The narrative around the upcoming *Borderlands 4* took an intriguing turn when a fan expressed concerns via a tweet about the game's similarity to *Borderlands 3* and speculated about a possible reduction in the marketing budget. The fan also referenced the critically panned *Borderlands 2024* movie, which even drew ire from notorious director Uwe Boll. Rather than fostering a conversation, Gearbox's CEO, Randy Pitchford, initially decided to block the fan, stating he wished to avoid "negativity" and the stress it brings. However, he later backtracked and opted to mute notifications from the account instead.

The situation intensified when prominent streamer Gothalion called on the developer to embrace criticism and respect the views of dedicated fans. In response, Pitchford dismissed the streamer's input as "toxic pessimism" and defended his team, stating they were "killing themselves to entertain players".

This exchange led to a polarized response from the *Borderlands* community. While some rallied behind Pitchford, acknowledging the intense pressure developers endure, others criticized his approach as an evasion of constructive dialogue, labeling his reactions as overly emotional. Many pointed out that this was not the first instance of Pitchford's sharp social media exchanges.

*Borderlands 4* is slated for release on September 23, 2025, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.