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Gearbox and 2K have revealed their plans for the future of Borderlands 3

by: Russell -
More On: Borderlands 3

We just hit the one-year anniversary of the release of Borderlands 3 and we've already seen quite a bit of content since the game's launch. However, the mayhem doesn't stop just because we hit the one-year mark, so Gearbox and 2K have revealed some plans for the future during the Gearbox PAX Digital Showcase, including full next-gen support, a new skill tree for the Vault Hunters, and new co-op features.

First off, Borderlands 3 is coming to both the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 and if you already own a copy on the Xbox One or PS4, you'll receive a free upgrade to the Series X and PS5 respectively. This upgrade applies to any and all purchased content as well as your saved Vault Hunters, so everything you've already done can be moved over to the next-gen. The next-gen versions will also include four-player split-screen as well as two-player vertical split screen (as opposed to just horizontal). Those updates will be free for all players, plus the vertical split-screen will be added to the Xbox One and PS4 versions as well via a free patch.

In the next paid add-on we'll get a new game mode as well as a new skill tree for each Vault Hunter, and during the Digital Showcase we got to check out FL4K's new Trapper skill tree which puts some emphasis on survivability for both FL4K and their pet, plus their new action skill Gravity Snare is a throwable trap that launches enemies into the air before slamming them back down to...well, whatever plant you happen to be on at that time. Enemies caught in the radius will have their attacks interrupted, meaning FL4K will have a crowd control skill for the first time. FL4K will also gain a new pet: a Hyperion Loaderbot that can be specced into an ION Loader, BUL Loader, and WAR Loader. Not gonna lie, as much as Loaderbot's have given me problems over the years, I'm definitely looking forward to having one as an ally for once.

You can check out the Digital Showcase below and stay tuned to the Borderlands and Gearbox websites for more info in the future, including possible crossplay.

 
 

Gearbox Software and 2K confirmed full next-gen support, new Vault Hunter skill trees, additional add-on content, vertical split-screen, four-player local co-op, and more during today’s digital showcase

Hope you’re ready for more, Vault Hunters! Just in time for Borderlands 3’s one-year anniversary, Gearbox Software and 2K today revealed their plans for the future of Borderlands® 3 – including full next-gen support, a new skill tree for each Vault Hunter, additional co-op features, and more – during the Gearbox PAX Digital Showcase. To catch the showcase in full, please click here.

Leading the way: confirmation that Borderlands 3 is coming to both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. If you already own the current-gen version of the game on Xbox One and you’re playing on Xbox Series X, you’ll receive a free upgrade to the Xbox Series X version. And if you own the game on PlayStation 4, you’ll receive a free upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version if you’re playing on PlayStation 5. This applies to all content you’ve purchased, as well as all your saves. You’ll be able to bring everything over to the new console generation.

In addition to running at 60 frames per second at 4K resolution on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 in single-player, the next-gen console versions of Borderlands 3 will include two highly requested local co-op features, free for all players. For the first time ever, you’ll be able to play four-player split-screen, and when enjoying two-player co-op, you’ll have the option to divide the screen horizontally or vertically. That’s right, vertical split-screen! Better still, this vertical split-screen option will also be added to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game via a free patch.

 

Borderlands 3 will also receive additional add-on content later this year! Though the next paid add-on won’t look like the campaign DLCs of the now complete Season Pass, it will include a brand new game mode, as well as one new skill tree for each Vault Hunter – and with those new skill trees come new Action Skills.

During the Gearbox PAX Digital Showcase, Gearbox gave viewers an in-depth look at FL4K’s new “Trapper” skill tree – which emphasizes shields and survivability for both FL4K and their pet – plus FL4K’s new Action Skill: Gravity Snare, a throwable trap that tosses enemies up into the air before slamming them back into the ground. Enemies caught in its radius will have their attacks interrupted, giving FL4K a crowd control skill for the first time.

Gearbox also revealed FL4K’s latest pet option: a Hyperion Loaderbot. FL4K’s special Loaderbot buddy can be specced in a variety of ways as you work your way down the skill tree: there’s the range-based ION Loader, which fires slow-moving projectiles can be shot to create powerful shock novas; the BUL Loader, which charges enemies and knocks them into the air with its shield (or just roundhouse kicks them); and the WAR Loader, which packs an incendiary shotgun, can toss grenades, and unleashes homing missiles on command.

 

To learn even more about FL4K’s new skill tree and all the perks it packs, be sure to check out this blog. Expect more information on the other skill trees, the new game mode, and all the other content in Borderlands 3’s next downloadable add-on i the coming months. And come next near, you may even see some news about crossplay coming to Borderlands 3.