Randy Pitchford Clarifies $80 Borderlands 4 Comment: 'Here's the Truth'

The controversy surrounding Randy Pitchford’s now-infamous $80 comment regarding *Borderlands 4* has only intensified, drawing reactions from fans, fellow developers, and rival publishers alike. What started as a fan's concern over rising game prices quickly escalated into a full-blown PR storm after Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software, replied with what many saw as dismissive rhetoric: “If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen.”

Since then, the fallout has snowballed, with major players in the gaming industry leveraging the situation for their own promotional gain. Among them is Devolver Digital, a publisher well-known for its sharp, satirical marketing tactics. The company took to social media to promote its upcoming co-op shooter *Mycopunk*, directly referencing Pitchford’s remarks by stating: “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 Fires Back at Critics

Pitchford didn’t shy away from the attention, even retweeting Devolver’s post himself while adding his own sarcastic jab: “Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth – probably has fewer side effects, too!” While meant to be humorous, this quip was met with widespread criticism from the gaming community. Many users on X (formerly Twitter) expressed frustration, with some vowing to pirate *Borderlands 4* altogether or urging Pitchford to apologize and let the game’s developers speak for it instead.

“Randy we are begging you to stop. BL4 had so much hype and it’s being ruined in a day. Let people want to like and support the game and all the amazing people who made it,” one commenter pleaded. Others echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Pitchford’s tone-deaf responses were overshadowing both the hard work of the development team and the legacy of the franchise itself.

PAX East Interview Offers More Nuanced Take

In a later appearance at PAX East, Pitchford offered a more measured perspective on the pricing dilemma facing the industry. He reiterated that he did not personally decide the final retail price of *Borderlands 4*, which is ultimately determined by publisher 2K Games. He also acknowledged the financial realities driving potential price increases, including rising development costs and production challenges.

“I don't know [the price]… It's an interesting time. We've got a competitive marketplace where the people that make those choices want to sell as many units as possible and they want to be careful about people that are price-sensitive… Borderlands 4 has more than twice the development budget than Borderlands 3.”

Pitchford further explained that the core philosophy behind pricing is to ensure that every player feels they received more value than the cost of the game. “We want everyone who buys and plays a Gearbox game to feel certain that they got the better end of the bargain, whatever the price,” he said. Despite this balanced explanation, it was the earlier combative tone that resonated most online, fueling negative sentiment toward the game ahead of its September 12, 2025 release date.

Community Concerns About Value and Respect

Many fans aren’t necessarily against higher prices if justified by quality and ambition. As popular streamer Moxsy pointed out, Pitchford’s initial response hurt the brand more than any price hike ever could. “This toxic ‘not a real fan’ mentality is not it and is only hurting the people that want to support the game,” they noted. The community wants to feel respected—not dismissed—as partners in helping the franchise grow and evolve.

As anticipation builds, all eyes are on 2K Games to officially reveal the final price when pre-orders go live. For now, the shadow cast by Pitchford’s comments remains a significant hurdle for *Borderlands 4*’s public perception.

In a recent statement, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, addressed the broader industry trend of increasing game prices without confirming whether the company would adopt an $80 standard. “We offer enormous value,” Zelnick said. “Compared to other forms of entertainment, the value for our entertainment that we offer is just astonishing… Consumers are willing to pay for the very best.”