Borderlands 4’s $80 Price Sparks Outrage: Will Fans Pay Up or Pass?

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The initial unveiling of Borderlands 4 didn’t spark quite as much enthusiasm as developers Gearbox Software and Take-Two Interactive might have anticipated. While the early trailers didn’t have any major flaws, they didn’t really make a big impact or showcase significant gameplay segments. Given the mixed reactions to previous entries in the series, Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, many fans were hesitant about Borderlands 4’s potential quality. However, a recent in-depth look at the gameplay has begun to change people’s minds about it.

Lately, Gearbox Software collaborated with Sony for a dedicated PlayStation State of Play event focusing solely on Borderlands 4. The showcase featured about 20 minutes of uncut gameplay footage, accompanied by developer insights on the new game elements. Despite some skepticism among fans about Borderlands 4 prior to the event, many were won over after watching the presentation. However, this excitement for Borderlands 4 was short-lived. Quickly following the State of Play, the game stirred up controversy once more due to some disputable comments made by Gearbox’s co-founder, Randy Pitchford.

Borderlands 4’s Proposed $80 Price Tag Has Caused a Lot of Controversy

Gearbox Exec Randy Pitchford Stated that “Real Fans” Will Find a Way to Pay $80 for Borderlands 4

Recently on Twitter, someone inquired if Randy Pitchford could take steps to avoid launching Borderlands 4 at $80, fearing a high price might diminish its appeal. In response, Pitchford mentioned that the pricing of Borderlands 4 wasn’t under his control, and even if it were, dedicated fans would manage to purchase the game for $80 no matter what. Reflecting on the past, he shared an experience from 1991 when he worked at a minimum wage ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach to obtain the Sega Genesis version of Starflight for $80 from his local gaming store. Since he managed to secure it back then, he is confident that fans will repeat similar efforts for Borderlands 4 as well.

Not surprisingly, Pitchford’s comments sparked a wave of critical reactions from fans, as they felt disgruntled by his casual attitude. Several players argue that regardless of how exceptional Borderlands 4 might be, spending $80 on it is unjustified and it would be wiser to wait for a price drop. Interestingly, Gearbox isn’t the only company contemplating a $80 launch for their games; Microsoft and Nintendo have already declared their intention to distribute certain titles at this new cost, and it seems that numerous other publishers might follow this trend.

Although Borderlands 4 Doesn’t Have an Official Price Yet, It’s Likely That It Will Cost $80

It’s important to note that the price for Borderlands 4 hasn’t been set in stone yet. Although Randy Pitchford hinted during an interview at PAX East that the budget for the game is significantly larger than that of Borderlands 3, which was priced at $60, it’s possible that Borderlands 4 might not cost $80 but rather $70, similar to most recent AAA games. However, considering Gearbox and its parent company Take-Two Interactive’s past pricing strategies, there’s a likelihood they may opt for a higher price tag due to various factors. The final decision on the price remains uncertain.

As of now, it remains uncertain what the final price for Borderlands 4 will be, even for Randy Pitchford himself. Regardless of what Gearbox decides, the pricing of Borderlands 4 will significantly influence its market success. Setting the game at $80 could potentially harm sales figures, while a $70 price tag might not bring in enough income to meet the expectations of Gearbox and Take-Two’s management, considering the increased production costs.

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2025-05-24 20:10