Borderlands 4: Loot, Co-op, and Mini Map Updates Revealed at PAX East

Borderlands 4 Panel Highlights Changes to Loot, Co-op, and Mini-Map at PAX East

At PAX East 2025, Gearbox Software unveiled exciting updates for Borderlands 4 (BL4), focusing on significant enhancements to its loot and co-op systems. The panel, held on May 10, featured Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and other team members, who provided in-depth insights into these improvements and the reasoning behind the removal of the mini-map.

Loot and Co-Op Overhaul

Gearbox has taken fan feedback from Borderlands 3 (BL3) to heart, implementing substantial upgrades in BL4. The revamped co-op lobby system now allows players to seamlessly join and leave games at any time, without needing to reach specific points in the game. This flexibility is crucial given BL4's expansive map. The fast-travel feature has also been enhanced, enabling players to quickly join their friends' locations.

BL4 maintains the level-scaling system from BL3, ensuring that players can join any lobby and their characters will scale to match the world's levels. This system extends to loot as well, with each player receiving their own unique set of rewards, promoting a personalized gaming experience.

In terms of loot, BL4 aims to refine the complexity of its system. The game will reduce the number of legendary items players receive, but each one will be more powerful and special, enhancing the sense of achievement. Not all loot will be randomized; specific drops from mini-bosses and major enemies will provide targeted rewards, making encounters more rewarding. Players can still engage in grinding through Moxxi’s Big Encore, replaying missions and bosses without the need to reload previous saves to farm loot.

Mini-Map Removal Explained

The absence of a mini-map in BL4 sparked curiosity among fans at PAX East. Randy Pitchford explained that the decision was made to enhance the player's immersion in the game's vast world. He stated, "We made a big freaking world, and a lot of the things you do can be local space, but a lot of the things you do or want to do are out there, and a local space map is not a good way to navigate when you're thinking about objectives and opportunities - several at the same time that might be miles away - and a compass really helps us do that."

Pitchford emphasized the importance of playing the game rather than focusing on the map. The new compass system is designed to assist players as they navigate and explore the expansive world of BL4. He encouraged players to experience the game first-hand to understand the rationale behind these design choices.

Gearbox is gearing up for the launch of Borderlands 4, following the recent Borderlands 4 State of Play and an announcement that the game will be released two weeks earlier than planned. The studio is set to participate in several upcoming events, including Fan Fest, Bilibili World, and Gamescom, to further showcase what BL4 has to offer.

Borderlands 4 is scheduled 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 information on the game by checking out our article below!