Borderlands 4 Release Date Moved Up: Impact on GTA 6?

Gearbox has announced an exciting update for fans eagerly awaiting the release of their upcoming first-person shooter, Borderlands 4. In a surprising turn of events, the game's launch date has been moved up by 11 days, as confirmed by Gearbox's development chief, Randy Pitchford, in a video that inadvertently went live early.

Originally slated for a September 23 release, Borderlands 4 will now hit the shelves on September 12. This early launch will be available across multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

In the revealing video, Pitchford expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Everything is going great, actually. In fact, everything is going kind of the best-case scenario. The game is awesome, the team is cooking, and so the launch date for Borderlands 4 is changing. We’re moving it forward. The launch date is now September 12."

He further emphasized the rarity of this situation, exclaiming, "What?! This never happens you guys! This never happens! We’re moving the launch date forward! You’re gonna get Borderlands 4 earlier!"

Additionally, Pitchford mentioned that a PlayStation State of Play event focused solely on Borderlands 4 is scheduled to be released soon, adding to the anticipation surrounding the game.

The decision to advance the release date has sparked speculation about its potential connection to the impending launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), another highly anticipated title set to release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S sometime in the fall of 2025. Given the broad release window for GTA 6, there's a possibility that Borderlands 4's new date aims to carve out more space in the market before the GTA 6 juggernaut hits.

It's noteworthy that both Borderlands 4 and GTA 6 are under the umbrella of Take-Two, with Borderlands 4 being published by 2K Games and GTA 6 developed by Rockstar. Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, who oversees both franchises, would have a keen interest in strategically spacing out these major releases to maximize their impact and success.

With Borderlands 4 now set to launch on September 12, it seems less likely that GTA 6 will debut in the same month or in August. This adjustment leaves October, November, or December 2025 as potential release dates for GTA 6. However, the proximity of these releases raises concerns about potential market saturation and competition within Take-Two's own portfolio, especially considering another 2K game, Mafia: The Old Country, is slated for a summer 2025 release.

In an interview conducted in February, IGN posed the question of potential cannibalization to Zelnick. He reassured that Take-Two is committed to spacing out their releases thoughtfully, driven by a respect for consumers' need to fully engage with each game. Zelnick stated, "No, I think we will plan the releases so as not to have that be a problem... And what we found is when you're giving consumers hits, they tend to be interested in pursuing other hits."

Amidst this strategic planning, there remains the possibility that GTA 6 could face delays, potentially pushing its release into early winter or even the first quarter of 2026. When asked about the confidence in meeting the fall 2025 deadline for GTA 6, Zelnick responded cautiously, "Look, there's always a risk of slippage and I think as soon as you say words like absolutely, you jinx things... So we feel really good about it."

This early release of Borderlands 4 not only delights fans but also sets the stage for a fascinating year in gaming, with strategic moves by major players like Take-Two shaping the landscape.