Borderlands 4: Release Confirmed by Randy Pitchford

A big question in the community is whether Gearbox Software working on Borderlands 4. Because Borderlands 3 isn’t getting any post-launch content anymore and they also finished with Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. The next logical question is whether Borderlands 4 is in development and in this article I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about the next installment of the franchise.

Borderlands 4 Confirmed

If you are wondering if there is going to be a Borderlands 4, well… do I have a story for you.

President of Gearbox Enterprises, Randy Pitchford, actually confirmed that Borderlands 4 is in development at the studio. He states that they are working on some amazing stuff and asked for skilled people to help them create the next Borderlands game.

if anyone out there has Skills-To-Pay-Bills and wants to get in on some Borderlands action, we’re working on the big one 🙂

Randy Pitchford – Founder Gearbox Entertainment

Analyzing the Data

Here is my breakdown of Randy’s Tweet because there is some clever wording in it that makes it factually correct. Others might see this as Randy being untruthful but here is why it’s creditable.

Previously, Randy Pitchford referred to Borderlands 3 as the BIG ONE but because that game is already released. The Next Big One is Borderlands 4 as he is on the topic of Borderlands throughout his Tweets.

The Tweet Randy is quoting is about a rumor regarding Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Info was spreading around that Gearbox Software was working on a Borderlands spin-off game.

Factually, Randy’s tweet is correct as he phrases the so-called rumor in a particular way. Yes, it’s true that Gearbox is not assisting or co-developing another Borderlands game. Because they are making the game in-house.

Also, Gearbox Software sees Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands as a new IP and not a spin-off. While the game borrows a lot of elements from Borderlands 3, it also does its own thing and future titles might even push it further from the Borderlands franchise.

But because Gearbox Software sees Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands as a new IP, this also means that getting into some Borderlands action would not refer to Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands.

All in all, this means that Randy Pitchford essentially confirms the next Borderlands game. Yes, Borderlands 4 is in development.

Borderlands 4 Release Date

Gearbox Software nor 2K Games have officially announced the next Borderlands game, so when can we expect Borderlands 4? There were 7 years between the release of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3. However, I heard that it would not take another 7 years between Borderlands 3 and Borderlands 4.

At the time of writing, 4 years have already passed since Borderlands 3, and for the sake of the story, having Ava mature 5 years would be an appropriate time for her as Gearbox Software likes to keep the passing of time the same between real life and in-game.

If I should speculate, I think that we could see Borderlands 4 being released in Q3 of 2024.

Gearbox Software started working on Battleborn after Borderlands 2 as they co-developed Borderlands the Pre-Sequel with 2K Australia. This caused a big gap between Borderlands 2 and 3, however, the development team also needed a break from the franchise.

Since the Embracer merger, Gearbox Entertainment has grown a lot. Going from 400 to over 1500 people working at the company. The studio is set on releasing 8 AAA games by 2026.

Borderlands 4 Story

Gearbox Software left us with one giant question at the end of Borderlands 3. After the final battle with Tyreen the Destroyer, we see Lilith take flight and lock Elpis in its place preventing the moon from crashing into Pandora. This brave move leaves a giant Firehawk symbol engraved into Elpis but Lilith is nowhere to be found.

The ending has fans wondering what will happen in Borderlands 4. Gearbox Software has to pay off the mystery surrounding Lilith, with fan theories suggesting that it might be better if we don’t find her.

Fans are also waiting on the premise that Borderlands The Pre-Sequel ended on and is Ava going to lead us in this foretold war.

Personally, I think Gearbox Software needs to start Borderlands 4 with this important detail.

Borderlands 4 Engine

Randy Pitchford did mention that the new Unreal Engine 5 is built for a new kind of next-generation Borderlands game.

While EPIC Games says you can easily transfer your UE4 projects to UE5, there is likely a lot of custom work to be done. As Gearbox Software always modifies the engine to their liking.

But seeing that gigantic boss in the unreal engine demo looks promising for the next Borderlands game.

Borderlands 4 Platforms

Borderlands 4 will be released on all major platforms, meaning PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Other game releases are already phasing out the previous generation of consoles. Therefore, I believe that Borderlands 4 will not be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. By dropping the support to those platforms the next game in the series can evolve as it isn’t restrained to those hardware specs anymore like Borderlands 3.

Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands were EPIC Games Store exclusives for PC during their release windows. It could be possible that this will happen again with Borderlands 4 and that the game will release a few months later on Steam.

FAQ