Gearbox Software has announced a significant patch for Borderlands 4, scheduled for release on September 18, to address widespread PC performance issues, a top priority for the developer amid player backlash.
The update comes as the game faces technical issues across platforms, despite strong launch numbers on Steam. Gearbox acknowledged community feedback on both PC and console versions, confirming multiple patches are in development to tackle concerns.
A notable addition in the works is a field-of-view (FOV) slider for consoles, currently undergoing internal testing. This feature has been a point of contention since launch, with players criticizing its absence on non-PC platforms.
Borderlands 4 has seen impressive player engagement, boasting high concurrent user counts on Steam. However, success has been overshadowed by an intense internet backlash focused on performance problems. The game’s mixed rating on Steam reflects this divide, with negative reviews pinpointing glitches, stuttering, and optimization shortcomings.
A weekend hotfix deployed without patch notes failed to resolve many issues, leaving players frustrated and expectant for the update. Technical analyses have highlighted the severity of these problems, with Digital Foundry’s initial examination revealing significant stuttering on PC, particularly with the highest “Badass” graphics preset.
Experts attributed issues to underlying challenges with the Unreal Engine 5 that powers the looter-shooter. On consoles, performance degrades over extended play sessions, especially on the PS5 Pro hardware, with speculation pointing to a potential memory leak causing frame rates to drop noticeably after prolonged use.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford addressed complaints directly on social media, suggesting a simple workaround for console users: quitting and restarting the game periodically to reset accumulating issues. On PC, the studio released an Nvidia Optimization guide via Steam, offering tips on adjusting graphics settings to achieve better frame rates and smoother gameplay.
User feedback on these recommendations has been mixed, with some reporting marginal improvements. Gearbox cautioned PC players that changes to graphics settings trigger a shader recompilation process, advising them to wait at least 15 minutes before evaluating performance shifts.
Pitchford’s communications have not been without controversy, explaining the delay in implementing a console FOV slider and challenging critics to “code your own engine and show us how it’s done, please.” He positioned Borderlands 4 as “a premium game made for premium gamers,” recommending refunds through Steam’s policy for deeply dissatisfied players.
As Borderlands 4 continues to draw millions into its chaotic universe, Gearbox’s upcoming patch represents a critical juncture. The studio’s efforts to refine the experience could restore player trust, but ongoing transparency will be key to navigating this turbulent launch period.
