Borderlands 4 Drops Early, May Affect GTA 6 Plans

Gearbox's highly anticipated first-person shooter Borderlands 4 will launch 11 days earlier than originally scheduled, as announced by development lead Randy Pitchford in what appears to be a prematurely released video.

The game's release has moved from September 23 to September 12, with availability across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 platforms.

In the surprise video, Pitchford enthusiastically shared: "Development is exceeding expectations - in fact, we're hitting all our best-case scenarios. The game is phenomenal, the team is firing on all cylinders, which is why we're adjusting the launch window. Borderlands 4 now releases September 12."

"Can you believe it? This almost never happens in our industry! Players will experience Borderlands 4 ahead of schedule!" Pitchford added while promising an imminent PlayStation State of Play showcase for the title.

The unexpected schedule change raises questions about potential connections to the looming release of Grand Theft Auto VI. With GTA VI currently slated for fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S - a broad window that could overshadow competing titles - some speculate Borderlands 4's early arrival creates crucial breathing room between the two major releases.

Notably, 2K Games (publisher of Borderlands 4) and Rockstar (developer of GTA) both operate under parent company Take-Two Interactive. At the executive level, including CEO Strauss Zelnick, there's clear awareness of all forthcoming titles and their optimal launch timing to maximize success. Industry analysts suggest GTA VI's schedule may have recently crystallized, prompting this strategic adjustment for Borderlands 4.

With Borderlands 4 now arriving September 12, potential GTA VI launch months like August and September appear less likely. Could October, November, or even December 2025 emerge as viable alternatives? This scheduling shift raises concerns about potential internal competition between Take-Two's 2025 flagship titles, especially considering Mafia: The Old Country's planned summer 2025 release under the 2K Games label.

When questioned in February about potential release conflicts between major titles, CEO Zelnick assured careful planning would prevent such scenarios: "We intentionally stagger releases to respect players' ability to fully enjoy each experience before moving to the next blockbuster," he explained. "Quality titles actually generate enthusiasm for subsequent releases, and with ours being market leaders, we're confident in our scheduling approach."

Despite these assurances, industry observers continue speculating about possible GTA VI delays - whether pushing into late winter 2025 or even early 2026. When pressed about Rockstar's ability to meet the fall 2025 target, Zelnick cautiously noted: "While we're optimistic about the timeline, absolute certainty invites unnecessary risk in game development."