A Proper Borderlands MMO Could Be a Serious Challenge to Destiny

Game ZXC

Borderlands

By Anthony Bussing

Published Jan 3, 2024

Highlights

The Borderlands franchise may focus on true sequels rather than spin-offs like Tiny Tina's Wonderlands.
Transitioning into an MMO could provide fresh opportunities for the franchise and introduce competition with other popular MMOs.
A Borderlands MMO could potentially challenge Destiny 2 and benefit from Destiny 2's declining player engagement if not for a successful expansion.

With more spin-offs like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands as well as true sequels to the Borderlands franchise likely to arrive over the several few years, Gearbox will likely have its hands full for the forseeable future. However, though it would mean even more work for the company, an MMO could bring some truly fresh opportunities to the Borderlands franchise, while also providing some healthy competition for another popular MMO: Destiny 2.

Given how similar the recent Borderlands games already are to Bungie's MMO looter-shooter Destiny 2, this transition seems like a natural progression that’s just waiting to happen. Not to mention, it could be a good segue into future games having dedicated PvP modes, like a Borderlands Battle Royale.

What to Expect from the Borderlands Franchise in 2024

Borderlands as a franchise has a lot going on now, and several new projects could be announced in 2024 as well as confirmed ones.

Future Borderlands Games Should Give PvP a Chance

Though more Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands games seem likely, rumors that Embracer group is considering selling Gearbox means the fate of more Borderlands spin-offs beyond that is uncertain. However, a surprise transition into the MMO genre could be the saving grace for the franchise, especially when considering that it wouldn’t need to be too drastic of a change from what Borderlands games currently offer.

While there are plenty of existing similarities, the key reason why Borderlands isn’t considered an MMO is that players can fully experience the game independently or in a small party, instead of sharing a server or a related instance with many other online players.

As it currently stands, Borderlands’ multiplayer experience could arguably use more depth, which is what makes a shift to being a proper MMO seem like a natural progression for the franchise. One area that future Borderlands games should consider experimenting with is dedicated PvP modes.

There are existing multiplayer elements to Borderlands, including duels and co-op matchmaking, but there’s no true PvP or large-scale multiplayer. Borderlands3 already laid the groundwork for a Borderlands Battle Royale via Arms Race, so not realizing the potential of proper multiplayer content within the series is just money left on the table. Transitioning to an MMO could be a pathway toward a live-service Borderlands game, which is already another realistic possibility for the future of the franchise.

A Borderlands MMO Could Be a “Destiny 2 Killer”

Whether or not a Borderlands MMO could usurp Destiny 2 is hard to say, but it's safe to assume that this kind of game could give Destiny 2 some healthy competition. In the name of good sportsmanship, this kind of transition for the Borderlands franchise could simultaneously be beneficial for Destiny 2 as well as any other MMO looter-shooters, as competition would theoretically motivate all games to become better.

While it might be overdramatic to claim that a Borderlands MMO could be a “Destiny 2 killer,” the similarities between these games would arguably make them natural rivals. Consequently, Borderlands’ signature gunplay and ability-based combat could truly shine in a large-scale multiplayer environment, which is one of the main appeals of Destiny 2. For now, one of the main differences between these two franchises is Destiny 2’s larger-scale multiplayer, so if the Borderlands franchise were to expand its online offerings, it would be a close fight between these two franchises.

Destiny 2 Is on the Decline

Aside from instigating an ongoing competition, the timing of a Borderlands MMO could also pose a significant challenge for Destiny 2. With the unfortunate news of layoffs within the studio and the delay of The Final Shape expansion, player engagement in Destiny 2 is seemingly waning. Specifically, the peak player count in Destiny 2 on Steam in the last 30 days isn’t too far from the lowest it’s ever been.

Current Peak Player Count: 77,163 (December 2 2022-January 2 2023)
Lowest Peak Player Count: 60,854 (November 2022)
Highest Peak Player Count: 316,651 (February 2022)

With the debut of the Borderlands movie and the release of Borderlands4 on the horizon, the Borderlands franchise is still gaining plenty of momentum. With this in mind, the Borderlands franchise could very well steal Destiny 2’s thunder if Destiny 2’s next expansion doesn’t deliver, especially if an upcoming Borderlands game in the near future were to transition into being a true MMO with massive areas to explore, hubs full of other players, and more multiplayer content.