Amid Backlash to $80 Borderlands 4 'If You’re a Real Fan' Comment, Randy Pitchford Points to Previous Statement: 'If You Want the Truth, Here It Is'

The backlash to Randy Pitchford's controversial comment about Borderlands 4's potential $80 price tag has intensified, with video game publishers leveraging the situation to promote their own titles. Amidst this, Pitchford has referenced his earlier statements about the game's price, asserting, "If you want the truth, here it is."

One such publisher, Devolver Digital, known for its edgy marketing strategies, has capitalized on the controversy surrounding Pitchford's remarks. Devolver, the company behind popular games like Hotline Miami and Cult of the Lamb, responded to the situation by promoting its upcoming game, Mycopunk. This Borderlands-style, mission-based co-op first-person shooter was highlighted in a tweet that playfully stated, "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 caught wind of Devolver's tweet and quipped back, "Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth - probably has fewer side effects, too!" This response drew significant negative feedback on social media. Users expressed their discontent, with some threatening to pirate Borderlands 4 and others urging Pitchford to apologize, emphasizing the impact of his words on the game's developers and the community's enthusiasm for Borderlands 4.

Despite the backlash, Pitchford has not retracted his initial comment or issued an apology. Instead, he pointed to a recent statement made at PAX East, where he addressed the pricing of Borderlands 4. During the panel, Pitchford admitted, "I'll tell you the truth. I don't know. That is the truth. I'll hit it straight on. It's an interesting time." He elaborated on the complexities of game pricing, noting the increased development budgets and the competitive market dynamics. Pitchford highlighted that Borderlands 4's budget was more than double that of Borderlands 3, underscoring the rising costs in game development.

Pitchford further explained Gearbox's philosophy on pricing, emphasizing the balance between wanting to provide value to fans and needing resources to create larger and better games. He suggested that the final price might align with the new standard set by companies like Nintendo and Microsoft, but stressed that the decision would ultimately be made by the publishing house.

Social media reactions suggested that Pitchford's PAX East comments would have been a better initial response, as the backlash has now become a significant issue for Borderlands 4's brand ahead of its launch. Streamer Moxsy, for instance, criticized Pitchford's follow-up remarks, particularly the notion that "real fans" would find a way to afford the game, stating that such a mentality was detrimental to the community's support for the game.

Publisher 2K Games is expected to announce the price of Borderlands 4 when pre-orders begin, with the game slated for release on September 12, 2025. In a related interview, Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick discussed the potential for $80 games, emphasizing the company's commitment to delivering high value to consumers, who he believes are willing to pay for top-quality entertainment.

Randy Pitchford's recent comments sparked a backlash online. Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Gett