In a surprising post-launch reflection on Borderlands 4, Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford candidly stated, “We suck.” His bold assertion stems from the studio’s ambitious mission: “to entertain the world.” According to Pitchford, despite the immense success of the Borderlands franchise, they are only just scratching the surface of their true potential.
Pitchford elaborated in a recent interview, acknowledging the franchise’s impressive sales figures, which are anticipated to surpass 100 million units with Borderlands 4. While he admits this is a monumental achievement, he views it as ‘sucking’ when the ultimate goal is to reach billions globally. He sees this as merely the beginning of their journey.
Remarkably, Pitchford also suggested that after nearly two decades, Gearbox is only now “starting to get pretty good” at developing Borderlands titles. He feels the team has explored many possibilities but believes they are far from reaching the full extent of what the series can offer.
The Borderlands franchise is on track to hit over 100 million copies sold, with over 94 million already accounted for. To reach this milestone, Borderlands 4 needs to sell an additional 6 million units. Previously, Borderlands 3 became 2K’s fastest-selling game, moving over 23 million copies, while Borderlands 2 remains the top seller with more than 30 million units. Official sales data for Borderlands 4 has not yet been released.
Pitchford also touched on the competitive landscape of the looter-shooter genre, expressing disappointment that other developers haven’t matched Borderlands’ innovation and depth. He believes many studios approach the genre from a market analysis perspective rather than a genuine creative drive, hindering true competition.
He recalled his initial expectation that after the original Borderlands launched in 2009, many developers would quickly adapt and “ape” its successful formula. However, he feels this widespread imitation didn’t materialize to the degree he envisioned, despite other significant looter-shooters like Destiny and The Division making their mark.
Known for his provocative statements, Pitchford previously suggested that “real fans” would pay $80 for Borderlands 4. Following its release, he stirred controversy by dismissing player complaints about technical issues as “4K stubbornness” and advised unhappy customers to seek refunds.
This article included an image gallery featuring “All Fadefields Vault Fragments In Borderlands 4”, showcasing various in-game locations and items. The gallery contained multiple images illustrating different fragments, designed to guide players through the game’s collectible challenges.