The Borderlands franchise is facing a wave of negative reviews after publisher Take-Two Interactive updated its End User License Agreement (EULA). Dive into the details to understand the community's reaction and the potential implications for 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, are currently under fire on Steam, receiving a barrage of negative reviews following changes to Take-Two Interactive's EULA. The controversy erupted on May 18 when Reddit user Noob4Head brought attention to the updated terms, sparking widespread discussion across platforms like Reddit and YouTube.
According to the latest update on February 28, Take-Two's terms of service have stirred concerns among fans. Some have labeled the new anti-cheat software as "spyware," fearing it grants the company root-level access to their machines, potentially collecting sensitive data such as passwords and contact information. While these fears are based on user speculation, Take-Two has not yet issued an official response to address these concerns.
The inclusion of anti-cheat measures is particularly contentious given the Borderlands series' vibrant modding community, which has significantly contributed to the games' popularity. The updated EULA's impact on modding and whether it's a necessary move in anticipation of Borderlands 4 remains a hot topic of debate.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans view the EULA changes as invasive, others argue that the reaction might be overblown. Reddit user Librask, for instance, stated, "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." It's worth noting that the terms of service are a broad document, and not all changes directly impact Borderlands.
The EULA clearly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, reserves the right to update its terms, and users can choose to agree or discontinue using the service. Root-level access for anti-cheat purposes is not uncommon in competitive multiplayer games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege. However, given Borderlands' limited PvP elements, the necessity of such software is questioned.
As the Borderlands community continues to voice its concerns, it remains to be seen how Take-Two will address the situation and whether they will reconsider the EULA changes. Meanwhile, the anticipation builds for the upcoming release of Borderlands 4, scheduled to launch on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
