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Borderlands 4: News, Story, Release Date, and More

Last Updated: November 12, 2025

Borderlands 4 key art featuring Vault Hunters.

The galactic search for loot, laughs, and unadulterated chaos is set to continue, as the gaming world waits with bated breath for any official news on Borderlands 4. While the next mainline installment in the beloved looter-shooter franchise has not yet been officially announced with a title or trailer, its development is one of the worst-kept secrets in the industry. Gearbox Software is undoubtedly working on the next big one, and we're piecing together all the official confirmations, leaks, and credible rumors to paint the clearest picture of what's to come.

Forget speculation—let's dive into everything we actually know about the future of Pandora and the Vault Hunters who call it home.

Is Borderlands 4 Officially in Development?

Yes, though not in the way you might think. There has been no grand reveal trailer at The Game Awards or a surprise announcement blog post. Instead, confirmation has trickled out directly from the source.

As far back as 2021, Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford referred to an upcoming project as "the big one," strongly implying the next mainline Borderlands game. More concretely, multiple Gearbox developers have referenced working on "Borderlands 4" on their LinkedIn profiles, with some leaks suggesting the game is being built on the powerful Unreal Engine 5, which would represent a major visual and technical leap for the series.

More recently, the landscape around Gearbox has shifted dramatically. In March 2024, Take-Two Interactive (the parent company of 2K Games, Borderlands' publisher) announced it was acquiring Gearbox Entertainment from Embracer Group. This move brings Gearbox and its flagship IP fully under the umbrella of its long-time publishing partner, a consolidation that many analysts believe is intended to streamline and supercharge the development of major sequels—with Borderlands 4 at the top of the list.

The Story: The Unfinished Search for Lilith

While gameplay details are non-existent, the narrative path for Borderlands 4 seems clear. The ending of Borderlands 3 left the entire universe with a massive cliffhanger: Lilith, the original Siren, sacrificed herself by phasing the entire moon of Elpis to stop it from destroying Pandora. Her fate is unknown, but a final shot showed her emblem glowing on the distant moon.

The Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary DLC for Borderlands 2 and the main plot of Borderlands 3 firmly established the search for Lilith as the next great quest. It’s almost certain that Borderlands 4 will see the new generation of Vault Hunters (and some old friends) embark on a galaxy-spanning mission to find and rescue their lost leader. This central plot provides the perfect motivation for exploring new planets and confronting whatever cosmic threat now stands in their way.

What to Expect from the Next Borderlands

Based on the series' consistent evolution, we can make some educated predictions about the core features of Borderlands 4:

  • A New Roster of Vault Hunters: The heart of any Borderlands game is its playable characters. Expect a brand-new set of four Vault Hunters, each with unique action skills, deep and customizable skill trees, and wildly different playstyles that encourage co-op synergy.
  • Literally Billions of Guns: The procedural weapon generation system is the franchise's calling card. This will undoubtedly return, likely enhanced with new weapon manufacturers, elemental damage types, and bizarre firing patterns that players love to discover.
  • An Expanded Universe: The journey to find Lilith is a galactic-scale problem, providing the perfect excuse to introduce entirely new planets. Expect to travel to strange new worlds teeming with unique biomes, bizarre wildlife, and new enemy factions to blast through.
  • Signature Humor and Memorable Villains: The irreverent, often dark humor of the Borderlands universe is a key part of its identity. A new central villain to rival the charisma of Handsome Jack or the manic energy of the Calypso Twins will be essential to driving the narrative forward.
  • Refined Co-op Mayhem: At its core, Borderlands is a co-op experience. Expect the seamless drop-in/drop-out multiplayer to return, hopefully with expanded cross-play support and new ways for players to interact and synergize their abilities.

When Could Borderlands 4 Be Released?

This is the billion-dollar question. With no official announcement, a release date is pure speculation. However, we can look at the clues. The acquisition by Take-Two suggests a desire to accelerate development on key franchises.

Furthermore, the live-action Borderlands movie, starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black, is set to hit theaters in August 2024. It would be a massive marketing opportunity to announce Borderlands 4 around the film's release, capitalizing on the renewed mainstream interest in the franchise.

Given these factors, an official announcement in late 2024 followed by a late 2025 or early 2026 release seems like a plausible timeline. This would give the development team ample time to polish the experience and deliver a game worthy of the massive expectations.

The definitive looter-shooter is coming back. The journey to become a legendary Vault Hunter is set to begin anew, and the anticipation will only grow as the inevitable official reveal draws closer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Borderlands 4

Has Borderlands 4 been officially announced?
No, not with a formal title or trailer. However, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has confirmed they are working on "the big one," and development has been corroborated by various developer profiles and industry reports.

What is the potential release date for Borderlands 4?
There is no official release date. Based on industry trends and the upcoming Borderlands movie, speculation points to a possible release in late 2025 or 2026, with a potential announcement in late 2024.

What platforms will Borderlands 4 be on?
While unconfirmed, it is virtually guaranteed to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Who is making Borderlands 4?
Gearbox Software is the developer. Following a recent acquisition, they are now owned by Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of the game's long-time publisher, 2K.

What will the story be about?
The story is expected to revolve around the search for Lilith, who vanished at the end of Borderlands 3 to save Pandora.