Gearbox Software's CEO, Randy Pitchford, has firmly denied rumors suggesting that the decision to move up the release date of Borderlands 4 was influenced by other games, such as Marathon or Grand Theft Auto 6. Initially scheduled for September 23, Borderlands 4 will now launch on September 12 across platforms including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
The sudden 11-day shift has fueled speculation about possible conflicts with other major titles, particularly GTA 6, which is still expected to release sometime in late 2025. Some theorized that Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of both Borderlands and GTA developers, might have adjusted the schedule to create space between the two releases. Additionally, Marathon, a highly anticipated co-op shooter from Bungie, was also rumored to be a factor, as it was initially set to release on the same day.
However, Pitchford emphasized that the change was purely based on internal progress and confidence in the game’s development. He stated that the decision was entirely motivated by “confidence in the game and development trajectory,” citing actual task completion rates and bug fixes as key indicators.
Despite the common occurrence of delays in the gaming industry, moving a release date forward is relatively rare. Industry expert Chris Dring questioned the commercial rationale behind the shift, pointing out that the original date was already widely marketed and ingrained in promotional materials. "Surely there’s got to be a good commercial reason to shift a date," he noted.
Pitchford himself revealed the surprise announcement during a recent video message, expressing excitement over the team’s achievements and the game’s readiness. “Everything is going great, actually,” he said. “In fact, everything is going kind of the best-case scenario.”
Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, previously expressed a strategy to stagger releases to prevent consumer fatigue and ensure players fully enjoy each title before moving on to the next. While he acknowledged risks of delays, he maintained confidence in Rockstar’s ability to meet the GTA 6 release window.
Speculation continues regarding potential delays for GTA 6, with some predicting a possible shift into early 2026. However, Zelnick remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of balancing ambition with practicality in game development.
