Borderlands - Behind the Random Weapon Generator

Written by Losthursday Tuesday, 20 October 2009 06:32

Features - Gaming

We've all heard about the "Million, Bazillions Guns!" in 2K and Gearbox's Borderlands. We've also heard about how the game "randomly" generates weapons thusly creating hundreds more. Do we understand how this system works? No, and probably does not matter but for those that do I'll do my best to explain.

While it's not necessarily completely "random" weapons are generated in a "semi-random" way. Weapons in the game are created instantly as you progress through the game and reach certain locations, as you uncover weapon chests, dig through dead enemies and even through partially decomposed animal carcasses and let's not forget, manufacturer vending machines. The weapons created depend on a few different aspects; character class, skill set, level, enemy killed and your location and progression through the game. Meaning that regardless of where you are in the game a weapon will be created to suit your level and other aspects of your character.

The actual workings of how the weapons are created lies in the game engine's ability to assemble a weapon based on different components. So, the weapon generator is broken down into 6-8 categories those being: barrel, body, grip, sight, stock, magazine, materials and in some cases, accessories.

As a weapon is created the engine assembles the weapon by randomizing a specific part from each one of those categories to create a new weapon. The weapon manufacturers in the game have certain proprietary items that make it unique to that manufacturer.

So in short a weapon is created in an intelligent and extremely thought out way. So if you are a level 38 you will not be generated a pistol that is only level 2. At least that's the theory. Remember, weapons are not upgradable, so finding the better and best weapon out there is the name of the game.

Courtesy of Brady Games, Signature Series Guide for Borderlands.