The former voice actor of the Borderlands mascot Claptrap, David Eddings, continues to make allegations against Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. Since it became clear that Eddings will not voice his character Claptrap in Borderlands 3, there has been trouble.
What’s going on? The voice of the iconic Borderlands robot Claptrap is David Eddings. However, he is not just a voice actor.
Eddings was also an important executive at Gearbox for over a decade, responsible for business development. However, he was fired in 2017, and apparently, there is bad blood between him and his former boss, Randy Pitchford.
Prior to Borderlands 3, there were public disputes between Eddings and the perceived eccentric Randy Pitchford.
The two publicly argued on Twitter:
- Eddings said he would not return as Claptrap in Borderlands 3 because he insisted on being paid
- Pitchford said Eddings was paid and received a “generous offer for Borderlands 3.” However, Eddings was a bitter and offended man after his dismissal and refused.
Now there is more background information on the source of this dispute.
These are the latest statements: In an interview with the US site Newsweek Eddings says he clashed with Randy Pitchford at the GDC developer conference in 2017.
There was a physical altercation before he was then fired in anger by Pitchford days later.
Eddings says:
“It’s like someone pushed you 6 meters away from the Titanic. You’re soaked, grumpy, and angry, but two days later you’re grateful because you’re not on the sinking ship. At the same time, you’re sad because there are still a bunch of people on that ship.”
Eddings says he was humiliated
This is how Eddings was humiliated: Eddings says he lost his voice in February 2017. However, Pitchford wanted him to accompany former 2k president Christoph Hartmann on a studio tour as Claptrap. For this, Eddings would have to wait in a voice box for Pitchford’s signal.
Pitchford would then come into his voice box, slap the headphones off him, and stick a wet finger in his ear that he had previously licked, Eddings said. Pitchford would then jump back and mock him.
Eddings and Hartman looked at each other in disbelief: “What just happened?”
Pitchford was known for playing unprofessional pranks, and everyone at Gearbox had to constantly change their priorities to meet Pitchford’s whims.
Pitchford allegedly shoved Eddings
This led to Eddings’ dismissal: At the GDC in March 2017, Eddings heard rumors that someone wanted to buy Gearbox. Pitchford wanted to know from Eddings who he heard that from, but Eddings did not want to disclose his source.
Then Pitchford allegedly shoved Eddings while Eddings was leaning forward to whisper something to Pitchford.
Shortly thereafter, Eddings was fired in anger by Pitchford. There are then some text messages where Pitchford pressures Eddings to tell him the truth and questions his loyalty.
This is what Eddings says about Claptrap: He says he would voice Claptrap again, but Pitchford must publicly apologize to him and pay the royalties he owes him.
This is what Gearbox says: Gearbox stated to Newsweek that they take this matter seriously but will not comment as it is a personal issue.
They consider it a shame that the work of over 400 employees is being diluted by personal accusations. The employees poured their love and passion into Borderlands 3.
There are some strange stories circulating about the Gearbox CEO. He is also in a conflict with another former friend and colleague:
