Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has issued a lengthy apology after saying that “real fans” will find a way to buy Borderlands 4, even if it costs $80.
Borderlands 4 is due to arrive later this year on all platforms, including console, PC, and Nintendo Switch. However, it doesn’t currently have an official price, sparking concerns among fans that it could jump up to $80, given that both Microsoft and Nintendo have indicated that they’re going up the cost of their games.
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Randy Pitchford previously admitted that the long-awaited Borderlands sequel might be $80, but it’s ultimately not his decision. However, the Gearbox CEO came under fire when he suggested that die-hard fans of the series will “find a way to make it happen,” even if the price increases.
Now, he’s apologized for his comments, insisting that his response was a “misunderstanding.”
Randy Pitchford apologizes after Borderlands 4 price comments
On May 28, Pitchford received a comment on X calling him out for his previous post, to which he responded: “I am sorry there was a misunderstanding.”
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“The absolute sincere truth is that I don’t want anyone to pay any more than they should or are comfortable with and I always work with the intent and hope that a customer always feels they got the better end of the deal no matter what they pay.”
I am sorry there was a misunderstanding. The absolute sincere truth is that I don’t want anyone to pay any more than they should or are comfortable with and I always work with the intent and hope that a customer always feels they got the better end of the deal no matter what they…
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) May 28, 2025
He went on to clarify that his words were supposed to reassure players that Borderlands has a large of community of dedicated fans, so the sequel will still sell even if it does go up to $80. However, he admitted that his use of the phrase “real fans” may have sent the wrong message.
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“I think my trying to short hand that using the phrase ‘real fans’ triggered some people and I saw that it got inflated as if I was making some big statement (I wasn’t – I was just trying to help someone who I thought was sincerely worried about us and looking out for us),” he continued.
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“I could see that it was being pressed into the idea that I was taking the audience for granted (which is a super sh**ty look, but it was not at all my intent and does not reflect at all how I feel).”
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Later in the post, Pitchford mentioned that if it were up to him, then the cost of games wouldn’t go up, as he wants as many people to experience his games as possible:
“As an artist, I don’t want prices to go up because I want everyone to have access to what we create. I get that business is a thing and that the market and economy are driving prices up and sooner or later we’re going to have to all adapt to that so that the creative engine can make at least as much as it spends to provide us with amazing content.”
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Borderlands 4 is scheduled to release on September 12, 2025, after being moved forward from its initial September 23 date.