GTA 6 not the reason for Borderlands 4 date change, says Randy Pitchford

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 2, 2025, 01:50 IST

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Gearbox moved Borderlands 4 release to September 12. This sparked rumors about avoiding Grand Theft Auto VI. CEO Randy Pitchford denied any connection. He cited confidence in Borderlands 4's development. Take-Two will discuss financials on May 15. Many expect a GTA 6 release date then. The industry awaits further announcements. Other games like NBA 2K25 are also releasing soon.

GTA 6 not the reason for Borderlands 4 date change, says Randy Pitchford

Source: Rockstar Games

The gaming community erupted in speculation this week when Gearbox and Take-Two shifted the release date of Borderlands 4 forward from September 23 to September 12. Fans were quick to associate the shift with Rockstar's imminent Grand Theft Auto VI, set for release in fall 2025. However, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has gone on record to quash these speculations in a categorical denial.

Randy Pitchford refutes GTA 6 tie to Borderlands 4 release date adjustment

Randy Pitchford, the head of Gearbox Software, broke his silence on social media to shoot down mounting rumors that the release date movement of Borderlands 4 was in direct connection to Rockstar's highly anticipated GTA 6. Most expected the calendar adjustment to prevent direct competition with GTA 6, which is widely tipped for release sometime in late September or October, given Take-Two's release strategy.

Pitchford was categorical in his answer:
"Borderlands 4 shipping early is 100% the result of confidence in the game and development trajectory backed by actual tasks and bug find/fix rates. Our decision is literally 0% about any other product’s actual or theoretical launch date."

His comment was designed to assuage fan theories and industry rumor that the move was just part of a bigger marketing ploy by Take-Two Interactive, which owns Rockstar Games.

A strategic fall lineup and a simmering release window

Although Pitchford maintains GTA 6 was not a factor in the decision, the wider industry context has kept the rumor mill churning. Take-Two has already indicated that it will not pack big releases such as Mafia: The Old Country, Borderlands 4, and GTA VI too close together. Leaks have put Mafia on August 8, and now Borderlands 4 is in mid-September.
Adding to the intrigue, Take-Two will be conducting a financial earnings call on May 15, and most fans have it on their minds that's when an official GTA 6 release date will finally be announced. In the meantime, NBA 2K25 and Bungie's Marathon will also be releasing in early September and late September respectively, filling up a crowded release schedule.
Though Randy Pitchford maintains the change in Borderlands 4's release date is an internal one, the timing has certainly stoked rumors of GTA 6's release. Take-Two's May 15 earnings call is approaching, and fans need to wait a little longer to determine if the rumors are real.
Also Read: GTA V gets a jaw-dropping visual upgrade with this free mod, launching May 15

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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