Borderlands 4 Release Date Shifted: Implications for GTA 6 Launch?

Gearbox has announced an exciting update for fans eagerly awaiting the release of their upcoming first-person shooter, *Borderlands 4*. In a surprising move, development chief Randy Pitchford revealed in a video that the game will launch 11 days earlier than originally planned. Initially slated for a September 23 release, *Borderlands 4* will now hit the shelves on September 12, available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch 2.

In the video, Pitchford expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Everything is going great, actually. In fact, everything is going kind of the best-case scenario. The game is awesome, the team is cooking, and so the launch date for *Borderlands 4* is changing. We’re moving it forward. The launch date is now September 12." He further exclaimed, "What?! This never happens you guys! This never happens! We’re moving the launch date forward! You’re gonna get *Borderlands 4* earlier!"

Additionally, Pitchford mentioned that a PlayStation State of Play event focused on *Borderlands 4* is expected to be released soon, adding to the anticipation surrounding the game.

This unexpected decision to advance the release date has sparked speculation about its relation to the highly anticipated *Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6)*, set to release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S sometime in the fall of 2025. With such a broad release window, there's a possibility that *GTA 6* could overshadow other games, including *Borderlands 4*. It's worth noting that *Borderlands 4* is published by 2K Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two, which is also the parent company of *GTA* developer Rockstar. At the executive level, CEO Strauss Zelnick and other key decision-makers would be keenly aware of the development timelines and market positioning of all their titles, potentially prompting the earlier release of *Borderlands 4* to carve out its own space in the market.

If *Borderlands 4* launches on September 12, it might suggest that *GTA 6* won't be released in the same month or even in August. This leaves October, November, or December 2025 as possible release dates for *GTA 6*. However, releasing *Borderlands 4* and *GTA 6* too closely together could risk cannibalizing their respective sales. Additionally, *Mafia: The Old Country*, another 2K title, is set to launch in the summer of 2025, further complicating Take-Two's release strategy.

In a February interview with IGN, Strauss Zelnick addressed concerns about potential cannibalization, stating that Take-Two plans its releases carefully to avoid such risks. He emphasized, "No, I think we will plan the releases so as not to have that be a problem... And what we found is when you're giving consumers hits, they tend to be interested in pursuing other hits." Zelnick's comments suggest a strategic approach to release timing that respects consumers' desire to fully engage with each game before moving on to the next.

Despite these assurances, there remains the possibility that *GTA 6* could face delays, potentially pushing its release into early winter 2025 or even the first quarter of 2026. Zelnick acknowledged the inherent risks of delays, noting, "Look, there's always a risk of slippage and I think as soon as you say words like absolutely, you jinx things... So we feel really good about it."