One of the Most Iconic Parts of Borderlands Was Changed Last-Minute (and Was Very Costly)

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Released in 2009, Borderlands quickly became one of the most important shooting games of its time. Its huge science fiction worlds, exciting action, and playful, often dark, humor made it a perfect fit for a long-running series. Unlike many other games in the genre, Borderlands uses a cartoonish style to depict a post-apocalyptic world. This look suits a series that fully embraces its over-the-top setting, immersing players in a wild world of treasure hunters, weapon makers, and strange alien life.

The unique art style is a key reason the Borderlands series is so popular, immediately setting its distinctive tone. Surprisingly, this style was a late addition to the game’s development. According to Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, adding the cel-shaded look was expensive and a rushed decision, but it ultimately proved vital to the game’s success. Here’s the story of how Borderlands got its signature visual style and why it was a worthwhile investment for Take-Two, despite the high cost.

The Cel-Shaded Aesthetic Of Borderlands Was A Last-Minute Decision

In a recent, extensive interview with David Senra, Take-Two CEO Zelnick discussed his career, including a pivotal decision regarding the art style of Borderlands. Originally, Borderlands was designed with a realistic look, similar to other shooters at the time. However, just months before its release, the development team proposed a bold change: completely revamp the game’s visuals with a unique, cel-shaded style.

The team explained to Zelnick that the game’s realistic style wasn’t quite working. They asked for an additional $50 million to improve it, arguing it was essential for the game’s success. Zelnick agreed, and it turned out to be a smart decision. The change helped the game differentiate itself from other shooting games at the time. Zelnick felt strongly that sticking with the original look would have hindered the game’s potential, preventing it from becoming the popular franchise it eventually became – and he was right.

Borderlands Needed The Visuals To Really Seal The Deal

The distinctive visual style is essential to what makes Borderlands feel like Borderlands. The series’ success comes partly from its unique personality – a darkly humorous and over-the-top tone. It’s a blend of the gritty world of Mad Max and the playful style of The Wind Waker, which helped it differentiate itself from other serious games with similar themes. This visual flair adds a natural energy to the gameplay. Things like the floating damage numbers might seem strange in a realistic shooter, but they fit perfectly within the colorful chaos of a Borderlands firefight.

The game’s cartoonish art style perfectly matched its fast-paced, exaggerated action, giving it a fun and lighthearted feel. This style also made the characters stand out clearly from the environments, which is a common issue in more realistic shooters. Borderlands’ characters are instantly recognizable and full of personality, thanks to strong character design. This approach extends to the story, where characters are exaggerated versions of familiar types – the heroes are quirky, and the villains are delightfully twisted, funny, and unforgettable.

The unique style gave Borderlands a distinctive personality right away, something many shooters at the time—often influenced by realistic games like Gears of War or Call of Duty—didn’t have. This allowed the developers to be creative with characters and stories. Characters like Tiny Tina fit perfectly within the Borderlands universe, but wouldn’t have felt as natural in a more serious, realistic game. This playful, cartoonish approach was a major strength for Borderlands.

The game’s approach also allowed developers like Telltale to create their own stories within the Borderlands universe, building on the established tone. Borderlands has a natural, lighthearted humor that really worked to its advantage, and likely contributed to its popularity. While it was a risk to invest in a distinctive visual style, it proved to be one of Take-Two’s smartest moves of the 21st century, transforming what could have been a standard post-apocalyptic shooter into something truly unique.

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2026-05-28 03:12