Borderlands 4 is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, with PC players granted early access beginning on September 11. The launch arrives just weeks ahead of another notable industry milestone, as the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to release on October 3.
Franchise Sales Near 100 Million
With the upcoming release, the Borderlands franchise is approaching a major milestone. Rickard Linder (CEO & Co-Founder of Alinea Analytics) confirmed that the series has moved more than 94 million copies worldwide across all entries to date. Borderlands 2 remains the top-selling title, surpassing 30 million units sold, while Borderlands 3 holds the record as the fastest-selling entry with 23 million units. Borderlands 4 now has the potential to challenge both records and carry the series into the 100 million sales range.
Borderlands 4 Release Date
Steam Performance and Pre-Order Activity
Interest in Borderlands 4 is already visible on Steam. Right now, it ranks as the platform's second best-selling game, behind only Counter-Strike. Earlier today, it briefly secured the number one position for four consecutive hours. Pre-order demand is strong, with estimates from Alinea Analytics placing reservations at more than 500,000 copies on Steam alone.
Wishlist data shows significant franchise loyalty. Borderlands 2 appears on 59 percent of related wishlists, Borderlands 3 on 53 percent, and both Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and Fallout 76 on 17 percent each. Long-time fans remain highly engaged with the series ahead of the new release.
System Requirements and Hardware Considerations
Borderlands 4 has prompted discussion around its recommended hardware specifications. The official requirements advise 32GB of RAM for optimal performance. The most recent Steam hardware survey from August shows 36.46 percent of users report having 32GB of RAM installed, while 41.88 percent remain at 16GB. Many players may need to either upgrade their systems or expect performance limitations when running the game at recommended settings.
Early Impressions and Developer Response
Initial impressions have highlighted both the scale of the game and technical performance concerns. Borderlands 4 has been described as impressive in scope but pre-release sessions have surfaced issues such as crashing, stuttering, and freezing.
In response, Gearbox co-founder Randy Pitchford addressed concerns on social media. He stated that players should set realistic expectations for performance, noting that large-scale open-world AAA games typically require modern hardware for stable operation. Pitchford also confirmed that a day-one patch will introduce significant optimizations and improvements. Gearbox has expressed confidence that the game will perform as intended on higher-end systems once these updates are in place.
Anticipated Release in 2025
Borderlands 4 is positioned as one of the most notable AAA game releases of the year. With strong pre-launch sales momentum, a dedicated fanbase, and the franchise nearing 100 million total copies sold, the release marks a significant moment for the series. Technical performance will remain an important factor during launch week, but early indications suggest that interest among players is high as the next installment in the Borderlands franchise arrives.
