The buzz around the new installment in the *Borderlands* series kicked off with a tweet from a fan expressing skepticism about the upcoming game. They highlighted that *Borderlands 4* seems visually too similar to *Borderlands 3* and might struggle due to a possible cut in the marketing budget. Additionally, they compared it to the poorly received *Borderlands* movie from 2024, which faced severe backlash from both fans and critics, including the infamous Uwe Boll. Instead of fostering a dialogue with the community, Gearbox's CEO, Randy Pitchford, reacted by saying he "doesn't want to see this negativity" and initially planned to block the user to sidestep the stress. However, he later adjusted his stance and opted to mute notifications from that account instead.
The situation intensified when well-known streamer Gothalion called on the developer to be more receptive to criticism and respectful of the long-time fans' opinions. In response, Randy Pitchford labeled the feedback as "toxic pessimism" and not constructive. He further stressed that developers are "killing themselves to entertain players," highlighting the immense pressure they're under.
This sparked a range of reactions within the *Borderlands* community. Some rallied behind Pitchford, acknowledging the high stress of game development. Others viewed his comments as a sidestep from engaging in constructive dialogue, labeling his behavior as overly emotional. Many pointed out that this isn't the first time Gearbox's head has made sharp remarks on social media.
Mark your calendars: *Borderlands 4* is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
