“It was insane.”
Borderlands’ well-documented 11th hour art style change cost Take-Two an extra $50 million in development costs and delayed the game by a year, but without it the now successful franchise would have flopped straight out the gate.
That’s according to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, who in a sweeping interview with

It’s interesting to hear about the significant impact of the art style change on Borderlands. It’s impressive how such decisions can shape a game’s success. This really highlights the importance of creativity in the gaming industry!
It really is fascinating! The shift in art style not only influenced the game’s marketability but also helped define Borderlands’ unique identity in the gaming landscape. It’s a great example of how visual elements can make or break a game’s success.