Gear up for the release of Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt -- the third campaign add-on for Borderlands 2, arriving January 15 -- with special in-game events this weekend!

January 11: The festivities begin today, January 11, with Vault Hunters reporting that various areas of Pandora have seen an influx of powerful shotguns. To join in the fun, simply boot up Borderlands 2 while connected to the internet before the supply runs dry -- based on current conditions, expect the excess to be exhausted at 10:55AM CST / 4:55PM GMT on Saturday, January 12 (What time is that for me?).

Actually, it coincides really nicely with me just getting the game during the Winter sales! I'm very curious as to what they mean by "an influx of powerful shotguns" as well. How do we even know what to be looking for? Do you have to be max level to benefit?

So far I've just been seeing a lot more shotguns as loot but nothing particularly powerful compared to what I'm already using. I'm not that stoked because I don't use shotguns much. The minecraft shotty I had was good but it's a low level so I'm well beyond it now.

According to Gearbox personnel on their forums, the drop rate for shotties will be improved, as will the overall quality of said shotties.

Chris F on their boards is dropping hints about what is to come.

additional note, machines are not included in this. It's all about killing things and looting chests. Machines will not have anything special within.

Bah, shotguns! SMGs and Pistols are where it's at, for me.

I assume this is on consoles and not just PC and I'm currently playing through it after getting it for Christmas so t=should be fun.

It's all handled server side, so there's no update to DL. It's on all systems, you should just find rarer shotguns with more frequency.

Personally, I've nabbed an electric splat shotty that does amazing damage and eats stalkers for lunch.

@TehPickle said:

Bah, shotguns! SMGs and Pistols are where it's at, for me.

Pistols and SMGs are my favorite for sure, but I'll see what ups with these new shotties.

Melee everything.

When they say "various areas" do they mean that the drop rates are increased only in certain locations?

So basically shotguns have a higher drop rate everywhere (common shotguns White-Purple) and may be better than average? Farming for a Deliverance still sucks. So I don't think the drop rate for Orange increased very much. 
 
Also, on the ticker on the main menu there's a mention of a Bug Hunt Weekend. So that might be tomorrow's event. Or an hilarious typo. 
 
Never mind. From Gearbox's forums "The increased rarity in shotgun drops applies to all areas in the game, all enemies, and all bosses."

Got a lvl 25 purple shotgun in Lynchwood today, standard mob drop. Dunno if that counts.

@RecSpec said:

Also, on the ticker on the main menu there's a mention of a Bug Hunt Weekend. So that might be tomorrow's event. Or an hilarious typo.

Maybe they'll drop in a few xenomorphs.

A couple of new codes over on orcz.com.

I don't use shotguns unless they have a higher than normal rate of fire. "room broom"

Is the level cap going to be raised? I haven't finished up all the missions in the latest DLC because I want some max level on some story guns.

@golguin said:

Is the level cap going to be raised? I haven't finished up all the missions in the latest DLC because I want some max level on some story guns.

Nah, that's in the next one, apparently.

I tried getting back into this game but my character which is on it's new game + is stuck at the point in the story when sanctuary moves. I would like to play the DLC but going through the underground section is fucking murder, I can't slog through it. Leveling is so slow too. This is rather unfortunate.

I refuse to boot this unless they raise the drop rates on everything. End game farming for hours, for absolutely nothing worthwhile really soured me.

Grenade mods today. Also people have been saying that Varkids transform a lot quicker. So looks like today is a good day to get a Quasar (from Ultimate Badass Varkids)

I got a couple really nice splatguns last night, early the morning. Looking forward to getting some awesome grenades this afternoon!

@thabigred: I have a commando around that level and just got back to Sanctuary. Could use a few more levels before going back to the Wildlife Stalker Player Torture Map 2000, send a friend request if you want help getting unstuck.

While it's not the weekend anymore, this is still going. 
 
Updated with today's event, where varkids transform more often, and a higher chance to get the Norfleet from Vermivorous. I don't think you can do it solo though.