Summary: The Borderlands 4 release date is confirmed, and this guide explores the game’s platforms, gameplay, setting, characters, co-op features, development status, pre-order options, and ways to enhance your experience.

The Borderlands franchise has been a staple in the looter-shooter genre for over a decade, known for its over-the-top action, dark humor, and endless gun variety.

With the massive success of Borderlands 3, fans are eagerly awaiting the next installment: Borderlands 4.

From gameplay details and release predictions to characters and platforms, here’s everything we know so far.

Table of Contents

1. Borderlands 4 Release Date: When Does Borderlands 4 Come Out?
2. Which Platforms Will Borderlands 4 Be On?
3. Borderlands 4 Gameplay: What We Know So Far
4. Borderlands 4 Setting: Where Does the Story Take Place?
5. Meet the Vault Hunters of Borderlands 4
6. Co-op and Multiplayer: Is Borderlands 4 Still Focused on Co-op Play?
7. Behind the Scenes: Borderlands 4 Development Status
8. Can You Pre-Order Borderlands 4 Yet?
9. Enhance Your Borderlands 4 Experience with Xmod
10. Conclusion

Borderlands 4 Release Date: When Does Borderlands 4 Come Out?

Gearbox has officially confirmed that Borderlands 4 will be released on September 12, 2025. The new launch date, announced by 2K, moves the release up by 11 days from its original September 23 schedule. The announcement was made during the February PlayStation State of Play event, confirming that the game will launch simultaneously across all major platforms.

Now that we know when Borderlands 4 will arrive, let’s explore which platforms you’ll be able to play it on.

Which Platforms Will Borderlands 4 Be On?

Borderlands 4 is officially set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S. Publisher 2K Games has also confirmed that the game will be available through both the Epic Games Store and Steam.

Although Gearbox hasn’t outright stated it, it’s highly unlikely that Borderlands 4 will release on PS4 or Xbox One, as those platforms were noticeably absent from the reveal trailer. The good news? Nintendo Switch 2 owners can look forward to a next-gen Borderlands experience right from day one this September.

With the platforms confirmed, it’s time to dive into what the gameplay will actually look like.

Borderlands 4 Gameplay: What We Know So Far

Gearbox revealed Borderlands 4 gameplay with an official trailer and an extended 18-minute deep dive, showcasing what fans can expect from the latest looter shooter. Guided by the development team, the footage gives a look at the open zones of Kairos, which can be freely explored solo or with friends. One standout feature is the introduction of Silos—new locations hiding ancient tech you can discover and control.

Players will once again step into the shoes of legendary Vault Hunters, fighting through waves of enemies and collecting loot in pursuit of treasure. This entry boasts the deepest and most diverse skill trees in the series, giving players more freedom than ever to shape their playstyle.

Gearbox is also promising unmatched weapon variety, with billions of customizable guns and gear. A major gameplay shift comes with the new Licensed Parts system, allowing guns to include abilities from multiple manufacturers. There are also three new gun manufacturers, and a complete overhaul of Legendary items to make them feel truly special again—something Borderlands 3 struggled with.

According to the developers, Borderlands 4 aims to strike a careful balance between RPG depth and accessibility. As Creative Director Graeme Timmins explains, the goal is to expand both the RPG and FPS elements without overwhelming players: “We want to add depth, but not at the cost of complexity.”

Expect classic Borderlands humor, plenty of chaos, and innovative mechanics that push the franchise to new heights.

Understanding the gameplay mechanics helps set the scene for where the story unfolds — let’s take a look at the new setting.

Borderlands 4 Setting: Where Does the Story Take Place?

Borderlands 4 drops players into Kairos, a brand-new planet far from Pandora. It’s wild, dangerous, and full of conflict.

The gameplay deep dive revealed Kairos as a war-torn world. Warring factions clash. Hostile wildlife roams. The people live under fear and control. A tyrant called the Timekeeper ruled Kairos. He used cybernetic implants, called Bolts, to control minds. His robotic army, The Order, enforced his grip. That all changes when chaos hits. A rogue moon—teleported from Pandora by Lilith—crashes into Kairos. The impact shatters the Timekeeper’s control.

Now, the planet burns with rebellion. Players land in the middle of it. Your mission: explore, survive, and fight back. Kairos isn’t fully open-world, but it’s massive. It features four huge zones, all seamlessly connected. Loading screens are minimal.

A dynamic weather system adds realism. Side quests fill the world with stories and action. Kairos is the series’ biggest, boldest setting yet.

Next up: meet the Vault Hunters leading the charge.

Meet the Vault Hunters of Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4 introduces a brand-new cast of four playable Vault Hunters, continuing Gearbox’s tradition of refreshing its lineup with each new game. Creative director Graeme Timmins explains the team’s approach: “We think it’s important to switch things up and avoid repetitive designs game to game.” The result? A dynamic new roster with unique abilities and backstories.

Two of the new Vault Hunters have already been revealed. Vex, the newest Siren, wields supernatural phase energy and can summon mystical minions in battle. Then there’s Rafa, a battle-hardened Exo-soldier and former Tediore trooper who uses a high-tech experimental exo-suit for devastating close-quarters combat.

Longtime fans can also look forward to the return of beloved characters like Zane, Moxxi, and Claptrap. And players won’t be alone in exploring the world of Kairos—new companions, including Echo-4, a helpful drone sidekick, will join you on your journey. Echo-4 can hack gear, scan environments, and guide you to objectives, adding a layer of utility and charm to the adventure.

Since Borderlands is known for its multiplayer fun, let’s see how co-op and multiplayer features are evolving in this installment.

Co-op and Multiplayer: Is Borderlands 4 Still Focused on Co-op Play?

Borderlands 4 continues the franchise’s strong tradition of co-op gameplay, offering both 4-player online co-op and 2-player local split-screen, so you can jump into the chaotic action with friends no matter where they are. Whether teaming up online or on the couch, the game is designed to make co-op smoother and more flexible than ever.

Gearbox has confirmed full cross-play support, allowing players across different platforms to squad up. According to senior project producer Anthony Nicholson, co-op improvements are a major focus: “We’ve put a ton of work into making it better than ever.” This includes a revamped lobby system, and the ability for players to adjust campaign difficulty individually, tailoring the challenge to their preferred experience.

Exploration is also more seamless — if your party gets separated, you can fast travel directly to your friends. Plus, instanced loot ensures that everyone gets their own rewards, eliminating the scramble for the best gear and making every run feel rewarding for all.

Behind every great game is a dedicated development team — here’s a peek behind the scenes at Borderlands 4’s creation.

Behind the Scenes: Borderlands 4 Development Status

Borderlands 4 is currently in development at Gearbox Software, the studio behind every mainline entry in the Borderlands series. According to Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, the game has been in the works for several years, following the release of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands in 2022.

Published by 2K Games, Borderlands 4 marks a new chapter for the series as it will be the first title released under Gearbox’s new status as a fully-owned 2K studio—a change that followed its acquisition by Take-Two Interactive in 2024.

Hints about the project have been surfacing for a while. In 2023, a former Gearbox support studio developer listed the game on their LinkedIn profile, and 2K officially confirmed that Borderlands 4 was in active development as of March 2024.

Despite a rocky reception for the Borderlands movie adaptation, Pitchford remains optimistic about the game, telling GamesRadar+, “I’m confident that our fans are going to be very, very happy with the next video game project.” Judging by the trailer shown during The Game Awards, Gearbox seems determined to deliver on that promise.

With all the details unveiled, you’re probably wondering if you can pre-order the game yet — let’s find out.

Can You Pre-Order Borderlands 4 Yet?

Yes — Borderlands 4 is officially available for pre-order on all major platforms. Gearbox has announced three distinct editions of the game, each offering different content and bonuses for eager Vault Hunters.

All pre-orders come with the Gilded Glory Pack, which includes a stylish Vault Hunter skin, a unique weapon skin, and a custom ECHO-4 drone skin.

• The Standard Edition is priced at $69.99.
• The Deluxe Edition costs $99.99 and includes the Bounty Pack, offering post-launch DLC, additional gear, vehicles, weapons, Vault Hunter cosmetics, and the exclusive Firehawk’s Fury weapon skin.
• The Super Deluxe Edition comes in at $129.99, featuring the Vault Hunter Pack with new story content, additional map regions, new weapons and cosmetics, and the Ornate Order Pack full of premium skins and extras.

No matter which version you choose, there are plenty of bonuses to make your return to the Borderlands universe even more rewarding.

Finally, for those looking to customize their experience, here’s how you can enhance Borderlands 4 gameplay with Xmod.

Enhance Your Borderlands 4 Experience with Xmod

Get ready to level up your Borderlands 4 adventure with Xmod! Although support for the game isn’t available in the current client just yet, Xmod will release trainers on the game’s launch day—so you won’t have to wait long to boost your gameplay.

Why choose Xmod?

• Supports over 5000 games across genres and platforms.
• Free games available directly in the app.
• Powerful mods and trainers to customize your experience.

Stay tuned and be ready to enjoy a smarter, more exciting gaming journey with Xmod when Borderlands 4 drops!

Conclusion

Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be a bold leap forward for the franchise, with new worlds, characters, and gameplay mechanics that expand its iconic style. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, there’s a lot to look forward to. Stay tuned for official news, trailers, and pre-order announcements as we inch closer to launch. Until then, dust off your old Vault Hunter gear — the next great Borderlands adventure is on the horizon.