Gearbox Software – Best Developer 2012
Notable Game(s) of 2012: Borderlands 2
The best developers are those that attentively and actively listen to its fans. Say what you will about BioWare, but they didn't have to make the Extended Cut or give it away for free. 343i Studios also listened, and delivered a new Halo entry that confirms their understanding of the franchise. Both ArenaNet and Arkane Studioes are nominated for different reasons, the former for its prowess in understanding group play in the MMORPG genre and Arkane Studios for creating an original title that alludes to Bioshock without ripping it off.
But among the five, Gearbox Software has not only improved the original Borderlands in almost every possible way, but also cares about its fans in ways that go beyond the normal "thank you" post on official forums. Nothing says this more than when Gearbox gave tribute to a fan who sadly passed away by giving a eulogy in Claptrap's voice and ever immortalizing him as Michael Mamaril, his real name, a fellow vault hunter who will forever live in the Borderlands. In the words of GR commentor Snickersmack: "Bravo Gearbox, bravo."
Runners Up:
Click here to see the rest of GameRevolution's Best of 2012 Awards.
