In a new Gamasutra feature interview, Borderlands concept designer Scott Kester explains how the switch in art style midway through development turned on the "idea bubble" for the whole team.
"We just really wanted to be us, so we didn't want to be somebody else," said Kester, when asked if the switch from a realistic style to the series' now-signature rough comic book art style was liberating.
"And really, when we looked at the artists on the team and the designers, and even the writers, as we started making these visual changes, it started influencing game design; it started influencing, obviously, the writing," he said.
"It was interesting because the game design was always good. Like, the loot loop always felt nice; but there was something that wasn't quite 'there.'"
"And when that slid into place, it seemed like the idea bubble just turned on for people, and game designers started doing crazy stuff, like creating midgets and big arm dudes. The writing got more interesting, the names of the guns."
To Kester, the art style says, "We don't take ourselves that seriously. And we're not trying to be pretentious at all. It's more about just having fun with it."
The full interview, in which he and writer Anthony Burch discuss the team's plans for the upcoming sequel Borderlands 2, and how their creative choices feed that game, is live now on Gamasutra.
I agree. I wish we had more Non-realistic shooters. I like the character styles and art direction of Brink as well...it just adds a bit more than the ultra-realistic shooters. I'm glad their are devs taking risks.
Also, I couldn't see Borderlands in a realistic art direction---it just wouldnt make sense. In the future I would like to see more out of the ordinary art directions so we can get some more games that are--well--out of the ordinary.
I wanted to like Borderlands, but quickly got bored. The art style was unique and interesting, and didn't bother me at all, though I tend to hate cel-shaded type of graphics.
I look forward to trying the sequel, maybe it will work for me this time around
Also, I couldn't see Borderlands in a realistic art direction---it just wouldnt make sense. In the future I would like to see more out of the ordinary art directions so we can get some more games that are--well--out of the ordinary.
PS--I'm looking forward to playing this one.
I look forward to trying the sequel, maybe it will work for me this time around