Randy Pitchford Clarifies $80 Borderlands 4 Comment: 'Here's the Truth'

The backlash against Randy Pitchford's controversial comment about the $80 price tag for *Borderlands 4* has intensified, drawing responses from both gamers and other video game publishers. Pitchford's initial remark, "if you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen," sparked widespread criticism among the gaming community. This statement was in response to a fan's concern over the game's potential price, emphasizing the fan's hope that Pitchford, as CEO, could influence the pricing decision.

Capitalizing on the controversy, Devolver Digital, known for its bold marketing strategies, cleverly used the situation to promote its upcoming game, *Mycopunk*. Devolver tweeted, "You're gonna be able to buy Mycopunk for you and three of your friends for the price of one copy of Borderlands 4," directly referencing Pitchford's comments. In response, Pitchford quipped, "Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth - probably has fewer side effects, too!" This retort has been met with largely negative feedback on social media, with users expressing frustration and disappointment.

Despite the backlash, Pitchford has yet to apologize or retract his initial statement. Instead, he directed attention to a recent comment he made at PAX East, where he discussed the complexities of game pricing. He admitted, "I don't know" the final price of *Borderlands 4*, but highlighted the increased development costs and competitive market dynamics. Pitchford emphasized Gearbox's philosophy of providing value to players, stating, "we want everybody to have it...we want people to buy it so we have the resources to make more, but we want everyone who buys and plays a Gearbox game to feel certain that they got the better end of the bargain."

The ongoing controversy has become a significant issue for *Borderlands 4*'s brand ahead of its launch on September 12, 2025. Some fans and industry figures, like streamer Moxsy, believe Pitchford's PAX East remarks could have mitigated the backlash if highlighted earlier. Moxsy noted, "Every game is gonna be 80 dollars by this time next year," but stressed that fans want the price to reflect the game's quality and ambition.

As the gaming community awaits an official price announcement from publisher 2K Games, expected when pre-orders begin, the debate over the value and pricing of blockbuster games continues. In a related interview, Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick underscored the company's commitment to delivering exceptional value, suggesting that consumers are willing to pay for the highest quality entertainment.