Term Paper Outline: Moon Physics With Borderlands

Outline of the First Paper

The Laws of Physics in an Animation Universe: A look at Borderlands: The Presequel.

Introduction

1. For my essay, I looked at Borderlands the Presequel. It was developed by 2k Australia, Gearbox Software and Aspyr.
2. The game takes place on a moon called Elpys that orbits a planet about the size of earth called Pandora. It takes advantage of science fiction logic to drastically exaggerate the physics to hilariously fun proportions.

Body Paragraphs

1. The laws Gravity are changed for entertainment purposes.

• Gravity on Pandora (The Earth-like Planet) and within the space station, which has the same gravity) Still allows normal human characters to jump a tremendous height, and have a lot of hang time.
• Enemies blasted to death neglect the laws of gravity and can fly as far up as orbit. This rule of gravity is changed to provide more satisfying kills, which is what the game is built on.
• The space center is able to control gravity with no centrifugal force.

2. The atmosphere does not obey real physics for gameplay purposes

• Without an atmosphere objects float freely from their chests, but within a contain atmospheric bubble they do not even though gravity remain consistent.
• Fires still briefly ignite from lava monsters on a planet.
• Heavier characters drop at the same rate as lighter characters, even within an atmosphere with air resistance.
• At the beginning of the game, The heroes are fired out of a cannon from the spaceship and they manage to survive the impact, without beginning slowed down by an atmosphere.

3. Digital information is transferred into physical matter.

• The game uses the science of “digi-structing” to use computer information to generate matter.
• Vehicles use an online databases to generate and construct speeders, hovercrafts, and buggies.
• A device attached to the belt allows characters to reconstruct weapons, rather than carry them on their back.
• After dying, characters can “respawn” by being reconstructed through a New U station.
• Digital information can be transported to different terminals where biological information is simplified to digital matter and reassembled.

Conclusion:

• The laws of physics are intentionally broken to provide an overall more enjoyable game with more over the top action.
• The change of physics in the third installation of the game provides gamers with a change in gameplay, giving them different ways to navigate their environment, new tactics during combat, and a change in environment.