Following the Borderlands 4 price controversy and negative review bombing, fans of the series have responded to Randy Pitchford's newly proposed golden keys offer with skepticism, joking that the code wasn't intended for "the casual fans."
Borderlands 4 Controversy Persists as Fans Criticize Game's Potential $80 Price Tag
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford's remarks on the high cost of the upcoming looter shooter have stirred anger among fans, despite recent attempts to address their concerns.
The highly-anticipated Borderlands 4 faces ongoing controversy due to fan backlash over potential pricing. As reported, $80 games are becoming more common in the gaming industry, sparking discontent among consumers, especially regarding Borderlands 4.
A recent social media exchange between Pitchford and a fan concerned about the game's price tag left a bitter taste. Pitchford suggested that "if you're a real fan, you'll find a way to make it happen," igniting a wave of criticism. Although he later clarified that he did not intend to make fans feel taken advantage of, the remarks undermined public sentiment.
Simultaneously, concerns about updated Terms of Service and privacy policies cropped up, causing some players to express worry about personal ownership and information collection by Take-Two Interactive. While some argue that the most recent agreement is not markedly different from the previous one, the negative reviews continue, with all Borderlands 1-3 titles receiving "mostly negative" ratings on Steam.
Fans' frustration is apparent on social media, with messages like, "Honestly surprised the code wasn't 'for the true fans.'" and "You sure you don't want the keys to be 80 dollars, too? We'll find a way to make it happen!", indicating that the situation is unlikely to improve soon.
In an attempt to quell the unrest, Pitchford recently distributed "free SHiFT codes for loot keys" across Borderlands games. Although the gesture was appreciated, reactions remain critical as fans continue to express dissatisfaction. The distributor's latest SHiFT code (SR633-TXCRT-BTJBB-JJJJ3-K3BSC) is set to expire on May 29 at 9 am PT/ 12 pm ET / 5 pm GMT.
At this point, it remains to be seen if the current Borderlands 4 controversy will subside before the game's release in September. On-going discussions about the rising game prices in the industry and the importance of publisher transparency continue alongside the controversy, shedding light on a broader industry-wide issue.
[Sign up to our website Newsletter for weekly digests and more]
- Questions about the privacy policies and Terms of Service have arisen, causing worry among some players about the collection of personal information by Take-Two Interactive.
- Over the weekend, a Twitter exchange between Randy Pitchford and a fan regarding the potential price tag of Borderlands 4 caused a significant backlash.
- Some gamers have noted the industry's increased tendency to release games at $80, expressing discontent, particularly toward Borderlands 4.
- Pitchford's comments, suggesting that fans would find a way to pay for the game, have been met with criticism and accusations of taking advantage of consumers.
- Despite attempts to address fans' concerns and distribute free SHiFT codes for loot keys, reactions remain negative, with continuing expressions of dissatisfaction on social media.
- As fans continue the debate about the rising cost of games and transparency within the industry, it's unclear if the controversy around Borderlands 4 will subside before its release in September.
