EULA Changes Trigger Borderlands Review Bombing

The Borderlands series has recently faced a wave of negative reviews, known as review bombing, following changes made by publisher Take-Two Interactive to its End User License Agreement (EULA). Dive deeper into the community's response and what these changes could mean for the future of the franchise.

Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"

Take-Two Terms of Service Changes

The Borderlands franchise, including titles like Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3, has seen a surge in negative feedback on Steam following the discovery of updates to Take-Two Interactive's EULA. This backlash began after Reddit user Noob4Head pointed out the changes on May 18, sparking discussions across social media and video platforms.

According to Take-Two’s terms of service, which were last updated on February 28, the new EULA has been criticized for including anti-cheat software that some users are calling "spyware."

User allegations suggest that the updated EULA allows Take-Two to gain root-level access to players' machines under the guise of anti-cheat measures. Speculations include the potential collection of personal data such as passwords and contact details. However, these claims remain unconfirmed as Take-Two has not yet issued an official statement addressing the controversy.

The introduction of anti-cheat software raises concerns, especially since the Borderlands series has thrived due to its vibrant modding community. Implementing measures that could impact modding might alienate a significant portion of the player base. The full impact of these EULA changes on privacy and gameplay, as well as their relevance to the upcoming Borderlands 4, is still uncertain.

Possibly An Overreaction?

While many fans view these changes as invasive, others argue that the reaction might be an overstatement. Reddit user Librask remarked, “People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018.” It's worth noting that Take-Two's terms of service apply broadly and not all changes will directly impact the Borderlands games.

The EULA clearly states that Take-Two reserves the right to update its agreement, and users can choose to either accept the new terms or discontinue using the service. Root-level access, while controversial, is not uncommon in multiplayer games, particularly in titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege, which use such measures to combat cheating. However, the inclusion of this software in Borderlands, a series with minimal PvP focus, has left many fans questioning its necessity, especially with Borderlands 4 on the horizon.

As the Borderlands community continues to voice its concerns, the response from Take-Two and any potential adjustments to the EULA remain to be seen. Despite the current turmoil, Take-Two is moving forward with the preparations for the launch of Borderlands 4, the next installment in the popular looter-shooter series.

Borderlands 4 is slated for release on September 12, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates on the game, be sure to check out our dedicated article below!