Borderlands 4 creator says gaming has no Citizen Kane — and maybe no masterpieces at all

I’m having fun playing Borderlands 4, even though it’s not perfect. One of the biggest issues is the behavior of Randy Pitchford. The game launched on September 12, 2025, and sold well, but Pitchford caused some trouble with controversial statements made during the launch week.

He advised players to essentially ask for their money back, even suggesting they build their own game engine from scratch, which understandably caused a lot of online frustration. He also bluntly told players to accept that their computer hardware might simply not be powerful enough to run the game well—and he said this even to those with top-of-the-line RTX 5090 graphics cards, not just those who barely met the game’s minimum requirements.

Recently, Randy Pitchford has been in the news again. In a new video from Shacknews discussing the development of Borderlands 4, he shifted the conversation to a broader topic: whether video games have ever achieved true perfection.

What Randy Pitchford actually said about gaming’s “Citizen Kane” moment

In a recent interview with Shacknews, covered by wccftech, several developers from Borderlands 4 – including Randy Pitchford – discussed the game’s development. Pitchford explained that creating today’s high-end games requires a huge amount of money and teamwork, with costs now comparable to those of major motion pictures.

As the interview neared its conclusion, Pitchford shifted the conversation from specific development details to a more general discussion about the gaming industry. He finished by making a comment that’s likely to generate a lot of debate online, saying:

It can only happen if everybody in that loop believes that what is being imagined has more value to exist in the world than what it takes to create it. Which means you both need the idea of what it takes to create it, the belief in what it takes to create it, and a sense of what it might be worth if it was created. And everybody has to have that understanding, or it just doesn’t work.I love that I’m in it and I love that we’re just getting started. When I say ‘we,’ I’m talking about the whole industry together.We haven’t even had our Citizen Kane yet, let alone Jurassic Park or Star Wars. We’re just figuring this out. But it’s fun.”

Randy Pitchford – Gearbox Software CEO

As an analyst, I’ve been following Randy Pitchford’s statements closely. It’s important to note he wasn’t just referring to Gearbox or even the next Borderlands game; he was speaking about the entire gaming industry. What struck me was that his comment felt like both a recognition of how far gaming has evolved, and a confident prediction that the most artistically significant moments are still yet to come. It’s a fascinating perspective on where the industry is headed.

Do gaming masterpieces already exist? Halo 3, Baldur’s Gate 3, and more might say yes

This makes you wonder: have truly great games already been created, or are we still looking for the one that will really stand the test of time? Some people would say we already have those games, but what defines a masterpiece is different for everyone.

Games like Halo 3 are truly memorable, especially because they were so important during my childhood and really set the standard for multiplayer gaming for many people. Others might point to Baldur’s Gate 3 as a game that completely changed what was possible with CRPGs, proving that complex games can still be incredibly popular. Red Dead Redemption 2 is often praised for its amazing storytelling, though it doesn’t personally appeal to me as much. The Witcher 3 also stands out for its huge, detailed world and moving story, while Elden Ring successfully brought difficult, rewarding gameplay to a wider audience and became a major cultural moment.

Determining what makes a game a true masterpiece is really a matter of opinion. Because games come in so many different styles and offer diverse experiences, it’s unlikely we’ll ever have one game everyone agrees is the best – and that might actually be a positive thing.

Is Pitchford right — or just stirring the pot again?

Evaluating art, especially in gaming, is often complex. There’s rarely a single, definitive answer, and even critically acclaimed works like *Citizen Kane* aren’t universally loved – but that doesn’t diminish their historical importance and innovative impact. The gaming industry is experiencing a similar surge in quality and creativity, almost a golden age, despite challenges like rising costs. New masterpieces emerge constantly, pushing boundaries and inspiring developers.

With that said, do you think gaming has had a single true masterpiece yet, or are we still waiting?

FAQ

Who is Randy Pitchford?

Randy Pitchford co-founded and leads Gearbox Software, the company behind the popular Borderlands games.

What did Randy Pitchford actually say?

He believes gaming hasn’t yet produced a truly groundbreaking masterpiece – a game with the same lasting artistic and cultural significance as films like “Citizen Kane.”

Is he saying all games are bad?

Actually, he believes the industry is still in its early stages and actively developing. He’s focusing more on what it *could* become rather than pointing out flaws, although his perspective is quite bold.

What’s the context?

The statement originated from a Shacknews documentary detailing the creation of *Borderlands 4*. Randy Pitchford was explaining how large and complex modern game development has become.

Why is this controversial?

Many gamers consider games like *Half-Life 2*, *The Witcher 3*, *Breath of the Wild*, and *Red Dead Redemption 2* to be masterpieces already.

Why was Borderlands 4 controversial at launch?

Even though the game sold well, many players experienced significant performance and optimization issues, especially on computers. When players voiced their concerns, the developer’s responses – including suggesting they request refunds – made the situation worse and fueled further criticism.

2025-10-30 18:10