Former Borderlands 3 And Elder Scrolls Online Director Says Executives Kill Innovative Mechanics Despite Best Interests

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Former Borderlands 3 And Elder Scrolls Online Director Says Executives ***** Innovative Mechanics Despite Best Interests

The gaming industry was built on creativity and ideas. But according to Paul Sage, former director of Borderlands 3 and Elder Scrolls Online, this creativity is often stifled by corporate caution. Having worked on major franchises, Sage now leading his independent studio, Ruckus Games, and is working on a new game.

Sage knows exactly what’s wrong with the industry. |Image Credit: Ruckus Games

Sage recently shed light on how reliance on proven formulas and interference from executives frequently stifle innovation. This has created an industry that feels trapped in a cycle of “recycled mechanics” and creative stagnation. And recent events have proven that it’s true.

Borderlands 3 Dev Is Telling Us The Cold and Hard Truth

Game development is too corporate now. | Image Credit: Ruckus Games

AAA game development is a high-stakes business. Speaking to

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, Sage revealed that the ***** of ******** drives executives to cling to tried-and-true formulas, often at the expense of groundbreaking mechanics. 

This cautious approach leads to the repetition of old mechanics rather than experimentation. With millions of dollars on the line, even minor risks are often avoided, creating a cycle where we just see the same old things.

We can’t move in a direction that the creative people who are working on it want… you start to go back to the mechanics that you’ve had before, before introducing new mechanics.

One of the most frustrating aspects for developers, according to Sage, is the intrusion of non-creative executives into the development process.

Paul Sage, former creative director of Borderlands 3, is infusing character designs from the series into his new co-op shooter at Ruckus Games. He emphasizes the importance of backstory and RPG growth for characters in the game.

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These higher-ups often lack a deep understanding of game design which impacts decision making in a bad way.

And this happens all the time in franchise development… it’s something that gets really frustrating… You’re getting people who don’t need to be a part of the creative process explaining how the creative process works.

After leaving AAA studios, Sage co-founded Ruckus Games, a new independent studio dedicated to creating innovative co-op experiences. The studio is made up of industry veterans from Gearbox, Riot Games, and Blizzard.

Developers Really Need To Break Free of This Mold

We hope this studio succeeds. | Image Credit: Ruckus Games

Ruckus Games aims to disrupt the multiplayer gaming landscape with a new co-op RPG shooter currently under development.  Ruckus’s philosophy is clear: embrace creativity and take risks without succumbing to the pressures of massive budgets.

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Wanna play a rad, cooperative third-person stylized shooter with unique style, humor, explosive action and some of the stupidest weapons ever? We did. That’s why we’re…

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— Ruckus Games (@ruckus_games)

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Sage and his team have already secured $19 million in funding, showcasing investor confidence in their approach. With a small but talented team of industry veterans, Ruckus plans to craft an experience that prioritizes fun and player feedback.

The gaming industry is full of examples of ambitious projects that ******* due to mismanagement or misplaced priorities. Concord, a live-service shooter from ex-Bungie developers, flopped spectacularly despite years of development and a massive budget.

Sage and Ruckus Games aim to avoid such pitfalls by focusing on originality, a clear vision, and meaningful player engagement. Set against a backdrop of 1980s suburban America, their upcoming title blends retro influences with comic-like visuals.

As the new studio gears up for the release of its debut title, it stands as a beacon of hope for developers tired of compromising their vision. If they are successful, Sage and Ruckus Games could very well pave the way for the next generation of game developers.

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#Borderlands #Elder #Scrolls #Online #Director #Executives #***** #Innovative #Mechanics #Interests

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