Randy Pitchford Clarifies $80 Borderlands 4 Comment: 'If You Want the Truth, Here It Is'

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The controversy surrounding Randy Pitchford’s now-infamous $80 remark about *Borderlands 4* has intensified, drawing reactions from across the gaming industry. As public sentiment turned sharply against the comment, several publishers have seized the opportunity to spotlight their own titles. Leading the charge is Devolver Digital—a studio well-known for its bold and often satirical marketing strategies.

Devolver, the creative force behind acclaimed titles such as *Hotline Miami* and *Cult of the Lamb*, wasted no time leveraging the situation. The company retweeted an IGN post covering Pitchford's remarks, using it as a promotional hook for its upcoming co-op FPS title, *Mycopunk*. Their message was pointed yet playful: “You're gonna be able to buy Mycopunk for you and three of your friends for the price of one copy of Borderlands 4.”

Randy Pitchford quickly responded, quoting the tweet himself and quipping: “Mycopunk is cheaper than a point of meth – probably has fewer side effects, too!” While intended as humor, the reply was met with widespread criticism. Fans took to social media to express frustration, with many urging Pitchford to apologize and stop escalating the issue. Some even declared they would pirate *Borderlands 4* rather than support it under current circumstances.

Pitchford Reiterates Stance at PAX East

In the wake of the backlash, Pitchford shared a link to his recent on-stage remarks at PAX East, stating: “If you want the truth, here it is.” During the panel, he acknowledged that while he didn’t personally set the game’s final price, he didn’t rule out the possibility of an $80 tag either.

“I'll tell you the truth. I don't know [the price]. That is the truth,” he said. “It’s an interesting time in the marketplace. There are people who are very sensitive to pricing, but also realities like rising development costs and packaging tariffs. Borderlands 4 has more than twice the development budget of Borderlands 3.”

He further explained Gearbox’s dual philosophy: wanting to make games accessible while also needing to fund increasingly ambitious projects. “We’re entertainers. Yes, we want more resources to make bigger and better games… But we also want everyone who buys a Gearbox game to feel like they got the better end of the deal, whatever the price.”

Fan Reaction and Industry Implications

Despite Pitchford’s attempt to clarify his position, many fans feel that his initial response—that “if you’re a real fan, you’ll find a way to make it happen”—has done lasting damage to the launch momentum of *Borderlands 4*. Influential streamer Moxsy voiced this sentiment clearly, stating: “This was a perfect response and should have been left at this. Your second response is receiving backlash not because of the price of the game but because of the wording.”

Critics argue that the tone-deaf framing alienates long-time supporters and undermines the passion and effort of the development team. With pre-orders expected soon and a release date set for September 12, 2025, the pressure is on publisher 2K Games to address concerns before they permanently tarnish the franchise’s reputation.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Game Pricing

As the industry continues to grapple with rising production costs, questions around game pricing remain front and center. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick recently weighed in during an interview with IGN, noting that consumers are “willing to pay for the very best” so long as the value is clear.

“We offer enormous value,” Zelnick stated. “Compared to other forms of entertainment—like movie tickets or live events—video games provide astonishing value. It’s our job to deliver much more than what we charge.”

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