescom-2015-battleborn-release-date-revealed|title=Gamescom 2015: Battleborn Release Date Revealed|last=Albert|first=Brian|work=[[IGN]]|date=August 5, 2015|access-date=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807180413/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/06/gamescom-2015-battleborn-release-date-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref> but was later delayed to May 3, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-studios-battleborn-delayed/1100-6432033/|title=Borderlands Studio's Battleborn Delayed|first=Chris|last=Pereira|date=November 5, 2015|access-date=November 6, 2015|work=[[GameSpot]]|archive-date=November 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107220202/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-studios-battleborn-delayed/1100-6432033/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-The game's graphics are inspired by [[computer-generated imagery]] like the movies produced by [[Pixar]], as well as [[anime]]. When creating the game's [[2D computer graphics|2D graphics]], the team hired [[Michel Gagné]] to work on the 2D effects of the game's maps and characters' abilities. The team also drew inspirations from a variety of [[fighting games]], [[Multiplayer online battle arena|multiplayer online battle arena games]], [[role-playing video game|role-playing games]] and toys from the 1980s.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/how-make-battleborn-pretty/?tag=grsocial-20|title=How to make Battleborn pretty|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|date=July 26, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2015}}</ref>
+The game's graphics are inspired by [[computer-generated imagery]] like the movies produced by [[Pixar]], as well as [[anime]]. When creating the game's [[2D computer graphics|2D graphics]], the team hired [[Michel Gagné]] to work on the 2D effects of the game's maps and characters' abilities. The team also drew inspirations from a variety of [[fighting games]], [[Multiplayer online battle arena|multiplayer online battle arena games]], [[role-playing video game|role-playing games]] and toys from the 1980s.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/how-make-battleborn-pretty/?tag=grsocial-20|title=How to make Battleborn pretty|magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|date=July 26, 2015|access-date=July 27, 2015|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305040616/http://www.gamesradar.com/how-make-battleborn-pretty/?tag=grsocial-20|url-status=live}}</ref>
 In addition to the standard version, players can purchase the ''Digital Deluxe Edition'', which includes the game's Season Pass and cosmetic items. Five additional characters are set to be released for the game upon release for free, and five different paid packs, which includes additional story content, are also scheduled to be released after the game's launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2016/03/16/battleborn-dlc-season-pass-free-heroes/|title=Battleborn's post-launch plans include five free heroes and paid content packs|first= Stephany |last=Nunneley|work=[[VG247]]|date=March 16, 2016|access-date=March 17, 2016}}</ref>
-Rumors surrounding the game turning [[free-to-play]] started to circulate around the internet, but Gearbox president Randy Pitchford declined any plans of turning the game free-to-play, although he did mention ideas of releasing a free "[[trial version]]".<ref name="trial">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gearbox-denies-rumor-that-battleborn-is-going-free-to-play-but-says-a-trial-version-is-planned/|title=Gearbox denies rumor that Battleborn is going free to play, but says a "trial version" is planned|date=September 30, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016|first1=Andy|last1=Chalk|first2=Evan|last2=Lahti|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]}}</ref>
+Rumors surrounding the game turning [[free-to-play]] started to circulate around the internet, but Gearbox president Randy Pitchford declined any plans of turning the game free-to-play, although he did mention ideas of releasing a free "[[trial version]]".<ref name="trial">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/gearbox-denies-rumor-that-battleborn-is-going-free-to-play-but-says-a-trial-version-is-planned/|title=Gearbox denies rumor that Battleborn is going free to play, but says a "trial version" is planned|date=September 30, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016|first1=Andy|last1=Chalk|first2=Evan|last2=Lahti|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|archive-date=September 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930024526/http://www.pcgamer.com/gearbox-denies-rumor-that-battleborn-is-going-free-to-play-but-says-a-trial-version-is-planned/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 On October 3, 2016 2K Games announced the addition of a competitive game mode called Face-Off, to be released for free to all players who own ''Battleborn'' on October 13, 2016. The game mode launched alongside the first downloadable content Story Operation, titled "Attikus and the Thrall Rebellion".<ref>{{cite web|title=Battleborn Game Review|url=https://mmos.com/review/battleborn|website=MMOs.com|date=October 13, 2015|access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref>
-In June 2017, the game was updated to add support in for its "Free Trial" mode. This mode effectively makes the game a [[free-to-play]] title; at no cost, players can download the game, play a rotating selection of the game's heroes in any of the game's public multiplayer modes, and earn in-game currency towards permanently unlocking other characters and upgrades; the Free Trial does not include the game's story missions, nor allows these players to set up or participate in private matches. Players that already owned the game are designated as "Founders" and were given in-game rewards. Players still can purchase the game, unlocking most of the roster of characters and gaining access to private and story-based game modes.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/6/15745252/battleborn-free-to-play-founders-bonus | title = Battleborn goes free-to-play today, owners get bonus content | first=  Brian | last=  Crecente | date = June 6, 2017 | access-date = June 6, 2017 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>
+In June 2017, the game was updated to add support in for its "Free Trial" mode. This mode effectively makes the game a [[free-to-play]] title; at no cost, players can download the game, play a rotating selection of the game's heroes in any of the game's public multiplayer modes, and earn in-game currency towards permanently unlocking other characters and upgrades; the Free Trial does not include the game's story missions, nor allows these players to set up or participate in private matches. Players that already owned the game are designated as "Founders" and were given in-game rewards. Players still can purchase the game, unlocking most of the roster of characters and gaining access to private and story-based game modes.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/6/15745252/battleborn-free-to-play-founders-bonus | title = Battleborn goes free-to-play today, owners get bonus content | first = Brian | last = Crecente | date = June 6, 2017 | access-date = June 6, 2017 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = June 6, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170606150755/https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/6/15745252/battleborn-free-to-play-founders-bonus | url-status = live }}</ref>
 ==Reception==
 {{Video game reviews
 | MC = wikidata
-| Destruct = 6/10<ref name="Destruct">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=May 5, 2016 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-battleborn-359125.phtml |title=Review: Battleborn |publisher=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>
+| Destruct = 6/10<ref name="Destruct">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=May 5, 2016 |url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-battleborn-359125.phtml |title=Review: Battleborn |publisher=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=May 5, 2016 |archive-date=May 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508094525/http://www.destructoid.com/review-battleborn-359125.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | EGM = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Buchholtz |first=Matt |date=May 12, 2016 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/battleborn-review/ |title=Battleborn review |publisher=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |access-date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518015352/http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/battleborn-review/ |archive-date=May 18, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-| GI = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=May 16, 2016 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/battleborn/b/playstation4/archive/2016/05/16/game-informer-review-battleborn.aspx |title=Ill-Conceived Action - Battleborn - PlayStation 4 |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=May 16, 2016}}</ref>
+| GI = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=May 16, 2016 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/battleborn/b/playstation4/archive/2016/05/16/game-informer-review-battleborn.aspx |title=Ill-Conceived Action - Battleborn - PlayStation 4 |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=May 16, 2016 |archive-date=May 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519130512/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/battleborn/b/playstation4/archive/2016/05/16/game-informer-review-battleborn.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-| GameRev = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Nick |date=May 2, 2016 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/battleborn |title=Battleborn Review |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>
+| GameRev = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Nick |date=May 2, 2016 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/battleborn |title=Battleborn Review |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=May 2, 2016 |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503124502/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/battleborn |url-status=live }}</ref>
-| GSpot = 7/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Butterworth |first=Scott |date=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/battleborn-review/1900-6416425/ |title=Battleborn Review |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref>
+| GSpot = 7/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Butterworth |first=Scott |date=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/battleborn-review/1900-6416425/ |title=Battleborn Review |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509052047/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/battleborn-review/1900-6416425/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-| GRadar = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Horti |first=Samuel |date=May 12, 2016 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/battleborn-review/ |title=Battleborn review |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref>
+| GRadar = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Horti |first=Samuel |date=May 12, 2016 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/battleborn-review/ |title=Battleborn review |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=May 12, 2016 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514214805/http://www.gamesradar.com/battleborn-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-| IGN = 7.1/10<ref name="IGNrev">{{cite web |last=Rudden |first=Dave |date=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/06/battleborn-review |title=Battleborn Review |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=May 6, 2016}}</ref>
+| IGN = 7.1/10<ref name="IGNrev">{{cite web |last=Rudden |first=Dave |date=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/06/battleborn-review |title=Battleborn Review |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-date=May 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508113141/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/05/06/battleborn-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
-| PCGUS = 72/100<ref>{{cite web |last=Gamer |first=PC |date=May 11, 2016 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/battleborn-review/ |title=Battleborn review |publisher=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=May 11, 2016}}</ref>
+| PCGUS = 72/100<ref>{{cite web |last=Gamer |first=PC |date=May 11, 2016 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/battleborn-review/ |title=Battleborn review |publisher=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=May 11, 2016 |archive-date=May 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511182907/http://www.pcgamer.com/battleborn-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
-| Poly = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=May 13, 2016 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/13/11669154/battleborn-review-gearbox-software-ps4-pc-xbox-one |title=Battleborn review |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=May 13, 2016}}</ref>
+| Poly = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=May 13, 2016 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/13/11669154/battleborn-review-gearbox-software-ps4-pc-xbox-one |title=Battleborn review |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=May 13, 2016 |archive-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515095533/http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/13/11669154/battleborn-review-gearbox-software-ps4-pc-xbox-one |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | rev1 = ''Hardcore Gamer''
-| rev1Score = 4.5/5<ref name="Hardcore Gamer">{{cite web |last=Bohn |first=Jason |date=May 5, 2016 |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/05/review-battleborn/205508/ |title=Review: Battleborn |publisher=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>
+| rev1Score = 4.5/5<ref name="Hardcore Gamer">{{cite web |last=Bohn |first=Jason |date=May 5, 2016 |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/05/review-battleborn/205508/ |title=Review: Battleborn |publisher=Hardcore Gamer |access-date=May 5, 2016 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506171604/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/05/05/review-battleborn/205508/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | rev2 = ''[[PlayStation LifeStyle]]''
-| rev2Score = 8/10<ref name="PlayStation LifeStyle">{{cite web |last=Contreras |first=Paulmichael |date=May 5, 2016 |url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/05/05/battleborn-review-keep-krazy-ps4/ |title=Battleborn Review – Keep It Krazy (PS4) |publisher=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]] |access-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>
+| rev2Score = 8/10<ref name="PlayStation LifeStyle">{{cite web |last=Contreras |first=Paulmichael |date=May 5, 2016 |url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/05/05/battleborn-review-keep-krazy-ps4/ |title=Battleborn Review – Keep It Krazy (PS4) |publisher=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]] |access-date=May 5, 2016 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506112118/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/05/05/battleborn-review-keep-krazy-ps4/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 }}
@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 In looking back at the game a year after its release, ''[[Destructoid]]''{{'}}s Darren Nakamura felt ''Battleborn'' was an excellent game once a player had put time to acquire a larger number of playable characters to select from, and had amassed gear that created unique and powerful loadouts for specific characters, but a player would need to work through tens to hundreds of hours of gameplay to acquire these elements, making it off-putting to new players.<ref name="dtoid 1yr"/>
-''Battleborn'' was the best selling retail game in its week of release in the UK. It fell, however, to being the 12th best selling retail game in the UK the next week. According to director Randy Varnell, the launch week sales of the game is similar to that of the first ''[[Borderlands (video game)|Borderlands]]'', which had gone on to sell over 7.8 million units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps4/battleborn/news/battleborn_sales_tracking_just_ahead_of_original_borderlands_gearbox_cautiously_optimistic.html|title=Battleborn sales 'tracking just ahead' of original Borderlands; Gearbox 'cautiously optimistic'|first=David|last=Scammell|work=VideoGamer.com|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=May 11, 2016}}</ref> It was the fourth highest-selling game in the United States for May 2016 according to [[NPD Group]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-ten-best-selling-games-in-the-us-for-may-2016/1100-6440635/ | title = Top Ten Best-Selling Games in the US for May 2016 | first = Mat | last = Paget | date = June 9, 2016 | access-date = June 15, 2016 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> It has grossed $18 million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunning |first=Jason |date=June 23, 2016 |url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/06/23/may-2016-digital-sales-report-uncharted-4-1-console-grossed-56-million/ |title=May 2016 Digital Sales Report: Uncharted 4 #1 on Console, Grossed $56 Million" |publisher=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]] |access-date=June 23, 2016}}</ref>
+''Battleborn'' was the best selling retail game in its week of release in the UK. It fell, however, to being the 12th best selling retail game in the UK the next week. According to director Randy Varnell, the launch week sales of the game is similar to that of the first ''[[Borderlands (video game)|Borderlands]]'', which had gone on to sell over 7.8 million units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps4/battleborn/news/battleborn_sales_tracking_just_ahead_of_original_borderlands_gearbox_cautiously_optimistic.html|title=Battleborn sales 'tracking just ahead' of original Borderlands; Gearbox 'cautiously optimistic'|first=David|last=Scammell|work=VideoGamer.com|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=May 11, 2016}}</ref> It was the fourth highest-selling game in the United States for May 2016 according to [[NPD Group]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-ten-best-selling-games-in-the-us-for-may-2016/1100-6440635/ | title = Top Ten Best-Selling Games in the US for May 2016 | first = Mat | last = Paget | date = June 9, 2016 | access-date = June 15, 2016 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-date = June 14, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160614091406/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-ten-best-selling-games-in-the-us-for-may-2016/1100-6440635/? | url-status = live }}</ref> It has grossed $18 million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunning |first=Jason |date=June 23, 2016 |url=http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/06/23/may-2016-digital-sales-report-uncharted-4-1-console-grossed-56-million/ |title=May 2016 Digital Sales Report: Uncharted 4 #1 on Console, Grossed $56 Million" |publisher=[[PlayStation LifeStyle]] |access-date=June 23, 2016 |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626190125/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/06/23/may-2016-digital-sales-report-uncharted-4-1-console-grossed-56-million/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 ===Decline and shutdown===
-The game's player base quickly declined after release, primarily due to the release of another hero shooter, ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]'' by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], on May 24, 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/06/battleborn-on-pc-is-dying-and-not-slowly/ | title = Battleborn On PC Is Dying, And Not Slowly | first = Halley | last = Williams | date = June 1, 2016 | access-date = June 20, 2016 | work = [[Kotaku]] }}</ref> Gearbox had already been developing ''Battleborn'' and had fixed their expected release date when Blizzard announced ''Overwatch'' for release within a few weeks of ''Battleborn''.<ref name="glixel"/> Though they had considered trying to change the release date as Blizzard had a larger promotional budget that could easily overwhelm 2K Games, Pitchford opted to stay to what they planned and instead make sure the game's release went smoothly and to highlight how ''Battleborn'' differed from ''Overwatch''.<ref name="glixel"/> In a September 2017 interview, Pitchford believed that the fallout in sales from ''Battleborn'' was not necessarily due to the presence of ''Overwatch'', but that people had made comparisons between the two games which reflected negatively on ''Battleborn'' and cost them sales.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/14/gearbox-boss-on-overwatchs-effect-on-battleborn-a-ign-unfiltered | title = Gearbox Boss on Overwatch's Effect on Battleborn | first = Alex | last = Osburn | date = September 14, 2017 | access-date = September 14, 2017 | work = [[IGN]] }}</ref>
+The game's player base quickly declined after release, primarily due to the release of another hero shooter, ''[[Overwatch (video game)|Overwatch]]'' by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], on May 24, 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/06/battleborn-on-pc-is-dying-and-not-slowly/ | title = Battleborn On PC Is Dying, And Not Slowly | first = Halley | last = Williams | date = June 1, 2016 | access-date = June 20, 2016 | work = [[Kotaku]] | archive-date = June 14, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160614043111/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/06/battleborn-on-pc-is-dying-and-not-slowly/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> Gearbox had already been developing ''Battleborn'' and had fixed their expected release date when Blizzard announced ''Overwatch'' for release within a few weeks of ''Battleborn''.<ref name="glixel"/> Though they had considered trying to change the release date as Blizzard had a larger promotional budget that could easily overwhelm 2K Games, Pitchford opted to stay to what they planned and instead make sure the game's release went smoothly and to highlight how ''Battleborn'' differed from ''Overwatch''.<ref name="glixel"/> In a September 2017 interview, Pitchford believed that the fallout in sales from ''Battleborn'' was not necessarily due to the presence of ''Overwatch'', but that people had made comparisons between the two games which reflected negatively on ''Battleborn'' and cost them sales.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/14/gearbox-boss-on-overwatchs-effect-on-battleborn-a-ign-unfiltered | title = Gearbox Boss on Overwatch's Effect on Battleborn | first = Alex | last = Osburn | date = September 14, 2017 | access-date = September 14, 2017 | work = [[IGN]] | archive-date = September 14, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170914162307/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/14/gearbox-boss-on-overwatchs-effect-on-battleborn-a-ign-unfiltered | url-status = live }}</ref>
-By July 2016, the number of concurrent players on PC had dropped below 1000, compared to more than 12,000 at the launch of the game,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2016/07/08/battleborn-player-numbers-are-tanking-on-pc/ | title = Battleborn player numbers are tanking on PC | first = Matt | last = Martin | date = July 8, 2016 | access-date = July 8, 2016 | work = [[VG247]] }}</ref> and ''[[Destructoid]]'' reported that at the game's first anniversary, the number of concurrent players sometimes dropped below 100 during off-peak hours, making it difficult to launch a match.<ref name="dtoid 1yr">{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/battleborn-a-great-game-with-a-fatal-flaw-434247.phtml | title =  Battleborn: a great game with a fatal flaw | first = Darren | last = Nakamura | date= May 3, 2017 | access-date = May 3, 2017 | work = [[Destructoid]] }}</ref> Although Take-Two revealed that the game did not meet their sales expectations,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-is-definitely-working-on-something-other-than-gta-online/?|title=Rockstar is definitely working on something other than GTA Online|first=Shaun|last=Prescott|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=August 4, 2016|access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref> 2K announced their intention to continue to support the game through add-on content and virtual currency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-05-yes-battleborn-flopped-but-2k-vows-to-stick-with-it|title=Yes, Battleborn flopped, but 2K vows to stick with it|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=August 5, 2016|work=[[Eurogamer]]|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> An industry rumour in September 2016 suggested that the game would soon switch to a [[free to play]] model, which would follow a similar path that 2K Games' ''[[Evolve (video game)|Evolve]]'' had done in July 2016 and subsequently saw an increase in player base size.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/29/13111856/battleborn-free-to-play-rumor | title = Report: Battleborn's becoming free to play | first = Allegra | last = Frank | date = September 29, 2016 | access-date = September 29, 2016 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> This rumor was later refuted by Gearbox president Randy Pitchford.<ref name="trial"/> Pitchford claimed they have seen 3 million unique players across all systems and that "we're okay. I'm not freaking out. We're fine." in terms of sales.<ref name="glixel"/>
+By July 2016, the number of concurrent players on PC had dropped below 1000, compared to more than 12,000 at the launch of the game,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2016/07/08/battleborn-player-numbers-are-tanking-on-pc/ | title = Battleborn player numbers are tanking on PC | first = Matt | last = Martin | date = July 8, 2016 | access-date = July 8, 2016 | work = [[VG247]] | archive-date = November 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161104034256/https://www.vg247.com/2016/07/08/battleborn-player-numbers-are-tanking-on-pc/ | url-status = live }}</ref> and ''[[Destructoid]]'' reported that at the game's first anniversary, the number of concurrent players sometimes dropped below 100 during off-peak hours, making it difficult to launch a match.<ref name="dtoid 1yr">{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/battleborn-a-great-game-with-a-fatal-flaw-434247.phtml | title = Battleborn: a great game with a fatal flaw | first = Darren | last = Nakamura | date = May 3, 2017 | access-date = May 3, 2017 | work = [[Destructoid]] | archive-date = May 6, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170506063403/https://www.destructoid.com/battleborn-a-great-game-with-a-fatal-flaw-434247.phtml | url-status = live }}</ref> Although Take-Two revealed that the game did not meet their sales expectations,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-is-definitely-working-on-something-other-than-gta-online/?|title=Rockstar is definitely working on something other than GTA Online|first=Shaun|last=Prescott|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=August 4, 2016|access-date=August 5, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806055159/http://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-is-definitely-working-on-something-other-than-gta-online/|url-status=live}}</ref> 2K announced their intention to continue to support the game through add-on content and virtual currency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-05-yes-battleborn-flopped-but-2k-vows-to-stick-with-it|title=Yes, Battleborn flopped, but 2K vows to stick with it|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=August 5, 2016|work=[[Eurogamer]]|access-date=August 9, 2016|archive-date=August 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808141832/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-05-yes-battleborn-flopped-but-2k-vows-to-stick-with-it?|url-status=live}}</ref> An industry rumour in September 2016 suggested that the game would soon switch to a [[free to play]] model, which would follow a similar path that 2K Games' ''[[Evolve (video game)|Evolve]]'' had done in July 2016 and subsequently saw an increase in player base size.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/29/13111856/battleborn-free-to-play-rumor | title = Report: Battleborn's becoming free to play | first = Allegra | last = Frank | date = September 29, 2016 | access-date = September 29, 2016 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = September 30, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160930084642/http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/29/13111856/battleborn-free-to-play-rumor | url-status = live }}</ref> This rumor was later refuted by Gearbox president Randy Pitchford.<ref name="trial"/> Pitchford claimed they have seen 3 million unique players across all systems and that "we're okay. I'm not freaking out. We're fine." in terms of sales.<ref name="glixel"/>
-On June 6, 2017, Battleborn released a patch that introduced the "Free Trial" of the game,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-battleborn-free-trial/|title = Battleborn - 2K}}</ref> effectively changing the game to a free-to-play model despite Pitchford's comments. This introduced several changes to the game, such as a character rotation, a founder's pack, as well as unlockable characters and cosmetics.
+On June 6, 2017, Battleborn released a patch that introduced the "Free Trial" of the game,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-battleborn-free-trial/|title=Battleborn - 2K|access-date=July 17, 2017|archive-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713112435/https://battleborn.com/en/news/view/en-battleborn-free-trial/|url-status=live}}</ref> effectively changing the game to a free-to-play model despite Pitchford's comments. This introduced several changes to the game, such as a character rotation, a founder's pack, as well as unlockable characters and cosmetics.
-By September 2017, Gearbox announced that after the release of the game's final update, released on October 23, 2017, their support for the title would enter "maintenance mode", effectively shutting down any further development but keeping a skeleton team to maintain the game's servers and fix any critical bugs that may be found.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/17/16322870/battleborn-gearbox-no-more-updates | title = Battleborn quietly closing down, 15 months after launch | first = Owen | last = Good  |date = September 17, 2017 | access-date = September 17, 2017 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-10-24-battleborns-final-update-out-now | title = Battleborn's final update out now | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = October 24, 2017 | access-date = October 24, 2017 | work = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref>
+By September 2017, Gearbox announced that after the release of the game's final update, released on October 23, 2017, their support for the title would enter "maintenance mode", effectively shutting down any further development but keeping a skeleton team to maintain the game's servers and fix any critical bugs that may be found.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/17/16322870/battleborn-gearbox-no-more-updates | title = Battleborn quietly closing down, 15 months after launch | first = Owen | last = Good | date = September 17, 2017 | access-date = September 17, 2017 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-date = September 17, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170917224701/https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/17/16322870/battleborn-gearbox-no-more-updates | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-10-24-battleborns-final-update-out-now | title = Battleborn's final update out now | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = October 24, 2017 | access-date = October 24, 2017 | work = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = October 24, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171024205252/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-10-24-battleborns-final-update-out-now | url-status = live }}</ref>
-Gearbox announced in November 2019 that the game's servers would be completely shut down by January 2021, rendering the game unplayable. As part of the closeout of the game, the game was removed from sale from digital storefronts and Gearbox announced plans to disable the in-game store in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://kotaku.com/battleborn-is-shutting-down-in-2021-1840037358 | title = Battleborn Is Shutting Down In 2021 | first = Nathan | last = Grayson | date = November 25, 2019 | access-date = November 25, 2019 | work = [[Kotaku]] }}</ref> The server shutdown was originally scheduled for January 25, 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battleborn-dev-reflects-on-impending-server-shutdown-im-really-heartbroken/1100-6485834/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f | title = Battleborn Dev Reflects On Impending Server Shutdown -- "I'm Really Heartbroken" | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = January 4, 2021 | access-date = January 7, 2021 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> 2K Support later announced that this was rescheduled to January 31, 2021, after which the game became unplayable.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.pcmag.com/news/hero-shooter-battleborn-shuts-down-for-good | title = Hero Shooter Battleborn Shuts Down for Good | first = Brittany | last = Vincent | date = January 31, 2021 | access-date = January 31, 2021 | work =[[PC Magazine]] }}</ref>
+Gearbox announced in November 2019 that the game's servers would be completely shut down by January 2021, rendering the game unplayable. As part of the closeout of the game, the game was removed from sale from digital storefronts and Gearbox announced plans to disable the in-game store in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/battleborn-is-shutting-down-in-2021-1840037358 | title = Battleborn Is Shutting Down In 2021 | first = Nathan | last = Grayson | date = November 25, 2019 | access-date = November 25, 2019 | work = [[Kotaku]] | archive-date = November 25, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191125221542/https://kotaku.com/battleborn-is-shutting-down-in-2021-1840037358 | url-status = live }}</ref> The server shutdown was originally scheduled for January 25, 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battleborn-dev-reflects-on-impending-server-shutdown-im-really-heartbroken/1100-6485834/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f | title = Battleborn Dev Reflects On Impending Server Shutdown -- "I'm Really Heartbroken" | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = January 4, 2021 | access-date = January 7, 2021 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-date = January 5, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210105190100/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/battleborn-dev-reflects-on-impending-server-shutdown-im-really-heartbroken/1100-6485834/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f | url-status = live }}</ref> 2K Support later announced that this was rescheduled to January 31, 2021, after which the game became unplayable.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcmag.com/news/hero-shooter-battleborn-shuts-down-for-good | title = Hero Shooter Battleborn Shuts Down for Good | first = Brittany | last = Vincent | date = January 31, 2021 | access-date = January 31, 2021 | work = [[PC Magazine]] | archive-date = January 31, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210131213439/https://www.pcmag.com/news/hero-shooter-battleborn-shuts-down-for-good | url-status = live }}</ref>
+A user-driven project, ''Battleborn Reborn'', has been able to bring back the single-player components of ''Battleborn'' through unofficial [[mod (video game)|modding]] by November 2023. The team behind the project anticipates developing support for the player-versus-player content in the future.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/battleborn/play-2023 | title = Abandoned FPS Battleborn is somehow back, years after being shut down | first = Ed | last = Smith | date = November 16, 2023 | accessdate = November 24, 2023 | work = [[PCGamesN]] }}</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 127: / Line 129: @@
 [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
 [[Category:Multiplayer online battle arena games]]
-[[Category:Online-only games]]
+[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
 [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
 [[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2021]]
@@ Line 133: / Line 135: @@
 [[Category:Split-screen multiplayer games]]
 [[Category:Take-Two Interactive games]]
-[[Category:Unreal Engine games]]
+[[Category:Unreal Engine 3 games]]
 [[Category:Video games scored by Cris Velasco]]
 [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]

v t e Gearbox Software
Part of 2K; a division of Take-Two Interactive
Brothers in Arms series	Road to Hill 30 Earned in Blood D-Day Hell's Highway Double Time
Borderlands series	Borderlands Borderlands 2 Legends The Pre-Sequel The Handsome Collection Borderlands 3 Tiny Tina's Wonderlands New Tales from the Borderlands Borderlands 4
Half-Life expansion packs	Opposing Force Blue Shift Decay
Duke Nukem games	Duke Nukem Forever Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour
Alien franchise games	Infestation Colonial Marines
Other games	Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Halo: Combat Evolved Samba de Amigo Battleborn
Published games	Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition We Happy Few Earthfall Trover Saves the Universe Risk of Rain Risk of Rain 2 Godfall Tribes of Midgard Neverwinter Star Trek Online Homeworld 3
Related	Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Tales from the Borderlands Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 Borderlands (film) Homeworld Randy Pitchford Cryptic Studios