Gearbox Software’s recently released Borderlands spin-off game Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands earned a reasonably positive reception from fans and critics. The PC version’s Metacritic score sits at 79, and the Steam user score is at a solid “mostly positive.” While fans do not feel positive about every aspect of the game, it has still, by all accounts, turned out a success, especially from a commercial standpoint. And now, Gearbox Software has made it clear that it absolutely sees Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands as a success. The company has already started referring to Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands as “a new franchise,” which means that players can expect to see “new experiences” involving the IP going forward.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford discussed the game’s performance and franchise potential at a meeting held by Embracer Group, Gearbox’s parent company. He stated that Gearbox “‘achieved a major victory’” with Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, which managed to exceed the developer’s expectations and then some with its strong sales and overall reception. Additionally, he confirmed that Gearbox has already begun developing additional experiences that will serve to help the brand grow.
What could come next?
Pitchford could be referring to any number of things when using the word “experiences.” For example, it might allude to future DLC plans rather than a new game altogether. Even so, it seems inevitable that Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands will receive a sequel at some point considering its new ‘franchise’ label.
Overall, this news will undoubtedly be met with cheers by some and groans by others, mainly those who do not enjoy Borderlands‘ brand of humor. Even I have to admit that Borderlands humor does not do much for me, and I tend to dislike the idea of an entire spin-off franchise centering around a fan-favorite side character. But Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands clearly has an audience, and if that audience wants it to become a franchise, then there’s really no harm in letting it happen.
