The State of Play event for Borderlands 4, held on April 30, 2025, provided fans with an in-depth 20-minute gameplay deep dive, showcasing the game's innovative features and mechanics. This event has not only excited the community but also shed light on the reasons behind the game's adjusted release schedule.
Borderlands 4 State of Play: New Details Revealed
20-Minute Gameplay Deep Dive Video
The spotlight of the State of Play was undoubtedly the 20-minute gameplay deep dive for Borderlands 4. This video introduced players to two of the four new Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren, who harnesses supernatural phase energy to enhance her abilities and summon lethal minions, and Rafa the Exo-Soldier, a former Tediore trooper equipped with an experimental exo-suit that can digistruct a diverse arsenal of weapons.
The gameplay also unveiled the new planet of Kairos, a world teeming with warring factions, dangerous wildlife, and desperate inhabitants, all under the oppressive rule of the Timekeeper. Players are tasked with sparking a revolution against this tyrant, engaging with unique factions and rallying them to their cause. Familiar faces like Claptrap, Moxxi, and Zane are set to return, aiding players in their quest.
New features highlighted include the innovative licensed Parts system, allowing players to mix and match weapon behaviors and abilities, new Gear slots for more specialized builds, and the introduction of a new vehicle, the Digirunner, among other exciting additions.
Gearbox Denies Launch Date Change is Influenced by Other Games
Prior to the State of Play, Gearbox Software announced a two-week advancement in Borderlands 4's release date, attributing it to "incredible development work." However, fans have speculated that this move might be a strategic response to the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), especially given that both Gearbox Software and Rockstar Games fall under the Take-Two Interactive umbrella.
During Take-Two Interactive's earnings call in November 2024, the company hinted at a Fall 2025 release for GTA 6. CEO Strauss Zelnick reassured that there would be no clash with Borderlands 4's release window, which falls within Take-Two's fiscal year 2026 (April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026). Zelnick emphasized in a November 2024 interview with Variety that the company would not unnecessarily stack major releases.
Addressing the speculation directly, Gearbox Entertainment CEO Randy Pitchford took to Twitter (X) on April 30 to clarify that the decision to move up the release date was solely based on the team's confidence in their product, stating, "Our decision is literally 0% about any other product’s actual or theoretical launch date."
Regardless of the motives behind the schedule adjustment, fans can look forward to experiencing Borderlands 4 earlier than anticipated. The game is now slated for release on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates and insights into Borderlands 4, be sure to check out our dedicated article below!
