Are You Even a Real Fan If You Don’t Pay $80 for Borderlands 4?

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It seems clear that the gaming industry is pushing towards increasing game prices to $80, which has been met with some resistance from gamers who are still adjusting to the current $70 price tag for new AAA releases in this console generation. However, it appears we may soon face another price hike, as several major players have already made this move, such as Nintendo with Mario Kart World at $80 and Microsoft following suit by announcing that their first-party Xbox releases will also be priced the same going forward.

It appears that there’s a strong likelihood that the upcoming Borderlands 4 game might cost around $80. What makes this even more disappointing is that the developer, Gearbox Entertainment, or at least its CEO Randy Pitchford, seems to be implying that it’s up to you, as fans, to figure out a way to pay that price if you truly care and want to demonstrate your fandom. However, no official word on Borderlands 4’s pricing has been released by either Gearbox or publisher 2K. Yet, Randy Pitchford seems to be already justifying the $80 price tag, and he’s doing it in a way that many fans might find offensive.

Recently on Twitter, a fan inquired about the potential price of Borderlands 4 at launch in September being $80. Initially, Pitchford stated that the price wasn’t his call to make. However, he later suggested that dedicated fans would “find a way” to purchase the game even if it cost the higher $80. Needless to say, this statement has not been well received by many. While expressing dissatisfaction over pricing decisions from publishers is nothing new in the gaming community, telling people how to spend their money is generally met with resistance. It’s no surprise that Pitchford’s comments have stirred up controversy as well.

The intense criticism directed at the situation is entirely justified, given that even a quick glance makes it clear. Indeed, economic factors have been driving the steady rise in game prices over the past few years, but these same economic conditions also make those prices appear increasingly unaffordable. To put it simply, Pitchford’s comments about the potential pricing of Borderlands 4 are as out-of-touch and wrongheaded as they come, and there is a lengthy list of reasons to support this claim.

Considering that Borderlands 4 alone, if priced at $80, might not be the most advantageous decision, given recent trends. A price point of $70 is already high enough that many games struggle to justify it to their audience, which means fewer sales for Borderlands 4 unless the game is well-established or exceptionally popular. In other words, if Borderlands 4 doesn’t have a certain level of reputation, it could potentially falter under the weight of a $70 price tag.

Increase the cost of that game to $80, and the requirements become even more challenging, making it suitable only for the largest video games. For example, games like “Mario Kart” and “Grand Theft Auto” are massive in their own right, so an $80 price tag wouldn’t deter most potential buyers from purchasing them. However, the number of games and franchises that can boast such popularity among both hardcore and casual gamers is limited.

Many people might contend that Borderlands deserves a spot on that list. Given its status as a highly successful looter shooter franchise with impressive sales for each release, especially the mainline games, one might wonder if it’s substantial enough to avoid significant impact from sudden and steep price increases. However, due to its appeal to a broad audience of casual gamers who often opt for cheaper alternatives when available, and considering the abundance of options in the looter shooter genre, a $80 price tag could be challenging for many players to accept, especially when factoring in anticipated paid monetization within the game.

If the upcoming Borderlands game costs $20 more than its initial release price six years ago, there’s a good chance that many fans might be discouraged from buying it due to the price increase. Although dedicated Borderlands enthusiasts may be willing to pay whatever it takes to play the next main installment, the series has built up a significant number of casual players over the years. Given this, it’s important to consider the potential impact of pricing decisions on this broader audience.

It’s important to note that just because Borderlands 4 might be priced at $80, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will fail. After all, we’re talking about the Borderlands franchise here, one of the most successful in gaming. While a higher price tag could potentially impact its sales compared to previous releases, considering how popular this series is, it’s likely that even with these potential dips factored in, the game will still perform well financially, particularly over the long term. The Borderlands series tends to thrive in the long run.

The question arises as to how far game publishers might be willing to test boundaries with their pricing strategies, especially if Borderlands 4 were to cost $80. Such a high price could be hard to swallow for many fans. Moreover, when you factor in insensitive and out-of-touch comments from gaming executives like the ones made by Pitchford, the overall situation becomes even more exasperating.

Discussing the appropriate cost of an AAA game is a topic worth exploring, especially considering the surge in game development costs over time. For example, Borderlands 4 had a budget that was more than double what its predecessor required. It’s valid to consider whether this current model of game development can endure without price adjustments, even though such increases are seldom welcome by consumers. However, asking fans to demonstrate their loyalty by accepting any price tag the company sets for their game is definitely not an effective strategy to boost sales.

As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I’d like to clarify that while I pen down my thoughts in this piece, they solely reflect my personal perspective. They may or may not align with the collective viewpoint of GamingBolt as a platform.

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2025-05-26 13:13