Shoutouts to Podtoid

It doesn’t feel like it has been that long since former Destructoid reviews editor Aaron Linde moved on to work in the game industry, but it has been almost six years now. In that time, he has contributed to a number of development studios, including Microsoft Game Studios and Airtight Games, beforelanding his current job at Gearbox Software.

Recently, Gearbox revealed what has has been working on: thehobby-grade, genre-blended, meta-growth FPSmultiplayer shooterBattleborn. Game Informer has a lot of exclusive details on it, including a greatinterview with our old pal Aaron. In it, Tim Turi and Linde talk about Podtoid, Linde’s relationship withBorderlands 2writer (and Podtoid co-host) Anthony Burch, and the process of writing forBattleborn.

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Linde discusses battle banter, his connection to science fiction, and Gearbox’s tendency to balance humor and seriousness in a narrative. He cites works likeThe Fifth ElementandFuturama, and says “We can tell a story that is very funny in the telling, but does have high stakes and serious consequences, and characters that are really invested in what they’re doing.”

The opening area of the Whisper mission, in a small grove.

The Divide in the Cosmodrome, where the Guardian was resurrected.

A holofoil Ribbontail, as seen in collections.

The Phoneutria Fera hand cannon, inspired by the Season of the Haunted armor set. It has a unique, galactic glow.

Three Fuses appear in a match of Apex Legends' Wild Card mode.

Mad Maggie opens a supply bin and an item with a symbol indicating infinite ammo appears.

Legends slide through a zipline in King’s Canyon in Apex Legends.

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The Yeartide Apex tex Mechanica SMG with a Holofoil glow.