Borderlands 4 stirs controversy amid price talk
A few weeks ago, when asked online about Borderlands 4 possibly being a US$80 title, chief executive officer Randy Pitchford said that:
(a) it's 2K Games' call, not his, and (b) true fans will find a way to buy it if it came to that. That's a rather tone-deaf response, especially amid ongoing economic instability and upheaval in the games industry.
What is perplexing is that Randy Pitchford gave a much better answer about pricing a month ago. We're not sure who handled Pitchford's Twitter account, or if the man himself truly forgot what he said a month earlier, but it is a bad look for him and Gearbox.
This isn't the first controversy he has gone through. Online, you'll find longstanding allegations, including a story about him allegedly leaving a USB containing sexually explicit material at a Medieval Times restaurant, stories of him and his company siphoning money off Sega meant for an Aliens game (which went to Borderlands 2), and lying about the state of the game pre-launch, and the mishandling of Duke Nukem Forever. And his involvement in 2024's worst movie, the Borderlands live-action film adaptation.
Even with the possible success of Borderlands 4, the internet truly never forgets. Which is why, more than ever, if Gearbox needs to truly succeed with its upcoming looter shooter at launch and beyond, publisher 2K Games must manage Pitchford's public presence more carefully.
Short Beats
The Nintendo Switch 2 will be out in Malaysia on July 3, 2025. The console will cost RM2,488.
China's NetEase Games has announced a new triple-A, single-player action title called Blood Message. The game will be out for PC and consoles, though no release date or year has been announced.
Despite controversy from its CEO, Gearbox Software's upcoming looter shooter title Borderlands 4 will not cost over US$80.
FromSoftware has launched post-launch downloadable content for its roguelite action title Elden Ring: Nightreign.
Longtime VR rhythm game Beat Saber will no longer receive new content and support on PlayStation VR and PlayStation VR2. Other versions of the title will still get support, though.
Op-Eds
We celebrated Father's Day last Sunday with our tribute to the best dads and dad figures in video game history.
Games Out This Week
Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army is a remake of a 2006 action Japanese role-playing title spun off from the Shin Megami Tensei series. You play a devil summoner and detective rolled into one as you solve cases in 1930s Japan using your wits, blade, and demons based on mythical spirits and legendary creatures.
FBC Firebreak is the major release of the week. It's the player-versus-player spin-off to 2019's action-adventure title Control.
Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is a new isometric-perspective action roguelite title where you play a dethroned queen fighting her way out of a gothic game board-themed slew of dungeons and adversaries.
Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond is the sequel to digital collectible card game Shadowverse. Much like Hearthstone, players battle as spellcasters and warriors using cards to summon creatures or sling magic. The card game is out for iOS, Android, and PC, with the latter version getting overwhelmingly bad reviews.
Tron Catalyst is a new adventure game based on Disney's Tron universe. With your Identity Disc and Light Cycle, fight to escape by wielding the power of the Glitch loop. Electrifying action and a rich story combine in a new adventure set within Disney's iconic Tron universe.
Rematch is a new football game from Clap Hands, the makers of Sifu. Control one player on your team and compete in fast-paced 5v5 matches from an immersive third-person perspective.
Gex Trilogy is a compilation of a classic late 90s 2D and 3D platformer series starring a tail-whipping, channel-surfing gecko named Gex.
Recommended Viewing
YouTuber TheOtherFrost has released an insightful video on the relationship between content and sponsorship via ads.
Fighting game esports tournament CEO 2025 just wrapped up this Monday; here are the highlights and best moments of high-level competition from the USA-based event.
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