What is the price of Borderlands 4? Price divides opinions.

The gaming market is buzzing, and Borderlands 4 has definitively entered the center of the conversation. This time, not because of its mechanics or visuals, but because of its price. The discussion surrounding the game's price has ignited a heated debate about how far one is willing to pay for such a highly anticipated release.

Randy Pitchford's controversial statement

It all started when Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox, responded to a fan on X (formerly Twitter) about the price of Borderlands 4. A follower argued that the game shouldn't cost $80, stating that many fans wouldn't be able to afford it. Pitchford retorted that "true fans" would find a way to buy it. This, of course, was a bombshell in a community already feeling pressured by rising prices in the industry.

The statement was seen by many as insensitive, especially coming from someone who, in theory, could try to pressure the publisher for a more affordable price. By recalling a game he bought for $80 in 1991, Pitchford tried to justify the situation, but forgot one detail: today, $80 means something very different, especially in countries like Brazil.

What is the price of Borderlands 4?

Days after the announcement, the prices for Borderlands 4 were confirmed, and it's already available for pre-order in three different editions. The Standard version costs R$ 379.90. The Deluxe version goes up to R$ 499.90, while the Super Deluxe reaches R$ 649.90. Gearbox has released the purchase for all major platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The prices are alarming, but not surprising either. The trend of games costing over R$300 is nothing new. Even so, Borderlands 4 has become a symbol of this new phase of rising prices. However, what was most disturbing in this case was the elitist discourse that accompanied the price reveal.

The community is clearly divided. On one side are those who can't wait to get their hands on Borderlands 4, regardless of the price. For them, the high price is justified by the expected quality, improved graphics, and promising storyline. On the other side, a significant portion of players say they simply can't keep up with the pace.

The main point raised by critics is: it's not about not wanting to pay, but about not being able to. In a country like Brazil, R$ 649.90 represents almost half of a minimum wage. Is it fair to ask for this sacrifice in the name of "loyalty to the game"? Pitchford's statement was precisely the trigger for many to reflect on this veiled demand.

Kairos: The new scenario of chaos.

While the pricing continues to be debated, the content of Borderlands 4 is also attracting attention. The game takes place on Kairos, a planet marked by conflict and dominated by a tyrant known as the Time Keeper. The story begins to unfold after the Elpis collision, an event that revealed the planet and radically altered its reality.

It is in this scenario that the new Vault Hunters come into action. Vex and Rafa were the first characters revealed. Vex, a Siren with demonic wings and mastery over phase energy, can summon magical creatures to aid her. Rafa, on the other hand, is an Exo-Soldier with an exoskeleton full of weaponry, including sharp claws for close combat.

These revelations serve as a warm-up for what's to come. Gearbox has promised that Borderlands 4 will feature new heroes and villains, each with their own unique styles and the ability to transform the battlefield.

Borderlands 4 pre-orders and sales expectations

Despite the controversy, Borderlands 4 is already generating a lot of pre-orders. It's undeniable that there's a loyal group willing to buy as soon as possible, even if it means paying in installments or giving up other purchases. Therefore, this detail demonstrates that the brand still has strength and that, even with criticism, the game has great commercial potential.

Still, it's impossible to ignore the discussion about accessibility. If prices continue to rise and studios continue to justify this with rhetoric detached from the reality of most people, the market may end up alienating the audience that sustains it.

Is Borderlands 4 worth all this hype?

That's the question on everyone's lips. Borderlands 4 promises plenty of action, incredible characters, and a plot full of twists and turns. The new setting, the mystery surrounding the Time Keeper, and the new mechanics have sparked interest even among those who haven't followed the franchise for a long time.

However, does the content justify the prices? Or were the prices designed solely to cater to a specific market, completely ignoring countries with devalued currencies? The answer will only come with the official launch and, especially, with the public's reaction in the first few days.