New information has surfaced about the upcoming Borderlands game and a sequel to Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. According to Kotaku, Gearbox decided to prioritize these projects after its parent company, Embracer, expressed budget concerns in 2023. As a result, some other projects and new IPs were put on hold. The report mentioned that the next Borderlands game experienced changes in its leadership team, while the rumored sequel to Tiny Tina's Wonderlands underwent a "soft reboot."
Sources have mentioned that both Borderlands 4 and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands 2 are still showing great promise and making good progress. However, there is some uneasiness among developers due to the uncertainty surrounding Embracer and Gearbox's potential sale to another company.
The news about Borderlands 4 and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands 2 was first revealed in 2023 through a developer's LinkedIn profile. Recently, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford teased that their next game will be the best one they have ever created, with many speculating that it could be Borderlands 4.
In 2023, Embracer announced upcoming layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to a failed funding deal. It was revealed that the deal was with Savvy Games from Saudi Arabia, who had previously invested $1 billion in Embracer.
Recently, news broke that Embracer is receiving $500 million for selling Saber Interactive, and a potential deal to sell Gearbox may be on the horizon. Rumors have been circulating since September 2023 about the possible sale of Gearbox by Embracer.
In February, Embracer hinted at the possibility of selling some studios. They told investors that they were still working on a few big sales that could bring in money and save the company money on expenses.
Editor's P/S:
The news regarding the upcoming Borderlands and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands games is bittersweet. While it's exciting to hear about the progress being made on these highly anticipated sequels, the uncertainty surrounding Gearbox's potential sale casts a shadow over the future of these projects. The constant changes in leadership and funding issues within Embracer raise concerns about the stability of the company and its ability to support these ambitious projects.
However, amidst the uncertainty, it's important to acknowledge the dedication and passion of the developers involved in these games. Their commitment to delivering the best possible experience despite the challenges they face is commendable. The fact that Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has teased that their next game will be the best they have ever created suggests that the team is striving for greatness. It remains to be seen how the potential sale of Gearbox will impact the development and release of Borderlands 4 and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands 2, but the potential for these games to be truly exceptional remains.