The publisher Take Two has shut down its project Borderlands Online. With the studio’s closure, 150 employees are losing their jobs.
Borderlands Online was supposed to be a “Free2Play” online version of Borderlands for the Asian market. With the Borderlands franchise as we know it in the West, the completed game probably wouldn’t have had much in common. It was planned as a lobby shooter.
Publisher Take-Two Interactive has closed its 150-strong studio 2k China in Shanghai, which was working on Borderlands Online. As a spokesperson stated, it was determined that further investments in the studio, until the completion of projects, especially the completion of Borderlands Online, would not yield an adequate return. They are trying to employ the affected employees elsewhere in the company, if possible.
Take Two will continue to stay in Asia and produce AAA titles for the region: The NBA 2k Online developed by Visual Concepts China is highly profitable and not affected by the decision. They also expect a financial success from Civilization Online.
