Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 is an upcoming action role-playing first-person looter shooter video game developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. It is a sequel to Borderlands 3 (2019) and the fifth mainline entry in the Borderlands series. The game is scheduled to release for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on September 12, 2025, and the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, 2025.^[2][3]

Borderlands 4
Developer(s)	Gearbox Software
Publisher(s)	2K
Director(s)	Graeme Timmins
Artist(s)	Adam May
Writer(s)	Sam Winkler
Series	Borderlands
Engine	Unreal Engine 5[1]
Platform(s)	PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series X/S Nintendo Switch 2
Release	PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S September 12, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 October 3, 2025
Genre(s)	First-person shooter, action role-playing
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

As with its predecessors, Borderlands 4 is a first-person looter shooter with elements commonly found in action role-playing games. Gearbox described the game's world as "seamless", and there will not be any loading screens as players explore new areas. New vehicles and transversal tools, such as a grappling hook, are introduced in Borderlands 4.^[4] The game can be played solo or cooperatively with three other players.^[5] It is planned to be the largest and most open ended game in the Borderlands series to date.

Synopsis

Pandora's moon Elpis, after being teleported away by Lilith using her Siren powers,^[a] destroyed the protective barrier of a planet named Kairos.^[6] In Borderlands 4, players assume the role of a Vault Hunter who must lead the resistance against a ruthless dictator named the Timekeeper and his army of synthetic followers named the Order on Kairos, while searching for "secret alien treasures".^[7][8][9]

Development and release

Developer Gearbox Software began working on the game prior to the release of Borderlands 3 (2019). Gearbox described Kairos as a "seamless" playable space, in which players can explore various locations of interest without being interrupted by any loading screen. While the team avoided using the term "open world", Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford claimed that Borderlands 4 was "the most open and free" game in the franchise, contrasting Borderlands 3's planet-hopping structure, which resulted in a more "compartmentalized" design.^[4] As with its predecessors, Borderlands 4 was envisioned to be a humorous game, though the team wanted to ensure that the humor derived from emergent gameplay, in which the playable Vault Hunters will react to actions performed by players.^[10] As Borderlands 4 was set in a new planet, the game features an all-new cast. It also offered an opportunity for the art team to create landscape distinct from those on Pandora, with art director Adam May describing Kairos as a "high-tech but lo-fi" setting.^[6]

Take-Two Interactive, following its acquisition of Gearbox from Embracer Group in March 2024, confirmed that a new title in the Borderlands series was in development.^[11] Publisher 2K officially revealed the title in August 2024,^[12] and released its first gameplay footage at The Game Awards 2024. The game was originally scheduled to release for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on September 23, 2025.^[13][14] On April 29, 2025, citing progress on the game, Pitchford announced that Borderlands 4 would now release ahead of schedule on September 12.^[15] The game is set to release on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 3, 2025.^[16][3]

Notes

1. As seen in Borderlands 3