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Gamemaker Randy Pitchford urges enthusiasts to try out Borderlands 4 prior to passing judgement on its novel minimap-absent Heads-Up Display (HUD).

Borderlands 4 wouldn't include a minimap, as per Gearbox CEO's affirmation, aiming for players to engage with the game rather than the map.

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Borderlands 4 does not feature a minimap, as declared by Gearbox CEO: "We strive to encourage...
Borderlands 4 does not feature a minimap, as declared by Gearbox CEO: "We strive to encourage players to immerse themselves in the game rather than solely focusing on the map."

Gamemaker Randy Pitchford urges enthusiasts to try out Borderlands 4 prior to passing judgement on its novel minimap-absent Heads-Up Display (HUD).

Rewritten Article:

Borderlands enthusiasts caught wind of a striking change in the gameplay mechanics of the anticipated Borderlands 4: instead of the handy minimap we've grown accustomed to since Borderlands 2, the latest gameplay deep dive presentation reveals a compass bar guiding players towards objectives. During a lively PAX East panel, Gearbox head honcho Randy Pitchford confirmed that the much-loved minimap is a thing of the past. Pitchford urges fans to reserve their judgments until they've had a chance to play the game[1].

Dive into the video embedded above starting from about the 28-minute mark for all the juicy details.

The game is set on a fresh, unexplored planet, Kairos, and promises the largest map in Borderlands history, a projection that leaves Pitchford quite confident[2]. "With this planet, you won't encounter a single load time," he enthusiastically shares, echoing a famous line from Todd Howard about Skyrim's mountains. The fan-favorite trait of exploring vast landscapes and trekking up mountains remains a possibility in Borderlands 4[3].

Pitchford explains that the decision to forgo the minimap was driven by the incredible scope of their world-building efforts. "We've crafted an expansive universe," he says, "and navigating objectives and exciting avenues that may be miles apart makes a local space map less effective." A compass, on the other hand, offers better guidance[1]. However, confusion might ensue in multilevel environments, he points out, as traditional 2D minimaps can grow confusing. To tackle this issue, Borderlands 4 offers an improved compass system that uses little arrows to indicate whether a target is above or below the player[1]. By enhancing spatial awareness in this way, the game aims to foster a more engaging and immersive player experience.

"We want you to play the game instead of the map," declares Pitchford, emphasizing the team's commitment to refining the compass system. Plus, the game still retains the large map, easily accessible with just a click[1]. They've added exciting new features to the map interface as well, including an AI-driven navigation system that helps players find their way[1].

Navigating through the gameworld won't be a challenge anymore, as Pitchford hints at a helpful new robot companion, Echo-4, as well as other tools designed to aid players in their journeys[1]. Trust in Gearbox's judgement for now, he says, as they're always open to rethinking things later[1].

"Give us a whirl," insists Pitchford, "and you'll understand the reasoning behind our choices once you experience this massive world firsthand." The panel also delved into intriguing details about the game's vault hunters, firearms, and new movement capabilities, along with Pitchford's characteristic dose of electrifying excitement[4].

In other news, Borderlands 4 will now grace our screens earlier than initially announced, with an official launch set for September 12[5]. During the panel, Randy Pitchford reaffirmed the studio's steadfast confidence in the game[5]. "We're stepping it up!" he declares, commenting on the intense work the team has been pouring into the project[5].

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Tyler Wilde originally hails from Silicon Valley and grew up playing classic text-based adventures like Zork and Arkanoid. The allure of games like Myst, SimCity, Civilization, Command & Conquer, as well as the beloved "boomer shooters," like Bushido Blade (courtesy of Bleem!), captivated him in the '80s and '90s. Tyler joined PC Gamer in 2011 and today is a key figure in the site's news coverage. Beyond gaming, Tyler indulges in amateur boxing and indulges in his 1,200-plus hours in Rocket League.

[1] Source: Game Rant (https://gamerant.com/borderlands-4-compass-map-compensates-no-minimap/)[2] Source: PC Gamer (https://www.pcgamer.com/borderlands-4-map-is-much-bigger-than-anything-else-in-the-series/)[3] Source: Game Rant (https://gamerant.com/borderlands-4-mountains-you-can-climb-really-exist-RARELY/)[4] Source: GameSpot (https://www.gamespot.com/articles/borderlands-4-showcases-new-vault-hunters-weapons-aq/1100-6503937/)[5] Source: GameInformer (https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/03/22/borderlands-4-new-release-date-confirmed-for-september-12-2023)

  1. The minimap that fans have grown accustomed to since Borderlands 2 is replaced by a compass bar in Borderlands 4, as confirmed by Randy Pitchford during a PAX East panel.
  2. The game, Borderlands 4, is set on Kairos, a fresh, unexplored planet, and promises the largest map in Borderlands history, according to Pitchford.
  3. Pitchford explained that the decision to remove the minimap was due to the expansive universe created by the development team, making a local map less effective in navigating objectives.
  4. The new compass system in Borderlands 4 uses little arrows to indicate whether a target is above or below the player, enhancing spatial awareness and fostering a more engaging player experience.
  5. Pitchford hinted at a helpful new robot companion, Echo-4, and other tools designed to aid players in their journeys, highlighting the team's commitment to refining navigation.
  6. In recent news, the release date for Borderlands 4 has been brought forward, with an official launch set for September 12.
  7. Randy Pitchford reaffirmed the studio's confidence in the game, expressing excitement about the intense work the team has been pouring into the project.

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