Did Borderlands 4 Cast a Vanishing Spell on Ava? Datamined Files Tell a Curious Tale.
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Datamined files suggest the divisive Borderlands 3 character, Ava, may have been cut from Borderlands 4 and potentially replaced by Amara, indicating Gearbox might be listening to community feedback. While not definitively confirmed, the evidence points to a significant development U-turn driven by player sentiment.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're playing a game, and a character just… doesn't quite click? Or perhaps they grate on you like a rusty saw on a chalkboard? Well, it looks like Gearbox might have been listening to the collective groan of the Borderlands community, because rumour has it, one of the series' most divisive characters could be getting the old vanishing act in *Borderlands 4*.
I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it's wilder than it first appeared. According to a recent deep dive by **Connor Makar over at Eurogamer**, who's been following the digital breadcrumbs, datamined files suggest that Ava, the Siren-in-training from *Borderlands 3*, might have been unceremoniously – or perhaps mercifully – cut from the upcoming sequel. Fair dinkum, it's the sort of industry move that makes you wonder if Gearbox has a hidden trapdoor for characters that don't quite land with the punters.
The digital wizardry comes courtesy of EpicNNG, a Borderlands content creator and dataminer with a knack for digging through the game's innards – this bloke even led an archival effort for a defunct Chinese Borderlands MMO, so he knows his way around a file directory. EpicNNG posted screenshots on X (formerly Twitter) revealing files that explicitly name Ava, complete with assets tied to her bubble Siren ability and even moments where she was supposedly meant to accompany Zane throughout the story. Sounds like she was in there, mate, right up to her eyeballs.
But here's the kicker, and where things get truly intriguing: these same files apparently indicate that Ava may have been completely replaced by Amara, another fan-favourite Siren. And get this – Amara is reportedly introduced alongside Hermes (Ava's pet from *Borderlands 3*) and near the crashed Sanctuary ship. If that's not a narrative substitution with a capital 'S', I don't know what is. It's like casting a spell to transform a rogue daemon into a much more agreeable spirit – same place, same familiar, but a whole new personality.
Now, a healthy dose of skepticism is always wise when we're talking about datamined files. We're essentially peering through a tiny, digital keyhole into the development process. As Eurogamer's report rightly points out, there's no discovered character model or audio files for Ava in *Borderlands 4* yet. So, while the breadcrumbs are definitely there, we're not quite at the full loaf stage. Could she still pop up in DLC? Maybe. But the fact that she was *considered* and then seemingly *removed* speaks volumes.
What does this mean for us, the actual players? Well, if Ava was indeed jettisoned, it would mark a fairly substantial U-turn during *Borderlands 4's* development cycle. And let's be honest, her introduction in *Borderlands 3* was… divisive. She was a bit whiny, a bit entitled, and her sudden ascension to powerful Siren and leader of the Crimson Raiders felt, for many, unearned and a tad shoehorned into the narrative. It wasn't just a casual dislike; it was a passionate, forum-filling, meme-generating level of 'oh, for crying out loud, *her* again?'
But here's the cautiously optimistic bit: Gearbox seems to be listening. Around a year ago, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford actually asked the community what they thought of Ava. And the response, as you might expect, was passionate on both sides. This isn't the first time they've paid attention to player feedback either. Remember the Claptrap sound slider? That brilliant, self-aware option added to the games because, let's face it, Claptrap can be a *tad* grating. That was a clever observation by Gearbox, turning a community gripe into a genuine, funny feature. If they're willing to give us a volume control for the robot, it's not a stretch to think they'd reconsider a character's role.
This whole situation highlights the tricky balance game developers play between artistic vision and community expectation. When you're building upon an established, beloved universe like Borderlands, every new character and narrative beat is scrutinised by a deeply invested fanbase. Sometimes, a character just doesn't resonate, and the decision to course-correct, even if it means a significant development pivot, can be a sign of a studio committed to delivering what players truly want. It shows a willingness to admit 'Oops, maybe that wasn't quite right, let's try again.' And honestly, that's refreshing to see.
So, as we eagerly await more official news on *Borderlands 4*, this little nugget of datamined gossip gives us plenty to chew on. Is Ava gone for good? Or merely sent on a cosmic tea break? Whatever the case, it’s a fascinating glimpse into the ever-evolving world of game development, where player feedback can sometimes, just sometimes, lead to a character getting *poofed* right out of existence. Here's hoping *Borderlands 4* lands with a bang, not a whimper, and maybe a few less eye-rolls this time around.
**(Original reporting by Connor Makar for Eurogamer.)**
Tags: Borderlands 4, Character Design, Datamining, Gearbox Software, Gaming Rumors
Original article: Eurogamer