In the Borderlands universe, few things are more integral than weapon manufacturers, with only the Vaults having more narrative and lore importance. Much of Borderlands revolves around corporations like Hyperion and characters like Handsome Jack that have close ties to them, with players on a constant search for more guns made by their favorite brand. Since each company has strong lore and unique weapon gimmicks in Borderlands 3, Gearbox could certainly explore the existing companies further. However, seeing a brand-new manufacturer rise up would be even more intriguing.
If Gearbox does not plan on bringing back a forgotten brand like S&S Munitions or diving into a company like Vladof that lacks lore, diving into a new manufacturer would be a fun route to go in. While Borderlands has many weapon types covered, there are a few outliers to consider. Further, a couple characters stand out as possible CEOs, building up capital for several years in-universe and potentially looking to settle down as they grow older.
The Weapon Types a New Borderlands Company Could Cover
The most likely role a new Borderlands company could fill is the creation of melee weapons. This is one area where Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands could influence Borderlands 4, as the spin-off allowed players to wield different swords and axes between bursts of gunfire. Though players may never control old Vault Hunters like Krieg again, many would surely love to wield his signature buzzaxe, cutting down foes with the rusty, thrown together blade. Makeshift melee weapons could fit Borderlands’ aesthetic, as would futuristic ones like Zer0’s sword - an item that would surely be of Legendary quality.
Outside of melee weapons, a new Borderlands gun company could focus on another form of projectile weapons: bows. While the fast-firing crossbows of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands could be given a makeover, a more traditional bow and arrow weapon type could also be crafted by this company. Fellow looter shooter Destiny has proven how viable bows can be in a game full of flashy weapons, with Exotics like Verglas Curve having incredible effects that ensure the category is not completely outclassed. For players who love accuracy and dealing critical damage, bows could be a stellar addition.
Who Could Run a New Borderlands Company?
Perhaps the best option for a new Borderlands CEO is Mad Moxxi. Longtime fans will have noticed that Moxxi has been quietly expanding her business empire, moving beyond just her underdome and various bars. She has taken control of the Torgue Arena and the Handsome Jackpot, with the latter in particular providing her with an army of Hyperion robots in addition to massive amounts of revenue. Clearly, Moxxi would have the money needed to run a gun business.
Another strength of Moxxi becoming a weapons dealer lies in the popularity of her existing weapons. In Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, Moxxi provides the player with guns like the Crit and Bad Touch, which serve as some of the most popular non-Legendaries in the series. Moxxi’s style of weaponry has proven to be consistently strong, and between the playful innuendo that would be present with her company’s item names and an aesthetic that could make all her guns eye catching, the potential is absolutely there.
One other option would be Marcus Kincaid, who has made a fortune selling SDUs, ammo, and gun machine weapons to the Vault Hunters over the years. When Marcus wants to stop risking his life in questionable business schemes or on a ship that is in constant danger like Santuary 3, he could put that money into starting up his own gun brand. Like Moxxi, he has plenty of business experience alongside the necessary cash, with an even deeper knowledge on guns that could help him combine all the biggest strengths from his potential competitors into a single brand. Obviously, this is purely speculation since there is no telling when or if Borderlands will introduce another company, though Gearbox certainly has a few options.