"The art style...is the glue to everything," Gearbox's Mikey Neumann explains above the gentle hum of a crowded meeting room during E3. "It allows us to embrace what our game actually is, and man, when we had that epiphany, when it all came together, we were like, 'shit man, that's what this game is, this game is about having fun.'"

Neumann, whose job title today is "a guy who can get you things," is talking about the radical change that the studio's shooter-RPG Borderlands recently underwent, shifting from a gritty realistic aesthetic to something a bit more... stylized.

It was a risky move, especially considering that the game is nearing completion--it's hitting PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in October--and this is the first time that Gearbox has demonstrated the new art style, in real time, to most of the gaming media.

And though the game's not out until October, it needs to be completed much sooner than that due to the need for testing. "You can subtract two and a half to three months for certification time," he says. "Subtract three months off of October... Read more

Developer Gearbox Software is targeting an October release for its post-apocalyptic shooter-RPG Borderlands, the studio told Shacknews during a recent interview.

Originally expected last year, the game was then pushed into 2009, with publisher Take-Two Interactive merely stating that it would arrive no later than October 31, 2009.

For more on the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 shooter--described by our own Nick Breckon as "Diablo-meets-Halo"--check out our latest impressions, and stay tuned for an interview with Gearbox's "guy who can get you things" Mikey Neumann.

A lot has been made of Borderlands' new art style. The unique Gearbox shooter-RPG recently made the switch from a fairly bland brand of realism to a look reminiscent of concept art, to general applause.

Following a live demonstration of the game at E3, I can report that the "hand-shaded" textures look just as visually interesting while in motion as they do in static shots. Though we only got a look at one brown-heavy, almost monochromatic environment, any source of color immediately popped, easily justifying the effect.

But moreso than the style, I was eager to see another slice of gameplay. The co-op title, which impressed us with its debut at last year's show, now has the benefit of another year of toiling. The result is a blend of straightforward shooting, detailed RPG mechanics, and some smart interface touches that combine for a very attractive package.

Loading up the game to a crusty desert locale, Gearbox's Mike Neumann first introduced us to a number of dog-like creatures called Scags. Borderlands' general feel is easiest to compare to Diablo; you gain levels by shooting things, you... Read more

The E3 2009 screenshots from Gearbox Software's Borderlands are now available, showing yet more of the new art style now being used by the sci-fi action RPG. Borderlands is expected later this year on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Last year's E3 brought a bunch of footage from Gearbox's Halo/Diablo, FPS/RPG hybrid Borderlands. Since then, the game's art style has been changed from bland realism to a sketched-in look reminiscent of concept art. The trailer below gives us our first look at the new shading in motion. We'll have more coverage of Borderlands as E3 gets underway later this week.... Read more

Here's another look at the new art style for Gearbox Software's Diablo-meets-Halo shooter Borderlands. Once an interesting concept wrapped in a somewhat straightforward presentation, Gearbox has certainly carved some character into the title with the recent palette swap.

Borderlands is scheduled for release later this year on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

After last week's teaser image of Borderlands' new "concept art style," developer Gearbox has released a proper screenshot of the shooter-RPG via the title's official site.

"This image is completely in-game as you will see Borderlands when you play it," the company told Shacknews today.

Still powered by Unreal Engine 3, at last official word, Borderlands hits PC , PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this year, no later than October 31. For more on the game, including a glimpse of what it used to look like, check out our past coverage and videos.

Following reports of a new art style for Borderlands, developer Gearbox has provided a glimpse of the game's revised appearance through the cover of the next PC Gamer.

"The image is an in-game screenshot with no post process," said the company.

Referred to as "Diablo with guns" by our very own Nick Breckon, Borderlands is now slated to bring its unique blend of post-apocalyptic gunplay and traditional RPG mechanics (skill trees, level bars, etc.) to PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 before October 31.

For a better glimpse of how the game plays, check our extensive footage. As an added bonus, those videos feature the old art style, so you can see how much has changed.

In related news, the game's website teases that "more" will be revealed Monday.

Included in the latest batch of media from Gearbox's Diablo-esque shooter Borderlands (PC, PS3, 360) are explosions, guns, some creepy-looking dude, and more guns. Borderlands and its gun-heavy take on RPG-style loot action are expected next year.

The Mission: It's the last day of E3, and a tired team of Gearbox Software employees are willing to sit down for an open interview. Your stomach is growling, and your schedule is tight, but there will be lunch involved, and the developer's upcoming post-apocalyptic co-op shooter Borderlands (PC, 360, PS3) was easily one of the most interesting titles shown at the expo.

The Reward: More information on Borderlands, which takes the best of Diablo--procedurally generated loot and instances, for small group online cooperation--and combines it with gory shooter gameplay and Halo-esque vehicles. And a great burrito.

Randy Pitchford: As a shooter gamer, my bar for plausibility is higher. We forgive so much when we play WoW. There's so much that, if we ever made a shooter where I press the action button and [my character] does this same generic animation three feet away from the object he's interacting with, we'd just get crucified. But we forgive it because of the kind of game it is and the way it's presented. But that plausibility is actually important. Why does it make sense that when I kill that Murloc he has a fin, but the other one doesn't? And why does he have a sword on him? He didn't have a sword when I fought him. That's weird. Read more..

Following our flood of content from last week's E3 Media & Business Summit, we'll be highlighting noteworthy previews and features that may have gotten lost in the shuffle.

Straight from the Take-Two press conference, here is footage shot during the Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360) presentation. Gearbox president Randy Pitchford was on hand to show off his company's upcoming post-apocalyptic shooter.

For more on Borderlands, including details not immediately evident in the videos below, check out our E3 2008 preview. Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream. Click through for more videos ... Read more

"Oh, he's still sizzling," said a Gearbox representative. "Did he drop anything good?"

Imagine Diablo in first person, with guns rather than swords, hilarious levels of violence, and a large open world to explore. That's what Borderlands (PC, 360, PS3) is shaping up to be, based on the extended demo I was just shown.

Developer Gearbox is calling this an RPS, or roleplaying shooter, and the term certainly fits. All of the typical Diablo caveats are on display: the level bar, the skill trees, the story moments and drop-in, drop-out online play for up to four players.

Some extra details not immediately evident in the excellent walkthrough video:

• Each gun is procedurally generated, with statistics such as firepower, reload speed and magazine size also randomized.
• Weapon attributes are reflected in their appearance. A gun that glows green possesses face-melting poison.
• Chest drops are totally randomized, just like in Diablo. The producers were constantly looking for better drops.
• Skills are upgraded via software skill stations. ... Read more

Gearbox president Randy Pitchford revealed more details on his company's upcoming post-apocalyptic shooter Borderlands today at the Take-Two press conference. The game is billed as a cooperative shooter, with randomized items and level-based progression in the vein of Diablo.

Highlights:

• Takes place on the planet Pandora.
• "Soldier" and "Hunter" classes.... Read more

Take-Two Interactive today clarified a number of release dates for its upcoming titles.

The publisher revealed that Gearbox Software's Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360) and 2K Czech's Mafia II (PC, PS3, X360) are positioned for release sometime in Take-Two's 2009 fiscal year, which runs from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009.

The new date marks a delay for the co-op friendly Borderlands, which was originally slated to arrive within Take Two's 2008 fiscal year. Prior to today, no release date had been announced for Mafia II.

Additionally, Rockstar San Diego's Midnight Club: Los Angeles (PS3, X360) was confirmed for release in the company's FY2008 fourth quarter, pinning the title's release window between August 1 and October 31, 2008.

The game was originally aimed for a spring 2008 release, but was delayed to prevent competition with Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3, X360).

Thanks to the Spike 2007 Video Game Awards, we get a first look at Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360), the new sci-fi action RPG from Gearbox Software. Update: a high-def version of the trailer is now available.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Registered users can watch the HD stream.

Over at 1UP you can find a Borderlands Q&A, asking Gearbox president Randy Pitchford about his company's co-op shooter. Article includes new screenshots.

There's an extensive Borderlands preview on Computer & Video Games, checking out the new post-apocalyptic action game at the Gearbox Software offices.

Action Trip and GameSpot have posted previews of Borderlands, the new Gearbox game. Check out some new screenshots here.

New screenshots from Gearbox's sci-fi FPS/RPG hybrid Borderlands (PC, PS3, X360) have been released, depicting armored soldiers with Killzone-esque eyes, a sniper overseeing a vast landscape, and an enormous vehicular earth saw apparently modeled after real-life heavy excavators.

Update: 2K Games has sent over two screenshots of Borderlands. Following Game Informer's reveal of the game and subsequent confirmation by Gearbox president Randy Pitchford, 2K Games today announced that it will publish Borderlands.

The game is described as being a sci-fi action one, with full co-op support, vehicular combat and featuring a content generation system allowing for "near-endless variety" in mission, environment, enemy, weapon, item and character customization.

"Borderlands creates a universe of gameplay that goes far beyond anything anyone would expect. We're tapping into every bit of Gearbox Software's experience with the biggest science fiction video game franchises, then taking everything way past the next level," said Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. "The team at 2K Games shares our passion for pushing boundaries in gameplay and storytelling and are absolutely perfect partners for Borderlands."

Borderlands will be released during the holiday 2008 season on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.