Randy Pitchford Clarifies $80 Borderlands 4 Comment: 'If You Want the Truth, Here It Is'

The backlash against Randy Pitchford's controversial statement about the potential $80 price tag for Borderlands 4 has intensified, drawing responses from both gamers and other video game publishers. Pitchford's initial comment, where he suggested that true fans would find a way to pay the higher price, sparked significant criticism across social media platforms.

Devolver Digital, known for its bold marketing strategies, seized the opportunity to promote its own game, Mycopunk. In a tweet, Devolver highlighted that Mycopunk, a co-op first-person shooter similar to Borderlands, could be purchased for the price of a single copy of Borderlands 4. Pitchford responded to this tweet with a quip about the relative affordability and safety of Mycopunk compared to meth, which further fueled the negative reactions from fans.

Social media users expressed their frustration, with some threatening to pirate Borderlands 4 and others urging Pitchford to apologize for his remarks. They emphasized that the backlash wasn't just about the price but also about Pitchford's dismissive attitude towards fans' concerns. Streamer Moxsy pointed out that the issue was with Pitchford's wording, not the potential price increase, and criticized the "not a real fan" mentality as harmful to the game's community and developers.

In response to the controversy, Pitchford referenced a statement he made at PAX East, where he admitted to not knowing the final price of Borderlands 4 but acknowledged the complexities of game pricing in today's market. He highlighted the increased development budget for Borderlands 4 and the industry's trend towards higher prices, while also expressing a desire to provide value to players.

Pitchford emphasized Gearbox's philosophy of wanting to entertain and provide value to their audience, suggesting that the final price would be determined by the publisher, 2K Games. He hinted at potential additional content like a mini-map, though he was unclear if this was serious.

As Borderlands 4 is set to launch on September 12, 2025, the pricing decision remains pending, with 2K Games expected to reveal it when pre-orders begin. The ongoing debate over game pricing continues, with industry leaders like Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick maintaining that consumers are willing to pay for high-quality entertainment, provided the value is evident.

Randy Pitchford's recent comments sparked a backlash online. Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Lionsgate.