The first-person shooter genre is an overcrowded one, and it can be difficult for franchises to stand out, especially when they have to compete with titans likeCall of Duty. Yet,Borderlandshas managed to amass fans thanks to its irreverent humor and fun array of weapons to use. After the success of Borderlands 3, fans have been ready for a new mainlineBorderlandsgame, though it may take a while before they receive it.Judging by the past release schedule ofBorderlandsgames, it is just about time for a new title. However, the release ofspin-off titles such asTiny Tina’s Wonderlandscould have gamers waiting a little longer than usual. Fans shouldn’t despair, however, as signs do suggest that the studio is busy with something.RELATED:Borderlands and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands Could Create a Call of Duty-Like Cycle
What the Typical Release Schedule For Borderlands Games is
Looking at past patterns, it may be possible to determine when the nextBorderlandsgame will hit shelves. The first entry was released in 2009, and it introduced gamers to the wacky humor and action-packed shootouts that characterize the series. It was followed up byBorderlands 2which was released in 2012. The same year,Borderlands Legends, a third-person shooter, was released. When 2014 rolled around, fans were treated toBorderlands: The Pre-SequelandTales from the Borderlands. The following year,Borderlands 2andThe Pre-Sequelwerebundled together intoThe Handsome Collectionwhich also contained all the related DLC. In 2019, Gearbox Software releasedBorderlands 3. It initially launched on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, although it has since been ported to current-gen consoles.
The following year, another bundle was released in the form of theBorderlands Legacy Collectionwhich containsBorderlands,The Pre-Sequel, andBorderlands 3. The last new releases in the series came in 2022 when gamers received thegraphic adventure gameNew Tales from the Borderlandsand the spin-off titleTiny Tina’s Wonderlands. It appears that the wait between mainline games is about three to four years. If the pattern continues, gamers should expect to seeBorderlands 4this year or the following year. However, things could be affected by the fact thatNew Tales from the BorderlandsandTiny Tina’s Wonderlandswere released in 2022. Hence, the wait for theBorderlands 4may be a tad longer than usual.
What Has Been Revealed About Borderlands 4 So Far
There has yet to be any official word regardingBorderlands 4, though there are signs that the game is on the minds of the developers. In 2021,Randy Pitchford of Gearbox Softwareresponded to rumors that futureBorderlandsgames would be developed by a different studio. On Twitter, he dispelled these rumors, and also added that the studio is “working on the big one.” Many have interpreted this as a hint that the studio has its eyes onBorderlands 4.
Further clues have come from anearnings call out of Embracer Group. In the call, it is revealed that Gearbox has plans to release ten games by 2026. It is safe to assume thatBorderlands 4is one of the titles planned, especially if one considers how much money the franchise has generated.Borderlands 3alone raked in $113 million in a deal that made the game exclusive to Epic Games on PC for a year. Hence, although Gearbox has yet to explicitly mentionBorderlands 4, there is good reason to believe the studio has not abandoned the franchise.
Though gamers may have to wait a while forBorderlands 4, possibly another couple of years, that doesn’t mean there won’t be anyBorderlandsfun in the meantime. A spin-off titledBorderlands: Vault Hunter Pinballis scheduled to release in 2023. The game combines the wackiness ofBorderlandswith classic pinball fun, and it should keep fans amused until official news aboutBorderlands 4arrives.
