Baldur's Gate 3 publisher criticices Randy Pitchford's $80 Borderlands 4, calls it gross
Michael Douse, publishing director of Larian Studios, has criticised Gearbox Software boss Randy Pitchford over his recent remarks on the pricing of the upcoming Borderlands 4, calling them 'gross' amid ongoing cost-of-living concerns.
Pitchford sparked backlash after suggesting that 'real fans' would 'find a way' to purchase Borderlands 4 even if it launched at an $80 price point — a significant increase compared to typical game costs.
He cited paying $80 for a Sega Genesis game 30 years ago as justification, a claim many see as out of touch with current economic realities.
Douse, whose studio developed Baldur's Gate 3, called Pitchford's comment 'gross.'
on social media: 'Inflation exists (we give inflation bumps for example to employees) and price increases can make sense, but saying 'real fans will find a way' is gross because it assumes your game is more important during a cost of living crisis than, for example, making it day to day.'
He added: 'Real fans are people who love & understand what you do, keep track, and engage with your stuff regardless of how much they spend.'
Inflation exists (we give inflation bumps for example to employees) and price increases can make sense, but saying "real fans will find a way" is gross because it assumes your game is more important during a cost of living crisis than, for example, making it day to day. https://t.co/GtIw0MJ601 — Very AFK (@Cromwelp) May 20, 2025
When asked whether Baldur's Gate 3 would ever have an $80 price tag, Douse said even if it did, 'we would probably not suggest people do whatever they can to buy it, lest they not be real fans.'
Neither publisher 2K Games nor parent company Take-Two Interactive have confirmed the final price of Borderlands 4, due for release this September.
However, Pitchford's comments have already stirred discontent among fans, with some resorting to review-bombing the Borderlands series on Steam amid concerns over new user agreements.
The $80 price point, if confirmed, would place Borderlands 4 among the most expensive mainstream video games, prompting broader discussions about affordability and value in the gaming industry during challenging economic times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Express Tribune
Monster Hunter Wilds review bombed over PC performance issues and lack of challenging endgame
Monster Hunter Wilds is currently under heavy criticism on Steam, as players voice frustration over poor PC optimization and a lack of challenging endgame content. Despite record-breaking sales at launch, the game has since seen a sharp decline in player activity—now trailing behind 2018's Monster Hunter World in terms of active users. Much of the backlash focuses on technical issues. Players report frequent crashes, severe frame rate drops, and persistent stuttering—even on high-end systems. One user, Scoriox, said, 'It's really frustrating that the game cannot run smoothly on devices like the Steam Deck, while the Deck does fine with titles much more demanding on it.' Alongside these performance problems, veteran fans have criticized the game's limited endgame experience. Many feel the content lacks depth and replay value, prompting some to return to Monster Hunter World, which offers a more satisfying endgame loop. This isn't the first time the franchise has faced such criticism. Reviewer LilimVixen pointed out that similar complaints were made about World's base version, which was later enriched with updates and the Iceborne expansion. Whether Capcom will take a similar approach with Wilds remains to be seen. Community opinion is divided. Tiamantus went so far as to call Wilds a 'betrayal' of the series' core identity, comparing it to making a Souls game too easy. Others, like Genevieve Vavance and Simp King Ken, argued the outrage is overblown. They noted that early versions of Monster Hunter games are often less difficult and become more complex with post-launch support. Capcom has acknowledged the current problems and promised patches, but the slow pace of updates has only added to player frustration. Following similar issues with Dragon's Dogma 2, some fans now question Capcom's overall approach to PC optimization. While some players remain frustrated, others embrace the game's laid-back pace—highlighting the evolving expectations within the Monster Hunter community.
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Borderlands 4 launch price confirmed at $70 by Randy Pitchford: When does the game come out?
Fans of the popular looter-shooter series Borderlands can now breathe a sigh of relief as Gearbox Software officially confirmed the launch price for Borderlands 4 as $70 for the Standard Edition. Earlier, there had been fears of an $80 price tag following controversial comments from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. This announcement comes after months of uncertainty and backlash from players when Pitchford hinted at the possibility of a higher cost. Pitchford later apologized for the comments after he was criticised by industry professionals. 'No price increase for Borderlands 4,' Pitchford said on his X account, calming the nerves of fans who were worried about following the trend set by games like Mario Kart: World, which launched at $80. The big news: No price increase for Borderlands 4! Standard Edition launches not at $80, but at $69.99! They're showing you, so please show them. You can find links to pre-order Borderlands 4 PC and console versions on the store pages here: — Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) June 16, 2025 In addition to the price reveal, Gearbox confirmed exclusive pre-order bonuses for the Standard Edition, which includes skins for the Vault Hunter, weapon, and the new Echo-4 Drone. It will be released on September 12, 2025. The upcoming game marks a significant departure from the series' traditional setting, taking players to a new open-world sandbox called Kairos. With new movement features, an expanded arsenal, and the introduction of three new gun manufacturers, Borderlands 4 promises to be the most ambitious installment in the franchise to date. The development also comes amidst a trend by popular video games, such as Outer Worlds 2, which have been launched at $80. Fans have had a negative reaction in response to these games. The official pricing announcement has put an end to speculation, and the excitement for the game continues to build. Fans can now pre-order the game and look forward to what promises to be another thrilling addition to the Borderlands universe.
Express Tribune
07-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Resident Evil Requiem release date, platforms, and trailer revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025
Capcom has officially unveiled Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth main installment in its iconic survival horror franchise, with a release date scheduled for February 27, 2026. The announcement came during Summer Game Fest 2025 in Los Angeles, making it one of the standout reveals at the end of the presentation. The game was introduced through a surprise trailer approximately 20 minutes after Capcom first teased the future of the Resident Evil series earlier in the show. That initial segment acknowledged the franchise's upcoming 30th anniversary in March 2026 but stopped short of revealing any new footage or specific details. In a video message shared prior to the trailer reveal, Capcom game director Jun Takeuchi thanked fans for their continued support. 'Thanks to all of you, Resident Evil is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary this coming March,' Takeuchi said. 'We truly appreciate your continued support… bear with us a little longer… and it'll be ready.' Resident Evil Requiem will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The new game follows 2021's Resident Evil Village, which was the franchise's eighth mainline title. The original Resident Evil was released in 1996 for the PlayStation, created by Shinji Mikami and Tokuro Fujiwara. The series has since evolved into a major multimedia franchise, with numerous sequels, remakes, and adaptations for film and television, solidifying its place in video game history. With Requiem, Capcom looks to honor the legacy of the franchise while pushing the survival horror genre into its next chapter. The reveal closed out Summer Game Fest 2025 on a high note and has already generated strong excitement among fans.
