Gearbox pres. Randy Pitchford gives a good ol’ “**** you” in response to Borderlands 2 DLC criticism

Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford has taken to Twitter to exchange some not-so-kind words in response to criticisms of recently released downloadable content for Borderlands 2.

[snake_eater]

This Randy clown...

[Gazondaily]

Yeah I would be pi**ed off he said that to me. So much for professionalism.

[cleft5]

I am sure Randy is a nice person, but that doesn't change how they outsourced most of the Borderlands 2 dlc and the travesty that is Colonial Marines. People are really surprised at how things went with Gearbox because after Borderlands 1 and the Brothers in Arms series there was this notion that Gearbox is clearly a marque developing studio.

I think that notion is disappearing at a rather rapid rate. I know I am not even bothering with Borderlands 2 anymore and I will be skeptical of any game that comes from Gearbox.

[hay]

Randy sure have some balls.

*cough*
http://www.spscriptorium.co...

[Reibooi]

I think the thing here is that Gearbox cares about their IP's and not so much for other IP's that they have to work on. Borderlands one was a passion project when they did it and it was a complete shot in the dark and it ended up being a massive hit and BL 2 was better then BL1 in basically every way(yes some people prefer one because of the way the system creates weapons but whatever)

The Brothers in Arms series was always a well made and incredible series as well and it's their IP. So I think they have passion to do the games they WANT to do but other stuff just doesn't get that same amount of polish because they don't have that passion for it like they do with their own IP's.

I'm not saying that is a reason to defend them because they still are responsible for releasing really bad crap like the Aliens game but I think that may be the reason why some of the games they do are incredible and some is crap.

[MajorGecko]

brothers in arms was a beautiful game when i saw that they ruined the TRUE STORY series with some comical ww2 shooter i was saddended

[ShinMaster]

Randy Pitchford says he wants "positive encouragement" instead of any constructive criticism.

Sounds like a spoiled child.

[Eddie20101]

This isn't the first time randy has acted like a douche.

I don't understand why all these game designers need to be so public. It's like they think and want to be rock stars. They should only make comments or discuss games at conferences instead of making random sound bights that often bite them in the ass.

It was much better when we were not getting all this random information and gaming media didn't act like they are CNN or CBS news with a touch of TMZ for good measure.

[hiredhelp]

Soo hes a president so he thinks he can say do what he likes eh maybe even push devs around who knows.
Well theres one thing having balls theres another thing disrespecting a oppinion and bringing kids into the subject.. This guy needs be sorted maybe sony ms need firm word with him to say if you carry on we be happy not to take on any gearbox games on our platform.. That shut him up and show him up

[tagan8tr]

It's easy to sit back and talk about professionalism but the truth is these guys hafta deal with every wanna be reviewer with a YouTube channel.Thousands of critique's later I think we all would have a hard time being professional. Go to work and next time a guy who you know can't do your job critique's you tell em thanx. I bet you won't.

[Gazondaily]

@tagar

"Go to work and next time a guy who you know can't do your job critique's you tell em thanx. I bet you won't."

Haha mate, this happens to me all the time and yet, if I said f*** you, I'd be struck off the roll.

I know what professionalism is and I know that there is no excuse for what he said. I understand his frustration but he has to better compose himself.

[tagan8tr]

@septic yes but your company may have rules against that but we need not apply these rules to him. Pitchford's bosses may give him leave to deal with it his way.

[Statix]

Context.

It sounds like these two guys know each other pretty well, and are used to using harsh language against each other in sometimes serious (and sometimes not so serious) ways. Judging by the conversation, they appeared to have a pretty good repartee going; a good old fashioned "f*** you" isn't out of the realm of what you would say to one of your friends if you were having a debate about something.

[MoveTheGlow]

Still, it only took Pitchford three public tweets to reach a child abuse analogy... Classy.

[H0RSE]

And as was mentioned, it appears these 2 talk all the time, so professionalism aside, Randy seems like he was simply talking to Jay like 2 chums would talk at a bar. Personally, I applaud him. The overly aggressive hold that politically correctness has over people in the US, makes me want to punch a baby. Guns and violence are okay, but drop an F-bomb or make a domestic abuse joke, now you've gone too far...

It is equally frustrating the notion that celebrities or "professionals" need to conduct themselves in a certain way, as if they are above us normal humans... We go on about all this freedom of speech, but it seems like we're never allowed to actually use it, or maybe we're just to scared to.

Like the Joker said in the 1989 Batman - "This town needs an edema!"

except "town" would be "country."

[JackBNimble]

I doubt it, they may have a loose acquaintance , but if these two are buddies or chums then they really need to consider the forum that they are speaking in. If they were buddies then why not pick up the phone, text or email? Why tweet this shit so everyone can see it and misinterpret it?

[BX81]

Maybe I'm wrong on this one , but I see his face and I think of the horrible aliens game I purchased.

[TheRacingX]

I agree 100% but I think SEGA should have not let that game out the door and went after Gearbox hard to overhaul that game. They are to blame too.

[BX81]

Ok, I knew I wasn't crazy. Lol. I wasn't 100% but I knew I seen his face around that game.

[IaMs12]

I really lost all respect for Randy over the course of this year.

[madpuppy]

Randy Pitchfork is an A$$hat, In stead of saying "yeah, we screwed up" concerning the Aliens:CM debacle, He attacks his critics. and once again, here he is selling an inferior product and being a jerk because people won't just swallow his half baked software.

Screw this guy.

[Excalibur]

I Really enjoyed both Borderlands games and most of the DLC but the Wattle Gobbler DLC did suck, even if it was only 3 bucks, price should not come into play when it come to quality only quantity.

[HiddenMission]

are you serious price shouldn't matter about quality just quantity...it's called a budget and expected ROI's

yeah the number means something.

[Excalibur]

What I meant by that is just because I'm paying 3 bucks (as opposed to $10.00) doesn't mean you can release some piece of crap but I can see them releasing less content on a $3.00 piece as opposed to a $10.00 piece, in both cases the quality should be good.

[HiddenMission]

@Excalibur
I see what you're saying but I think the saying you get what you pay for really does apply. I bet if the DLC cost $10 the quality of content should reflect. At $3 the quality will reflect this...keep in mind you have games releasing individual DLC weapons and skins for $1 a pop so $3 for an hour or more of game content for a couple of bucks isn't that big of an impact.

[admiralvic]

@ Exaclibur

Gearbox has a pretty nonlinear progression in terms of value and DLC price.

$1 - Costume
$3 - Head Hunter pack
$5 - Creature Slaughter Dome / Level cap increase packs
$9 - Full DLC pack

It's hard to say what you consider "quality", since I consider content to be part of quality. In terms of gameplay, the creature slaughter dome DID play well, was the most challenging dome challenge and offered a completely unique weapon. In terms of value, any level 50 person with legendary gear could beat it with a friend and a decent or above player could probably solo it in under an hour or two.

[warczar]

At least there not trying to convince you that 4 multiplayer maps are worth 20 bucks. Yeah, I'm lookin at you Activision.

[Lord_Sloth]

You should thank SEGA for paying for them both.

[JimmyHACK]

Pretty sure 90% of the DLC is outsourced.

[-Foxtrot]

It is...thats the main reason I've never touched one bit of the games DLC...it just doesn't have that certain touch the old games DLC did.

I think when they do Borderlands 3 they need to make it much more like the first game. The sequel was great but it didn't have that feel of the first one despite being much better in most places.

Old Vault Hunters is a must...they all have a new ability now so that can come into play in the sequel.

[admiralvic]

I believe...

Gearbox did both characters, both level packs, the Tina Tiny expansion pack, all the costumes and the Head Hunter packs.

They outsourced Torgue, Scarlet and Big Game hunt.

So like 75% of the important content was outsourced.

[first1NFANTRY]

Stay classy u wretch! This guy is my most disliked person in the gaming industry after that poor excuse called Alien:Colonial Marines. He's right up there with Donnie boy.

[Ricegum]

I don't know what this guy is like, but I appreciate the effort him and his team put in to Borderlands 2 (minus the latest dlcs) Borderlands 2 is easily in my top 5.

[modesign]

people get mad at a piss poor DLC, if people dont buy the dlc, maybe developers will learn something.

[Volkama]

But you don't generally know it is bad until you've bought it... so winding them up on Twitter is probably the best way to go.

[modesign]

when you look at DLC you should be able to know what your getting through the description.

[Volkama]

For sure, but not many publishers describe the content as "Not very good" :)

[Murad]

There are sadly also reviews and previews of many DLC's that you can make a quick judgement based off of it. But sadly, the reason no one doesn't is mostly because of their own self-esteem and believing that they have consumer rights and since they are the consumer, they make the right choice even though they don't.

[admiralvic]

The issue, at least with Borderlands 2, was the amount of quality the first game had and the season pass being offered at launch. Several people bought with faith and got burned.

[Mikeyy]

Agreed, When I got Borderlands 2 and then payed again for the season pass, I thought I would be covered, then all the sudden the pass ended and more and more DLC came out..

WTF?

[Adexus]

I actually liked Randy before Aliens Colonial Marines released, every interview I saw him in for BL2 and Aliens he seemed genuinely excited about the games and proud of what he created, but he seems to have turned into an ass since Colonial Marines came out :\

[qcjoe]

At least for me it felt like Id been lied to. I was a fan before that, but now not so much.

[TheRacingX]

Oh.... we WERE lied to.....4+ years of development? sure.

[Grave]

Ouch! Dat Aliens DLC burn!!

[tehpees3]

I bet thats what Sega were thinking when Aliens failed.

Reading the responses I'm thinking Randy is a troll. Not just to Sega and the public either.

He seems like Itagaki and Cliffy B making controversy for the sake of getting his name on the wall.

[Inception]

Imagine if SEGA use the money to develope Shenmue HD / III and localize Yakuza 5 & Valkyria Chronicles 3, instead of giving it to Randy for Alien: CM :(

Damn, i got really pissed right now! :(

[KittyEmperor]

I wish you wouldn't have said that cuz I'm pissed now to.

[TheRacingX]

They probably could have done all that and went to an up and coming developer who could have gave us a better Aliens game than what they gave to gearbox.... Sega practically funded BL2...criminal

[xReDeMpTiOnx]

While I don't agree with the way he really tackled the subject, I wouldn't go as far to say that sometimes calling out fans isnt needed.

Tbh everyone needs a reality check at some point in our life's and sometimes someone telling you straight up is the right way.

Just this situation was handled poorly imo.

The way I see it is respect is universal, regardless of fans or not if you sit there and disrespect me to expect me to smile

[Jovanian]

Ugh, I hate hot headed publishers/developers who take to social media sites, and in a profound sense of obliviousness to public relations, act like children and get into childlish arguments. People like randy, kamiya, and phil-fish are some of the biggest offenders

[HiddenMission]

yeah because it's fun to have someone with thousands of fans sit there on twitter and talk shit about you and your co-workers.

I bet if you were in that position you'd be either drinking yourself stupid or show some teeth as well.

The reality is these shock jock press people are nothing more than leeches on the industry. They make a name and check off of others people work.

Getting paid because you are entertaining is one thing getting paid because you act like an ass is another and Jay was being a dick and from what I've seen that's all he's good for.

Also keep in mind people like Jay only have a platform to speak from because of two things YouTube and Machinema. Take both of those away and Jay would be working at a fast food joint.

[4logpc]

This guy is just a flat out jerk. I honestly feel like Gearbox got lucky with Borderlands. The rest of their games have been sub par. (not counting the games they were hired to do ports for)

Borderlands has given this guy a new level of arrogance. He talks and acts like he somehow can get away with making and releasing broken products, Aliens and Duke Nukem come to mind, yet still think they are quality titles because they made Borderlands.

Im bout to add them to my boycott list.

[iRocket]

Goddamnit, I'd really like to love Borderlands 2, which I do, but the devs really make themselves hard to respect! I mean, you don't respond like that to your fans.

[ArtificiallyYours]

That picture doesn't make this situation surprising.

He can't seem to keep a sense of posture. :/

[DestinyHeroDoomlord]

I struggle with posture :(

[Blacklash93]

Umm... what in the world does his posture in a picture have to do with this?

[ArtificiallyYours]

He looks like a sarcastic yank-off, in other words. :/

[OmegaShen]

The newest add on seems a waste of time and money.

[ELpork]

HA! I love this man.

[Cyb3r]

And as if Aliens Colonial Marines wasn't the a big enough F*** You

[WeAreLegion]

I admire his candor.

[Budz_McGr33n]

Gearbox is a terrible development studio. I have never bought a single game by them, I've tried them all and I came to the conclusion that ClapTrap is an annoying little whiney b****.

[BattleTorn]

I don't know why he didn't admit that A:CM was awful - it would probably help his rep if he did.

[mafiahajeri]

Lol funniest title I've seen and the thumb nail pic to go with it, lool it's randy pitchford wouldn't expect anything less from this idiot after the aliens fiasco...

[JusticeBolt]

Stop those DLC and start working on Borderlands 3 Randy!

[Gamer666]

I agree with his tweet about positive reinforcement, but telling off people is out of line...

B2 is the last money Mr. "Arrogant" Pitchford will see from me.

The first DLCs of B2 stunk, Aliens stunk, Duke Nukem Forever stunk, Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway stunk...

Gearbox's only claim to fame is a Halo 2 port to PC and Borderlands. The rest of their work has been crap.

[zippycup]

i loved both borderlands and so far have enjoyed the dlc tini tina being the best one yet haven't gotten that wattle gobbler this past Friday i got the Halloween one sorry i am broke cant get when they come out

me and my daughter blew true it a a little over an hour but we have fun playing together so to me it was great bonding time for 4 bucks

[DomceM]

their studio sucks.

[e-p-ayeaH]

Borderlands DLC is one of the best out there so its fair.

[Tdmd]

Such a shame to have one of last gen's best new ip's in the hands of such an douche...! The more I read about him, the farther away I want to stay from his games - even when they are great, like Borderlands are. It is so much easier to hate untalented individuals.

[Bonerboy]

This guy is the epitome of "pompous and smarmy piece of shit". Why people continue to give this twat money is beyond me. He is the "King Midas of Poo". He is an arrogant douche who thumbs his nose at those who have given him everything. His idol is Sergei "The Russian Pig" Titov of the infamous WarZ to be sure.
I wouldnt help this loser out of a burning car wreck. I would just stand by and enjoy it. Burn nice and slow Randy...nice and painfully slow. Please die you pathetic excuse for a human being as I am tired of looking at your smarmy arrogant playdough face. DIE!!! hahahahahhaha Die! You unscrupulous thieving bastard you!

[Max-Zorin]

That's not cool.

[x_RadicalAura_x]

Pitchford shouldn't have been so unprofessional in his responses, however, gamers are increasingly becoming more and more like entitled assholes. I'd like to see the people criticizing games for the smallest things try to make a game... It's not easy work. From every aspect... Art, writing, design, programming, etc. He should've researched the Wattle Gobbler DLC before buying it. A few mins. of gameplay would reveal whether he'd think it would be a worthwhile investment or not. It's his fault, not Pitchford's.

[TheSaint]

I played the first Borderlands for at least two years, played Borderlands 2 for at most two months.

I know I'm going to get disagrees for this but Borderlands 2 sucks.

[1nsomniac]

I'm probably going to get even more disagrees because I thought both Borderlands were the dullest games I've ever played.

[TheSaint]

Lol

[OhhWerd]

Same boat man, I could not get into the cartoonish graphics and the weekly code for unlocks I always missed..

[1nsomniac]

The worst guy & developer in the industry & the most overrated!

In my opinion they've not released a single good game since the barely half decent Blue Shift.

[stragomccloud]

I will never forgive them for what they did, or rather "didn't do" with Aliens. I will now forever boycott their games. If their going to embezzle money, they should at least have the decency to not crap over gearbox/Aliens fans while they're at it.

[Einhert]

I hope his career goes down the drain and he goes back to selling dodgy used cars.

[hazelamy]

criticising a game is like beating your wife and child now?

what a douchebag.

i kinda wish it was the same in his case, then maybe as he's tending his wounds he'd realise what bloody ignorant twat he really is.

sometimes i wish this guy would follow phil fish's example and quit.

no that's not true, i didn't really mean that.
i meant all the time.
^_^

[Matt666]

Borderlands one DLC was amazing, Borderlands 2 DLC started off well and then went down hill. They really need to go back to there routes.

[OhhWerd]

This guy is an asshat, fucked up colonial marines and didn't even give it two thoughts. Never will I buy anything associated with gearbox again.

Hope he dies in a fire

[MrChow666]

what an ass, I swearm I am never going to buy a game from this clown, ever

[masa2009]

It was not that bad. Pitchford's FU was followed by a more substantiated answer. It was used more as a dismissive remark than an insult.

[Run_bare]

He is a moron. A shameful of developer.

[MadMen]

F him after what was done to ACM, I could careless about them or their comments. I refuse to by their product after what they did and didnt do.