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

The backlash against Randy Pitchford's controversial statement about the $80 price tag for Borderlands 4 has intensified, drawing responses from both the gaming community and other video game publishers. Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox Software, has tried to clarify his stance by referencing earlier comments he made about the game's pricing.

Devolver Digital, known for its bold and often satirical marketing, has capitalized on the controversy to promote its upcoming game, Mycopunk. In a witty social media post, Devolver pointed out that Mycopunk would be more affordable, humorously stating, "You're gonna be able to buy Mycopunk for you and three of your friends for the price of one copy of Borderlands 4." Pitchford responded to this quip with a tweet of his own, saying, "Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth - probably has fewer side effects, too!" This comment has largely been met with criticism from fans on social media.

The controversy began when a fan expressed concern over the potential $80 price point for Borderlands 4, to which Pitchford responded, "if you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen." He justified his statement by recalling his own experience of buying Starflight for the Sega Genesis at a similar price when he was younger.

Amidst the ongoing debate, Pitchford has referenced a recent comment he made at PAX East, where he discussed the complexities of game pricing. He admitted that he does not know the final price of Borderlands 4, emphasizing the increasing costs of game development and the competitive nature of the market. He also highlighted Gearbox's philosophy of providing value to players, stating, "we want everybody to have it. We want to make it as easy as possible for everybody to enjoy what we’re creating."

Despite these clarifications, the backlash continues, with many fans feeling that Pitchford's initial response was dismissive and out of touch. Prominent figures in the gaming community, like streamer Moxsy, have criticized the "not a real fan" rhetoric, arguing that it alienates the very audience Gearbox aims to serve.

As the release date for Borderlands 4 approaches on September 12, 2025, 2K Games is expected to announce the official price when pre-orders begin. Meanwhile, the conversation around game pricing continues, with Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick suggesting that consumers are willing to pay for high-quality entertainment, provided they perceive the value as commensurate with the cost.

Randy Pitchford's recent comments sparked a backlash online. Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Lionsgate.