Claptrap
Claptrap | |
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Borderlands character | |
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First appearance | Borderlands (2009) |
Created by | Gearbox Software |
Voiced by | David Eddings Jim Foronda (Borderlands 2 VR, Borderlands 3) Jack Black (film) |
In-universe information | |
Species | Robot |
Gender | Male |
Claptrap is a fictional character that appears in the Gearbox Software video game series Borderlands. Claptrap is a CL4P-TP general purpose robot manufactured by Hyperion and has been programmed with an overenthusiastic personality. It brags frequently, yet also expresses severe loneliness and cowardice. Claptrap received mostly negative reviews due to its perceived "annoyance".
Character development[]
Claptrap was developed from a random sketch in a low-level assignment made by the JIRA project-management software system.[1] In the German version, the initial Claptrap introduces itself as "CLP4P-TP", even though the subtitles read "CL4P-TP". Claptrap is the only robot of its kind that has been designated with an actual name, Claptrap P. Claptrappington.[2] Claptrap was voiced by David Eddings in Borderlands[3] but has been replaced by a new voice actor, Jim Foronda on Borderlands 2 VR[4] after controversy surrounding it,[3] where Eddings claimed that the Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford assaulted him, calling him "bitter and disgruntled" after being fired from his job as Vice President of Business Development and therefore stopped voicing the character.[5] When asked by website VG247 what Hollywood actor could play Claptrap on-screen, Gearbox members suggested Dwayne Johnson or Bill Murray could voice the character,[6] but it was announced that Jack Black will voice Claptrap in the upcoming Borderlands movie.[7]
Appearances[]
Claptrap first appeared in the original Borderlands game in 2009.[8] He appears in Borderlands 2, released in 2012, and then in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel released in 2014 as a playable character,[9] as well as their various DLC including The Secret Armory of General Knoxx,[10] Claptrap's New Robot Revolution,[11] Sir Hammerlock's Big Game Hunt,[12] Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep,[13] and Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary.[13][14] The eccentric robot appeared again in Claptastic Voyage as the main character,[15] and on the Claptastic Voyage at the final episode.[13] He later returned in Borderlands 3, when he introduces Pandora[16] and has an ability to climb stairs.[17]
In non-Borderlands media, he has appeared in Fortnite as part of a minigame[18] and is one of the player's opponents in the crossover game Poker Night 2.[19]
Reception[]
Multiple journalists on PC Gamer claimed that Claptrap is "the worst character",[20] Andy Kelly said that "When he starts dancing and beatboxing I want to toss him in a car crusher then eject the resulting yellow cube into a wormhole that leads directly to the s..t dimension, where everything's made of s..t." Shaun Prescott stated that "Claptrap is more annoying than virtually every other character and dialogue line in every single Borderlands game." Christopher Livingston stated that "Not good, but I'm sure not the worst. But definitely one of the worst." Jody Macgregor stated that "By the end of this imaginary conversation he's convinced himself it's really OK for bad dudes to kick the s..t out of him for no reason. Fraser Brown stated that the robot "It is just a minion, throw it in the bin." Wesley Fenlon claimed the character is "bad unless voiced by Keith David." Samuel Roberts claimed that "He wasn't bad until dubstep."[20] the character also has been made of fan-fiction and some NSFW.[21] GameRevolution also mentions that Claptrap is a slightly annoying mascot,[22] Rock Paper Shotgun said that it is an annoying but beloved character.[23] While The Verge claimed that the Claptrap is one of the most obnoxious robots.[8] Claptrap is also one of Borderlands most popular characters that was voted by fans.[24] Glixel staff ranked Claptrap as the 17th most iconic video game character of the 21st century.[25]
A variety of related merchandise portraying Claptrap as a bizarre talking car charger,[26] Pop Toys,[27] geek-themed controller holders,[28] and a deluxe figure from McFarlane Toys,[29] which Kotaku praised for its detail.[30]
References[]
- ^ "Behind Borderlands' 11th-hour style change".
- ^ "Gearbox to honor late fan as an NPC in Borderlands 2". Destructoid. 5 November 2011.
- ^ a b "New Borderlands 2 DLC May Hint at Voice Actor Controversy". Game Rant. June 24, 2019.
- ^ "Dave Eddings is not Claptrap's voice actor in Borderlands 3". Shacknews.
- ^ "Gearbox Might Be Making Fun Of Claptrap's Old Voice Actor In New Borderlands 2 DLC". TheGamer. June 25, 2019.
- ^ "Gearbox boss wants The Rock to star in Borderlands movie… as Claptrap". July 22, 2019.
- ^ "Jack Black Joins Cate Blanchett in 'Borderlands' Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. February 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Webster, Andrew (October 21, 2014). "Making gaming's most obnoxious robot". The Verge.
- ^ Senior, Tom (August 18, 2014). "Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel hands-on - it's good to be Claptrap". Pc Gamer.
- ^ "The Secret Armory of General Knoxx Priced, Dated - IGN" – via www.ign.com.
- ^ "Take-Two Confirms More Borderlands DLC - IGN" – via www.ign.com.
- ^ "Borderlands: 10 Funniest Missions In The Series". TheGamer. May 24, 2019.
- ^ a b c Macgregor, Jody (June 9, 2019). "We've played the new Borderlands 2 DLC". Pc Gamer.
- ^ "The New "Borderlands 2" DLC Throws More Shade at David Eddings". www.bleedingcool.com. 24 June 2019.
- ^ "Try to survive the mind of Claptrap in new Claptastic Voyage trailer". March 11, 2015.
- ^ News, Rachel Weber 2019-07-02T18:18:20Z (2 July 2019). "Borderlands 3 makes Claptrap the next David Attenborough for latest videos". gamesradar.
- ^ Carpenter, Mark (17 September 2019). "Borderlands 3's Claptrap the robot gets major upgrade and can finally climb stairs – Metro".
- ^ "Fortnite find Claptrap's missing eye and then return it to him guide". Polygon. August 29, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ Miller, Greg (2013-04-01). "Telltale Games' Poker Night 2 Announced". IGN. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ a b Gamer, P. C. (April 3, 2019). "Claptrap: good or the worst?". Pc Gamer.
- ^ Prescott, Shaun (April 4, 2019). "There's a lot of Claptrap fan fiction, and some of it's NSFW". Pc Gamer.
- ^ "Borderlands 3 Characters | All returning characters revealed so far". GameRevolution. April 1, 2019.
- ^ Stanley, Alyse (May 21, 2019). "Reddit grants terminally ill fans' wishes to play Borderlands 3 & Total War: Three Kingdoms". Rock Paper Shotgun.
- ^ "Claptrap is one of Borderlands' most popular characters". 8 January 2015.
- ^ "50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters of the 21st Century". Glixel. 23 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-11-23.
- ^ Wilde, Tyler (November 23, 2018). "What a nightmare: This Claptrap talking car charger is on sale for $20". Pc Gamer.
- ^ "New Borderlands Pop Toys Coming, See The Mock-Ups Here".
- ^ "The Cable Guys Offer Detailed Geek-Themed Controller Holders". Hardcore Gamer. June 28, 2019.
- ^ "Borderlands 2 Claptrap Gets a Deluxe Figure from McFarlane Toys". www.bleedingcool.com. 18 December 2017.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael. "Borderlands' Claptrap Toy Is So Good We Won't Call It Cel-Shaded". Kotaku.
- Borderlands (series)
- Anthropomorphic characters in video games
- Fictional marksmen and snipers
- Fictional mercenaries in video games
- Male characters in video games
- Video game characters introduced in 2009
- Robot characters in video games
- Video game mascots
- Video game protagonists