CEO of Gearbox causes controversy by defending high price of Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 has not officially entered pre-sale yet, but it is already at the center of a heated discussion — not because of its mechanics or story, but because of the price that may be charged in the standard version. The game, set for release on September 12, 2025, may follow the recent industry trend and cost $80, according to rumors not officially confirmed by Gearbox Software or 2K Games.

The controversy gained strength after public statements from the current CEO of Gearbox, Randy Pitchford, who suggested that true fans of the franchise should be willing to pay this amount. In his post, he compared the possible decision with his own experience in his youth:

"If you are a true fan, you will find a way to make it happen. The video game store in my town had Starflight for Sega Genesis for $80 in 1991, when I had just graduated from high school and was working for minimum wage at an ice cream shop in Pismo Beach — and I found a way to make it happen."

The statement was harshly criticized by part of the community, especially in a context of global inflation, falling purchasing power, and ongoing discussions about accessibility in games. For many, the idea that only those who pay a high price are "true" fans reinforces an elitist and disconnected view of the economic reality of a large part of gamers.

Borderlands 4 will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X and also for the Nintendo Switch 2, one of the first major third-party titles confirmed for the new Nintendo console. There is still no confirmation of versions for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, which reinforces the producer's focus on the new generation.

The Borderlands series, known for its sharp humor, cel-shaded visuals, and cooperative loot shooter mode, has sold more than 77 million copies since its inception in 2009. The new title promises to further expand the universe started in Pandora, with new combat mechanics, customization, and dynamic missions — although no full gameplay trailer has been released yet.

Meanwhile, the community awaits more concrete information. After all, the discussion about the price of AAA games is not new, but the way studios and executives address the issue directly influences the public's perception. In the case of Pitchford, the nostalgic comparison from the 90s may have caused more friction than empathy.