When you have a franchise that’s lasted a long time, the developer tends to try and test new things out to “keep things fresh,” while also parting with things they might personally feel “don’t add to the title.” At times, this is a good move, as certain systems can actually weigh a game down and restrict what can happen going forward. However, if you remove the wrong thing, then you suddenly have fans asking for it to come back and calling you out for making a “terrible move.” For Borderlands 4, while many have praised certain moves that were made, one “miscue” that was made was apparently the removal…of slot machines.
Yeah, you might not have seen that coming, but over on Reddit, gamers were rather passionate about the lack of slot machines and how the game now feels “lesser,” not only because of their non-appearance, but going so far as to state that money feels more useless now. The person who made the post noted:
“Not only were they a good money sink for rolling for legendaries, but also just a fun thing to do while waiting for a friend to do something or such instead of just standing around.
Or if you don’t want ‘gambling’ then SOMETHING for us to spend our money on as there is nothing worth it right now so picking up and selling stuff is only worth it to clean up loot spots to look at loot easier.”
The comments on the thread mimic that, especially when they talk about the “respawn fees” that they sometimes have to pay after dying in boss fights. It’s clear that gamers’ attachment to the slot machines was grander than Gearbox Software realized.
“I miss them so much. Were people actually worried about gambling fake money in a mature game where I’m literally running around blowing everything’s head off? My friends were laughing at me cause I hardly ever had any money.”
Many pointed out that it’s not just the fact that they’re gone that hurts, but the fact that they’re not in Moxxi’s place anymore, when that was one of the key reasons to go to her place…outside of just seeing Moxxi, of course.
Naturally, there were some players who didn’t mind the lack of slots in Borderlands 4, and some felt that they were more of a “distraction” to pass the time than anything meaningful, but it’s clear there is a group that wants them back, and it’ll be interesting to see if Gearbox Software honors the request in the future.
