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

The backlash against Randy Pitchford's comments about the $80 price tag for Borderlands 4 has intensified, drawing responses from both gamers and other video game publishers. Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox Software, sparked controversy when he told a fan that "if you're a real fan, you'll find a way to make it happen" in response to concerns about the game's potential cost.

Devolver Digital, known for its bold marketing strategies, capitalized on the situation to promote their upcoming game, Mycopunk. In a tweet, they quipped, "You're gonna be able to buy Mycopunk for you and three of your friends for the price of one copy of Borderlands 4." Pitchford responded to this tweet with his own controversial remark, comparing Mycopunk's affordability to that of methamphetamine, which was met with significant negative feedback online.

Social media users expressed their frustration, with some threatening to pirate Borderlands 4 and others pleading with Pitchford to apologize and focus on the game's positive aspects. Despite the backlash, Pitchford has not retracted his initial comment but instead pointed to a recent statement he made at PAX East about the game's pricing.

During the PAX East panel, Pitchford admitted uncertainty about Borderlands 4's price, acknowledging the complexities of game pricing in today's market. He emphasized the increased development budget for Borderlands 4, which is more than double that of Borderlands 3, and expressed Gearbox's philosophy of delivering value to players while also needing to generate revenue to fund future projects.

Pitchford's comments at PAX East were seen by some as a more measured response that could have mitigated the backlash if shared initially. Borderlands streamer Moxsy criticized Pitchford's "not a real fan" statement, highlighting the fans' desire to feel justified in their purchase due to the game's ambition and quality.

As anticipation builds for Borderlands 4's release on September 12, 2025, publisher 2K Games is expected to announce the game's price when pre-orders begin. In a related interview, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick spoke about the value of video games compared to other forms of entertainment, suggesting that consumers are willing to pay for high-quality experiences.

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

The ongoing debate about game pricing continues to be a hot topic, with Pitchford's comments adding fuel to the fire as the gaming community eagerly awaits more details on Borderlands 4.