As Borderlands 4 hits the shelves, it has not only rekindled excitement among fans of the looter shooter series but also sparked significant debate focused on its performance on PCs. Critics and players alike have weighed in, with many praising the game's engaging storyline and gameplay, but some PC gamers are voicing discontent over technical issues such as stuttering and frame rate drops.
In the midst of this, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has emerged as a vocal defender of the game, taking to social media to counter the criticisms. Pitchford argues that the source of dissatisfaction lies not with the game itself but with PC gamers' expectations. He explained, “Every PC gamer must accept the reality of the relationship between their hardware and what the software they're running is doing.”
Understanding the intricate dynamics between software and hardware, Pitchford emphasized that Borderlands 4 is considerably optimized. He stated that players have access to numerous settings enabling them to balance between resolution, frame rate, and the graphical features their systems can handle effectively. He also noted that the decision to target 30 frames per second for minimum hardware and 60 for recommended specifications is reasonable from a developer's standpoint.
Utilizing Technology to Enhance Performance
Among the tools available to players, Pitchford highlighted the importance of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), a technology designed to enhance frame rates while maintaining visual quality. He dismissed concerns about input lag as exaggerated, ensuring players that DLSS was implemented to optimize gameplay experiences substantially.
Despite these assurances, not all players are swayed by Pitchford’s rationale. Feedback from the gaming community indicates discrepancies between developer statistics and user experiences. Some players have complained about the procedural complexities involved in submitting support tickets, which they argue could deter many from formally lodging dissatisfaction, potentially skewing statistics.
On online platforms like Steam, reviews predominantly reflect frustrations over performance issues, albeit Pitchford maintains that many of these complaints can be addressed by adjusting in-game settings. He even affirmed having personally assisted players in enhancing their game's performance significantly.
Borderlands 4, developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K, was released on September 12, 2025, for major platforms like PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. Anticipation continues to build for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, set to launch on October 3, 2025.
