Randy Pitchford embroiled in new scandal

The buzz around the upcoming *Borderlands 4* began with a tweet from a dedicated fan of the series, who expressed skepticism about the new installment. They pointed out that the game's visual style closely mirrors that of *Borderlands 3*, raising concerns about potential challenges, especially if there's a cut in the marketing budget. The fan also drew an unfavorable comparison to the ill-fated *Borderlands 2024* movie, which received harsh criticism from audiences and critics alike, including notorious filmmaker Uwe Boll. In response, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford initially declared his intention to block the fan to shield himself from what he perceived as "negativity." However, he later backtracked, opting instead to mute notifications from the account rather than block it entirely.

The situation intensified when popular streamer Gothalion called on Pitchford and Gearbox to be more receptive to criticism and respectful of the opinions of long-time fans. Pitchford, however, dismissed this feedback as "toxic pessimism" and not constructive. He went on to highlight the intense pressure on developers, stating they are "killing themselves to entertain players."

This exchange sparked a range of reactions within the *Borderlands* community. While some rallied behind Pitchford, acknowledging the immense stress developers face, others criticized his response as an evasion of constructive dialogue and overly emotional. Many also recalled that this was not the first instance of Pitchford making controversial remarks on social media.

*Borderlands 4* is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC. As the launch date approaches, the community remains keenly interested in how Gearbox will address these concerns and whether the game will live up to the high expectations set by its predecessors.