Borderlands 4 Gameplay Deep Dive Was Main Focus of April 2025 State of Play

The State of Play event for Borderlands 4 offered an exciting 20-minute deep dive into the game's new features and mechanics. This event, which took place on April 30, 2025, provided fans with a wealth of new information and sparked discussions about the game's unexpected launch date change.

Borderlands 4 State of Play: New Details Revealed

20-Minute Gameplay Deep Dive Video

The Borderlands 4 State of Play showcased significant new details about this eagerly anticipated looter shooter. The event featured a comprehensive gameplay video that introduced two of the four new Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren and Rafa the Exo-Soldier. Vex harnesses supernatural phase energy to empower herself and summon deadly minions, while Rafa, a former Tediore trooper, utilizes an experimental exo-suit that can digistruct a wide range of weapons.

Players will explore the new planet of Kairos, a world fraught with warring factions, deadly fauna, and desperate inhabitants, all under the oppressive rule of the Timekeeper. The objective is to spark a revolution against this tyrant, engaging with unique factions and rallying them to your cause. Returning fan-favorite characters like Claptrap, Moxxi, and Zane will also assist players on their journey.

The gameplay also highlighted new features such as the licensed Parts system, which allows players to mix and match weapon behaviors and abilities. Additional new Gear slots enable more specialized builds, and the introduction of the Digirunner vehicle promises exciting new ways to navigate the game's expansive world.

Gearbox Denies Launch Date Change is Influenced by Other Games

Prior to the State of Play, Gearbox Software announced that Borderlands 4's release date was moved up by two weeks. The studio attributed this change to the "incredible development work" on the game. However, fans speculated that this decision might be influenced by the release plans of other major titles, notably Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6).

Both Gearbox Software and Rockstar Games, the developer of GTA 6, are owned by Take-Two Interactive. This connection fueled speculation that the companies might be coordinating their release schedules, especially following Take-Two's statements about their release windows during an earnings call in November 2024. CEO Strauss Zelnick had indicated that GTA 6 would launch in Fall 2025, within Take-Two’s 2026 fiscal year, and assured that this would not conflict with Borderlands 4's original release window.

Gearbox Entertainment CEO Randy Pitchford took to Twitter (X) on April 30 to address these speculations directly. He emphasized that the decision to move up the release date was solely based on confidence in the product, stating, "Our decision is literally 0% about any other product’s actual or theoretical launch date."

Despite the surrounding discussions, fans can look forward to experiencing Borderlands 4 earlier than anticipated. The game is now set to launch on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates and more information about Borderlands 4, be sure to check out our dedicated article below!