The Borderlands franchise is facing a wave of negative reviews following changes made by publisher Take-Two Interactive to its End User License Agreement (EULA). Dive into the details to understand the player reactions and the potential impact on the series.
Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"
Take-Two Terms of Service Changes
The Borderlands series, including titles like Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3, is currently under fire on Steam, with fans expressing their discontent through negative reviews. This backlash stems from recent modifications to Take-Two Interactive's EULA, which were first noticed by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18.
Take-Two's terms of service were last updated on February 28, and the changes have sparked significant discussion across platforms like Reddit and YouTube. Some community members have criticized the new anti-cheat software included in the EULA, labeling it as "spyware."
Community speculation suggests that the updated EULA allows Take-Two to gain root-level access to users' machines, potentially collecting sensitive personal information. However, these are unverified claims as Take-Two has not yet issued an official statement addressing these concerns.
The introduction of anti-cheat software raises questions, especially since the Borderlands series thrives on its modding community. This software could inadvertently impact the modding scene, which is a beloved aspect of the game. The full ramifications of these EULA changes, particularly in relation to privacy and gameplay, and their relevance to the upcoming Borderlands 4, are still unclear.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans view the EULA changes as intrusive, some believe the reaction is overblown. Reddit user Librask noted, "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." The terms of service are a broad document, and not all changes may directly impact Borderlands.
Take-Two's EULA clearly states that the company, as the product owner, has the authority to update its terms, giving users the option to either agree or discontinue using their services. Root-level access, while controversial, is not uncommon in multiplayer games, used to combat cheating in titles like League of Legends and Valorant. However, Borderlands lacks a significant PvP component, leaving fans puzzled about the necessity of such software.
As the Borderlands series navigates this controversy, it remains to be seen how Take-Two will respond and whether they might reconsider their EULA changes. The company is currently focused on the upcoming release of Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 is slated for release on September 12, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on the game by checking out our dedicated article below!
