Borderlands Ratings Drop Due to EULA Update

The Borderlands franchise is currently facing a wave of negative reviews following changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by its publisher, Take-Two Interactive. Here's a deep dive into the player reactions and the implications for the series.

Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"

Take-Two Terms of Service Changes

Fans of the Borderlands series have taken to review bombing the games on Steam after noticing significant changes to Take-Two Interactive's EULA. Reddit user Noob4Head first highlighted this issue on May 18, noting a shift in ratings for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 to "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative."

Take-Two's terms of service were last updated on February 28, and the changes, particularly the inclusion of anti-cheat software, have been labeled as "spyware" by various Reddit users and YouTubers.

Concerns have arisen from user speculations that the new EULA might grant Take-Two root-level access to users' machines under the guise of anti-cheat software, potentially allowing the collection of personal data such as passwords and contact numbers. It's worth mentioning that these are allegations, and Take-Two has not yet issued a formal response.

The introduction of anti-cheat software also raises questions about its impact on the vibrant modding community that has significantly contributed to the success of Borderlands. The full effects of these EULA changes on privacy and gameplay, and their necessity in light of the upcoming Borderlands 4, are still unclear.

Possibly An Overreaction?

While many fans view the EULA changes as intrusive, some believe the reaction might be an overstatement. Reddit user Librask argued, "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." It's important to consider that Take-Two's terms of service apply broadly and not all sections directly impact Borderlands.

The EULA explicitly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, reserves the right to update the agreement, and users can choose to either accept these changes or discontinue using their services.

Root-level access is not uncommon in multiplayer games, used by titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege to combat cheating. However, given Borderlands' limited PvP elements, the inclusion of such software has left fans puzzled. With Borderlands 4 on the horizon, it remains to be seen whether this feature is a necessary step.

As the Borderlands series navigates this controversy, the community eagerly awaits Take-Two's response and potential adjustments to the EULA. Meanwhile, the company is preparing for the highly anticipated release of Borderlands 4.

Borderlands 4 is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by checking out our dedicated article below!