"Borderlands EULA Update Sparks Review Bombing"

The beloved Borderlands series has recently come under fire as fans express their discontent through review bombing, triggered by significant changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by publisher Take-Two Interactive. Dive deeper into the community's reaction and what this means for the future of the franchise.

Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"

Take-Two Terms of Service Changes

The Borderlands community has been vocal about their dissatisfaction with recent updates to Take-Two Interactive's EULA. On May 18, Reddit user Noob4Head highlighted that games like Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 are receiving a slew of negative reviews on Steam due to these changes.

The updated EULA, which was last revised on February 28, has sparked controversy particularly around the inclusion of an anti-cheat software, which some players have labeled as "spyware."

Concerns have been raised about the software potentially granting Take-Two root-level access to users' machines, possibly collecting sensitive personal data such as passwords and contact information. These allegations, while speculative, have not yet been addressed by Take-Two, adding fuel to the fire.

The introduction of this anti-cheat mechanism raises questions about its impact on the vibrant modding community that has been integral to the Borderlands experience. Whether these changes will lead to privacy issues or restrict gameplay, and if they are necessary for the upcoming Borderlands 4, remains unclear.

Possibly An Overreaction?

While many fans view these EULA updates as intrusive and negative, others argue that the reaction might be exaggerated. Reddit user Librask, for instance, pointed out that "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." It's worth noting that Take-Two's terms of service are broad, not all changes directly impacting Borderlands.

The EULA also clearly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, reserves the right to modify the agreement, with users having the option to either accept the terms or discontinue use of the services.

Root-level access for anti-cheat purposes is not uncommon in the gaming industry, especially in competitive multiplayer titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege. However, given Borderlands' focus on cooperative play rather than PvP, the necessity of such measures for this series is under scrutiny. With Borderlands 4 on the horizon, the impact of these changes remains to be seen.

As the Borderlands series navigates this turbulent period, the community eagerly awaits Take-Two's response and potential adjustments to the EULA. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for the release of Borderlands 4, the next installment in the looter-shooter saga.

Borderlands 4 is slated for release on September 12, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage as we approach the launch date!