Key Takeaways
1. Release Dates: Borderlands 4 will launch on September 12 for PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC, with the Nintendo Switch 2 version set for October 3.
2. Game Status: Gearbox Software announced that Borderlands 4 has gone GOLD, indicating it’s ready for production, with preorders starting on June 16, 2025.
3. Map Expansion: The game features a larger, open-world map called Kairos, significantly increasing its file size to 100 GB on PC.
4. Pricing Changes: After initial backlash over an $80 price tag, the Standard Edition was reduced to $69.99, with Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions priced at $99.99 and $149.99, respectively.
5. Franchise Popularity: The Borderlands series has sold nearly 93 million units, with Borderlands 3 being 2K’s fastest-selling game at over 22 million copies.
Publisher 2K Games and Gearbox Software have set the release date for Borderlands 4 on September 12 for PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. However, fans of the Nintendo Switch 2 will have to hang tight, as the portable version is expected to launch on October 3.
Major Announcement
On X, 2K confirmed this news, proudly stating, “The badasses at Gearbox celebrate a major milestone–we’ve gone GOLD!” This implies that the game is ready for production. Even though post-Gold delays can happen, Gearbox appears quite sure about meeting the launch date, with preorders starting as early as June 16, 2025.
Shifting Dates
Earlier in the year, Gearbox moved Borderlands 4’s release date from September 23 to September 12. When asked about this change, Gearbox’s CEO Randy Pitchford claimed it wasn’t related to the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI, which has been pushed back to May 26, 2026.
On July 14, Pitchford shared the entire Borderlands 4 map called Kairos in a lengthy 12-part thread. The map is considerably larger and features an open-world design compared to Borderlands 3, which has led to the game’s file size increasing significantly, now requiring 100 GB on PC according to Steam.
Pricing Controversy
Borderlands 4 also faced backlash when the original price of $80 stirred up discontent in the gaming community. In response, Pitchford remarked, “If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way.” Subsequently, 2K Games reduced the price to $69.99 for the Standard Edition, while the Deluxe Edition is set at $99.99, and the Super Deluxe costs $149.99. The latter package includes the Bounty Pack, Vault Hunter Pack, new regions, and story missions.
With nearly 93 million units sold across the Borderlands franchise, it’s evident that the series has a strong following. Borderlands 3 holds the record as 2K’s fastest-selling game, with over 22 million copies sold and 1.1 million in its launch week. Given Borderlands 4’s open-world design and its asynchronous difficulty, which adapts gameplay for each co-op player, it remains to be seen if this new entry will capture the franchise’s essence.
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