Randy Pitchford defends Borderlands 4 as ‘premium game for premium gamers’ amid backlash
▼ Summary
– Borderlands 4 launched with significant performance issues, including optimization complaints, stuttering, and crashes.
– Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford defended the game, stating it is a premium title not intended for older hardware like 10-year-old PCs or PlayStation 4.
– Pitchford recommended players use 1440p resolution instead of 4K for better performance, especially on mid-range or minimum-spec hardware.
– Players criticized these suggestions, noting poor performance even on mainstream GPUs like the RTX 3060 and 4060 at medium settings.
– High-end hardware, such as an RTX 5090, struggles to achieve smooth frame rates at 4K without extensive upscaling and frame generation assistance.
The launch of Borderlands 4 has been met with significant criticism over performance issues, leading Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford to publicly address concerns while defending the game as a premium experience designed for high-end systems. Despite published hardware requirements, many players report persistent stuttering, crashes, and underwhelming frame rates even on powerful modern setups.
Pitchford took to social media to frame the title as “a premium game made for premium gamers,” drawing comparisons between outdated hardware and attempting to power a monster truck with a leaf blower engine. He emphasized that the game was never intended to operate smoothly on decade-old PCs or last-generation consoles, pointing users toward the officially listed minimum and recommended specifications.
In a series of posts, the executive shared his personal configuration, running the game at 1440p with high settings to maintain stable performance. He advised players struggling with 4K resolution to consider lowering their output, particularly if their hardware aligns closely with the minimum requirements. Pitchford noted that those with top-tier graphics cards should manage 4K without issue, but mid-range users would benefit from scaling down.
The response from the gaming community was swift and largely critical. Many players highlighted that even mainstream GPUs like the RTX 3060 and 4060, which dominate Steam’s hardware surveys, struggle to maintain 60 frames per second at 1080p on medium settings. Others with flagship components, including overclocked RTX 5090 setups, reported difficulty breaking 120 fps without relying heavily on upscaling and frame generation technologies.
Independent testing appears to support these user reports. Early performance reviews using high-end systems, including an RTX 5090 and premium CPU, averaged around 40 fps at native 4K without DLSS or frame generation. Even with aggressive upscaling enabled, frame rates only reached approximately 80 fps, a disappointing result for hardware costing over $2,000.
Pitchford’s suggestion to lower resolution to 1440p on 4K monitors also drew skepticism, as this can lead to blurry visuals and imperfect scaling. Additionally, the idea that players who invest in top-tier GPUs would pair them with 1440p displays struck many as unrealistic.
For those on older or less powerful systems, Pitchford offered blunt advice: if the game doesn’t run well after adjusting settings, seek a refund through Steam rather than endure a subpar experience. This stance has done little to calm frustrated players who feel the game’s optimization does not match its demanding hardware expectations.
(Source: PC Gamer)
