'Borderlands 3' release date news: title in development, Gearbox confirms; may have a different title

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, which contains all three current gamesGearbox Software

Gearbox is currently preoccupied with their newest IP, "Battleborn," but that does not mean they have forgotten their other game series. During the recent PAX East, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford stated that there is indeed a "Borderlands 3" coming soon, reports Alphr.

According to the report, Pitchford made it obvious that there was going to be a new game no matter what given the popularity and success of the franchise. To date, there are the three main games although the third title is an interquel title that takes place in between the first two games. 

"It's no secret, obviously there's going to be another 'Borderlands,'" Pitchford explained during the event. "We don't even know if we're going to call it that. We could call it 'Borderlands 4' for all we know."

Vinereport also points out that the new game will be written primarily by chief creative officer Mikey Neumann, who has stepped up as the lead writer for the franchise following the departure of former lead writer Matt Armstrong. Neumann previously worked as a writer on the first "Borderlands" game as well as the "Brothers in Arms" series.

Unfortunately, Pitchford did not reveal what "Borderlands 3" would introduce to the franchise. It is a given that the game will improve on previous installments by introducing new weapons, more locations set in the planet Pandora, and new characters but fans also speculate that new roleplaying elements and game mechanics may be implemented as well.

According to Alphr, better vehicles and even space flight might be essential to make "Borderlands 3" bigger than the previous two titles. The report also states that further exploration of the planet Pandora would enable the setting to still feel fresh. Better characterization and depth is also cited as a must for an improved sequel.

Pitchford did not reveal when "Borderlands 3" may be released and it may be a year or two more given that the company has just worked on "Battleborn."