Borderlands 2 lead designer John Hemingway has landed himself in trouble with internet social activists, after referring numerous times towards the skill set of the future character class for Borderlands 2 as “Girlfriend Mode.” The skill set is formally named the “Best Friends Forever” skill tree, as a reference towards the cutesy character, as well as her diabolical robot companion.
The issue has been dramatic enough to warrant Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford to explain via his Twitter account his stance on the topic and douse the activist fire that has been lit.
“Borderlands 2 does NOT have a girlfriend mode, anyone that says otherwise is misinformed or trying to stir up something that isn’t there.”
“The future DLC Mechromancer class has a skill tree that makes it easier for less skilled coop partners (any gender!) to play and be useful.”
Pitchford has not denied that Hemingway used the term. He has however stated that it was a personal anecdote that has been spun by the media, interoperating it as a near sexist remark, to which Pitchford has denied.
“There is no universe where Hemingway is a sexist,” He added. “All the women at Gearbox would beat his and anyone else’s ass.”
(Via EuroGamer)