A big number of senior Gearbox members who worked on Borderlands 3 are leaving, with at least six high-level staff moving to collaborate on a new project.
In a statement, Gearbox confirmed that several of their veteran staff that helped with Borderlands 3 are moving on. They will be forming an unknown studio, which company CEO Randy Pitchford has not yet corroborated.
Gearbox CEO assures studio timeline remains undisrupted
In the statement they provided, Pitchford noted that the group of people moving on will not affect their development timeline. At the moment, the studio is working on Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, a whimsical adventure with Borderlands aesthetics.
While the CEO has not listed the names of those leaving, Axios reported on the names of the people moving on.
The departing members include art director Scott Kester and creative director Paul Sage. There’s also senior producer Christopher Brock and UX director Chris Stasz. In addition, lead character artist Kevin Penrod, lead mission designer Keith Schuler are the names that popped up.
This level of brain drain from the company is concerning. The names listed alone amount to decades upon decades of industry experience leaving Gearbox. While members come and go all the time, them leaving at once is rare.
Departing team handled pre-production for unnamed project
Even with key members of the Borderlands 3 dev team leaving, Randy Pitchford plays down their impact on their work. He notes that the group was part of a pre-production team in Gearbox.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Gu1PspA3Y
“Before their transition, the group was part of a not-yet-announced pre-production team and their departure will cause minimal disruption in our current plans,” Pitchford said. “If there was going to be a move, this is the best possible time for that.”
He separately said that he is looking forward to what the team can do. He noted that he is thankful for the work they did for his company.
“This small group is great and talented and we are so thankful for their contributions, creativity, and leadership,” Pitchford said. “They depart Gearbox on the best of terms and we wish them well on their new venture.
“I am excited about their prospects and am eager to see where their effort takes them. I’m also hopeful that our strong, mutually respectful relationship will lead to a lasting partnership in a new form.”
Back in May, Borderlands 3 co-writer Danny Homan left Gearbox to work as a senior writer for Respawn Entertainment. The departure is also treated as the departure of the old guard for the company.
Featured image courtesy of Borderlands/Youtube Screenshot