Gearbox wants to return to the tone of the early Borderlands games, making it clear that the fourth installment won’t rely on forced, new-gen meme humor. Instead, the studio emphasizes that the comedy will feel organic to the world and won’t slip into self-parody.

Gearbox has repeatedly stated that Borderlands 4 will reconnect with the spirit of the franchise’s earlier chapters, stepping away from the excesses that some players criticized in the last game. Still, some fans remain skeptical, so the lead writer clarified that special care has been taken to ensure that jokes blend naturally into the world instead of breaking immersion.

Taylor Clark, the game’s lead writer, explained to IGN that from day one, the team prioritized a more “grounded” tone rooted in the internal logic of the Borderlands universe. According to Clark, the goal was for every bit of humor—even memes—“to fit naturally within the story and the characters’ experiences, avoiding forced gags that made no sense in the game’s world”.

No “Skibidi Toilet” Humor in Borderlands 4

Narrative director Sam Winkler added that there is at least one meme in the game, but emphasized that “we did not include any reference to the Skibidi toilet”, he joked. Winkler stressed that even the small joke that made it in was only added because it fit the game’s tone and felt consistent for both players and characters.

Lin Joyce, general manager of narrative properties, echoed these words, highlighting that the team’s focus has been on building humor that works on two levels: fun for the player while also making sense for the characters themselves. This approach ensures coherence and prevents the game from turning into a parody of its own formula.

With this philosophy, Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be the most ambitious entry since Borderlands 2, aiming to balance the series’ trademark comedy with a solid narrative and believable characters. The writing team is confident this direction will satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers without jokes overshadowing the story or the immersion into Pandora’s chaotic universe.

Source: 3djuegos