On August 29, Borderlands 4 developer Gearbox Software gave players a glimpse at the first few months of post-launch content, which includes two bounty packs, a story DLC, and some free content. Additionally, Borderlands 4 will bring back the Pearlescent loot tier, which last appeared in Borderlands 2, as part of a free update planned for Q1 2026.
The reveal came after Borderlands 4 revealed that some of its features would not be ready in time for the game's September 12 launch. While online cross-play will be available from the start, Gearbox confirmed in a Steam post that cross-save and cross-progression would not be available in Borderlands 4 on day one, meaning account-wide progress will be restrained. However, Gearbox acknowledged players' frustrations about the missing features and stated that cross-progression and cross-save are in the pipeline for future updates. Gearbox did not state when Borderlands 4's missing launch features would go live.
Borderlands 4 Narrative Director Speaks About Its Grounded Story After BL3 'Sometimes Felt Like Parody'
Borderlands 4 narrative director Sam Winkler speaks about the upcoming looter-shooter's more grounded story.
Borderlands 4 Shares First Post-Launch Content Update Plans
Despite some functions taking longer than anticipated to implement, Borderlands 4 gave fans a preview of what the post-launch release cycle will be. Gearbox posted a post-launch blog and roadmap, which confirmed some of the studio's plans for Borderlands 4 for the first few months after its September 12 release. Borderlands 4 will have both free and paid content released in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, though exact timings are subject to change. The Horrors of Kairos seasonal event will introduce new legendary weapons and cosmetics for Halloween, and the first paid Bounty Pack will offer new missions and cosmetics. Though concerns linger about Borderlands 4's endgame difficulty, a high-level "Invincible Boss" challenge will give willing Vault Hunters a chance to test their skills.
Borderlands 4's post-launch content plans will also see the return of Pearlescent loot, which is above the Legendary tier. Also known as the cyan loot tier, Pearlescent loot will be part of a free update slated for early 2026. That is also when a paid Story Pack expansion, Mad Ellie and The Vault of the Damned, is slated to launch. The expansion will introduce a new Vault Hunter, story missions, and additional cosmetics for Borderlands 4 players to collect. Gearbox also discussed Borderlands 4's endgame loop, which will focus on weekly challenges and the Ultimate Vault Hunter post-game mode that will give players a way to quickly prepare for tougher foes.
Between its post-launch plans and various gameplay changes, Borderlands 4 looks to improve upon what its predecessors established. Whether Borderlands 4 will help the franchise meet Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford's bold sales prediction remains to be seen.
Borderlands 4
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
