Borderlands 4 Launches Sooner Amid GTA 6 Buzz

In an unexpected announcement, Gearbox has confirmed Borderlands 4 will now release nearly two weeks earlier than planned. Development chief Randy Pitchford revealed the revised schedule in what appears to be a prematurely released video.

Optimized Development Leads to Earlier Launch

The sci-fi shooter's release shifts from September 23 to September 12 across all platforms including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

"Everything is exceeding expectations," Pitchford stated enthusiastically. "The game is phenomenal, our team is firing on all cylinders, which is why we're moving the launch forward to September 12."

"This rarely happens in our industry!" Pitchford continued. "Players will get their hands on Borderlands 4 sooner than expected!"

A dedicated PlayStation State of Play showcase featuring Borderlands 4 is scheduled to premiere shortly.

Industry analysts speculate whether this surprise schedule change relates to Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto VI, currently slated for Fall 2025 release. The timing adjustment creates breathing room between these major releases from sibling companies under Take-Two Interactive.

Strategic Release Scheduling Considerations

As both franchises operate under Take-Two's umbrella (via 2K Games and Rockstar respectively), corporate leadership likely coordinated optimal scheduling for commercial success. This revised timeline suggests GTA VI won't launch until at least October 2025.

The publisher must also consider Mafia: The Old Country's Summer 2025 release when planning its calendar year lineup.

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed release timing concerns earlier this year: "We strategically plan launches to prevent market cannibalization and respect players' time with each title."

"Successful titles actually increase consumer appetite for additional premium experiences," Zelnick explained during February's earnings call when questioned about competing releases.

Despite current planning, industry observers note GTA VI could still face delays into early 2026. "Development timelines always carry some risk," Zelnick acknowledged, while expressing confidence in Rockstar's Fall 2025 target.

The Borderlands 4 schedule change provides clearer insight into Take-Two's carefully orchestrated release strategy for its premium franchises.