Borderlands 3 – Gearbox CEO Explains Troy Baker’s Absence as Rhys

Borderlands 3, the eagerly awaited looter shooter sequel, is no stranger to controversies despite its very recent announcement. This is due to its timed exclusivity on the Epic Games Store for PC, with the Steam release coming in April 2020. However, another interesting revelation came from voice actor Troy Baker, who revealed that he wasn’t returning to voice Rhys (the protagonist of Tales From The Borderlands), saying that he was open to returning if Gearbox was interested though.

However, the story is a bit different, according to a tweet from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. Apparently, he was told by the audio director that Baker had turned the role down. That said, Pitchford also assured that thanks to the way Rhys factors into the story, Baker not voicing him won’t be a concern. “Fortunately, with how Rhys appears in the game, I don’t think it actually matters at all,” he said. “You’ll see for yourself when the game comes out and you may disagree with me on that or not.”

This raises even more questions over what happened to Rhys, and whether not having his signature voice actor is really that big of a deal. Regardless, Pitchford would praise Baker in a later tweet, calling him an “incredible talent.” “I felt like we discovered magic when we first cast him in Brothers in Arms. His work there proved his talent to the video game world and he has been crushing it ever since.”

As for Borderlands 3, it’s slated to release on September 13th for Xbox One, PS4, and PC. Taking place several years after the second game, it introduces four new Vault Hunters, two new antagonists in the Calypso Twins, and tons of guns. There will even be instanced loot so players won’t have to fight over items.

You’ll have to ask Troy. I was told by the audio director that he turned it down. Fortunately, with how Rhys appears in the game, I don’t think it actually matters at all. You’ll see for yourself when the game comes out and you may disagree with me on that or not.

— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) April 10, 2019

He’s great – an incredible talent. I felt like we discovered magic when we first cast him in Brothers in Arms. His work there proved his talent to the video game world and he has been crushing it ever since?!

— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) April 10, 2019