“Want a great Borderlands 4? Then don’t drag us down.” The series’ creator has had enough of player skepticism and negativity. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford insists that “bad vibes” shouldn’t overshadow the team’s hard work, calling for patience and urging fans to hold off on premature criticism.

2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for gamers, with several blockbuster franchises returning, including Borderlands. The fourth installment from Gearbox is set to launch on September 23, following a movie adaptation that left the series’ reputation in question. While there’s plenty of excitement for the upcoming shooter, there’s also growing concern—enough for Gearbox’s CEO, Randy Pitchford, to step in and urge fans to encourage the team rather than discourage them.

Pitchford’s statement follows an ongoing debate in the Borderlands community that was highlighted by Gothalion, audience director at Midwest Games. Back in February, a fan accused Borderlands 4 of looking too similar to its predecessor, prompting Pitchford to mute them on Twitter. The move only added fuel to speculation about the game’s direction and the studio’s handling of criticism.

Pitchford Says “Negativity” Hurts the Team’s Morale

In response to backlash over his actions, Pitchford explained that he wasn’t trying to suppress opinions but rather shield his team from “negative energy” while they focused on development. According to the Gearbox CEO, the fan’s comment wasn’t constructive but purely demoralizing. “If you assume the worst, we all suffer for it,” he said, adding that while he welcomes genuine feedback, he refuses to entertain defeatist or toxic attitudes.

Attempting to ease tensions, Pitchford issued a direct message to the community: “You want a great Borderlands 4? Then don’t drag us down—support and motivate us instead!” The timing of this plea is critical, given that Gearbox is already navigating skepticism following the mixed reception of the Borderlands movie and the divided opinions surrounding Borderlands 3 in 2019.

This isn’t the first time Pitchford has been at the center of controversy. The Borderlands subreddit has entire threads with thousands of upvotes discussing his “Twitter meltdowns”. Some fans have accused him of blocking users who question his decisions, while others argue that he has dodged accountability for issues surrounding past games, leading to broader concerns about the series’ future.

With Borderlands 4 set to launch in September, anticipation is mounting. However, tensions between Gearbox and the fanbase remain high—while Pitchford asks for support, many players remain unconvinced. Whether the upcoming release can win back longtime fans remains to be seen.

Source: 3DJuegos