Fan Discussion on Borderlands 4's Novel Minimap-Absent HUD Sparked by Randy Pitchford's Request for Gameplay Before Criticism
** borderlands 4 wheels a new course with compass navigation**
Borderlands enthusiasts are buzzing about the latest developments in Borderlands 4. Gone is the minimap seen in Borderlands 2, replaced instead by a compass bar that points towards objectives. During a recent PAX East panel, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford confirmed this change, asking fans to keep an open mind until they've given the game a whirl.
This conversation gets stirred up around the 28-minute mark of the video embedded above.
Welcome to Borderlands 4's brand new planet, Kairos. And hold onto your hats, because this is the series' biggest map... by a long shot, as Pitchford declares. So what's the deal with the minimap swap? Simple - the new compass system helps players navigate this vast expanse, which is teeming with opportunities miles apart, without making them feel like they're constantly staring at a map.
You heard that right - no more load times to deal with, just roam free across the screen and reach objectives, no matter how far-flung they may be. That's gotta feel like the ultimate power-up for Borderlands fanatics!
Much like the famous line about Skyrim's mountains, Pitchford promises that you can see and explore everything in Borderlands 4's world. But let's be real - the mountains you'll climb in Borderlands 4 won't be as epic, right? I mean, there won't be dragons to battle, unless Gearbox tricks us all...
Speaking of tricks, why scrap the 2D minimap altogether? Well, the new compass system boasts little arrows to help players discern whether a target's above or below them, making spatial awareness a breeze. Plus, get ready for ~~more verticality in Borderlands 4 than you've ever seen in any prior game~~.
The compass was designed with the player in mind. Pitchford explains that the team wants players to immerse themselves in the game, not spend all their time staring at the map. Think of it as a means to an end - the compass offers a seamless navigation experience without sacrificing the adventurous spirit that makes Borderlands so much fun.
Want to take a gander at the big picture? Just hit a quick button, and you'll be treated to some extra awesome features on the map, like an AI-powered navigation system that serves as a GPS. And fear not - navigation toolbox essentials are still in the works, including a new robot companion, Echo-4.
Long story short - take Gearbox's compass concept for a spin before panning it. The team invested heavily in making the compass system a game-changer, pushing players to explore the sprawling universe rather than just reading a map. And who knows, maybe you'll find some hidden dragons roaming the world!
Naturally, the panel shed light on other exciting aspects of Borderlands 4, including the vault hunters, guns, and new movement abilities. And of course, our boy Randy Pitchford did his signature hype act, fueling anticipation to the max.
Mark those calendars - Borderlands 4 is due out on September 12, 2023. Pitchford and the team at Gearbox are foot down on the gas, making sure this release goes out with a bang. Let's hope it lives up to the hype!
Tyler Wilde's newest obsession is watching others play Dark Tides on Twitch, which makes him feel oh-so-nostalgic for his early gaming days on those polarizing OEM PCs. Early titles like Zork and Arkanoid still remind him of coding secrets in BASIC, but today he's all about Rocket League and tearing up the pitch.
- The new compass system in Borderlands 4, replaced the minimap from previous games, allowing players to navigate the biggest map in the series without constantly looking at a map.
- During a recent PAX East panel, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford mentioned that they replaced the minimap with a compass to help players navigate the vast expanse of the game environment without making them feel like they're constantly staring at a map.
- Borderlands 4 fans are enthusiastic about the new compass system, as it promises to offer a seamless navigation experience without sacrificing the adventurous spirit that makes Borderlands so much fun.
- The new compass system in Borderlands 4 has little arrows that help players discern whether a target's above or below them, making spatial awareness a breeze, and also promises more verticality in the game than players have ever seen in any prior game.
