Borderlands is one of the top names when we talk about RPG and looter shooter genres. Developed by Gearbox Software, the series, right from its debut in 2009, has managed to collect a massive fan base that simply can’t get enough of its post-apocalyptic setting, co-op gameplay, and humorous narrative.
The next entry in the series, Borderlands 4, is right around the corner, and the hype is at an all-time high. However, in recent weeks, the Borderlands franchise has been dealing with review bombing on Steam, and the public perception is reaching new lows. What’s going on with these negative reviews? Let’s take a look.
This is why Borderlands is getting review-bombed on Steam
Take a look at the Steam ratings for any Borderlands game right now. You will notice that the recent reviews for the game are “Overwhelmingly Negative .”This is quite shocking, considering the fact that all the entries in the franchise received great reviews from the community and still carry an overall “Very Positive” rating.
The reason why is that Borderlands‘ reviews are taking on Steam is due to Take-Two’s recently updated End-User License Agreement (EULA), available on the company’s official website. The revised terms now restrict the use of mods, cheats, and VPNS.
Fans believe that the updated EULA gives Gearbox, 2K Games, and Take-Two outright kernel-level access. They are concerned that these companies can now access the community’s personal data, such as passwords, browsing history, IP addresses, and so on. Dubbing it “spyware,” players are frustrated and bashing all the Borderlands games on Steam.
However, it seems like the community might’ve overreacted a bit. According to EpicNNG On X, the Borderlands EULA changes aren’t anything new. Epic has revealed a message from one of the reputable modders, Apple, who has stated that there’s absolutely nothing different than what existed before in the EULA. The clause that is bugging players was already there.
Unfortunately, this confirmation isn’t enough to calm down the concerned player base. Currently, Borderlands 2 is being offered for free, but it’s still being hammered with negative reviews despite the fact that it’s been weeks since the backlash started.
Gearbox Software CEO has reassured players
Well, if reassurance from reputable figures in the Borderlands community wasn’t enough, the series’ boss himself has stepped in. That’s right, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has taken to X and replied to one of the fans who had been demanding that Gearbox bring changes to the EULA.
Pitchford has reassured the player and the rest of the community that Borderland games don’t have software. He’s clarified that no changes have taken place for the software, and they will not be made in the future. Pitchford has also revealed that Gearbox has no involvement with the EULA, as the publisher handles it.
Borderlands getting review-bombed on Steam will prove to be very costly for Gearbox and 2K Games, as Borderlands 4 is releasing soon. The negative perception can end up hurting the next entry and even bring down the sales numbers.
It’s not the only controversy that could harm Borderlands 4. If you’re unaware, a few weeks ago, Pitchford commented that “real fans” would be willing to pay $80 for Borderlands 4. Although he apologized later, the community hasn’t forgotten and never will.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
