Pitchford Sets Record Straight on $80 Borderlands 4 Claim

The controversy surrounding Randy Pitchford's $80 Borderlands 4 comment has intensified, with rival publishers capitalizing on the backlash to promote their own titles. Meanwhile, Pitchford doubled down, directing attention to his earlier statements about the game's pricing with a defiant: "Here's the truth."

Devolver Digital, known for its provocative marketing tactics, seized the opportunity to showcase Mycopunk - their upcoming Borderlands-inspired co-op FPS. The studio cheekily highlighted their game's affordability compared to Borderlands 4's potential price point.

The firestorm began when Pitchford responded to pricing concerns by suggesting dedicated fans would "find a way" to afford the game, drawing parallels to his own experience purchasing a $80 Sega Genesis title in 1991.

The exchange went viral:

Fan: "Randy, don't price this at $80. Many gamers won't support constant price hikes."

Pitchford: "1) Not my decision. 2) True fans make it work. I bought a $80 game working minimum wage in 1991."

Devolver's social media team cleverly used the controversy to highlight Mycopunk's four-player co-op at Borderlands 4's potential single-copy price. Pitchford responded sarcastically about Mycopunk's affordability compared to street drugs.

Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth - probably has fewer side effects, too! https://t.co/ICgEYZ7FEq

— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) May 21, 2025

Reactions remained overwhelmingly negative, with fans threatening piracy and pleading for damage control to preserve Borderlands 4's hype. Pitchford later referenced his PAX East comments as his "official" stance.

During the panel, Pitchford claimed ignorance about final pricing but acknowledged production costs had doubled from Borderlands 3, mentioning retailer pressures and development budgets as complicating factors.

He explained: "Our philosophy balances accessibility with development resources. The more support we receive, the more ambitious future games can become. Pricing will reflect market standards, but we want players to feel they're getting superior value regardless."

His closing remark - "Borderlands is fucking amazing and worth it" - failed to quell concerns. Critics argued his PAX comments should have been his only response, avoiding the "not a real fan" rhetoric that alienated the community.

Popular streamer Moxsy commented: "Fans want justification through quality, not gatekeeping. This attitude hurts developers and loyal supporters alike."

With Borderlands 4's September 12, 2025 release approaching, publisher 2K Games will soon announce official pricing when pre-orders launch.

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Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently dodged direct pricing questions but emphasized delivering exceptional value: "We aim to provide entertainment that justifies its cost through quality. Consumers recognize and reward excellence."