A rocky PC launch and a criticized Halloween event have cast a shadow on the looter-shooter's strong initial sales figures, but the publisher remains confident in its long-term success.
In a recent, candid interview, Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Take-Two Interactive, delivered a mixed verdict on the launch of Borderlands 4. While celebrating its critical acclaim and chart-topping performance in the U.S., he admitted that the game’s initial sales have been "a little softer than we would have liked," a situation many industry analysts are attributing to significant performance issues on PC.
The comments, made during a sit-down with The Game Business, highlight the complex reality of modern game launches, where technical stability can be just as crucial as brand recognition and critical praise.
Praise Amidst Criticism
Zelnick’s perspective stands in stark contrast to the vocal criticism from segments of the gaming community. Where players have reported bugs, stuttering, and crashes, particularly on the Steam version, the CEO focused on the positive critical reception.
"The critical acclaim for Borderlands 4 was superb, and we're really happy with the release," Zelnick stated. He quickly acknowledged the elephant in the room, adding, "Equally, as you know, there were some challenges with the Steam release. Gearbox has been addressing those challenges and will continue to do so. So, in terms of units sold out of the gate, the numbers were a little softer than we would have liked. In the fullness of time, we think it's going to do great."
This "wait and see" approach is rooted in the history of the franchise. Borderlands 3 also experienced a rocky launch but, thanks to persistent post-launch support, evolved into one of the series' most successful entries. Zelnick appears to be betting on a similar trajectory for the sequel.
Speaking of highly anticipated sequels, the industry is also closely watching the development of another Take-Two titan. New reports suggest that Grand Theft Auto VI has been delayed again, potentially shifting the entire 2026 release schedule.
A Chart-Topping Contradiction
Despite the "soft" global sales described by Zelnick, Borderlands 4 was an undeniable commercial force in the United States. According to Circana data analyst Mat Piscatella, the game cemented its status as the best-selling "premium" game in the U.S. for September 2025, effortlessly outselling new annual entries like EA Sports FC 26 and NBA 2K26.
The title also set new records for its developer, Gearbox Software. It generated the highest launch-month sales in the studio's history, a figure nearly 30% greater than Borderlands 3. For the 2025 year-to-date, it became the third best-selling game in the U.S., standing behind Monster Hunter Wilds, which fell to the number two spot, as NBA 2K26 swiped the crown.
Estimates suggest that Borderlands 4 sold approximately 2.5 million copies in its first two weeks, generating around $150 million in revenue. While impressive, this still fell short of the staggering pace set by Borderlands 3, which sold five million units in just five days.
It’s reported that the Borderlands series has now surpassed 94 million lifetime sales. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has expressed confidence that Borderlands 4 will be the title that finally pushes the iconic franchise past the 100 million units sold milestone worldwide.
Post-Launch Woes: Patches and Player Discontent
A key factor in achieving that goal will be Gearbox's ability to stabilize the game and win back player trust. The studio has been vocal about its post-launch support, identifying the PC performance woes as its "top priority" and shipping multiple patches to address them. However, the path to stability has been bumpy, with some updates reportedly exacerbating stuttering on certain PC configurations, frustrating the player base even further.
Beyond technical issues, the game is also facing criticism for its new content. The recent "Horrors of Kairos" Halloween event, released toward the end of October, was met with a swift and negative reaction from the community. Many players called it a "huge step down" in quality, with some dubbing it the worst content drop in the series' history—a significant blow for a franchise built on its engaging endgame and expansion content.
For fans looking to jump into the chaos, the game is available on all major platforms. You can find the best deals for Borderlands 4 by checking offers on Amazon here.
The Long Game
The story of Borderlands 4 is still being written. The conflicting narrative of record-breaking chart success and underwhelming internal sales targets encapsulates the high-stakes nature of the AAA gaming landscape. For every player delighted by the game's refined gunplay and signature humor, another has been driven away by technical imperfections.
Take-Two and Gearbox are now playing the long game, hoping that a continued stream of patches and more substantial future content updates will mirror the successful recovery of Borderlands 3. Whether the vault hunters will return in full force to push the series to that coveted 100-million-units-sold milestone remains the biggest question hanging over Pandora's latest chapter.