Gearbox president hints at using Shift codes in future games

Gearbox president Randy Pitchford says the team has big ideas for "more options, more functionality" in utilizing Borderlands 2's "Shift" system in future games.

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Borderlands 2 has enjoyed a certain level of sustained success, thanks to its steady stream of downloadable content and varied classes. One element new to the series that has kept fans coming back, though, has been the Shift codes. Initially a fairly rare novelty, Gearbox has been keeping players engaged with social events handing out the codes like candy. Gearbox president Randy Pitchford sees this as a system they can get use out of in other games and franchises.

"It's kind of like letting you into an insiders club," Pitchford told IGN. "What's interesting about SHiFT is we built this infrastructure because we wanted to be able to tighten the relationship between the gamer playing the game, the game itself on that system, and us. There's a lot of manifestations of that. We needed an infrastructure to do that.

"We created this platform because we intended to use it," he continued. "It's likely that this platform will be useful to any game that we do where there's some value in having the ability to connect between the customer playing the game and us, having that relationship." He says future iterations of the platform could build upon it with "more options, more functionality," based on this framework.

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  • reply
    February 12, 2013 8:15 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Gearbox president hints at using Shift codes in future games.

    Gearbox president Randy Pitchford says the team has big ideas for "more options, more functionality" in utilizing Borderlands 2's "Shift" system in future games.

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      February 12, 2013 8:16 AM

      That's wonderful but for the love of christ let me put them in through the website.

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        February 12, 2013 8:43 AM

        ^^^ this. Or make the interface consistent with the native system (xbox interfaces normally allow you to enter an entire key at once but shift entry system only allows each segment at once)

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        February 12, 2013 8:50 AM

        I wouldn't expect it. The point is to get you back into the game, figuring that you'll play it some while you're there.

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          February 12, 2013 8:55 AM

          fine, then let me enter it on the website but i can't actually collect the key unless i do some mundane thing (like activate a terminall or something) in-game w/in 24hrs lets say of putting it into the website. It would still be 1,000x better than using their shit entry screen.

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          February 12, 2013 12:25 PM

          [deleted]

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            February 12, 2013 1:35 PM

            You might not use it immediately, only entering the game after you've accumulated a few.

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      February 12, 2013 8:38 AM

      In my opinion the Borderlands 2 implementation cheapened the experience. That game is all about killing shit to get cool loot. The SHIFT codes reduced it to do nothing but follow us on twitter and get the best shit in the game. Essentially killing half the fun / reason of playing.

      I know we're not forced to use them, but I'd rather they were used for cosmetic nonessentials.

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        February 12, 2013 8:42 AM

        You raise a decent point, but after looking at the 1000th level 50 vending machine or shitty white drop from a badass+ even with the +5% to rare loot drops, I appreciate the keys for what they are.

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        February 12, 2013 8:46 AM

        That's strange to me. I've raised two characters to 50 so far, and the loot from the chest was negligibly useful in my experience. Most of the stuff I got from is was replaced in just a few hours of play time.

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          February 12, 2013 8:54 AM

          Exactly, the loot isn't that great. It's not game breaking or anything.

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            February 12, 2013 8:59 AM

            Maybe I had the worst luck, but there was never a time I didn't use the items in the chest. I had about 6 keys and from 25-50 it was always using the weapons from the chests as they were vastly superior to what i was picking up.

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          February 12, 2013 8:55 AM

          You'll should be replacing all the garbage you have within a few levels because it'll become obsolete against higher level enemies eventually. Difference is the stuff from the chest is still probably going to be better than most of the stuff you're picking up. It was for me. Really had terrible luck with drops in that game.

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          February 12, 2013 8:57 AM

          Was replaced in a few hours of playtime? A few HOURS? I just got my first character to 50, and a few hours is a good 4-5 levels when you are high up. Having a key that gives you the best items for 4 levels is pretty crazy.

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            February 12, 2013 9:01 AM

            I'm talking AT level 50, I should have made that distinction. Earlier on the lasted maybe a level or two in most cases.

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              February 12, 2013 10:45 AM

              the chest is not designed for the people at the level cap... that's what legendary loot is for.

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                February 12, 2013 11:14 AM

                Being at 50 doesn't mean you have access to level 50 legendaries. You don't get that until after you finish TVH.

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                  February 12, 2013 4:24 PM

                  sure it does... a couple of public games and some random schmo with a mod will grant you everything you ever needed....

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              February 12, 2013 11:08 AM

              Oh....but playing this game at level 50 doesn't have much point does it? I mean the story is likely done (or will be after a few more hours) and then what?

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                February 12, 2013 11:13 AM

                Sure it does, there's still half a playthrough, all the DLC and all the raid bosses to fight. After that, it's questionable, but if you've got the loot itch, farming for weapons.

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                  February 12, 2013 11:21 AM

                  there's raid bosses?
                  How many people do you need against a raid boss?

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                    February 12, 2013 11:37 AM

                    Most are balanced for 4 players, although with the right character spec some of them can be solo'd

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                      February 12, 2013 12:23 PM

                      Oh. I thought raid bosses meant like 20+ people.

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                    February 12, 2013 11:39 AM

                    1

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                    February 12, 2013 11:40 AM

                    There are currently seven raid bosses, four of which drop special currency. Some you can solo with the right gear, but I've completed them all with one other person. It seems a full group is normally needed to comfortably do most of them, but I've never really had the luxury. We're always down to the wire when/if we finally beat the guy.

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          February 12, 2013 10:44 AM

          it's really hit and miss, but sometimes you get a shield that can last 10 levels.. or a jacobs sniper rifle that can go for near 10 levels...

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        February 12, 2013 8:52 AM

        [deleted]

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        February 12, 2013 11:49 AM

        I disagree. The stuff from the chest is nice, sure. But its far from being the best stuff in the game. Once you hit level 50 you can start farming for legendaries and challenging the "raid" bosses for badass loot. I've mostly used my keys on my low level dudes when I get to a point where I haven't had a weapon upgrade in awhile.

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      February 12, 2013 8:53 AM

      Gearbox's next game should feature a rat in a cage with a food dispenser that dispenses food based on a random roll. Then, promote SHIFT codes for that game. Yo, dawg...

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        February 12, 2013 9:33 AM

        All games operate off of this premise. Some are more transparent with it than others. There are few exceptions, and when they are released, they are polarizing.

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      February 12, 2013 10:15 AM

      Can someone explain "Shift" to me? I've been ignoring all BL2 threads until I have a chance to pick it up.

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        February 12, 2013 10:17 AM

        Enter Shift code, get key(s). Keys open a special chest near the main city's central transporter. Inside are random BEST FUCKING WEAPONS.

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          February 12, 2013 10:49 AM

          correction. they are always PURPLE (epic) gear, they are by no means the BEST gear. (not always weapons)

          and the stuff you get is useful before level 50; once you start doing playthrough 2.5 (which is saving sidemissions for after beating the warrior so your mission reward is level 50 and not some crap you'll never use) you will not likely need most anything you get out of the golden chest. example a level 50 Flame of the Firehawk shield will definately be better than anything the chest will give you.

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          February 12, 2013 11:13 AM

          Ugh. They added real-life grinding to their loot-grind game?

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            February 12, 2013 11:52 AM

            If by grinding you mean "read Facebook/twitter/Shack and put a code into a box", yes. If you consider that grinding, your life must be hellish. D:

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              February 12, 2013 12:39 PM

              It really is :)

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              February 12, 2013 12:52 PM

              You'll regret the lack of XP you get for toasting Eggos!!!!!!!!!!!!

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              February 12, 2013 1:43 PM

              You don't even have to put the code in by hand, you can just copy/paste that sumbitch

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          February 12, 2013 12:44 PM

          [deleted]

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            February 12, 2013 2:32 PM

            Why? Is something being taken away from you because you are ignoring their marketing and in-game unlocks? Is the game now worse because it has an extra menu button you aren't using?

            It's minor positive reinforcement for people that pay attention to them for more than the week after the game launches. I see no problem with it.

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      February 12, 2013 10:16 AM

      If I can enter them in on a web site and not in game then I'm in. They were always released during work hours so I could never claim them

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      February 12, 2013 10:41 AM

      i don't feel anymore connected because of the shift codes... it's not like you get info ahead of time or anything beyond a golden key... which is pretty useless once you reach level cap.

      it's mostly a useless gimmick..

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      February 12, 2013 3:52 PM

      forget the gimmicks. How about making sure you don't churn out digital sewage such as Aliens: Colonial Marines......

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