After playing through Borderlands 2 for over 10 hours, I’ve come to a startling realization.
I’d forgotten how valuable a dollar could be. Perhaps that is because New York’s infamous recession pizza, $1 a slice, leads me to believe that a dollar is worth exactly that – if you’re lucky. One slice of pizza.
But, imagine finding a safe with only $1 in it. Who locks up a dollar in a safe?
The folks in Pandora’s wastelands do.
EDITOR’S PICK: Borderlands 2 Takes Loot Hoarding & Visual Design to the Nth Level
These days, especially when we’re chatting in an election year that pits Mitt Romney against President Barack Obama, the value of a dollar is of utmost importance. We’ve got credit issues to deal with, right? Moody’s warns of another US Credit Downgrade. Inflation has surged 64.2% in the past twenty years, 28.1% in the past decade.
But, who cares? (kidding)
I’ve killed Bullymongs, Badasses, Psychos, Marauders, Midgets, Mini Bosses and Bosses across Pandora’s frozen tundra. And, each time they drop they’re glorious loot, I’m lucky if I pick up two dollars. If I pick up four dollars, I do a touchdown dance.
Why?
While loot may be in abundance in Pandora, Borderlands 2 makes you appreciate every freakin’ dollar and gun. Some people may not want to waste the time to pick up an extra dollar. If someone told you to go out right now and kill Bullymongs (they’re like giant mutated wildebeests, crossed with Big Foot) for 2 hours so that you could earn twenty bucks, you’d probably laugh in that person’s face.
Not after Borderlands 2. You’ll go out and earn that dollar. Because each dollar adds up to bigger and better loot – better guns. This probably has the NRA salivating.
I’ve also found myself picking up guns that I would never use. I may not want that gun. But, someone else might. So, I load up my backpack with items I don’t need, with lower attributes (reload speed, damage, etc), just so that I can sell them to someone else.
Everything counts in Borderlands 2. You appreciate all loot drops from the big to the small. In the Wastelands, a dollar is everything.
Interview with Borderlands 2 Lead AI Programmer Jasper Foreman
