The story of Borderlands 4 began with a tweet from a dedicated fan of the series, expressing concerns about the upcoming game. The fan pointed out that the visuals of the new installment closely mirror those of Borderlands 3, potentially hinting at a limited evolution in the game's design. Additionally, they raised worries about a possible reduction in the marketing budget, which could impact the game's visibility and success. They also drew a comparison to the critically panned Borderlands 2024 movie, which was met with disapproval from audiences and critics alike, including filmmaker Uwe Boll. In response to the tweet, Randy Pitchford, head of Gearbox, initially expressed his desire to avoid the "negativity" and considered blocking the user to shield himself from unnecessary stress. However, he later decided to mute notifications from that account instead of blocking them entirely.
The situation intensified when popular streamer Gothalion called on Pitchford and the development team to be more receptive to criticism and respectful towards the opinions of long-time fans. In response, Pitchford dismissed Gothalion's feedback as "toxic pessimism" and not constructive. He further emphasized the intense pressure developers face, stating that they are "literally killing themselves to entertain players."
This response elicited a range of reactions within the Borderlands community. Some fans rallied behind Pitchford, acknowledging the immense pressures that game developers endure. Others viewed his comments as an effort to sidestep constructive dialogue, labeling his behavior as overly emotional. Many also recalled that this was not the first instance of Pitchford making sharp remarks on social media, pointing to a pattern in his interactions with the community.
Borderlands 4 is set to launch on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
