Datamine files suggest Ava cut from Borderlands 4, replaced by Amara

Datamined files from Borderlands 4 indicate that Ava, the Siren character introduced in Borderlands 3, was originally intended to appear in the new game's campaign but was removed and replaced by playable Vault Hunter Amara late in development, according to a dataminer who posted screenshots and file listings online. The evidence, discovered after Borderlands 4's September release, includes references to cutscene segments, ability names and in-game items that link Ava to scenes with returning character Zane and to Hermes, the pet associated with Ava in Borderlands 3.

The material shared by the dataminer identified filenames and fragments of code that reference Ava and a protective Phase Bubble ability similar to one she used in Borderlands 3. Those breadcrumbs appear in places where Amara now appears in the released game, including a crashed Sanctuary 3 ship and sequences in which a character cares for Hermes. The dataminer wrote that "she was completely replaced by Amara late in development" and that Ava "was originally going to team up with Zane to help save Lilith," statements posted alongside screenshots of the discovered files.

Reports differ on how extensive the remnants...