The April 2025 State of Play showcased a 20-minute gameplay deep dive for Borderlands 4, highlighting new features and mechanics. Discover the latest details revealed and explore why fans speculate about the shifted release date.
Borderlands 4 Gameplay Details Revealed
20-Minute Gameplay Showcase
The Borderlands 4 State of Play introduced fresh insights into the upcoming looter shooter. Streamed on April 30, 2025, PlayStation’s State of Play featured an in-depth 20-minute gameplay video for Borderlands 4.
The footage revealed two of the four new Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren, who harnesses supernatural phase energy to summon deadly minions, and Rafa the Exo-Soldier, a former Tediore operative equipped with an experimental exo-suit that materializes a vast weapon arsenal.
Players were introduced to Kairos, a new planet teeming with warring factions, dangerous wildlife, and desperate residents, all under the control of the tyrannical Timekeeper. The mission is to spark a revolution against this oppressive ruler, rallying unique factions to the cause. Returning fan-favorite characters include Claptrap, Moxxi, and Zane, who assist players in their journey.
New gameplay features include the licensed Parts system, allowing players to customize weapon behaviors and abilities, additional Gear slots for specialized builds, and the Digirunner, a new rideable vehicle, among other exciting additions.
Gearbox Addresses Release Date Shift Speculation
Prior to the State of Play, Gearbox Software announced that Borderlands 4’s release would move forward by two weeks. The studio attributed the change to exceptional development progress. However, fans have speculated that the decision may relate to the release plans of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6).
Both Gearbox Software, developers of Borderlands, and Rockstar Games, creators of GTA, are subsidiaries of Take-Two Interactive. This connection fueled fan theories about the release adjustment, especially in light of Take-Two’s comments on their release strategy.
In a November 2024 earnings call, Take-Two Interactive emphasized that GTA 6 is slated for Fall 2025, ensuring no overlap with Borderlands 4’s release window, set for Take-Two’s 2026 fiscal year (April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026). CEO Strauss Zelnick told Variety in November 2024, “We aim to avoid crowding major releases unnecessarily.”
Gearbox Entertainment CEO Randy Pitchford responded to speculation via Twitter (X) posts on April 30, 2025, clarifying that the early release stems from confidence in the game’s quality. “Our decision has nothing to do with any other product’s launch plans,” Pitchford emphasized.
Regardless of the reasoning, fans can look forward to experiencing Borderlands 4 sooner than anticipated. The game is set to launch on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay informed with the latest updates by checking our article below!
