Borderlands 4 Reportedly Cuts One of Its Most Hated Characters
▼ Summary
– Datamined files suggest Ava, a divisive character from Borderlands 3, may have been cut from Borderlands 4.
– The files include references to her Siren abilities and moments where she would have accompanied the character Zane.
– Evidence indicates Ava might have been replaced by Amara, who is introduced with Hermes, Ava’s pet from the previous game.
– No character model or audio files for Ava have been found, making the datamined files the only indication of her planned inclusion.
– This potential removal could represent a significant change in development, following community feedback on the character.
New information suggests Borderlands 4 might be leaving one of its most controversial personalities behind. Recent data mining efforts have uncovered file names that point toward a significant narrative shift, potentially removing the character Ava, who first appeared in Borderlands 3 and quickly became a lightning rod for fan debate.
A well-known Borderlands content creator and dataminer, EpicNNG, shared screenshots on social media platform X showing internal file names referencing Ava. These files appear to connect to her unique Siren abilities, specifically an asset labeled for her bubble power. Additional references indicate she was at one stage planned to accompany the operative Zane during story missions.
The data implies Ava may have been entirely swapped out for another Siren, Amara. Clues within the files show Amara being introduced alongside Hermes, who was Ava’s pet in the previous game, near the wreckage of the Sanctuary III ship. This contextual evidence strongly supports the theory that a character replacement occurred during the game’s development.
It is crucial to recognize that these findings are based solely on text strings and file names. No character model, voice lines, or other substantial assets for Ava have been discovered within the Borderlands 4 build that was examined. This indicates her involvement was likely considered and then abandoned at a relatively early stage.
Should these datamined files reflect the developers’ original intentions, it represents a notable change in creative direction. Gearbox Software’s CEO, Randy Pitchford, previously solicited fan opinions on Ava, receiving intensely mixed feedback. Some players expressed strong dislike for the character, while others were open to seeing her story evolve in a future installment.
This situation mirrors another community-driven adjustment made by the developers. In response to player feedback that found the Claptrap unit’s dialogue somewhat irritating, the team incorporated a volume slider specifically for his sounds. This was a clever and appreciated nod to the fanbase, demonstrating the studio’s willingness to listen.
At this time, Ava has not been announced as part of any upcoming downloadable content for Borderlands 4. These file references could be the only trace of her planned involvement, or perhaps she is being held in reserve for a surprise appearance later. The mere fact that she was considered for a role confirms that the writers initially contemplated bringing her back into the storyline.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
