Mixed reviews on Steam and complaints about the PC version’s optimization haven’t stopped Take-Two Interactive from declaring its enthusiasm for Borderlands 4. In an interview with IGN, company CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed the key question: did the player reaction affect plans to support the shooter? His answer was unequivocal.
“The game’s performance hasn’t affected our plans at all,” Zelnick stated. “We are fully committed to it. We are thrilled with the results, and we are thrilled with the reviews and ratings.” These words sound confident—especially considering that, back in late 2025, Zelnick himself had described Borderlands 4 sales as “slightly softer than expected” due to technical issues on PC. At the time, the shooter sold up to 5 million copies—a solid figure, yet one that fell short of Take-Two’s internal projections. Now, however, the rhetoric has shifted: the company is banking on long-term support.
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What’s wrong with Borderlands 4 and why are players angry?
Since its release on September 12, 2025, Borderlands 4 has had a rocky ride. Critics welcomed the game warmly, but Steam users were far harsher. The shooter holds a “Mixed” rating on the platform: some players criticize the PC version’s optimization, while others feel the paid expansions offer too little content. Some even believe the DLC should be given away for free as compensation for the technical issues at launch.
A particular source of frustration is Gearbox head Randy Pitchford. Some in the community accuse him of being dismissive of criticism regarding pricing and technical glitches. Steam reviews include comments from players stating they do not want to financially support the studio because of the executive’s remarks. Zelnick himself admitted last year that Pitchford “can be a controversial figure—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not”—yet he “still loves him to death.” However, this does not justify the harassment directed at the developers, even if it does explain the level of tension within the community.
September 10: A Key Date for Fans
Despite the uproar, Take-Two is not scaling back its support. Late July saw the release of Bounty Pack 4: Murders and Acquisitions, featuring a new mission, a Vault Hunter skin, and a legendary sniper rifle. But the main event is September 10.
On that day, Borderlands 4 will receive three major updates:
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Bounty Pack 5 — a new content bundle featuring missions and Vault Card 5.
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Story Pack 2: FL4K and the Last Resort — a narrative expansion marking the return of FL4K, a fan-favorite Vault Hunter from Borderlands 3. The story follows FL4K as they travel to the planet Kairos in search of their missing skag companion, Mr. Chew. The trail leads to a forest region containing a volcanic complex—where Tediore is secretly preparing an invasion.
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A new Vault Hunter: Loveless the Hacker. A former Anshin Corporation operative, she is a hacker turned assassin. Her arsenal includes high-end cybernetics and a custom-built digital virus that she can “digistruct” into a physical extension of her will. Loveless will be a playable character included in the paid Story Pack 2 DLC.
A free update, Version 1.10, will also be released alongside this content.
Borderlands 4 Content Roadmap: What and When
What’s Next?
Take-Two is betting big on content. The company emphasizes that Borderlands 4 is meeting business expectations and that the series’ development will not be curtailed. New expansions have already been announced, and support will continue “for the long haul.”
The only question is whether players will return. Mixed reviews on Steam persist, and paid DLC isn’t exactly the most obvious way to appease those who were hoping for a free “apology” for the game’s rocky launch. However, Loveless the Hacker is a character with real personality and unique mechanics; she might just be the one to turn the community’s sentiment around. Of course, this isn’t the first time the approach to post-launch support has shifted—and the community always reacts in its own way.
Borderlands 4 is available on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Development of the Nintendo Switch 2 version has been put on hold. Story Pack 2 and Bounty Pack 5 arrive on September 10. If the developers can iron out the technical issues and deliver what players truly want, the game has a chance to not only retain its audience but also succeed in the long run. Stay tuned for updates—and see you on Kairos.
