Summary
Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has once again spoken out about the controversy he recently stirred up over the price point forBorderlands 4. In late May, Pitchford chimed in on the growing discussion about video game prices jumping by a Hamilton or two. This is a course the industry has been on for a few years now, but it got kicked into higher gear with Nintendo’s Switch 2 reveal and the announcement that some games will have an $80 price tag. One fan looking forward to the upcomingBorderlands 4directed a tweet directly at Pitchford, stating, “Randy, this game better not be 80 dollars.”
Pitchford responded, “If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen.”As an example of the level of dedication required, the Gearbox CEO then explained that he had worked at an ice cream parlor for minimum wage in 1991 just to buy a copy ofStarflightfor Sega Genesis. Not surprisingly, the reaction to this comment was not positive, and Pitchford found himself on the receiving end of flabbergasted and angry responses.
A couple of days later,Randy Pitchford responded to the criticism about his tweet, explaining that the massive development budget forBorderlands 4might necessitate a price increase. But the fervor still hasn’t died down, and the Gearbox boss once again attempted to defend his words on May 28. In a long Twitter post, Pitchford first apologized for any misunderstanding, saying, “The absolute sincere truth is that I don’t want anyone to pay any more than they should or are comfortable with.”
Randy Pitchford Responds Again to Borderlands 4 Price Controversy
Randy acknowledged that his use of the phrase “real fans” is part of what fueled the backlash. However, he explained that his intention with the original tweet was to give reassurance thatBorderlands 4will be fine even if the price jumps to $80. The studio head also reiterated that any increase is not his call, and he expressed gratitude to everybody who likes Gearbox games and supports the team.
Pitchford’s second attempt to mitigate the negative response seems to have appeased some, while it’s been dismissed by others. Words like “gaslighting” have been tossed about, but there are also fans who accept thatvideo game prices are going to inevitably riseand it’s not the fault or responsibility of one man, inflammatory comments or not.
Pitchford isn’t new to riling up the masses, and he has found himself embroiled in social media disputes several times over the years, earning himself a somewhat negative reputation. Still, in the past, his statements haven’t seemed to impact sales of Gearbox releases, and despiteBorderlandsgames being review bombedin May for other reasons, it’s unlikely that trend will change with the launch ofBorderlands 4, currently planned for July 06, 2025.
