‘Battleborn’ Developers Reveal What Was Learned From The Game’s Closed Technical Test


About a month ago, select players on PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox One were invited to help test Battleborn, Gearbox Software’s upcoming multiplayer shooter. As players saw during the technical testing period, the game focuses on a large roster of unique heroes battling each other in competitive PvP matches as well as an engaging PvE campaign. The technical test that took place beginning in late October is under an NDA for players, but the developers took some time to answer a few questions related to the test, including a few on what is in store for the game’s open beta.

In the brief question and answer dialogue on the official site, a number of Gearbox Software developers responded to a number of inquiries about the Battleborn technical test. The game’s creative director, lead programmer, and producer answered questions about Battleborn, the closed technical test and its future.

First and foremost, matchmaking issues revealed during the testing period gave developers a chance to address them before the game launches. Many players had issues getting into the competitive Meltdown mode due to matchmaking issues, and the technical test was the perfect time to zero in on what was causing the issue. It also appears that, according to the interview on the Battleborn website, some character balancing also took place during the test in addition to data collection of players’ helix choices.

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Orendi and Rath fighting some NPCs in Battleborn [Image via Gearbox Software]
Specifically, one character’s abilities were adjusted during the testing period after concerns arose about her power. Phoebe’s abilities were modified, live during the testing period. The developers mentioned a continued effort to balance all the characters before, during, and after the game’s launch. In fact, all players’ helix choices made during the Battleborn technical test were recorded in an effort to gather data on player choice and character strength. Even the Gearbox aspect of the game is undergoing some balancing in that activation costs and their stacking behavior is still being determined.

At launch, Battleborn will boast 25 playable characters each with their own unique playstyle and helix choices. Players will be able to level each character individually while also leveling up their account by participating in PvP competitive modes as well as through the repeatable PvE campaign. On the competitive side of things, three different modes will release alongside the game’s release. Capture, Meltdown, and Incursion give players a number of ways to defeat their fellow Battleborn, for example.

Capture is, of course, about taking a point and holding it. Meltdown tasks players with protecting minions in order to feed them to an incinerator. Each minion makes the team’s score increase and the team with the most points wins. Finally, in Battleborn‘s incursion, players will traditionally defend a base from the opposing team and their minions while working toward the enemy base.

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Mellka and Benedict in Battleborn [Image via Gearbox Software]
For those interested in PvE, the mode developers seemed surprised about, the Battleborn Story Mode has it covered. The campaign is infinitely repeatable in a number of ways. Players will be able to head out solo, seemingly in small groups, or as a full team ready to save the universe. The game vaunts splitscreen gameplay in addition to the online co-operative experience. Players can pick up loot packs along the way that contain items for use in their player gearbox loadout, too.

Although previously scheduled to release on February 9, 2016, Battleborn will now launch on May 3, 2016. The new release date was confirmed during the technical test on the game’s official website. The Battleborn open beta will start sometime next year with PlayStation 4 players getting access to the open beta first, according to the PlayStation Blog. Details on the open beta, such as time and dates, have yet to be disclosed.

[Image via Gearbox Software]

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