Gearbox CEO Warns: Borderlands 4 May Be Unplayable on Low Specs

Key Takeaways

1. Release Dates: Borderlands 4 is set to launch on September 12, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version releasing on October 3.

2. Performance Warnings: Randy Pitchford cautions PC players about performance issues on older systems, stating that if a machine doesn’t meet minimum specs, the game may be unplayable.

3. Open-World Features: The game features a large, ambitious open-world map called Kairos, filled with Vaults and side quests, generating excitement despite demanding system requirements.

4. High System Requirements: Minimum requirements include an Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, 16 GB of RAM, RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 5700 XT, and 100 GB of SSD storage, with even higher recommended specs.

5. Need for Upgrades: Many players may need to upgrade their CPUs to meet the minimum requirements, as indicated by Steam’s hardware surveys from May to August.

Borderlands 4 is all set for its release on September 12, 2025, for the PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version coming out on October 3. However, Randy Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox Software, has warned PC players who are looking to play the game on older systems.

Performance Concerns

During a preview, Pitchford talked about worries regarding the game’s performance on X, where some issues seemed to stem from the reviewer’s faulty power supply. Yet, the conversation continued, with users expressing concerns about minimum specifications and occasional lag. Pitchford responded:

“The Day 1 patch does a lot! That being said, if you’re using a machine that doesn’t meet the minimum specs, you should expect the game to be unplayable. The fact that it runs at all on your system is kinda a miracle! Getting 55-60 fps during heavy combat is actually amazing, considering the engine and everything happening behind the scenes.

Your specs don’t say if you’re using SSD or HDD, which might explain some of the stuttering. This is a large, ambitious, new seamless world, and unfortunately, older hardware probably won’t deliver that smooth performance for the latest AAA games, as has been the case since gaming began.”

Open-World and System Requirements

The open-world map of Kairos in Borderlands 4, filled with numerous Vaults, side quests, and end-game content, has built excitement for the game’s launch. However, many PC gamers have lowered their expectations due to the demanding system requirements, which set a high bar for a cel-shaded game developed using Unreal Engine 5.

As for the base requirements, they are notably more demanding compared to many other titles: Borderlands 4 needs an Intel Core i7-9700 or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, 16 GB of RAM, an RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 5700 XT, and 100 GB of SSD storage. The recommended specifications raise the stakes further, requiring an Intel Core i7-12700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, 32GB of RAM, and either an RTX 3080 or a Radeon RX 6800 XT.

System Upgrades Needed

The CPU requirements for the game, along with Steam’s hardware surveys from May to August, indicate that a large portion of players on the platform will need to upgrade their CPUs to meet the minimum requirements.

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