“Less Borders, More Lands”: Borderlands 4’s Ambition is Finally Matched by Technology

For a series that has always prided itself on its “wide, open experience,” the Borderlands franchise has been, for all its life, a victim of its own ambition. Load screens and “narrow seams” were the necessary evil that allowed the games to be as big as they were. But now, with the upcoming release of Borderlands 4, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford says the studio’s ambition has finally been met by modern technology. In a recent interview, Pitchford said that for the first time, they have a “world that is much wider and more open than it’s ever been before” thanks to the power of the latest hardware. This new, seamless world will allow players to explore the planet of Kairos without the constant interruptions of loading screens. But the seamless world is just one part of the equation. To go along with it, the developers have added a variety of new movement mechanics, including the much-vaunted “80s double-jump,” which Pitchford praises for its complete lack of adherence to the laws of physics.

The Double-Jump and Other “Technical Bullsht”

The “double-jump,” a staple of platformers since the 1980s, is a new addition to the franchise and a perfect example of what Pitchford calls “technical bullsht.” In the interview, he playfully questioned the absurdity of the move, asking, “Where in the rules of physics can I leap into the air and, out of mid-air, jump again?” But the answer, in a game like Borderlands, is simple: because it’s fun. This is a game that has never cared about the laws of physics, and the addition of a double-jump, along with other new movement abilities like gliding, dashing, and a grapple hook, is a clear signal that the developers are leaning into that absurdity. These new movement mechanics are not just a gimmick; they are designed to give players more freedom to explore the world and to engage in combat in more dynamic ways. You can now use your a dash to close the distance on an enemy, a grapple hook to pull yourself up to a vantage point, and a double-jump to reach a hidden loot chest. This new level of verticality and freedom of movement is a game-changer for the franchise, and it’s a testament to the developers’ commitment to modernizing a series that, in its past, has sometimes been a little too set in its ways.

• Seamless World: The new game features a massive, interconnected world with no loading screens, a first for the franchise.
• Dynamic Movement: The game introduces a variety of new movement mechanics, including a double-jump, a dash, and a grapple hook.
• A Return to Form: The developers are embracing the series’ chaotic and physics-defying nature by adding new mechanics that are designed for pure fun.

“Less Borders, More Lands”

Pitchford’s comment that Borderlands 4 has “less borders, more lands” is a perfect summary of the game’s core philosophy. The developers are not just building a new game; they are building a new foundation for the franchise, one that is focused on player freedom and creative expression. The removal of loading screens and the addition of new movement mechanics are not just cosmetic changes; they are fundamental shifts in the way the game is played. You are no longer confined to a single area; you are an unstoppable force of nature, a badass vault hunter who can go anywhere and do anything. This is the kind of game that the developers have been dreaming of for years, and now, with the power of modern technology, that dream is finally a reality. For fans of the series, this is a reason to be incredibly excited. And for newcomers, this is the perfect entry point, a game that will finally show them why the Borderlands franchise is one of the biggest in the world.