Saving a Lost MMO: Borderlands Online Revival
A dedicated group of game preservationists is on a quest to revive Borderlands Online, a defunct Chinese MMORPG. They've made incredible progress, reaching the character selection screen, but now they need assistance to overcome a significant hurdle.
A Race Against Time
The team, led by YouTuber and dataminer EpicNNG, has spent countless hours navigating defunct Chinese websites, battling viruses and broken links, all in pursuit of playable game files. They've confirmed they possess a complete game build, but lack the manpower to crack the final barrier – getting past the character selection screen. This is where you could potentially step in.
The project's success isn't just about playing a forgotten game. It’s about preserving a piece of gaming history. Borderlands Online, a unique title only available in China, is incredibly rare and getting it running is a significant undertaking. The team is making it clear this is entirely for archival purposes, with no intention of violating 2K's intellectual property. The concern is that the release of Borderlands 4 might prompt 2K to take action against the project.
If you have experience with software like DNSpy and Unity Ripper, and you're passionate about game preservation, this is your chance to contribute to a truly unique project. However, it's crucial to understand that this is a complex task; if you lack the necessary skills, it’s best to cheer them on from the sidelines.
The team is striving to complete this before Borderlands 4 generates a cease-and-desist order. While the task is challenging, the potential reward – a playable archive of a lost MMO – makes it a compelling endeavor for those with the required skills. Let's hope they can complete this exciting project before time runs out.
Source: VG247