Borderlands 4: Loot, Co-op, Mini Map Updates Revealed at PAX East

Borderlands 4's exciting updates on loot and co-op systems were unveiled at PAX East 2025. Dive into the details below to understand the enhancements made to these key features and learn why the game opts for a compass over a traditional mini-map.

Borderlands 4 PAX East Panel

Loot and Co-Op Overhaul

Gearbox Software, the developers behind Borderlands 4 (BL4), showcased significant improvements to the game's loot and co-op features during PAX East 2025 on May 10. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, alongside other team members, detailed these changes, emphasizing the company's response to fan feedback since Borderlands 3 (BL3).

For co-op play, BL4 introduces a more seamless lobby system, allowing players to join and leave games at any time without needing to reach specific checkpoints. The fast-travel system has been enhanced to help players quickly reunite with their friends across the expansive map. Additionally, BL4 retains the level-scaling feature from BL3, ensuring that players can join any game and their levels will adjust to match the session. This system extends to loot, where each player has a unique pool of rewards.

Regarding loot, BL4 aims to simplify the complexity of item combinations to prevent overwhelming players. While the number of legendary items will be reduced, these items will be more powerful and distinctive. Not all loot will be randomized; specific drops from mini-bosses and major enemies will provide guaranteed rewards, enhancing the satisfaction of defeating these foes. For those looking to grind, Moxxi’s Big Encore allows players to replay missions and bosses without needing to reload previous saves.

Mini-Map Removal Explained

During the PAX East 2025 panel, the absence of a mini-map in BL4 sparked curiosity among fans, given the game's vast world. Randy Pitchford explained that this decision was made to encourage players to immerse themselves in the game's world rather than focusing on the map. He stated, "We made a big freaking world, and a lot of the things you do can be local space, but a lot of the things you do or want to do are out there, and a local space map is not a good way to navigate when you're thinking about objectives and opportunities - several at the same time that might be miles away - and a compass really helps us do that."

Pitchford emphasized the importance of experiencing the game directly, suggesting that players should "play the game first and understand the choices we've made, and I think you'll see and understand when you realise how big this world is and how playing the game in the world is better than playing the map."

As Gearbox gears up for the launch of Borderlands 4, following the recent State of Play and an earlier release announcement, the studio plans to continue engaging fans with events like Fan Fest, Bilibili World, and Gamescom. These events will provide further insights into what BL4 has to offer.

Borderlands 4 is scheduled to launch on September 12, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Keep an eye on our updates for the latest news on the game!