The buzz around the next installment in the beloved Borderlands series started with a tweet from a dedicated fan. They voiced concerns over Borderlands 4, pointing out its striking visual similarities to Borderlands 3 and questioning whether a reduced marketing budget might hinder its success. The fan also drew comparisons to the disappointing reception of the 2024 Borderlands movie, which was critically panned—even by notorious director Uwe Boll. Instead of fostering a dialogue with the community, Gearbox's Randy Pitchford initially responded by saying he "doesn't want to see this negativity" and planned to block the user to shield himself from stress. However, he later revised his stance, opting to mute notifications from that account rather than block them entirely.
The situation intensified when well-known streamer Gothalion called on the developer to embrace criticism and respect the insights of long-standing fans. In response, Randy dismissed the feedback as "toxic pessimism" and defended the developers by stating they are "literally killing themselves to entertain players." This reaction led to a divide within the community. Some rallied behind Pitchford, acknowledging the intense pressure developers face. Others felt his response was an evasion of constructive dialogue, labeling it as overly emotional. Many pointed out this wasn't the first instance of Gearbox's head making provocative comments on social media.
Mark your calendars: Borderlands 4 is set to launch on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC. As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await to see how the game will evolve and whether Gearbox will heed the community's feedback to deliver a standout experience in the series.
