Despite a somewhat tumultuous pre-release news cycle,Borderlands 4may be coming out at the perfect time. Gearbox’s looter shooter series is looking to reassert itself as a leader in the genre after the mixed reception of its third installment. WhileBorderlands 4has already had its own controversies, it now looks like it could make a big splash in the market, thanks largely toDestiny 2’s recent struggles.
Gearbox assuaged some fans' concerns when it confirmed thatBorderlands 4will cost $70, not the $80 some were fearful it might ask for. Still, CEO Randy Pitchford’s comments on the matter rubbed some people the wrong way, as did a controversial update to 2K’s terms of service andBorderlands 4’s demanding PC requirements. Those lingering concerns may remain, but drama elsewhere in the looter shooter space may still tee the game up for a strong release.
Bungie’sDestinyfranchise is arguablyBorderlands’biggest competition as a looter shooter, and it has not had an easy time winning over fans lately. Its recentThe Edge of Fateupdate isby far the worst-performingDestiny 2expansionyet, reaching a peak player count of just 99,131 players on Steam. That’s less than a third of the previous year’s expansion and may reflect a growing dissatisfaction with the game overall. After all,Destiny 2is already roughly eight years old, and maintaining a consistently large player base for that long is a challenge for even the best live service titles.
Destiny 2’s Recent Struggles May Give Borderlands 4 a Hungry Audience
Declining player counts are not the only issue facing Bungie’s entry into the looter shooter genre, either. After releasingThe Edge of Fate,Destiny 2has encountered several bugs, including one that may even cause the game to crash for some users. Software glitches after an update are nothing too unusual, but the recent string of them adds to the frustration many players had already cited with the game lately. All of this could putBorderlands 4in a better spot when it releases in September.
Fans have noticed thatBorderlands 4andDestiny 2share some similarities, and given the latter game’s recent reception, that could help encourageDestinyplayers to jump over toBorderlandsonce it comes out. That could help Gearbox’s shooter amass a strong player base at launch compared to its competition, despite its own challenges. Of course, things could also turn around forDestiny 2before then, and not every tiredDestinyplayer may switch over, but the current situation still leaves a promising market opportunity forBorderlands 4.
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across the planet.Ignite a resistance and blast your way through mechanical monstrosities, bloodthirsty bandits, and vicious beasts. Amass an arsenal of death-dealing firepower to wreak havoc as you tear your way across Kairos.Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.
