In an unexpected crossover of gaming philosophies, Borderlands 4's development team is taking creative cues from Baldur's Gate 3 to revolutionize its character progression system. Lead character designer Nick Thurston recently disclosed how Larian Studios' acclaimed RPG is influencing Gearbox's approach to build diversity in their upcoming looter-shooter.

Scheduled for release on September 12, Borderlands 4 represents the latest evolution of Gearbox's signature franchise, introducing a fresh roster of Vault Hunters with unprecedented customization options. While recent months have seen gradual reveals about individual characters' abilities, Thurston's insights shed light on the foundational design principles shaping these mercenaries.

In an interview with Polygon, Thurston explained how Borderlands 4's character progression system breaks from series tradition by embracing the build variety seen in Baldur's Gate 3 and Path of Exile. "As a min-maxer myself," Thurston noted, "I want players to reach endgame dealing massive damage, but through their preferred playstyle. Previous Borderlands titles sometimes funneled characters into specific roles, but we're prioritizing flexibility this time."

The designer elaborated on this philosophy with a multiplayer scenario: "When playing RPGs, I don't want to duplicate my friend's class choice. In past Borderlands games, two players selecting the same character would have nearly identical capabilities. Now, four players could choose the same Vault Hunter and each would offer distinct contributions to the team."

With less than a month until its launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S (and a Nintendo Switch 2 version coming in October), Borderlands 4 appears poised to deliver the most replayable experience in franchise history. While fans have received numerous previews of the game's features, Thurston's comments suggest there may still be innovative mechanics waiting to surprise players at release.