The State of Play for Borderlands 4 showcased an exciting 20-minute official gameplay deep dive, revealing new features and mechanics that fans are eager to explore. This event, which took place on April 30, 2025, provided a comprehensive look at what players can expect from the upcoming looter shooter game. Additionally, there has been much discussion about the game's launch date change, with fans speculating on the reasons behind it.
Borderlands 4 State of Play New Details Revealed
20-Minute Gameplay Deep Dive Video
The latest PlayStation State of Play event was dominated by Borderlands 4, offering viewers a detailed look at the game through a new 20-minute gameplay video. This footage introduced two of the four new Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren, who harnesses supernatural phase energy to empower herself and summon deadly minions, and Rafa the Exo-Soldier, a former Tediore trooper equipped with an experimental exo-suit that can digistruct an arsenal of weapons.
The gameplay deep dive also introduced players to the new planet of Kairos, a world filled with warring factions, deadly wildlife, and desperate inhabitants, all under the oppressive rule of the Timekeeper. Players will embark on a mission to ignite a revolution against this tyrant, encountering and recruiting unique factions along the way. Beloved characters such as Claptrap, Moxxi, and Zane are set to return, assisting players in their epic quest.
New gameplay features were highlighted, including the innovative licensed Parts system, which allows players to customize their weapons by mixing and matching behaviors and abilities. Additional Gear slots for more specialized builds, the new Digirunner vehicle, and other exciting elements were also showcased, promising to enhance the Borderlands experience.
Gearbox Denies Launch Date Change is Influenced by Other Games
Prior to the State of Play, Gearbox Software announced that Borderlands 4's release date would be moved up by two weeks. The studio attributed this change to the "incredible development work" on the game. However, fans have speculated that other factors, particularly the release plans of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), might be influencing this decision.
Both Gearbox Software and Rockstar Games, the developers behind Borderlands and GTA respectively, are owned by Take-Two Interactive. This connection led some to believe that the companies might be coordinating their release schedules, especially after Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, mentioned in a November 2024 earnings call that GTA 6 is planned for a Fall 2025 release. Zelnick reassured that this would not conflict with Borderlands 4’s intended launch window within Take-Two’s 2026 fiscal year.
Addressing these speculations, Gearbox Entertainment CEO Randy Pitchford took to Twitter (X) on April 30, asserting that the decision to ship Borderlands 4 early was purely based on the studio’s confidence in the product. "Our decision is literally 0% about any other product’s actual or theoretical launch date," Pitchford emphasized.
Regardless of the reasons, fans can look forward to experiencing Borderlands 4 sooner than anticipated. The game is now set to launch on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned to our site for the latest updates on Borderlands 4!
