Borderlands 4: Launch Highlights and Player Reactions

Borderlands 4, released on September 12, 2025, has quickly become a topic of discussion among players due to its mix of engaging gameplay and technical challenges. Set on the new planet of Kairos, the game introduces four new Vault Hunters and a plethora of unique weapons and loot. However, the launch has been marred by performance issues, particularly on PC, leading to significant player frustration.

Borderlands 4: All Tips, Tricks & Walkthroughs in One Place

In its first week, Borderlands 4 saw remarkable player engagement, with over 63 million boss fights and 55 million victories recorded. Players have looted approximately 764 million items, including a notable 487,585 from trash cans, as reported by developer Gearbox. To celebrate this achievement, Gearbox released the "Break Free Pack," which includes a vault hunter skin and a legendary ripper shield, redeemable via a SHiFT code.

Gearbox breaks out some free loot because Borderlands players have already looted over 750 million items, half a million of which were from trash cans

Despite the excitement, many players have reported performance issues, including stuttering, shader compilation delays, and crashes, particularly on PC. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford's responses to player complaints have further fueled discontent. He suggested that players should either adjust their settings, utilize NVIDIA DLSS for better performance, or consider seeking refunds if they are dissatisfied. His comments, including “get a refund” and “play a different game,” have been met with backlash from the community, questioning the game's optimization at launch.

Borderlands 4 Boss Randy Pitchford Tells Unhappy Players to “Get a Refund” and “Play a Different Game” If They Won’t Use NVIDIA DLSS to Improve Performance and FPS, Says Player Should “Accept Reality

Gearbox has acknowledged the performance issues and is actively working on updates to improve the game's stability. Pitchford emphasized that while the game is designed to run well at 30 FPS, players with high-end systems could achieve over 100 FPS. He also noted that shader compilation is a necessary process that could slow down performance temporarily.

Borderlands 4 Boss Randy Pitchford Tells Unhappy Players to “Get a Refund” and “Play a Different Game” If They Won’t Use NVIDIA DLSS to Improve Performance and FPS, Says Player Should “Accept Reality

Critics have pointed out that a game priced at $70 should perform better out of the box. Many players argue that the technical issues overshadow the game's enjoyable aspects, such as its humor and looter-shooter mechanics. The community's frustration is compounded by Pitchford's blunt communication style, which some perceive as dismissive of legitimate concerns.

Borderlands 4 Boss Randy Pitchford Tells Unhappy Players to “Get a Refund” and “Play a Different Game” If They Won’t Use NVIDIA DLSS to Improve Performance and FPS, Says Player Should “Accept Reality

Looking ahead, Gearbox plans to release updates aimed at enhancing performance and addressing player feedback. Additionally, the ongoing distribution of SHiFT codes promises to keep players engaged with new loot opportunities. The game’s future will depend significantly on how effectively Gearbox can resolve these technical issues and restore player confidence.

Borderlands 4 Boss Randy Pitchford Tells Unhappy Players to “Get a Refund” and “Play a Different Game” If They Won’t Use NVIDIA DLSS to Improve Performance and FPS, Says Player Should “Accept Reality

• “If you’re not happy using the tools available to you to improve frame rate, and you’re not happy with the frame rate you have, you should play a different game.” — Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox

Borderlands 4 Boss Randy Pitchford Tells Unhappy Players to “Get a Refund” and “Play a Different Game” If They Won’t Use NVIDIA DLSS to Improve Performance and FPS, Says Player Should “Accept Reality

• “ Another blunt reply read: “The software is the software, and there are options available right now for people who want to play right now to make significant and dramatic trade-offs between FPS, resolution, and graphics features.” — Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox

Borderlands 4 Boss Randy Pitchford Tells Unhappy Players to “Get a Refund” and “Play a Different Game” If They Won’t Use NVIDIA DLSS to Improve Performance and FPS, Says Player Should “Accept Reality

In summary, while Borderlands 4 has captivated many players with its engaging content and loot mechanics, the technical challenges and the responses from its leadership have sparked a significant debate within the gaming community. The coming weeks will be crucial for Gearbox as they work to address these issues and maintain player interest.

Borderlands 4: All Tips, Tricks & Walkthroughs in One Place