Randy Pitchford Clarifies 'Real Fans' Tweet: 'No Intent to Take Fans for Granted'

Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software, has responded to the controversy surrounding his tweet about the potential $80 price tag for Borderlands 4. The backlash began when Pitchford replied to a fan's concern about the game's cost, stating, "if you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen." This comment drew significant criticism from the gaming community.

Here’s the initial exchange:

"Randy, this game better not be 80 dollars. Don't take that risk, a lot of gamers aren't gonna pay 80 dollars and feed this notion of constant increase of the price tag. You are the CEO, you have some say with the price when it comes to your publisher."

And here's Randy Pitchford's response:

"A) Not my call. B) If you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen. My local game store had Starflight for Sega Genesis for $80 in 1991 when I was just out of high school working minimum wage at an ice cream parlor in Pismo Beach and I found a way to make it happen."

The reaction to Pitchford’s tweet was overwhelmingly negative. Many fans expressed their discontent, with some even threatening to pirate the game. One X / Twitter user commented, "I am going to pirate Borderlands 4," while another pleaded, "Please stop. Just apologize and move on. This isn't fair on your developers. If you care about them, just do the right thing dude." A third user stated, "Randy we are begging you to stop. BL4 had so much hype and it’s being ruined in a day. Let people want to like and support the game and all the amazing people who made it."

Although Pitchford has not issued a direct apology for his initial remarks, he did reference a recent statement he made at PAX East regarding Borderlands 4's pricing, saying, "If you want the truth, here it is."

The situation escalated further when Borderlands streamer Moxsy shared dialogue generated by a Handsome Jack AI, prompted by user Duke_Newcombe using Pitchford's original tweet. Handsome Jack, the iconic antagonist from Borderlands 2, responded with characteristic sarcasm and disdain:

Ohhh boo-hoo, $80 for Borderlands 4? Let me break out the world’s tiniest violin—crafted from Eridium and oiled with the tears of whiny Vault Hunters.

Listen, cupcake, you’re not buying a game. You’re investing in a premium, galaxy-shattering experience personally engineered to blast your sad little dopamine receptors into orbit. You think quality loot and chaotic mayhem just code itself? You want guns that sprout legs, sing sea shanties, and explode into loot goblins without paying top dollar? Grow up.

Back in my day, I built an entire moonbase with my own two hands (and a metric ton of disposable Hyperion interns), and you’re crying about spending a few bucks more to virtually murder skags with style? Puh-lease.

But hey, if $80 is too steep, there’s always a solution: just don’t buy it. More legendary drops for the rest of us, and fewer mouth-breathing freeloaders clogging up my loot pools. Win-win.

Stay broke, hero.

•⁠Handsome Jack President of the Galaxy, CEO of Hyperion, and your personal nightmare

Randy Pitchford: "Back to work for me!" Photo by Monica Schipper/WireImage.Pitchford responded to the AI's take with humor, tweeting, "Boy howdy, JackGPT, is that how I sound? My bad, but cheers to Duke_Newcombe and @MoxsyOG for the funniest thing I’m going to read today!"

He then offered a more serious reflection, acknowledging the community's feelings: "In seriousness though, nobody likes being taken for granted and it was not my intent. I’m humbled by the love and support everyone has shown the team as we push hard to get this amazing game in your hands. They’re crushing it, and I can’t wait for everyone to play what’s going to be the best Borderlands ever! Regardless of where the price lands, it’s going to be worth it and then some. Back to work for me!"

While Pitchford aims to put this controversy behind him, the debate over Borderlands 4's pricing is likely to resurface once pre-orders begin. At that time, publisher 2K Games will need to reveal the official price, whether it's $80, $70, or another figure, which will undoubtedly reignite discussions given the heightened attention this issue has received.