The Gearbox founder has talked of the games industry's obsession with sequels as his studio prepares to launch FPS/RPG hybrid Borderlands

The Gearbox founder has talked of the games industry’s obsession with sequels as his studio prepares to launch FPS/RPG hybrid Borderlands

Gearbox Software recently demoed its new title Borderlands, with CEO Randy Pitchford on-hand to discuss the challenges innovating in the FPS arena presents.

Pitchford spoke particularly of his awareness  of the risk that creating an original title carries, up against sequels which provide retailers and gamers with a welcome sense of familiarity: “We have our Brothers In Arms license, and when it comes time to launch it it’s much easier to get the interest of buyers and people, because they tend to look to the successes of the past to judge whether they can trust a game,” said the studio chief, adding “It’s a shame that [making an original game] is such a risk, because there’s so much talent doing so many amazing things that it becomes like opportunity cost…”

Pitchford has no regrets though, and is hopeful Borderlands will find it’s audience. “I hope the risk pays off, because it will make us confident to do more risky things, and make others more confident to create more original things for the world.”

For the full Borderlands preview pickup the forthcoming issue of games™.